Restoring an XP image to my new Windows 7 system

[gvtbay]

Hello,

I am trying to do something very similar, but not quite exactly the same as here. I hope that there might be someone here that has some tips that would be useful to what I am trying to acheive.

I just got a new system running Windows 7. I bought the "professional" version of Windows 7, so that I would be able to run "XP only" programs. I have some old software from companies that went belly up and no longer provide support. I was told that the professional version would run these programs, but I guess I didn't do my research well enough. They are not compatible.

What I would like to do now is run a dual boot between Windows 7 and XP. The difference in my case is that rather than doing a clean install of windows XP on the new partition, I would like to restore an image that I have of my old computer's drive (running XP) to the new partition on the new system (running Windows 7). Restoring to a new hardware environment shouldn't be a problem in theory, since I am using Acronis True Image Home 2011 with the add on that facilitates this.

I am assuming that the process would be the same, up until the point that the directions here say to insert the CD to install windows XP. What would you suggest doing at that stage? Running the recovery through Acronis? Are there any extra steps that I might need to take? Thanks in advance to anyone who is in the know or has at least has a bit more experience with this type of thing!

Cheers!

 

[theog]

You can run XP mode in Pro:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/8247-windows-xp-mode-install-setup.html?ltr=W

 

[whs]

Do you have a second physical disk drive (other than the one where Win7 is installed).

 

[theog]

You can restore the Acronis image to the new partition, but Win XP will not boot, you need to do a Repair Install.
After the Win XP repair install, Windows 7 will not boot.

 

[whs]

You can restore the Acronis image to the new partition, but Win XP will not boot, you need to do a Repair Install.
After the Win XP repair install, Windows 7 will not boot.

That's why I thought it would be easier to dump the image on another HDD (disconnecting the Win7 HDD). Then he can switch via the boot sequence in the BIOS. That would be the most elegant solution and no hassle with the bootmgr.

 

[theog]

You can restore the Acronis image to the new partition, but Win XP will not boot, you need to do a Repair Install.
After the Win XP repair install, Windows 7 will not boot.

That's why I thought it would be easier to dump the image on another HDD (disconnecting the Win7 HDD). Then he can switch via the boot sequence in the BIOS. That would be the most elegant solution and no hassle with the bootmgr.

Will still need to do repair install.

 

[whs]

You can restore the Acronis image to the new partition, but Win XP will not boot, you need to do a Repair Install.
After the Win XP repair install, Windows 7 will not boot.

That's why I thought it would be easier to dump the image on another HDD (disconnecting the Win7 HDD). Then he can switch via the boot sequence in the BIOS. That would be the most elegant solution and no hassle with the bootmgr.

Will still need to do repair install.

Maybe for the MBR. Not sure what Acronis does about that. But in general the MBR and the bootmgr should be handled so that XP would boot. Remember the image goes to a completely different HDD and Win7 is plugged off.

I have restored XP once for a friend from a Macrium image and the system worked perfectly after that.

 

[theog]

That's why I thought it would be easier to dump the image on another HDD (disconnecting the Win7 HDD). Then he can switch via the boot sequence in the BIOS. That would be the most elegant solution and no hassle with the bootmgr.

Will still need to do repair install.

Maybe for the MBR. Not sure what Acronis does about that. But in general the MBR and the bootmgr should be handled so that XP would boot. Remember the image goes to a completely different HDD and Win7 is plugged off.

I have restored XP once for a friend from a Macrium image and the system worked perfectly after that.

New hardware.

 

[mjf]

I'd probably just reinstall XP & old apps on a separate HDD and BIOS boot.
Are your old XP apps 16 bit?

 

[gregrocker]

Using Acronis True Image with Universal Restore from Win7, apply the XP image to a partition you create for it.

Without restarting install EasyBCD 2.0.2 to Win7, add XP by drive letter you assigned it during restore, accepting any offered boot files, let it autocomplete.

You can do all of the above from Win7, then restart to a working Dual Boot in most cases.

If this fails you can either SysPrep XP HD on its old hardware then apply the image to Win7 as above, or run a XP Repair Install on the reimaged partition if it is made available during this process: XP Repair Install - Part 1 of 2

 

[gvtbay]

I should have given you more details about my hardware. I am using a laptop. The old comp is a laptop too. I only have one hard drive, 750 GB, although I have some large external usb hard drives as well.
I think I will try following whs and gregrocker’s suggestions. I will partition my drive, and hopefully, I can restore the old system to set up a dual boot option with Easy BCD. If that doesn’t work, I can always, as whs suggested, boot from the BIOS. If none of these suggestions work, then I may just try running the programs in XP mode. In fact, that may be the easiest solution, although it would be really nice to have access to the old system on the new computer. I have the hard drive space for it!
I’ll let y’all know how I make it out. In the meantime, if anyone else has any additional insights, please do make suggestions!
Cheers

 

[theog]

First check for all the Win XP drivers for your hardware on the OEM manufacturer's web site.

If your Win XP CD, does not support your Sata Controller, you will need to load drivers to uses at F6.
Load Sata Controller drivers with a floppy disk is the best way.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/66010-sata-drivers-load-windows-xp-setup-dual-boot.html
OR
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/72185-sata-drivers-slipstream-into-windows-xp-cd.html

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/8057-dual-boot-installation-windows-7-xp.html?ltr=D

A bit more reading.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2676-bcdedit-how-use.html?ltr=B
System Restore Points - Stop XP Dual Boot Delete - Vista Forums

 

[mjf]

... I can always, as whs suggested, boot from the BIOS. If none of these suggestions work, then I may just try running the programs in XP mode.

You can only BIOS boot to a separate HDD. The BIOS points to a HDD's MBR and there is only one per HDD.
Old 16 bit apps which ran under XP may not run under XP mode.