Dual Boot Installation with Windows 7 and XP

I got the blue screen of death when XP tried to boot off the install CD. I am guessing this means that either the install version of XP can't see the CD/DVD drive, or it can't see the hard drive. I thought XP boots from the CD or DVD drive. This would mean I need an XP driver for the CD/DVD drive? Or does this mean that as you said I need the SATA driver for XP for my machine?

Thanks...this is the error I got....quoted from a web site:

The most popular Blue Screen of Death error in Windows is the STOP 0x0000007B error, sometimes called the 0x7b error or the "INACCESSIBLE BOOT DEVICE" BSOD.

This BSOD (which is actually the common name for a STOP Error) could mean that there's a serious hardware problem with a hard drive controller, a driver issue, or even a boot sector virus.

gregrocker said:

Why are you reinstalling XP - this was not at all suggested? This will again steal the boot from Win7 requiring you to start it up again to add XP using EasyBCD.

To do this mark Win7 Active and run up to 3 separate Startup Repairs.

It was really very confusing, so its better to start fresh, from scratch. One more thing, this Bios have automatic option for AHCI, which i belive cause all the problems. So i will put on manual and AHCI enabled and start fresh.

river251 said:

This is a work machine, so would prefer not trying to get the OS from anywhere except the official CD my IT people require I use.

river251 said:

Your second suggestion, wiping the drive and installing XP, sounds like it would not get me a dual boot Windows 7 + XP machine.

theog said:

Is this the Dell PC you are talking about?



Dell OptiPlex 780 Specs (Core 2 Duo E8400 3 GHz) - Desktops - CNET Reviews

Operating System / Software



OS Provided: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional / XP Professional downgrade

If Yes,


2) Reformat the HD Drive & Install XP Pro with the Dell XP Professional downgrade rights DVD. No drivers needed.

Than install Windows 7 as in Option One.

river251 said:

I use Windows 7 64 to run matlab under 16 gigs of ram. Just need to program in Eprime sometimes.

river251 said:

The most popular Blue Screen of Death error in Windows is the STOP 0x0000007B error, sometimes called the 0x7b error or the "INACCESSIBLE BOOT DEVICE" BSOD.

This BSOD (which is actually the common name for a STOP Error) could mean that there's a serious hardware problem with a hard drive controller, a driver issue, or even a boot sector virus.

river251 said:

This is a work machine, so would prefer not trying to get the OS from anywhere except the official CD my IT people require I use.

Problem One: No Sata controller drivers in your XP CD.
Install drivers with a Floppy Disk.
SATA Drivers - Load in Windows XP Setup on Dual Boot

Problem Two: 16 gigs of ram.
Trying installing XP with 2 gigs of ram

river251 said:

The software I need to run under XP is Eprime (Psychology Software Tools: Stimulus Presentation Software and Hardware for Research, Assessment, and Education). It interacts with low level hardware. The company will not support it run in a virtual OS, assuming it would even work. I need to run it under XP. I have done this with my laptop using this site, and it works fine.

I can not help with the your software.
Psychology Software Tools: Stimulus Presentation Software and Hardware for Research, Assessment, and Education
Screenshot from your link.



I would have a word with there Support team.
or you can open a thread in
Software - Windows 7 Forums

Hello Everyone!

I just purchased a new HDD, and loaded windows 7 on it. I already have my main HDD with windows xp on it.

I followed the instructions here as to how to load windows 7 on #2 HDD, while having windows xp on the other.

I installed windows 7 on the new HDD, and everything went good, up until I logged off after the install was complete.

Now it won't show the new drive in the boot menu in bios.

I downloaded the EASYBCD and it gave me an error. Maybe it is outdated or something. Or maybe it won't work with windows xp.!?

Any help to correcting my issue would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advanced!

John G.

GammaG said:

Hello Everyone!

I just purchased a new HDD, and loaded windows 7 on it. I already have my main HDD with windows xp on it.

I followed the instructions here as to how to load windows 7 on #2 HDD, while having windows xp on the other.

I installed windows 7 on the new HDD, and everything went good, up until I logged off after the install was complete.

Now it won't show the new drive in the boot menu in bios.

I downloaded the EASYBCD and it gave me an error. Maybe it is outdated or something. Or maybe it won't work with windows xp.!?

Any help to correcting my issue would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advanced!

John G.

EASYBCD wont work without Framework 2.0

Which OS is booting now because it's HD is set first to boot in BIOS boot order?

Try to reboot and trigger the other HD by tapping the one-time BIOS Boot Menu key given on first screen. You may need to click on HD to expand choices. But some mobos don't give a choice.

In this case set Win7 HD first to boot, boot into WIn7 to install EasyBCD, add XP on Add OS Entry menu, accept offered boot files, Save, reboot.

[/QUOTE]EASYBCD wont work without Framework 2.0[/QUOTE]

Hello kimicg,

I tried to install the .net framework 2.0, but it would not let me. It said to remove any other .net 2.0 stuff in add/remove programs. I tried uninstalling them, but windows xp said that I could not uninstall them. I guess I will have to try some other approach.

Thanks for wanting to help!

John G.

EASYBCD wont work without Framework 2.0[/QUOTE]

Hello kimicg,

I tried to install the .net framework 2.0, but it would not let me. It said to remove any other .net 2.0 stuff in add/remove programs. I tried uninstalling them, but windows xp said that I could not uninstall them. I guess I will have to try some other approach.

Thanks for wanting to help!

John G.[/QUOTE]

Strange problem you got there with EASYBCD, write exact error. I suppose new HDD is Sata, what about old drive with XP?

Of course i want to help, i was here couple days ago also with the problem, i know how frustrating can be :)