Dual Boot Installation with Windows 7 and XP

How to Setup a Dual Boot Installation with Windows 7 and XP​

   Information

This will show you how to install Windows 7 and XP to dual boot with when you already have either Windows 7 or XP installed first.

   Note

With a dual boot installaton, you will have two operating systems (OS) installed. When you start the computer, you will have the choice to choose which OS you would like to start up to. This method is the easiest way of doing a dual boot with these two operating systems.

   Tip

When dual booting with another OS (ex: Vista or XP), you may not always have that OS partition show up in Computer with a driver letter in Windows 7. If this happens, then you will just need to add a drive letter to the OS (ex: Vista or XP) partition in Windows 7 Disk Management for it to show up in Computer with a driver letter.

   Warning

To stop XP from deleting your Windows 7 System Restore Points everytime XP is started, then see System Restore Points - Stop XP Dual Boot Delete to hide Windows 7 from XP.

Windows 7 Minimum Hardware Requirements


NOTE: For more information on this, see: Windows 7 system requirements

• 1 GHz 32-bit or 64-bit processor
• 1 GB RAM for 32-bit Windows 7 OR 2 GB RAM for 64-bit Windows 7
• 16 GB available disk space 32-bit Windows 7 OR 20 GB for 64-bit Windows 7
• Support for DirectX 9 graphics with 128 MB memory (in order to enable Aero theme)
• DVD-R/W Drive
• Internet or phone access to activate Windows 7.

Windows XP Minimum Hardware Requirements

NOTE: For more information on this, see: System requirements for Windows XP operating systems

• PC with 300 megahertz (MHz) or higher processor clock speed recommended; 233-MHz minimum required;* Intel Pentium/Celeron family, AMD K6/Athlon/Duron family, or compatible processor recommended
• 128 megabytes (MB) of RAM or higher recommended (64 MB minimum supported; may limit performance and some features)
• 1.5 gigabyte (GB) of available hard disk space.*
• Super VGA (800 × 600) or higher resolution video adapter and monitor
• CD-ROM or DVD drive
• Keyboard and Microsoft Mouse or compatible pointing device

EXAMPLE: Windows Boot Manager
NOTE: This is the boot screen where you select what operating system that you would like to start. By default, you have 30 seconds to choose another operating system before the default operating system will start automatically.

OPTION ONE

When XP is Installed First

NOTE: If you have a RAID setup, you will need to have the Windows 7 RAID drivers on a USB flash drive available to select and load while installing Windows 7.
1. Do step 2 or 3 below for where you wanted to install Windows 7 at.

2. To Create a New Partition from the XP Hard Disk Drive
A) With your Windows 7 installation disc boot into the Command Prompt from the System Recovery Options screen.
NOTE: Make sure that the CD/DVD drive is selected first in the boot order in the BIOS.

B) In the command prompt, select and shrink the XP volume by how many MB (1024 MB = 1 GB) you want to have for this Windows 7 partition. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: You would do steps 2 to 9 in METHOD TWO at that link. Windows 7 will need a minimum of 16 GB (16384 MB).

C) Click on the X at the top right corner to close the command prompt. (See screenshot above)

D) Click on the X at the top right corner to close System Recovery Options. (See screenshot below)

E) Go to step 4.
3. To Use a Separate Hard Disk Drive than the XP Drive
A) Boot from your Windows 7 installation disc.
NOTE: Make sure that the CD/DVD drive is selected first in the boot order in the BIOS.
4. Click on the Install now button. (See screenshot below)

5. When you get to this point, select the partition (step 2) or hard drive to install Windows 7 on. (See screenshot below)

6. Finish installing Windows 7.
NOTE: You would start at step 9 in that link to finish installing Windows 7.

7. When finished, restart the computer to have the option to boot from XP (Earlier Verision of Windows) or Windows 7. (See screenshot below)

   Note

If you are only booting into Windows 7 and do not have XP listed in the Windows Boot Manager, then you can install only EasyBCD (step 8 Option Two below) to add XP (or Windows 7) while started in Windows 7 the same way to the boot list.

