Dual Boot Installation with Windows 7 and XP

Brink · 16 Jul 2013

Libman,

You would be better off installing Windows 7 without UEFI instead since you plan on dual booting with XP.

gregrocker · 16 Jul 2013

Libman -

It sounds like you're still in UEFI mode which will need to be changed in BIOS setup to Legacy BIOS or Compatibility Support Module (CSM) before you can install Win7 to an MBR disk.

You should not need to delete all partitions or wipe the HD since the Win7 installer is telling you with its error that the disk is already MBR.

Let us know how this goes. I'm not sure exactly why XP was able to install in UEFI mode. Maybe someone else knows for sure.

Libman · 17 Jul 2013

oK,
I looked at the bios and saw there was an extra new boot option :UEFI slimtype DVD... that wasn't there when i installed xp.
I disabled it, and now Windows 7 is installing on partition 1
So for the moment everything is going well

Libman · 17 Jul 2013

I HAVE XP AND WINDOWS 7 IN DUAL BOOT !!!

Everything seems ok at first view.
For the moment I have just 1 issue i still need to solve. The license key(for home premium) on the back of my laptop was not accepted.
Maybe this is the reason: -downloaded Windows 7 Professional x64 SP1 U (media refresh) since there was no home premium in my language
-ran the eicfg removal tool to unlock al versions
-during boot selected home premium edition
Is it possible this still needs a key for a professional xp ?
If this should be the case, maybe my key will work if I install the english version(Windows 7 Home Premium x64 SP1 U (media refresh)

gregrocker · 17 Jul 2013

What language was the original factory preinstall? You may need to reinstall that language to get it to work.

However most likely is the reason 90% of activations fails on factory OEM when you are sure you've installed the correct version: a character was inputted wrongly. An 8 does look like a B. Use a magnifying glass if necessary and triple check before inputting.

I'm not sure what you mean by needing a Professional XP key if you're installing Win7. Factory OEM should activate without regard to XP.

Please post back a screenshot of Disk Management - Post a Screen Capture Image so we can check it over for you.

Libman · 17 Jul 2013

gregrocker,
- I meant a professional windows 7 key -my mistake!
- I triple checked the key when installing, i just triple checked again with a flash ligt and guess what...... ...IT'S ACTIVATED

Just want to say You GUYS ARE AMAZING, your answers with links and explanations on how to do things are flawless. After hours and days and days of reading and trying unclear suggestions from other forums it's a relief to find a forum where they know what they are talking about
Thank you very much for the help !!

agudon2k1 · 19 Jul 2013

May anybody help me find a SATA drivers that I could slipstream for my Windows XP?
I have Windows 7 installed first and to run my Windows 7, my SATA mode must be in ACHI and if I want to install or run Windows XP, I must set my SATA mode to IDE or else it will blue screen on setup or at boot. Also in vice versa my Windows 7 will blue screen on boot when SATA mode is one IDE.
I cannot install the dual boot of Windows XP from Windows 7 because this method is to much time consuming and sometimes I forget to switch the SATA mode which will cause a blue screen on boot.
Also I am installing this on my Laptop Acer Aspire 4250.
Motherboard: Acer HMA41_BZ
BIOS: InsydeH20 Setup Utility CCB.03.60.41 V1.06 Rev. 3.5
CPU: AMD E-300 APU with Radeon HD Graphics 1.3GHz
RAM: 4GB
Graphics: AMD Radeon HD 6310
If there is no SATA drivers for my laptop and the only way to dual boot is to SATA mode switch, then it's all right.

gregrocker · 19 Jul 2013

What XP SATA drivers are on your mobo driver CD? I don't find any online doing a quick search.

Find out what your chipset is and search for XP AHCI drivers for it.

What I would do is reinstall Win7 in IDE mode leaving XP as it is.

Follow these steps to get a perfect Clean Reinstall.

agudon2k1 · 21 Jul 2013

Sorry for the late reply greg, I was busy backing up my files.
Sadly my laptop does not support Windows XP, even though I looked at the official website and my motherboard dvd drivers provided by Acer, there is no Windows XP drivers. Although I can override the drivers compatibility to work for Windows XP such as the touch pad, lan, graphics and sound drivers, the only driver that doesn't work on Windows XP is the wireless lan driver.
Also my chipset is AMD A40/A50 Series FCH and sadly there are no drivers for it. I found some drivers and download them, but they are all just graphic driver installers.

But thank you very much for the reply. I will be right back after the installations of both Windows 7 and Windows XP.

ShadowMario3 · 21 Jul 2013

agudon2k1 said:

Sorry for the late reply greg, I was busy backing up my files.
Sadly my laptop does not support Windows XP, even though I looked at the official website and my motherboard dvd drivers provided by Acer, there is no Windows XP drivers. Although I can override the drivers compatibility to work for Windows XP such as the touch pad, lan, graphics and sound drivers, the only driver that doesn't work on Windows XP is the wireless lan driver.
Also my chipset is AMD A40/A50 Series FCH and sadly there are no drivers for it. I found some drivers and download them, but they are all just graphic driver installers.

But thank you very much for the reply. I will be right back after the installations of both Windows 7 and Windows XP.

Yeah, I'm pretty sure this is an Acer thing. When I dualbooted Windows 7 (original installation) and XP on my Acer Aspire 5732Z, I couldn't find any working Wireless driver for XP. Of course, when I set up the same installation for my HP ProBook 4540s (7 preinstalled and XP installed as dual boot), HP provides the wireless lan drivers for XP, which work.