Dual Booting is it possible/reliable

[Griffmaster]

Hi,

I will be installing W7 onto a new 1TB HDD shortly.

XP which I am running now (which is also backed up on another HDD) sits on a 500GB HDD.

I was planning to keep the current XP setup intact on the 500GB drive and wondered if I have problems with 7 to start with, can I reconnect the XP drive and boot from that whilst the W7 drive is still in place.

Thanks.

 

[gregrocker]

Unplug XP HD during Win7 install. If you have upgrade verison and there is no OS on the Win7 target HD you may need to leave the Product Key blank until after install, then do the quick registry workaround given here to install Upgrade version: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/31402-clean-install-upgrade-windows-7-version.html

After install you can plug XP back in to access data or even boot it using the one-time BIOS Boot Menu key given on first boot screen:
Asus - F8
HP/Compaq - Esc
Sony - F2
Acer - F12
Gateway - F10
eMachnes - F10
Toshiba - F12
Dell - F12
IBM/Lenovo - the blue Thinkvantage button

 

[WDAexodus]

Yeah, I've been running dual boot config since beta. It's very reliable. Just do as suggested and it should work great. There is also a step by step pictural guide on lifehacker.com.

How to Dual Boot Windows 7 with XP or Vista

There may be one here too but this is the one I used initially and it worked flawlessly.

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hello Griffmaster.



I would suggest you create the new Windows 7 "System Reserved" partition and a single 100GB partition to install Windows 7 to as we're now seeing some have issues installing Windows to such large spaces as 1 & 2TB HDDs; have a look at this tutorial at the link below and be sure to post back with any further questions you may have and to keep us informed.

DISKPART : At PC Startup

   Note

Of course you would have to select to install Windows 7 to the partition labeled as "Windows 7" during the install and do not format either partition with the installer.

The reason for suggesting to create the System Reserved at 200MB instead of the new default of 100MB is an attempt to curb some of the issues we're now seeing with the partition being too small when dual/multi booting and it also being needed for use with the Windows 7 Backup and Restore and BitLocker programs.

The second snip shows how to select "where to install" during the installation process, click to highlight/select the "Windows 7" partition and click next.

​

 

[Griffmaster]

In the past I have always Formatted my HDDs and just created a maximum size Primary Partion (250GB/500GB HDD's).

It has always seemed to work OK this way and each time XP has gone 'ttis up', I have just re-formatted again, loaded XP again and copied over my backed up data.

Do I really need to create a seperate Partition with W7 (on a 1TB HDD) or can I do what I always have done?

Don't quite understand creating seperate Partions and why it is done - not that well up on it.

Thanks guys.

 

[w1ck3d]

I believe its pretty reliable ive done it many times but the first time i dual booted xp and windows 7 i had to learn the hard way of what can happen. I tried installing windows 7 first then dual booting xp. That does not work. Xp must be installed before windows 7 otherwise you'll mess up the boot files and nothing good can come from that lol.

Good luck!

 

[gregrocker]

It is always best to multi-boot using separate HD's. Unplug the existing OS hard drive during install of the new OS. After install plug back in the other OS HD, boot preferred one by setting first to boot in BIOS setup, then boot the other OS HD using one-time BIOS Boot menu key which every computer has:
Asus - F8
HP/Compaq - Esc
Sony - F2
Acer - F12
Gateway - F10
eMachnes - F10
Toshiba - F12
Dell - F12
IBM/Lenovo - the blue Thinkvantage button

If you don't have two HD's then make a separate Primary partition to install the other OS(s), preferably installing them in order of age. If not you'll have to use method 2 here when XP is installed last: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/8057-dual-boot-installation-windows-7-xp.html

If you have questions or problems then bring them back here as this is the place where hundreds have been sorted successfully.

 

[Griffmaster]

If you have questions or problems then bring them back here as this is the place where hundreds have been sorted successfully.

That's reassuring.

Thanks.

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Do I really need to create a seperate Partition with W7 (on a 1TB HDD) or can I do what I always have done?

Don't quite understand creating seperate Partions and why it is done - not that well up on it.

Thanks guys.

... we're now seeing some have issues installing Windows to such large spaces/partitions as 1 & 2TB HDDs.

Just do what you're comfortable with; it's just a new, better and more reliable way to do it.

 

[WDAexodus]

Yeah, my partition is 200GB. Stay away from those huge partitions.