OPTION TWO

When Windows 7 is Installed First

   Warning

• If you have a RAID setup, you will need to have the XP RAID drivers for your specific motherboard on a Floppy disc available to select and load at the F6 prompt while installing XP.
• If you have a SATA drive, then you will need to do either one of these options to load the SATA drivers for XP for your specific motherboard.
  • How to Slipstream SATA drivers into Windows XP setup CD with Dual Boot of Windows 7 or Vista
  • How to Load SATA Drivers in Windows XP Setup on your Dual Boot PC with Vista or Windows 7 for how to load your SATA drivers from a Floppy disc at the F6 prompt while installing XP.

1. To Create a New Partition from the Windows 7 Hard Disk Drive
NOTE: If you want to install XP on a separate internal hard drive instead, then skip this step and go to step 2.
A) In Windows 7, select and shrink the Windows 7 volume in Disk Management by how many MB (1024 MB = 1 GB) you want to have for this XP partition. (See screenshots below)
NOTE: You would do all of Method One at that link.





2. Insert your XP installation disc, then restart the computer and press any key to boot from it when prompted. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: Make sure that the CD/DVD drive is selected first in the boot order in the BIOS.

3. From XP Setup, Press Enter. (See screenshot below)

   Warning

• If you have a RAID setup, you will need to have the XP RAID drivers for your specific motherboard on a Floppy disc available to select and load at the F6 prompt while installing XP.
• If you have a SATA drive, then you will need to do either one of these options to load the SATA drivers for XP for your specific motherboard.
  • How to Slipstream SATA drivers into Windows XP setup CD with Dual Boot of Windows 7 or Vista
  • How to Load SATA Drivers in Windows XP Setup on your Dual Boot PC with Vista or Windows 7 for how to load your SATA drivers from a Floppy disc at the F6 prompt while installing XP.

4. Press F8. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: On some multimedia keyboards, you may need to press the F-Lock or Function key before pressing F8.

5. Select the partition (step 1) or hard drive that you want to install XP on using the arrow keys and press Enter.

6. Finish installing XP.

   Tip

If you get Error loading Operating System after XP restarts:

• Using your Windows 7 installation disc, boot to the command prompt at startup.
• Type in these comands below, and press enter after each one.
  • bootrec /FixMbr
  • bootrec /FixBoot
  • bootrec /RebuildBcd
• Exit the command prompt and restart the computer.
• At this point, Windows 7 should boot up the same way before trying to install XP.
• Continue to step 8 below and run EasyBCD from Windows 7 instead.

7. In XP, download and install .Net Framework 2.0 (32-bit) version or .Net Framework 2.0 (64-bit) version first, and EasyBCD (free version) for your 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x86) XP.
NOTE: In XP, Net Framework is required to be installed to run EasyBCD. After you click on Register (at bottom of link) for the free EasyBCD, registration is not required to download it.

8. Run EasyBCD (free version).
NOTE: This is required to repair the Windows 7 boot file and add XP to the Windows Boot Manager list.

9. On the left side of EasyBCD, click on the Add New Entry button. (See screenshot below)
A) In the top section under Operating Systems, click on the Windows tab. (See screenshot below)
B) To the right of Type, select Windows NT/2k/XP/2k3 from the drop down menu. (See screenshot below)
:warn:WARNING: Be sure to leave the Automatically detect correct drive box checked.

C) To the right of Name, you can leave the default Microsoft Windows XP as the name to be displayed in the Windows Boot Manager, or you can type whatever name you would like to have instead. (See screenshot below)
D) Click on the Add Entry button. (See screenshot below)

10. On the left side of EasyBCD, click on the BCD Deployment button, select (dot) the Install the Windows Vista/7 bootloader to the MBR option, and click on the Write MBR button. (See screenshot below)

11. Close EasyBCD.

12. Restart the computer to have the option to boot from Microsoft Windows XP or Windows 7. (See screenshot below)

   Tip

If Windows 7 will not start up when selected, then use your Windows 7 installation DVD to do a Startup Repair.

