Solved Dual Boot help with Win XP and Win 7

[ChrisPea]

Hi all,
I have Win XP and Win 7 on two seperate Hard Drives. I would like to dual boot so I dont have to keep changing the Sata cable between the two drives and also to be able to read my files in Win 7 with out moving them all. Can some one help me please.
Regards Chris

 

[DavidE]

If your MB has available Sata port(s), you should be able to connect both HD's if you have an extra Sata cable (and Sata power connection and cable).

Then you could use a Keyboard key to choose the HD/OS to boot up.
You will have to go into BIOS to set up HD priority order, etc.
You need to refer to your MB manual for exact instructions, and what key is used to bring up the boot device selection screen.

Your specs show the motherboard as "Asus"...
Update your specs with MAKE and MODEL # for all hardware so people here can be more helpful ...

hope this helps,
David

 

[boyans]

The installation of Windows 7 and XP each on separate physical drive has the advantage that every OS is independent.

For dual booting you can use BIOS one time boot device selection key (F12 on some computers).
I would set Windows 7 drive first in BIOS (being the default) and use F12 to boot to Windows XP.

When both physical drives are connected whatever drive and OS you boot the other drive is usually mapped automatically and you can access it using Explorer for example.

Using separate drives for Windows 7 and XP has also the advantage that repairing each OS, if necessary, is simple !
You just disconnect the "good" drive and run StartUp Repair on "bad" drive using the propper Recovery CD/USB.

Advice - never run StartUp Repair when both drives connected.

 

[gregrocker]

On most Asus mobos the BIOS Boot Menu key is F8. Use that key to boot your choice of HD's. There was never any need to change SATA cables.

 

[ChrisPea]

Thanks guys for all your help. I can and do now successfully dual boot. This is due to your help. Please take this as a personal thanks..