Windows 7 Dual Boot problems. Please help

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  1. spaceface
    Posts : 8
    windows 7
       New #1

    Windows 7 Dual Boot problems. Please help


    I have recently upgraded my home computer to Windows 7 64-bit, but need to create a dual boot machine with XP so i can work from home.

    Firstly i will confirm that i do need dual boot. I cannot install the software i need on my windows 7, neither does compatibility mode work.

    I created a small partition on my new 500GB sata HDD and installed windows 7 first. Which works fine. I've been trying to create the dual boot using the guide on the following page (from this website):

    Dual Boot Installation with Windows 7 and XP

    I only have a windows XP serv pack 1 upgrade disk, so i bought a windows 98 full disk as the cheapest option to get windows installed (these are all official copies with the key).

    I am able to get just beyond point 5 in the linked webpage guide - i select the partition i made, and then the system takes 5-10 minutes to copy across the installation files. It then says the computer must restart to finish installation. When the computer restarts it gets as far as a startup screen that says:

    Loading Operating System ....
    Boot From CD/DVD :
    Press any key to boot from CD or DVD.....

    I always see this screen when booting Windows 7 and a disk is in the drive, except this time if i do not press any key (which under normal circumstances the computer would carry on booting from the hard drive) the screen just hangs. Pressing any buttons at this point does nothing, and i have to reset my computer. If i restart the computer the same screen will continually appear. I have to use the windows 7 installation disk to in repair mode to allow Windows 7 to boot correctly again.

    Both installations are done using NTFS file system. I don't see any bios settings that could be causing an issue, but then i am no expert.

    System set-up:
    Intel i5 750 2.66 cpu
    Gigabyte GA-P55A-UD3R motherboard
    Seagate Barracuda 500GB sata - boot HDD
    (there are also 3 other HDDs, one sata and 2 IDE)

    Any help would be greatly appreciated.

    Thanks
    Last edited by spaceface; 15 May 2010 at 22:18.
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  3. SIW2
    Posts : 16,153
    7 X64
       New #2

    Better to take the install cd out just before you get to that stage - it's trying to boot the cd again as it is first in bios boot order.

    Your keyboard is not responding at - it may only work with a ps2 keyboard.
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  4. spaceface
    Posts : 8
    windows 7
    Thread Starter
       New #3

    Thanks for the quick reply, but unfortunately that didn't work. This simply omits the third line when the machine reboots so that the screen reads:

    Loading Operating System ....
    Boot From CD/DVD :

    and it still hangs...

    Also, i am using a PS2 keyboard.
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  6. PeaB4YouGo
    Posts : 457
    Microsoft Windows 10 Home Build 15036
       New #4

    Do I have the command name right?


    Oh, for the days of Format /mbr



    I say this, because I remember booting to the DOS prompt and setting up the Master Boot Record with that after screwing up a LINUX install. HEH
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  7. gregrocker
    Posts : 50,642
       New #5

    Try resetting the CMOS: Clear CMOS - 3 Ways to Clear the CMOS - Reset BIOS

    Then follow these steps carefully: http://pcsupport.about.com/od/tipstr.../bootcddvd.htm
    Last edited by gregrocker; 16 May 2010 at 00:35.
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  8. spaceface
    Posts : 8
    windows 7
    Thread Starter
       New #6

    PeaB4YouGo - could you please clarify, bearing in mind that i'm not an expert when it comes to this kind of stuff? Do you mean to say that when i reach the point where the computer is hanging, i should then startup in dos mode and execute the command you've stated? Do you expect this will allow the computer to boot into XP and finish the install?

    gregrocker - i reset my bios settings, and then set boot device to CD first then HDD. I also checked the HDD boot order (another bios setting) to ensure that the correct HDD with my OS was first. I then tried to reinstall again but got exactly the same issue. I'm quite sure this is how i had them set previously, but done again just to make sure.

    Also can i ask what you mean about running the XP disk from windows 7? If i try to start the install from within Windows 7 i am unable, since the 'install Windows XP' option is not permitted when i run it directly. Or do you mean once it hangs i should repair using the Windows 7 disk, and then run the XP disk from Windows 7 to complete the installation?

    Thanks both for the replies.
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  10. spaceface
    Posts : 8
    windows 7
    Thread Starter
       New #7

    Still needing help if anyone has any advice, thanks!
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  11. myzr7
    Posts : 1,797
    Windows 7 Ulti. x64
       New #8

    spaceface said:
    Still needing help if anyone has any advice, thanks!
    Are you loading sata drivers into the xp install as per the tutorial?
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  12. gregrocker
    Posts : 50,642
       New #9

    SATA Drivers - Slipstream into Windows XP CD
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  13. acurasd
    Posts : 972
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       New #10

    gregrocker said:
    SATA Drivers - Slipstream into Windows XP CD

    I actually did this to my Windows 2000 Pro installation CD and when I tried to burn another copy of the cd, it turned it non-bootable. Anyway I can get it back to a bootable CD?
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