Windows 7 main os dual boot XP

Minotar · 16 Jan 2010

sotorious said:

So what do you mean i would have to reformat it as primary basically do a clean install on the whole laptop? Because 7 came booted on this laptop and i dont have another 7 disk for the laptop and i was trying to get an xp as a dual boot as it needs to have xp for a certain thing. this is for a business.

If you want you can guide me threw it if you have aim or something or if you would like to continue threw this forum. It would be better threw im ill be home in 20 mins

Edit- No,you do not have to format the Windows 7 partition,do not format this partiton.
I can use msn if you would like but i dont think there is any need.
Im more familar with Partition Wizard so if you download the above i will guige you through it.

Download both the home edition program for Win7 and the bootable disc (burn and keep the bootable disc,its always handy to have)

Now open the PW program.
Right click the partition labeled as XP and click Modify>Set Partition as Primary>click Apply in the bottom left of the screen.
Right click the XP partition again>Modify>Set as Active>click Apply.

Now it should work.
Just make sure you click apply as per the instrusctions above.

SIW2 · 16 Jan 2010

It's the other way round.

Make Primary first, then Set Active.

Do you have a backup image?

If not, get a free imaging app. and back up your o/s partitions regularly.

What is the 1.7gb system partition for?

theog · 16 Jan 2010

Are loading your SATA Controller drivers at F6?

Minotar · 16 Jan 2010

SIW2 said:

It's the other way round.

Make Primary first, then Set Active.

Do you have a backup image?

If not, get a free imaging app. and back up your o/s partitions regularly.

What is the 1.7gb system partition for?

My mistake,sorry.

Thanks for spotting the mistake,ill edit the post and remember it for later use.

sotorious · 16 Jan 2010

I dont have eitther of those ok lets back up before i begin. How do i fully get rid of the partition i made with windows 7. I tried to delete it then it went to unallocated how do i get my 100 gigs back?

Can someone also recomend a good backup imaging program.

Saltgrass · 16 Jan 2010

Where did your System_DRV Partition come from? Installed by Lenovo? Have you tried putting a letter on it?

I was testing installing XP after Win 7 on the same drive with the Win 7 System Reserved Partition (with letter) present and have decided it cannot be done. I could never get XP past the first reboot. I never got a blue screen, but did get error messages.

The same install worked fine without the System Reserve Partition.

Your partition is much larger than the Win 7 one, but I bet that could be causing problems.

Minotar · 16 Jan 2010

Back up software
Free Backup Software: Paragon Backup & Recovery 10 Free Edition - Overview

If you download partition Wizard Free Download Partition Wizard
And follow my above (fixed) directions you'll be fine.

sotorious · 16 Jan 2010

Saltgrass said:

Where did your System_DRV Partition come from? Installed by Lenovo? Have you tried putting a letter on it?

I was testing installing XP after Win 7 on the same drive with the Win 7 System Reserved Partition (with letter) present and have decided it cannot be done. I could never get XP past the first reboot. I never got a blue screen, but did get error messages.

The same install worked fine without the System Reserve Partition.

Your partition is much larger than the Win 7 one, but I bet that could be causing problems.

The one labled windows xp i did it everything else is levono. This is windows 7 first and im trying to get xp as the dual boot. This machine needs xp for a CAR PROGRAM to run so thats why its kind of important i get xp on this machine as they dont sell laptops with xp on them anymore.

sotorious · 16 Jan 2010

ok they are downloading now in the mean while is there anyway to delete that partition i just made. So i can get my 100gb back and use it for this next partition.

Minotar · 16 Jan 2010

sotorious said:

ok they are downloading now in the mean while is there anyway to delete that partition i just made. So i can get my 100gb back and use it for this next partition.

You simply edit your existing partiton with Partiton Wizard,no need to delete it.
First format it (as NTFS)to get rid of the XP data then mark as Primary>then Mark as Active.

Then try reinstalling.