Making a dualboot using backup images of XP and Windows 7

Hello,

I plan to dual-boot XP and Windows 7 in a single drive because my XP drive seems to be dying and a replacement is still underway. I'll be using an HDD(320gb) with an existing W7 setup. Usually I'd wipe the existing W7 setup, install XP and then while in XP install W7 in a separate partition.

BUT I'd like to ask if I can use an XP image and a W7 image instead of formatting again.(to reduce/save time).

Can someone check if this will work(or based on the scenario, can you write me a better way of course using the system images I have of XP and W7):

Plan 1. Windows 7 existing

a. Shrink the W7 (which is 320gb)drive to 120gb so I will have space for XP. (from that I will have an unallocated of roughly 200gb)
b. I will create a partition in that unallocated --200gb and restore the XP image there.
c. Use EasyBCD to add the XP boot via Bootloader setup>Write MBR(Install the Windows XP Bootloader to the MBR)

Question: Will W7 boot? I seem to remember it will not (maybe wrong here...)

or,

Plan 2. Two clean partitions (one HDD 320gb). Partition A (200gb)for XP. Partition B(120gb) for W7.

a. Restore XP image in partition A.
b. Restore W7 image in partition B.
c. Upon boot to XP, use EasyBCD to add W7 boot via Bootloader setup>Write MBR (Install the Windows Vista/7 Bootloader to the MBR)

Question:

a. XP will boot right?

About EasyBCD.

a. Does setting the Bootloader only to add 'Windows Vista/7 Bootloader or Windows XP Bootloader' be enough?

b. Or, I need to set-it still in Add Entry?

c. Or, can I just choose to set it either in "Add Entry" or "Bootloader Setup"..?



I have used EasyBCD before when I removed an XP boot last month from the dual-boot I did(XP/W7). I did it by deleting the Windows 7 entry and checking Skip the boot menu in the Timeout options in the Edit Boot Menu.

iii. On backing up via system imaging(using ATI Home 2011),

is it advisable to backup both partition at the same time(in one single image only)..?

I always backup both partitions separately when I was dual-booting. I'd do separate backups for both updating each separately as time goes. The boot folder of W7 resides in XP so when I make a system image of that it is included.

Please help. Thank you and Merry Christmas :)

Try Plan 1, imaging XP to it's partition from the Win7 desktop then adding it using EasyBCD 2.02 from Win7. It should reboot to a Dual Boot menu.

As long as XP image is not marked Active, XP has no ability to steal 7's boot away when it is merely imaged onto a partition and not reinstalled.

The way I like to do this is use Acronis's premium imaging app (which comes free with any WD or Seagate HD in the mix) installed to Win7, or free Macrium Reflect or Paragon 11.

Unplug XP HD, make sure target HD is set first to boot in BIOS, Image XP to its partition from image stored externally, Add XP using EasyBCD, boot into Dual Boot Menu.

Let us know how this goes.

gregrocker said:

Try Plan 1, imaging XP to it's partition from the Win7 desktop then adding it using EasyBCD 2.02 from Win7. It should reboot to a Dual Boot menu.

As long as XP image is not marked Active, XP has no ability to steal 7's boot away when it is merely imaged onto a partition and not reinstalled.

The way I like to do this is use Acronis's premium imaging app (which comes free with any WD or Seagate HD in the mix) installed to Win7, or free Macrium Reflect or Paragon 11.

Unplug XP HD, make sure target HD is set first to boot in BIOS, Image XP to its partition from image stored externally, Add XP using EasyBCD, boot into Dual Boot Menu.

Let us know how this goes.

Hi gregrocker,

Sorry for the late reply been drunk due to the season and a lot are inviting me to party with them. Okay will try that out and be back here. I'd really like to try that again but when I did that it did not boot. BUT I'll try via your instructions.

Be back here to report. Merry Christmas and have a shot of J&B or Chivas Regal :) takes the cold away :)

Hi gregrocker,

Sorry for late reply. Yeah Plan 1 worked! Thank you for the help :)

Happy New Year :)

m2