Create dual boot with XP - need to go back to Vista fir

[cspgsl]

I have a VAIO that came with Vista 4bit - I upgraded to Win7 Home Prem 64bit but now wish to create a dual boot system with XP Pro 32bit and Win 7 64bit. I have legacy software that I need to run and it wont work on a 64bit platform.

I have tried to install XP but get an 0x7b error when the installation files are being loaded and I have not found a workaround so the eimpleest thing is for me to reformat, install XP, create another partition, reinstall Vista and then upgrade Vista again to Win7. I have no data to save so there is no issue there.

Problem is, I have not been able to format the hard drive so I can start clean. I tried to boot from a USB floppy but it just hung. Can anyone point me to a program that will let me format the HDD?

Thanks

 

[gregrocker]

Are you booting the XP CD to install, as it will not run from a 64 bit OS? Did you preformat the XP partition; if so, delete formatting and use XP installer to format.

The installer may need an IDE storage driver to load. Here are the troubleshooting steps for this error: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/324103

Once you install XP, follow the further steps in Method Two here to add XP to dual boot menu:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/8057-dual-boot-installation-windows-7-xp.html

If none of this works, then you don't need to reinstall Vista. Just clean install Win7 after XP: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/31402-clean-install-upgrade-windows-7-version.html

But you'll likely get the same error so best to troubleshoot it now and save the Win7 reinstall.

 

[wallyinnc]

Hi cspgsl
1) I can recommend GParted for formatting the partition
2) Your plan is good, except for one detail I will touch below. I recommend you check this tutorial too, it should help: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorial...ws-7-xp.html?filter[3]=Installation and Setup
3) You don't need to install Vista and then install 7 on top of it. You can do a clean install of Windows 7 even with an upgrade disc: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorial...version.html?filter[3]=Installation and Setup

 

[wallyinnc]

Great minds do think alike...

 

[cspgsl]

Are you booting the XP CD to install, as it will not run from a 64 bit OS? Did you preformat the XP partition; if so, delete formatting and use XP installer to format.

Tried that too

The installer may need an IDE storage driver to load. Here are the troubleshooting steps for this error: Advanced troubleshooting for "Stop 0x0000007B" errors in Windows XP

Been there without success

Once you install XP, follow the further steps in Method Two here to add XP to dual boot menu:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/8057-dual-boot-installation-windows-7-xp.html

here too

If none of this works, then you don't need to reinstall Vista. Just clean install Win7 after XP: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/31402-clean-install-upgrade-windows-7-version.html

all I can do with 7 is another upgrade or a repair install

 

[cspgsl]

Hi cspgsl
1) I can recommend GParted for formatting the partition
2) Your plan is good, except for one detail I will touch below. I recommend you check this tutorial too, it should help: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/8057-dual-boot-installation-windows-7-xp.html?filter[3]=Installation%20and%20Setup
3) You don't need to install Vista and then install 7 on top of it. You can do a clean install of Windows 7 even with an upgrade disc: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/31402-clean-install-upgrade-windows-7-version.html?filter[3]=Installation%20and%20Setup

Thanks Wally I'll give it a go with GParted

 

[cspgsl]

I have now been able to install XP and now when I go to install the upgrade of Win7 64bit it tells me that the setup is not a valid 32bit application.

With Sony it appears that the only way to upgrade is either from the Vista installation or a 32bit upgrade from XP.

In any event, it won't autorun on boot from the DVD in spite of the setting in the BIOS

Is it possible to upgrade to the 32bit and then reinstall the 64bit version?

Thanks

 

[gregrocker]

Is there a Win7 product key included in the Upgrade kit?

Try triggering the DVD to boot by tapping key given on first bootup screen for Boot Menu.

Make sure you have set it correctly in BIOS: Boot from CD - How to Boot your Computer from a Bootable CD or DVD - Boot to CD

Determine that the DVD is bootable: See if there is an ISO to extract using ImgBurn. View attachment 46648

Try writing the ISO to a flash stick instead: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2432-usb-windows-7-installation-key-drive-create.html

or this method: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srOoGhm-jcI

If Sony has indeed not provided you with a bootable DVD, then read here about how MS is helping license holders get a 64 bit version ISO: http://gizmodo.com/5391268/microsoft-fixes-windows-7-student-edition-upgrade-problems

 

[cspgsl]

Is there a Win7 product key included in the Upgrade kit?