That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

---

• How to Setup a Dual Boot Installation with Windows 7 and Vista
• How to Setup a Dual Boot Installation with Windows Vista and XP
• How to Do a Dual Boot Installation with Windows 7 and Windows 8
• How to Dual Boot Windows 7 and Ubuntu
• How to Correctly Setup a Dual Boot with Windows 7 and LinuxMint13
• How to Change Time to Display Operating Systems at Boot in Windows 7
• How to Change the Listed OS Arrangement Order in Windows Boot Manager Screen
• How to Change the Default Operating System to Start in Windows 7
• How to Delete an Operating System Listed in Windows Boot Manager
• How to Change the OS Name in Windows Boot Manager
• How to Do a Clean Installation with Windows 7
• How to Install Windows 7 FAST without a DVD or USB Device
• Install Windows 7 Without Using Any External Device
• How to Setup Windows 7 to Boot from a VHD (Virtual Hard Disk)
• How to Create a Windows 7 VHD at Boot to Start with from Boot
• How to Do a Custom Installation of Windows 7
• How to Load SATA Drivers in Windows XP Setup on your Dual Boot PC with Vista or Windows 7
• How to Slipstream SATA drivers into Windows XP setup CD with Dual Boot of Windows 7 or Vista
• How to Load SATA Driver Using Shift+F10 to Open Command Prompt
• How to Recover a Partition Used by an Older OS in a Dual Boot
• How to Properly Delete a OS in a Dual Boot
• How to Stop System Restore Points from being Deleted in Vista and Windows 7 when Dual Booting with XP

 

[theog]

I found this link for your RAID drivers for your DP55WG motherboard below:

RAID: Intel® Rapid Storage Technology Driver for Intel Desktop Boards

You can download the correct driver ZIP file, and extract the files from ZIP to a USB flash drive. The USB flash drive will act like a floppy drive at boot if you have your BIOS settings set to allow booting from a USB device. You should be able to select the USB flash drive if you have the option to load your RAID drivers during installation.

Hey Brink, I loaded the 32Bit SATA RAID Drivers onto the root directory of a USB thumb drive, Set the bios to boot to USB 1st, then optical, Started the system, it tried to boot to USB and didnt, which is fine I guess, then it booted to the XP bootable install disk CD, I hit F6, It gave me the option to select "s" to install the SATA Raid drivers, I hit "S" and got this:

"Setup could not find a floppy drive on your machine to load the OEM drivers from floppy disk:

* Press ESC to cancel loading OEM drivers.
* Press F3 to quit setup"

Brink, I have no floppy drive, how do I get the xp install disk or process to look for the USB drive during F6? or other option so I can load prior to installing XP? I get BSOD if I press the "ESC" option and continue with setup.
From earlier posts, Bios is set to SATA=RAID an you gave me the intel link to the drivers. (thx. for that)

Thanks for your time,
ItNoWorkie.

You will need a floppy drive.

32-bit Floppy Configuration Utility

64-bit Floppy Configuration Utility

 

[vargis]

I have a new pc with windows 7 pro 64 bit.

Followed the instructions for 'method two'. Got as far as step 6 ('finish installing xp').

The xp installer was copying files. It was taking a while, so I left the room. When I came back, it was on a black screen with white text saying:

Loading operating system...

A disk read error occurred

Press Ctrl + Alt + Del to restart


Every time I restarted, I got the same error message. So, I restored my windows 7 system partition with Acronis True Image. The first time I restored, I used an option in Acronis to just restore the MBR for the disk (and not restore the whole partition). After this I got the same error message. Then I tried restoring the whole partition. Now I'm booting win7 fine again.

Is anyone familiar with this scenario? Should I try installing windows xp from scratch again? Or is there something else I can try from here?

Thanks,
Michael

 

[Goranbm]

Hello, first i am sorry fo my not so good english. i followed this tutorial, and i used method two ... in the second step, i boot from cd, and it starts, then files are being copied , and when setup should start, i get BSOD ... it's error STOP: 0X0000007B ... help anyone ???

 

[WmCJohnson]

Dual Boot Question

Hello, Brink:

You have a great tutorial. Unfortunately it has not worked for me.

I got in touch with HP about my problem with getting a dual boot to work on my HP Pavilion Elite 9515Y computer. This machine originally came with Window Vista. I upgraded it to Windows 7, using the upgrad disk which I received from HP. I also downloaded an ISO file of Windows XP Pro with SP3. I have attempted several times to create a dual boot with this system, but I continunally get the blue screen, saying the Windows has shut down my computer to prevent damage.

The HP technician told me that I must have full versions of both operating systems, not OEM's, in order to create a dual boot on this machine. Is this correct?

