Run Win 7 Prof on one HD and XP on another?

jaustinmd · 19 Sep 2010

I am currently running Win XP 32bit on my old computer. I'm getting a new computer with Win 7 Professional 64bit OS.

I don't need the old (XP OS) computer for other use ... can I simply install its HDD as a slave in the new computer to retain access to files that I might want to transfer or access? If there are programs on the old (XP OS) HDD that are either incompatible with Win 7 or I no longer have the setup file to install on the new computer, can I then download and use "Windows XP mode" to access the XP HDD and run the programs?

OR, is there a simpler, better way to do this? I do have a large external USB HDD that could also be used if necessary.

Regards,
John

Bare Foot Kid · 19 Sep 2010

Hello jaustinmd, welcome to Seven Forums!

You will have serious driver issues trying to get the Hard Disk Drive (HDD) that XP is currently on to boot in the new machine, to me it would be easier / safer to make backups of any of the data you don't want to lose to the external and then transfer them to the new PC.

None of the installed programs/apps currently installed to the XP HDD will run on Windows 7 and will have to be reinstalled to the new system anyway; XP mode will not do what you ask.

After you have everything off the XP HDD you need, you can do a wipe "clean all" for the best possible space to use as a second HDD in the new system, have a look at step #7 in the tutorial at this link below.

Disk - Clean and Clean All with Diskpart Command

edwardb · 19 Sep 2010

a different option would be to use remote desktops

it's not very efficient but you might like it. set up a remote desktop connection between your new comp and the old xp and when you want, you can use/control the xp machine from your new comp, although your other comp will have to be on for this to work. again i know its not a great idea but its worth considering!

gregrocker · 19 Sep 2010

Plug in the XP HD to the new computer, unplug the Win7 HD temporarily.

Now run an XP Repair Install to adjust it to the new hardware. It will require reactivation afterwards so be sure it is a retail and not OEM version of XP that can migrate to new hardware.

Afterwards plug back in the Win7 HD, boot preferred HD by setting it first HD to boot in BIOS setup, then boot the other HD using the one-time BIOS Boot Menu key given on first boot screen which on most HP's is the ESC key.