Dual boot problem, XP and 7, cannot choose between them

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  1. CelestialScribe
    Posts : 35
    Windows 7
    Thread Starter
       New #31

    Okay, I managed to delete the Windows XP partition and everything is hunky dory. I used Paragon to mark the partition as inactive, and then I used EasyBCD to write the boot files again to the Windows 7 drive. All is working well.

    I want to attempt this again, but I just have one question. Is it a problem that I made a new partition from the "Files" hard drive and not the hard drive with Windows 7 on it?

    Here's a screenshot of disk management, is there anything I should know before following the steps on the tutorial again?

    Also, if I was to install Windows XP again, could I just skip the EasyBCD stuff and choose at startup which hard drive I want to boot from? Or is that a bad idea?
    Cheers.

    Last edited by CelestialScribe; 06 Feb 2010 at 16:53.
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  3. gregrocker
    Posts : 50,642
       New #32

    If you want to set up a BIOS-managed (rather than Windows-managed) Dual Boot, then unplug the Win7 HD before XP install. It is fine to install XP where you made space.

    After install, you will boot to the HD set first to boot in BIOS Boot order. Then if you want to boot to the other HD, use the shortcut key given on first bootup screen for Boot Menu to choose the other HD instead.

    For example, you can set Win7 HD as first HD to boot in BIOS. Then it will boot to Win7 straightaway, unless you tap that Boot Menu shortcut key to interrupt it and choose DISK0 at bootup.

    If you want to set a Windows-managed Dual Boot, follow the steps in Method Two of this tutorial: Dual Boot Installation with Windows 7 and XP
    Last edited by gregrocker; 06 Feb 2010 at 22:03.
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  4. CelestialScribe
    Posts : 35
    Windows 7
    Thread Starter
       New #33

    Unplug "during" install, or beforehand?
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  6. CelestialScribe
    Posts : 35
    Windows 7
    Thread Starter
       New #34

    Also, I will try the windows method again after installing to see if it Will work. I will report back afterwards.
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  7. gregrocker
    Posts : 50,642
       New #35

    CelestialScribe said:
    Unplug "during" install, or beforehand?
    Beforehand
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  8. theog
    Posts : 11,408
    ME/XP/Vista/Win7
       New #36

    CelestialScribe said:
    Okay,

    Also, if I was to install Windows XP again, could I just skip the EasyBCD stuff and choose at startup which hard drive I want to boot from? Or is that a bad idea?
    Cheers.
    quote from gregrocker.

    [quote]If you want to set a Windows-managed Dual Boot, follow the steps in Method Two of this tutorial:Dual Boot Installation with Windows 7 and XP[quote]

    Use Method one.
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  10. gregrocker
    Posts : 50,642
       New #37

    Method One is for when XP is installed first, before Win7.

    Method Two is for when XP is installed last, after Win7.

    As he already has Win7 installed, if he were to reinstall XP, then he would need to use the steps in Method Two of the tutorial, using EasyBCD to add XP to Dual Boot.

    I would use EasyBCD 2.0 beta as it is automated
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  11. theog
    Posts : 11,408
    ME/XP/Vista/Win7
       New #38

    Post edit


    CelestialScribe said:
    Okay,

    Also, if I was to install Windows XP again, could I just skip the EasyBCD stuff and choose at startup which hard drive I want to boot from? Or is that a bad idea?
    Cheers.
    Yes,Use Method one in tutorial:

    Dual Boot Installation with Windows 7 and XP
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  12. gregrocker
    Posts : 50,642
       New #39

    CelestialScribe said:
    Also, if I was to install Windows XP again, could I just skip the EasyBCD stuff and choose at startup which hard drive I want to boot from? Or is that a bad idea?
    Cheers.
    gregrocker said:
    If you want to set up a BIOS-managed (rather than Windows-managed) Dual Boot, then unplug the Win7 HD before XP install. It is fine to install XP where you made space.

    After install, you will boot to the HD set first to boot in BIOS Boot order. Then if you want to boot to the other HD, use the shortcut key given on first bootup screen for Boot Menu to choose the other HD instead.

    For example, you can set Win7 HD as first HD to boot in BIOS. Then it will boot to Win7 straightaway, unless you tap that Boot Menu shortcut key to interrupt it and choose DISK0 at bootup.

    If you want to set a Windows-managed Dual Boot, follow the steps in Method Two of this tutorial: https://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/8057-dual-boot-installation-windows-7-xp.html
    Above is my full response to the OP's question. I still believe it is correct.
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