Dual Boot Installation with Windows 7 and XP

Domenico7 said:

I was installing XP on a new Dell Latitude 6530 laptop and no matter what I did it wouldn't install. I would get a BSOD on install every time. I thought initially it might have been a driver issue, but then realized that I had somehow blanked one important detail: The SATA controller was set to AHCI in the BIOS and that is why XP wasn't able to install.

If you're trying to install XP on newer equipment, please be advised that there is a setting in the BIOS for the SATA controller that can prevent you from installing. If the SATA controller is set to AHCI it won't work. If it's set to ATA it will.

BIOS > SATA > change "AHCI" to "ATA"

I hope this helps some folks.

Or, if you are installing (fresh install) you could press the F6 and install the AHCI driver. -WS

Good points, both. But you may need to slipstream the AHCI driver since most PC's today which would need the driver don't have floppy support via F6.
SATA Drivers - Load in Windows XP Setup on Dual Boot
SATA Drivers - Slipstream into Windows XP CD

But try changing to IDE mode in BIOS first.

Hello Jordan, and welcome to Seven Forums.

Yes, you sure can. You would follow the same steps, but just select to install it on the separate HDD instead. Be sure that you have both HDDs connected during installation. :)

Glad we could help. :)