Dual Boot Installation with Windows 7 and XP

I have separate HD's, but no matter what I did, it wouldn't work. I've been working on this for a while now and no luck, it won't give me the dual boot option no matter how I go about installing windows. It boots into XP by default unless I manually select 7 from the drive list and that's not what I was going for. On top of that, EasyBCD wouldn't work at all on the XP HD. Installed it 3 times and It wouldn't work. I gave up. I'll just set up a secondary system and use InputDirector to use XP if I really need it that badly. This is a good guide, but simply wouldn't work on my system.

The cleanest method of Dual Booting with separate HD's is to set the preferred HD to boot first in BIOS setup, then when you want to boot the other OS choose it from the one-time BIOS Boot Menu. This keeps the HD's independent to come and go as you please, whereas a WIndows Dual Boot interlocks them.

So you already have a Dual Boot if you can boot this way. I'd set Win7 first HD to boot, then boot XP from drive list.

If this isn't satisfactory, did you try installing Easy to Win7 to add XP? It works better.

I've tried all of that. Still no luck. I was only doing it to play a couple of games that won't work with 7, so I gave up. Not really worth the hassle.

Maybe I misunderstood you Joey. You said that if you choose Win7 from the drive list, it will start?

That's actually the cleanest way to Dual Boot. One is set to boot first in BIOS, the other is chosen from the drive list.

gregrocker said:

Hi Frank -

Try unplugging the XP HD to install Win7 to its HD, which you should set to boot first in BIOS setup.

After install, plug back in the XP HD and boot it using the one-time BIOS BOot Menu key given on first boot screen.

Let us know if you have further problems installing Win7.

Ok tried what you suggested to no avail. A little more information. The problem occurs after the second reboot during installation. It will reboot the second time. The windows logo comes up & it says Starting windows. but all it does is just sit there with the above on the screen & wont go any farther. It doese not finish the install & I do not get to the point where it ask for product key. I ran the windows 7 compatability program & it says that my PC is compatable with 7 ultimate. My PC is a home built unit. I am running an AMD Athlon 64x2 dual core processor,4 gig memory & asus M2A-VM Graphics intergrated motherboard. I have a Nvidia GeForce 8400gs video card. I have read a lot about problem with Nvidia cards. I went to the nvidia site & found a driver for windows 7. But how can I install it on a blank hard drive before I install windows 7? I am to the point that when I boot up the PC doese give me a choice of which OS to boot into. If I chose old version it boots p just fine. If I chose windows 7 it gets to the logo screen saying windows is starting & just sits there. For what ever it is worth if I go back & boot into XP & go to my computor the new drive I installed foe windows 7 doese show a bunch of windows files on it. I hope this information helps.
Thanks Frank (edison)

I never get the option to choose either one from a list. It will just boot into XP unless I go into the Bios and select which drive to start from each time. I can't set a boot first drive doing it this way as it will boot into XP no matter what unless I select the 7 drive from the Bios.

Most computers have a BIOS shortcut key also known as one-time BIOS Boot Menu, or BBS key. You can tap this key at boot to interrupt the boot sequence and choose the HD you want to boot. This is the cleanest method to Dual Boot with separate HD's: via the BIOS.

BIOS Boot menu keys

Ok I am confused Could you guys please look at my last post #1554. I may have posted my problem in the worng place. My main problem is I cannot get windows 7 ultimate to complete the installation process. I am not having a problem getting the dual boot option to come up when I boot up the PC.

Frank (edison)

Frank -

You are trying install from the booted Win7 installer, both with XP drive connected and not? All peripherals and other HD's unplugged, Custom install using Drive Options to delete, repartition as desired and format before install?

Try running Win7 install from the XP desktop to Custom install to the second HD.

If this fails try wiping the Win7 HD: SSD - HDD Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

Next try resetting the BIOS to optimal defaults. While in BIOS setup check the SATA controller setting.

Try removing all but 2gb RAM to try install. Test your RAM: RAM - Test with Memtest86+