Please help me to dual boot Windows 7 and XP

Hi , after all I should say I really appreciate your help with this tutorial. But while I were reading that guide some doubts came up, and I expect that you maybe could help me.
I've a pc (hp) that had already installed windows 7 home basic 64 bits, then I upgrade it to ultimate. By defualt my hard drive has 3 primary partitions: one which is called System(i don't really understand what it inside it cause I'm unable to see it), another primary partition (the one I use always) with the start, page file and dump, and the last one is another primary partition with the factory _image inside.

So mi first question is if it is possible to install another OS in a logical partition and if it (logical partition) has another performance that prevent me to follow your guide.

Secondly, I want to install windows xp, so I must follow methow two. But how I shoud realise if I have a RAID setup or a SATA drive??

Thirdly, I have no floppy disk. I read it's no possible to use USB port, so is there another possibility instead?

And finally, if have no windows 7 installation disk so if I get Error loading Operating System after XP restarts, may I use a system repair disk? or what should I do?

I hope my english were understandable, because I speak spanish haha.
I'll be wainting for your answer.

Hello Combine, welcome to Seven Forums!





As you say you have Windows 7 Ultimate, have you given any thought to using a Virtual Machine with XP installed in that instead of having an actual dual boot as it would solve a lot of problems you are going to have setting up a dual boot with Windows 7 and XP under the circumstances you out-lined above and it's free; have a look at the tutorial at the link below.
Be sure to post back with what you decide.

If you still want to dual boot we will try to help you.


Windows XP Mode - Install and Setup






Edit: This tutorial at the link below has been updated, have a look.

Partition Wizard : Use the Bootable CD

Hello again.





Have a look at the tutorial at the link below, it will solve the Windows 7 repair problem, go ahead and get the disk created before you get started so you have that out of the way.

How to Create a Windows 7 System Repair Disc



The next thing you can do is to post a snip/screen-shot of the entire disk management drive map so we can see what you have going on so we can advise you further, have a look at the one I posted below to see what we need.

How to Post a Screenshot in Seven Forums

click to enlarge

You don't have a RAID configuration and yes the repair disk is specifically for repairing boot problems; do you have all the XP drivers you will need on hand and ready to install?

Have you created the Factory Recovery disks that it is suggested to create, who manufactured the PC, what brand is it?

If I were you and you share the PC and you don't want to cause issues, I would also create the set of "Factory Recovery" disks that the PC will create for you to be used in case of issues, your changing the partition structure may disable the "Factory Recovery Partition" and make it not usable; have a look through the start menu and see what you will need to create the set of disks just to be on the safe side.

No I'm not saying it will be only that it may be if you change the partition structure, which is what you will have to do to dual boot; helping people is what I try do, you're welcome.