How do make Win7/XP dual bootable with cloned XP drive

[ImMikeD]

Desktop runs Win7 (64bit) Laptop runs XP (32 bit)

I have programs on my laptop that I want to be able to run on my desktop. Programs that I no longer have install information/CD keys for.

I have no trouble making partitions. A 'clean' install of XP onto the partition allows me to dual boot flawlessly using EasyBCD.

What i *want* to do is be able to 'clone' my XP drive to the partition to be able to run those programs.

I've exhausted myself searching over and over again, and haven't come up with a way to do this, and every way that I have tried has failed. Is this idea of mine even possible? Any and all advice would be welcome.

 

[theog]

You will need to buy a WinXP COA key.
After cloning, do a Repair install of Win XP.


XP Repair Install

 

[ImMikeD]

You will need to buy a WinXP COA key.
After cloning, do a Repair install of Win XP.


XP Repair Install

Have a key, and ran a repair. Nothing helped. Able to dual boot, but receive BSOD upon selecting XP from boot menu.

 

[gregrocker]

You said you are able to install XP fine to the newer hardware without having to provide the SATA controller driver for it to detect the HD?

If so then it should be able to start but requires making adjustments for the newer hardware so it will boot.

The first method to do this is the XP Repair Install Ray mentioned.

Another method is on the source laptop SysPrep to move HD to another computer before cloning or imaging XP over to new hardware partition.

Another possibly easier method is using Paragon Virtualization Manager (formerly Paragon Adaptive Restore)which can be run from Win7 to adjust the newly-cloned XP to start on the new hardware.

What are you using to clone? I would use the free premium Acronis cloning program which comes free with any WD or Seagate HD in the mix, set to Auto. The manual is at the downloads link and easy to understand.

You can actually do all of this from the Win7 desktop with the installed Acronis version to clone it over, run Paragon adjust, then add it using EasyBCD to reboot to the Dual Boot menu.