Windows 7 & XP Dual Boot Installation


  1. SteveKG
    Posts : 29
    Windows 7 Professional 64 bit
       New #1

    Windows 7 & XP Dual Boot Installation


    I am building a new machine with an ASUS Z97-C motherboard, Intel Z97 Express chipset, Intel Core i5-4590 CPU, and a WD 500 GB Black HDD. I want to partition the HDD into 2 primary partitions and load XP SP2 (32 bit) on one and 7 (64 bit) on the other to create a dual boot machine. I have read numerous articles in the forum, and elsewhere, and the general consensus seems to be that I need to install XP first, and then install 7. Yes? No? Issues I might need to address with that? My concerns are over the controversy surrounding IDE vs ACHI and how to get XP to acknowledge and work with ACHI defined drives? What drivers, if any, might be needed to make this happen? If I use the XP install to partition my HDD, will that create issues for 7? This is not my first build, but it is my first attempt to create a dual boot machine. Thanks in advance for all assistance.
    Last edited by SteveKG; 04 Aug 2016 at 12:23. Reason: spelling
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  3. samuria
    Posts : 3,788
    win 8 32 bit
       New #2

    Your best bet is to run do under free virtual box as a virtual PC that say you don't need to mess with booting etc and it's safer you just install 7 install virtual box install xp
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  4. Megahertz07
    Posts : 7,351
    Windows 7 HP 64
       New #3

    To use all the benefits of your Z97 MB, you should set BIOS to:
    - SATA=AHCI
    - OS=Other
    - Storage Boot and PCI device to UEFI only
    - Boot Win 7 installation media (USB or DVD) in UEFI so it will install win 7 in UEFI mode and your disk will be GPT.


    The problem is that Win XP 32 isn't compatible with UEFI and GPT.

    Not sure if you can install Win XP 32 (drivers) but you have to configure your BIOS:
    - SATA=AHCI
    - OS=Other
    - Storage Boot and PCI device to Legacy only
    - Boot Win XP installation media (USB or DVD) and it will install win 7 in MBR mode and your disk will be MBR.


    My suggestion is:

    Create two BIOS profiles:

    Profile 1 - Win 7
    - SATA=AHCI
    - OS=Other
    - Storage Boot and PCI device to UEFI only
    - Install Win 7 on your main HDD (WD 500 GB Black)

    Profile 2 - Win XP
    - SATA=AHCI
    - OS=Other
    - Storage Boot and PCI device to Legacy only
    On another HDD install Win XP

    I don't know the reasons you want to install Win XP, but most win XP programs will run under Win 7.
    In my case, I also loved Win XP, so I fist moved to Win XP 64, but some new programs didn't work properly, so I gave up and moved to Win 7 64.
    As you have a great MB and CPU, you should consider installing Win 7 64 and programs on a 128G SSD and use the WD 500 GB Black HDD for data.
    PNY CS1311 120GB Internal SATA Solid State Drive Black SSD7CS1311-120-RB - Best Buy
    Last edited by Megahertz07; 04 Aug 2016 at 16:04.
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  6. AddRAM
    Posts : 13,576
    Windows 10 Pro x64
       New #4

    Yes, always install older operating systems first.

    Ideally, you should install each OS on its on drive, while the other drive is unplugged. Set one OS as your default, then just use the boot menu to boot into the other OS whenever you want to.
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  7. jenny5
    Posts : 13
    32
       New #5

    are there any other limitations other than not getting over 2tb drives with the Legacy Mbr bios? it would not affect the speed of an Nvme disk at all or would it?
    i don't really mind getting 1-3 seconds more boot time with win7 or win10 if that would be the case... or win7/win10 x64 won't even work with Mbr/Legacy or smth?
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  8. SteveKG
    Posts : 29
    Windows 7 Professional 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       New #6

    Thanks


    Thank you to everyone who took the time to reply to my question. Your replies have been invaluable in resolving my issues. Thank you so much.
    You all stay save and healthy during the pandemic.
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