I shall look forward to your reply.

WmCJohnson

 

[Brink]

Hello Johnson,

I have not tried it with a OEM version, but if it's one that only does a factory restore type of an installation, then it will not work. I know you can with a retail (upgrade or full (preferred)) version though.

 

[vargis]

I reinstalled win xp from scratch. This time I didn't get the error.

I used easybcd per the instructions, but my machine continued to only boot xp. Then I ran these instructions: Windows no longer starts after you install an earlier version of the Windows operating system in a dual-boot configuration . Now both are booting fine.

 

[vargis]

...

The HP technician told me that I must have full versions of both operating systems, not OEM's, in order to create a dual boot on this machine. Is this correct?

...

WmCJohnson

I just got it to work with a full retail copy of windows xp and an oem copy of windows 7.

 

[fatih]

I have some problem about installing xpsp3 to my driver. I have 2 driver and In the first driver I have win7 home premium 64 bit so I want to install xp in the second drive.I followed the method two and made the partition for xp in the second drive.Then I started to install xpsp3 from the boot and it started to copy file but suddenly come blue screen and stop:0X0000007E and error acpi.sys.
After i stop yhe installation and win7 boot as normal no problem.but why i cant install xps3.Do u have any ideas about this?

 

[Josh Strube]

I have just purchased a new VAIO laptop with Windows 7 64 Pro on it. I have a previous VAIO with XP Pro. I used Acronis True Image to create a back-up of the old laptop. On the new laptop I created a new partition to handle XP. I then recovered the backup onto the new partition using Acronis Bootable Agent. All the information is there on the partition. I cannot get into XP. I installed EasyBCD in windows 7 and followed the steps given. When I reboot and select windowsXP it just loops back to the boot manager. Any suggestions? I know this should work in theory.

 

[marraco]

Don't works

When installing windows XP after Win 7, the setup program copy all the files, and then reboot (step 5 on this guide.)

then instead of booting on the xp installer, appears the message:

"Error Loading Operating System "

Is a common problem. it have something to do with the different bootloader in windows 7, and probably because windows 7 aligns partitions with cluster sizes to get better performance.

If I boot from windows 7 installation CD, open console, and run command

bootreg /fixmbr

then windows 7 boots again. (but not XP installer)

The problem is that I cannot log on Windows 7. Many essential files are deleted, and I don't want to delete/format his partition, because I don't have a backup of important data.

All the solutions I found inplies booting Win7, and using freeBSD, or using win 7 in some way. It`s not a solution.

I cannot use another HD, or copy the files to another HD (to wipe out the hard disk).

Is there something I can do?

I can connect the HD to another PC (With win7) , but don't have space to save the files.

 

[ItNoWorkie]

XP install F6 (SATA) USB Floppy Drive issue Resolved!

XP install F6 (Load SATA Driver) USB Floppy Drive issue resolved!

For those of you who have new systems without installed floppy drives, loading XP and the needed Sata Driver can be a real issue in this Win 7(loaded 1st) and XP (loaded 2nd) dual boot tutorial.

According to Microsoft:
This issue occurs if the USB floppy disk drive is not supported for use during Windows XP installation. To be supported in this situation, the drive must be listed in the Txtsetup.sif file.

The following USB floppy disk drives are included in the Txtsetup.sif file and are
therefore supported for use during Windows XP installation:

Plug and Play ID USB floppy disk drive model
USB\VID_03EE&PID_6901 Mitsumi
USB\VID_057B&PID_0000 Y-E Data; Sony part number 09K9835
USB\VID_0644&PID_0000 TEAC; IBM option part number 27L4226, FRU 05K9283

The real world solution:
Best Buy, as of 2/25/10, has an ext. USB Floppy drive manufactured by Y-E Data that actually works:

It's the Dynex model DX-EF101 about $40.

Go on the BB site, look for the DX-EF101 and find a local store that has it in-stock
and pick one up, IT WORKS! The BIOS and XP F6 finds it. XP Installed and the Dual Boot tutorial worked Perfectly once you get passed this F6 USB Floppy issue!

NOT all USB FLOPPY DRIVES Work, 98% DO NOT. Do not waste your time buying and testing others as I did.

Thanks Brink and others for previous help,
ItNoWorkie. (it actually Workie now!

