Unable to boot from disc

first, let's get a full and complete update of your Win 7.

This will eliminate many obstacles and problems.

UPDATING YOUR WIN 7
1. ASSURE THAT YOU RECEIVE ALL UPDATES
WIN | type WINDOWS UPDATE | ENTER |
Change settings (left-hand column) |
checkmark all four of the boxes | OK button

Approve any dialog boxes presented. Let Windows install any update features.

WIN is the key with the Microsoft flag on top.

2. INSTALL CRITICAL UPDATES
Check for Updates (left-hand column)
Install ALL critical updates.
Restart your computer (even if not prompted)

Repeat this procedure until there are no more critical updates.

DO NOT TRUST the “Windows is up to date” in center of dialog. until you see that TWICE IN A ROW!

3. INSTALL IMPORTANT UPDATES
Use the “critical update” procedure until all important updates are installed.

4. INSTALL OPTIONAL UPDATES
Use the “critical update” procedure until all optional updates are installed.

Under Optional updates you will be presented with a list of about 34 language updates.
You can hide those updates so that aren't continually notified of those updates. When you click on 34 optional updates are available, then you
a) highlight all of the language updates,
b) right-click anywhere in the highlighted list.
c) click on Hide Updates,
d) OK button.


UPDATE GOLDEN RULES
Install ALL, yes, ALL updates.
This is Win 7 and not Vista or XP (eXPired).

UPDATE IS HUNG –TAKING FOREVER
Hung is very doubtful unless you interrupted updates.

CTRL + SHIFT + ESC key combo will pop-up the Task Manager.
Lo and behold, Windows Update is still running!

You hold down the CTRL and SHIFT keys.
While holding them down, tap the ESC key once.
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Tom -

Remove EFI listing from BIOS Boot Order by moving the DVD drive into first position and the HD into second position, so that EFI listing falls to third or lower. You will see which keys to use to move the devices up or down nearby. Once it is correct, save and exit.

Next if the HD is GPT disk, run the Clean command followed by command to Convert MBR as suggested. If you're not sure if it's GPT or MBR disk run the commands anyway.

You can find your Manual at any time on the computer model's Support Downloads webpage if you need help or to understand better how it works.

Have you tried setting SATA controller to IDE setting?

On such modern hardware I'd get a perfect Win7 installation and then virtualize XP.

tom,
I suggest that you take a look at: Windows Virtual PC - Create Virtual Machine

since you have the hardware, then I think you will be better served by a virtual PC running XP as a virtual machine.

If he doesn't want to virtualize, then at least talk him to adding a small hard disk on which to install XP. Keeping only one operating system per disk and then choosing the operating system by booting up from the correct disk is much less error prone and problem-prone than trying to run two OSes on the same disk.

I'll ask Greg to step in and guide you to the tutorials you will need.