Create dual boot with XP - need to go back to Vista fir

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  1. Posts : 19
    Win 7 Home Premium
       #1

    Create dual boot with XP - need to go back to Vista fir


    I have a VAIO that came with Vista 4bit - I upgraded to Win7 Home Prem 64bit but now wish to create a dual boot system with XP Pro 32bit and Win 7 64bit. I have legacy software that I need to run and it wont work on a 64bit platform.

    I have tried to install XP but get an 0x7b error when the installation files are being loaded and I have not found a workaround so the eimpleest thing is for me to reformat, install XP, create another partition, reinstall Vista and then upgrade Vista again to Win7. I have no data to save so there is no issue there.

    Problem is, I have not been able to format the hard drive so I can start clean. I tried to boot from a USB floppy but it just hung. Can anyone point me to a program that will let me format the HDD?

    Thanks
      My Computer

  2.    #2

    Are you booting the XP CD to install, as it will not run from a 64 bit OS? Did you preformat the XP partition; if so, delete formatting and use XP installer to format.

    The installer may need an IDE storage driver to load. Here are the troubleshooting steps for this error: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/324103

    Once you install XP, follow the further steps in Method Two here to add XP to dual boot menu:
    Dual Boot Installation with Windows 7 and XP

    If none of this works, then you don't need to reinstall Vista. Just clean install Win7 after XP: https://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/31402-clean-install-upgrade-windows-7-version.html

    But you'll likely get the same error so best to troubleshoot it now and save the Win7 reinstall.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 1,607
    Windows 7 x64 finally!
       #3

    Hi cspgsl
    1) I can recommend GParted for formatting the partition
    2) Your plan is good, except for one detail I will touch below. I recommend you check this tutorial too, it should help: Dual Boot Installation with Windows 7 and XP
    3) You don't need to install Vista and then install 7 on top of it. You can do a clean install of Windows 7 even with an upgrade disc: Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 1,607
    Windows 7 x64 finally!
       #4

    Great minds do think alike... :)
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  5. Posts : 19
    Win 7 Home Premium
    Thread Starter
       #5

    gregrocker said:
    Are you booting the XP CD to install, as it will not run from a 64 bit OS? Did you preformat the XP partition; if so, delete formatting and use XP installer to format.
    Tried that too

    The installer may need an IDE storage driver to load. Here are the troubleshooting steps for this error: Advanced troubleshooting for "Stop 0x0000007B" errors in Windows XP
    Been there without success

    Once you install XP, follow the further steps in Method Two here to add XP to dual boot menu:
    Dual Boot Installation with Windows 7 and XP
    here too

    If none of this works, then you don't need to reinstall Vista. Just clean install Win7 after XP: https://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/31402-clean-install-upgrade-windows-7-version.html
    all I can do with 7 is another upgrade or a repair install
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 19
    Win 7 Home Premium
    Thread Starter
       #6

    wallyinnc said:
    Hi cspgsl
    1) I can recommend GParted for formatting the partition
    2) Your plan is good, except for one detail I will touch below. I recommend you check this tutorial too, it should help: Dual Boot Installation with Windows 7 and XP[3]=Installation%20and%20Setup
    3) You don't need to install Vista and then install 7 on top of it. You can do a clean install of Windows 7 even with an upgrade disc: Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version[3]=Installation%20and%20Setup
    Thanks Wally I'll give it a go with GParted
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 19
    Win 7 Home Premium
    Thread Starter
       #7

    I have now been able to install XP and now when I go to install the upgrade of Win7 64bit it tells me that the setup is not a valid 32bit application.

    With Sony it appears that the only way to upgrade is either from the Vista installation or a 32bit upgrade from XP.

    In any event, it won't autorun on boot from the DVD in spite of the setting in the BIOS

    Is it possible to upgrade to the 32bit and then reinstall the 64bit version?

    Thanks
      My Computer

  8.    #8

    Is there a Win7 product key included in the Upgrade kit?

    Try triggering the DVD to boot by tapping key given on first bootup screen for Boot Menu.

    Make sure you have set it correctly in BIOS: Boot from CD - How to Boot your Computer from a Bootable CD or DVD - Boot to CD

    Determine that the DVD is bootable: See if there is an ISO to extract using ImgBurn. Attachment 46648

    Try writing the ISO to a flash stick instead: USB Windows 7 Installation Key Drive - Create

    or this method: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srOoGhm-jcI

    If Sony has indeed not provided you with a bootable DVD, then read here about how MS is helping license holders get a 64 bit version ISO: http://gizmodo.com/5391268/microsoft...grade-problems
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 19
    Win 7 Home Premium
    Thread Starter
       #9

    gregrocker said:
    Is there a Win7 product key included in the Upgrade kit?
    Yes

    Try triggering the DVD to boot by tapping key given on first bootup screen for Boot Menu.
    No option is given on boot

    did that first

    Determine that the DVD is bootable: See if there is an ISO to extract using ImgBurn.
    attached are images of the DVD

    Try writing the ISO to a flash stick instead: USB Windows 7 Installation Key Drive - Create
    or this method: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srOoGhm-jcI
    tried to without success - couldnt make USB drive bootable - didn't try this method though and would do if I have the correct files on the DVD to do so

    If Sony has indeed not provided you with a bootable DVD, then read here about how MS is helping license holders get a 64 bit version ISO: Microsoft Fixes Windows 7 Student Edition Upgrade Problems - Windows 7 student edition - Gizmodo
    I shall look at this as well

    I am running Win7 on my own machine and working on upgrading the laptop.

    I see an ISO-EN file on the DVD but when I open it it's blank. Please tell me if I indeed have the correct files on the DVD

    Thanks, much
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Create dual boot with XP - need to go back to Vista fir-root-dvd.png   Create dual boot with XP - need to go back to Vista fir-64bit-folder-dvd.png  
      My Computer

  10.    #10

    This is the bootable WIN7 installer, standard with no apparent add-ons:


    Create dual boot with XP - need to go back to Vista fir-capture.png

    The presence of the key also means you can clean install from boot once you get it to boot.

    I would try making a USB key installer. Here's a newer method that is even easier: Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool
      My Computer


 
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