 

[ukjonas]

I would just like to say thanks for this tutorial - it has saved me from reinstalling both my hard drives for lack of knowledge!!

Very clear and easy to follow tut!

 

[bigseb]

This tutorial is brilliant!! Much better than the one I used the first time I dual-booted. Thank you!

 

[larrym29]

Blue screen

New to site,very nice!
I am running into a problem trying to add WindowsXP. I get through the partioning OK. But when I try to install WinXP after the intial setup by windows I get a Blue-Screen with the following message:
Stop: 0X0000007E (0X0000005, 0XF78D1EA0, 0XF78D1B9C)
acpi.sys-Address F73B9D66 base at F73AE000, Date Stamp 480252b1
I never get to the actual windows setup.

The windowsxp disc is a new Home Premium OEM disc purchsed at CompUSA. I also tried a different winxp disc from my old Dell Laptop so it was also an OEM version.

Sysytem:
Dell Studio 15 (Laptop)
Windows7 Home Premium
Intel Core I3-330M 2.13GHz
4GB Ram

 

[theog]

New to site,very nice!
I am running into a problem trying to add WindowsXP. I get through the partioning OK. But when I try to install WinXP after the intial setup by windows I get a Blue-Screen with the following message:
Stop: 0X0000007E (0X0000005, 0XF78D1EA0, 0XF78D1B9C)
acpi.sys-Address F73B9D66 base at F73AE000, Date Stamp 480252b1
I never get to the actual windows setup.

The windowsxp disc is a new Home Premium OEM disc purchsed at CompUSA. I also tried a different winxp disc from my old Dell Laptop so it was also an OEM version.

Sysytem:
Dell Studio 15 (Laptop)
Windows7 Home Premium
Intel Core I3-330M 2.13GHz
4GB Ram

Take a look at this:

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/66010-sata-drivers-load-windows-xp-setup-dual-boot.html

 

[larrym29]

So before I go out and spend $40 on a floppy drive. Even though I am not getting the same message you show in your tutorial you feel it is still my SATA drivers (or lack thereof) that is the cause of XP not installing?

Thanks alot for the help

 

[Brink]

Hello Larry, and welcome to Seven Forums.

If you have a USB flash drive formatted using FAT32, you may be able to use that as a floppy drive instead to install your SATA drivers with instead. Just be sure that you have the "Legacy USB storage detect" type option enabled in your BIOS settings so that it will be recognized.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[fatih]

New to site,very nice!
I am running into a problem trying to add WindowsXP. I get through the partioning OK. But when I try to install WinXP after the intial setup by windows I get a Blue-Screen with the following message:
Stop: 0X0000007E (0X0000005, 0XF78D1EA0, 0XF78D1B9C)
acpi.sys-Address F73B9D66 base at F73AE000, Date Stamp 480252b1
I never get to the actual windows setup.

The windowsxp disc is a new Home Premium OEM disc purchsed at CompUSA. I also tried a different winxp disc from my old Dell Laptop so it was also an OEM version.

Sysytem:
Dell Studio 15 (Laptop)
Windows7 Home Premium
Intel Core I3-330M 2.13GHz
4GB Ram

I had the same problem. I managed it doing like when xp is loading files.in the begining of installation it asks you to install sata driver press F6 in that time if u press F7.It will enable/disable your ACPI setting is the bios so i didnt get that error.BUT next time i got this error,
0x7B: INACCESSIBLE_BOOT_DEVICE
Do u have any ideas about this?May be we should try theog tutorials.

 

[lafnsu]

Thanks

I am new to this forum, but when I tried to Rep you, I wasn't allowed...sigh. This was a wonderful tutorial and I have now been successful after two months of trying on my own to dual-boot 7/XP. Awesome tutorial, so thanks!

 

[larrym29]

I'm sorry to be a pain.
I purchased a USB floppy drive(Dynex model DX-EF101). I could not find any SATA drivers on my Dell drivers disk or at Dell's drivers and downloads site. So I went to my-windows/system32/drivers copy pasted the disk.sys and partmgr.sys files to floppy. When I F6 during setup I am instructed to insert Manufacturor's disk for SATA drive. So I hit enter and get this message: "The file txtsetup.oem could not be found". I assume this means it's looking for a setup file of some sort!