Dual Booting with Windows 7 Installed First?

[DarkPacMan77]

Hi everyone. I have Windows 7 64-bit and I want to install Windows XP 32-bit for extra cross-compatibility. I know 32 bit apps can work in 64 bit but I also need my printers and other devices working.

I need help with a guide to dual-boot operating systems but I can't find a guide that includes Windows 7 as the first operating system. Could anybody help me by pointing me in the right direction?

Thanks,

-DarkPacMan77-

 

[Sassa]

Here is tutorial:http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/8057-dual-boot-installation-windows-7-xp.html?ltr=D
See option two

Edit: Method two...

 

[DarkPacMan77]

I knew I'd get a fast response. Thank you, Sassa.

-DarkPacMan77-

 

[Sassa]

You're welcome.

 

[DarkPacMan77]

Do you know if I still have to "repair windows 7" if I install Vista 32-bit instead?

 

[Sassa]

For that, read this tutorial: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/5166-dual-boot-installation-windows-7-vista.html?ltr=D

 

[rftech]

installation of xp

Hi, I want to dual boot Windows 7 and XP, both are Pro edition, I have Windows 7 Pro installed first, and I would like to put XP on a secondary hard drive. I put in the Windows XP install disk and boot from it and follow directions, I tell it which hdd to install to, than tell it to format drive, after formating it copies files to the hdd and than it says restarting Windows and than says it needs to reboot, I was wondering if I need to change boot order so the secondary drive is after cd rom in boot order or set secondary drive as primary, how do I do that as my primary drive is a SATA and secondary drive is IDE, do I change it in the bio's? I am not real sure how to proceed from here, I read the tutorial but I didn't see how to install XP With Windows 7 installed first on second hdd, or did I just miss it. Any help would be very much appreciated, and Thank you.

 

[AddRAM]

You should only be able to boot into XP right now. Use EasyBCD to edit your boot settings. Older operating systems should always be installed 1st when doing a dual boot.

EasyBCD - CNET Download.com

 

[rftech]

Hi, AddRam
Thank you for responding so fast. I have another question, how do I change to the other hdd with BCD, I have never used BCD before, or direct me to a tutorial for BCD. In the mean time I am going to try and find a tutorial or information on how to use BCD. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thank you.

 

[rftech]

Hi, AddRam
I just thought of something else,after I install XP, I than use BCD to fix the MBR after the install is finished, to bring up menu to boot into Windows 7 or XP. Am I correct or am I missing something, I am not sure. Thanks again.

 

[rftech]

Hi, Gregrocker
I want to thank you for your response. See if I got this straight, I unplug C:, because that has 7 on it tell bio's to boot to second hdd, where I want to install XP, install XP, than plug in Windows 7 hdd, resest bio'sand than use
BCD in windows seven to dreate boot menu. Is that basicly right or did I forget something, I have put a lot of thought into this and want to do it right the first time. I feel that the way you said to do it is probably the way I would prefer to do it. No offence to AddRam, I always go throught how to do something in my head first that I actualy do afater I have all the steps down. May sound like alot to do first but I have found it works for me. Thank you

 

[AddRAM]

After you have both installed just run a startup repair with your windows 7 disc. It usually repairs it on the first try. Both OS`s should then be shown after post. You can then install EasyBCD to make any changes to the boot menu. Just did this 3 times on my experiment pc, out of sheer boredom.

Use the partition wizard bootable cd to make your 2 partitions, set the windows 7 partition active, then install 7 on the 1st then XP on the 2nd. Run the startup repair once and your done.

 

[rftech]

I am now confused, sorry about that. Do you reccomend I unplug C: drive and than install XP on second hdd, or how do you reccomend I do it? Two guys telling me two different ways I am not sure how to porceed at this time. Could someone please explain them selves so I can have an idea on how to proceed, please not be offended I am just confused.

 

[AddRAM]

If your using 2 hard drives, Greg prefers to unplug 1 when your installing on the other. My example explains when installing on 1 hard drive with 2 partitions. It all depends on what your doing.

 

[rftech]

I am planning to install XP on a second hdd, from what I have read maybe unpluging C: drive would be the best, what I don't understand is after installing XP I plug C:, back in reset bio's and than boot into 7 and install easy BCD and use it to create the menu with XP and 7, right or how do I do it. Thank you for fast response I still haven't got the information I need for Easy BCD.

 

[gregrocker]

Then unplug the other HD during install, set target HD first to boot in BIOS, trigger the Win7 installer using one-time BIOS Boot menu key given on first screen.

After install, plug back in Win7 HD. Set preferred HD to boot first in BIOS setup, use the one-time BIOS Boot Menu key to boot the other OS HD.

If you don't like this arrangement then install EasyBCD to Win7 to Add XP to a Dual Boot menu.

I removed my original posts from this thread because you ignored them for over a day while only replying to AddRAM so I thought you wanted to work with him.

 

[rftech]

I am sorry about that, I was actualy trying to get as much information as possible. If you read an earlier post, I said that I was confused and your way seemed alittle easier. Let me see if I got this right unplug w7 drive, install XP, now I am not sure, I plug the w7 drive back in, boot to w7 than use esybcd to set boot menu. You said something about trigger w7 I am not sure what you mean, could you explain please. Thank you.