Yes

Try triggering the DVD to boot by tapping key given on first bootup screen for Boot Menu.

No option is given on boot

Make sure you have set it correctly in BIOS: Boot from CD - How to Boot your Computer from a Bootable CD or DVD - Boot to CD

did that first

Determine that the DVD is bootable: See if there is an ISO to extract using ImgBurn.

attached are images of the DVD

Try writing the ISO to a flash stick instead: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2432-usb-windows-7-installation-key-drive-create.html
or this method: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srOoGhm-jcI

tried to without success - couldnt make USB drive bootable - didn't try this method though and would do if I have the correct files on the DVD to do so

If Sony has indeed not provided you with a bootable DVD, then read here about how MS is helping license holders get a 64 bit version ISO: Microsoft Fixes Windows 7 Student Edition Upgrade Problems - Windows 7 student edition - Gizmodo

I shall look at this as well

I am running Win7 on my own machine and working on upgrading the laptop.

I see an ISO-EN file on the DVD but when I open it it's blank. Please tell me if I indeed have the correct files on the DVD

Thanks, much

 

[gregrocker]

This is the bootable WIN7 installer, standard with no apparent add-ons:




The presence of the key also means you can clean install from boot once you get it to boot.

I would try making a USB key installer. Here's a newer method that is even easier: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/31541-windows-7-usb-dvd-download-tool.html?filter[2]=General%20Tips

 

[cspgsl]

Thanks Greg - Completed successfully
Thanks Wally - Dual Booting now too

Love this place

 

[cspgsl]

If Sony has indeed not provided you with a bootable DVD, then read here about how MS is helping license holders get a 64 bit version ISO: Microsoft Fixes Windows 7 Student Edition Upgrade Problems - Windows 7 student edition - Gizmodo

Is this available for Win7 Pro?

 

[gregrocker]

All versions are included in every Win7 installer, but hidden by the presence of an ei.cfg file.

So you can extract the ISO to your desktop, delete ei.cfg from Sources folder, recompile into ISO to burn an All-Versions DVD: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/32055-bootable-iso-create-installation-files.html

Then just select your licensed version to install with Product key on your insert or machine.

 

[cspgsl]

All versions are included in every Win7 installer, but hidden by the presence of an ei.cfg file.

So you can extract the ISO to your desktop, delete ei.cfg from Sources folder, recompile into ISO to burn an All-Versions DVD: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/32055-bootable-iso-create-installation-files.html

Then just select your licensed version to install with Product key on your insert or machine.

Cheers Greg - I'll try it and let you know if I have a problem, thanks

 

[cspgsl]

All versions are included in every Win7 installer, but hidden by the presence of an ei.cfg file.
So you can extract the ISO to your desktop, delete ei.cfg from Sources folder, recompile into ISO to burn an All-Versions DVD: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/32055-bootable-iso-create-installation-files.html
Then just select your licensed version to install with Product key on your insert or machine.

Well, that was perfect, thanks.
Is there a similar download from MS to the Win7 one for Vista?

 

[theog]

All versions are included in every Win7 installer, but hidden by the presence of an ei.cfg file.
So you can extract the ISO to your desktop, delete ei.cfg from Sources folder, recompile into ISO to burn an All-Versions DVD: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/32055-bootable-iso-create-installation-files.html
Then just select your licensed version to install with Product key on your insert or machine.

Well, that was perfect, thanks.
Is there a similar download from MS to the Win7 one for Vista?

A MS Vista DVD is already set to all versions.

 

[cspgsl]

All I have is a ThinkPad recovery set of CD's - I was hoping that there was a download such as Greg pointed out here Microsoft Fixes Windows 7 Student Edition Upgrade Problems - Windows 7 student edition - Gizmodo