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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.