Can I set up a dual boot system with a HDD with OS from another PC?


  1. BENZT
    Posts : 25
    Windows 7 HP 32bit
       New #1

    Can I set up a dual boot system with a HDD with OS from another PC?


    I have just given my Dad my old PC, to replace his ancient one from around 2000.

    It has a SATA hard drive with Windows 7 installed on it.

    The problem is he can't use his old printer with Windows 7. There is an available driver, but when I attempt to extract it, the message says there isn't enough storage space. This seems a bit crazy to be honest, as it;s not a very big hard drive (75GB total), but there is around 30GB free.

    Anyway, unless you guys have a solution to that problem I was going to take his old hard drive (80GB) and put XP on it and make a dual boot setup. Then he could use his printer in that at least.

    I was wondering though if I could simply pop that one into the new machine as it does currently have a recently installed copy of XP on it. I am aware that this may cause issues, but I wanted some good advice.

    Also, this hard drive is an old style one (the one with the jumper) settings and I only have one connection on the motherboard for it. So I have had to connect the DVD drive and the hard drive on the same cable. I know that's not ideal, but it seems like there isn't another option. That won't cause problems with the dual boot setup will it?
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  3. gregrocker
    Posts : 50,642
       New #2

    If the printer wasn't installed automatically when plugged in, it might deliver a driver via optional Windows Updates which is how Win7 provides drivers after install.

    If not extract the driver to an external device or network computer, then browse to it from Device Manager (after unhiding all devices on View tab) Printer device.

    You can also rightclick on the Printer in Devices and Printers and run the Troubleshooter.

    If you move XP to new hardware, it almost always requires a XP Repair Install or booting Paragon Adaptive Restore CD on the new hardware to adjust it to new hardware.
    Last edited by gregrocker; 07 Feb 2012 at 16:57.
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  4. BENZT
    Posts : 25
    Windows 7 HP 32bit
    Thread Starter
       New #3

    Thank you for the reply, sorted now thankfully.
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