Windows 7: Dual Boot Installation with Windows 7 and XP

I'm using the same disk I used for the previous Vista/XP dual boot set up (XP with SP2). Both the Vista/XP and the current Windows 7/XP are on Dell laptops, and the XP was purchased from a retail office supply chain.

I'm wondering if there is a file, or files, still lingering from the initial time I inserted the disk and tried to install XP while the systen was up and running, before I found the correct procedure on this forum (it's been a few years since I did the Vista/XP set up, and I did not remember the procedure perfectly). That install failed because a newer version of Windows was alrready installed, according to the error message. But I wonder if the computer still thinks it's in the middle of an incomplete install and goes right to the installation process without the initial set of screens.

Thanks for the assistance.

- Steve R.

To check this delete the XP partition in 7 Disk Management, boot the XP CD to see if you can now create and format a partition.

If not then I would track down an XP installer with SP3 as this solves problems we've come across similar to this here earlier.

Thanks for this great site which has helped my get dual booted before. This time I'm stuck where it says:

If you have a SATA drive, then you will need to do either one of these options to load the SATA drivers for XP for your specific motherboard.
How to Slipstream SATA drivers into Windows XP setup CD with Dual Boot of Windows 7 or Vista

I can't get the SATA drivers for XP. I tried Seagate but they said they don't provide drivers because it's already in the install CD and operating system and bios. They said if I can see the drives in bios (I can) then I don't need to install them.

Can I skip creating the xp install cd with the drivers by slipstreaming them together, and just proceed with the normal XP install disk?

Thanks again
Jim

Sure I would try the XP with SP3 CD first to see if it has drivers for your SATA controller (not HD). If it errors please post back exact error message or code and when/what happens.

If it fails it's likely you'll need the XP SATA controller drivers for your computer or mobo make. These are a component of your chipset which if necessary can be extracted to locate the correct one(s).

I've eliminated and re-established the E: partition, although I am only able to make it a "logical drive" and not a "primary partition" in the Windows Disk Management utility (I was able to make it a primary partition using third party software, but that didn't seem to make a difference).

I have looked for Windows XP/SP3 on the internet, but I could only find the SP2 version. The fact that I'm not getting the "Install/Repair/Uninstall" option or the license agreement (and we all know how into licence agreement Microsoft is) makes me think there's something on the C: drive akin to a partial install that I need to eliminate, if I could find it.

- Steve R.

Please post back a screenshot of your maximized Disk Management drive map with listings, using the Snipping Tool in Start Menu. Screen Shots

Hi river251
You need the XP Drivers for your SATA controller on the Mobo, not your HD drive drivers.

Here are the windows for the Disk Management utility and EaseUS partition tool (which I used to convert the E: drive from a logical drive to a primary partition) (see attached files).

The last time I set up a dual boot system, I used EaseUS partition tool for the entire job and had no problem even though the XP drive is still a logical drive.

Thanks for all your assistance.

- Steve R.

It should work with those partitions if XP has the SATA driver. I'd prefer to delete and Full Format the XP partition with the XP CD.

Theod and gregrocker:
Thanks. I see I need the SATA driver, not the SATA HD drivers.
Wouldn't the XP install CD have them?
Or, can you tell me where to get them?

Thanks,
Jim