Solved Dual Booting

[Richardc269]

Hi guys. I just got my hands on Windows XP 64-Bit. I currently have Windows 7 Ultimate 32-Bit installed on my C drive. The last time I formatted my PC was roughly just before the 10th of January, (the 8th, I think), and I tried to install Dual-Booting with XP Pro 32-Bit, and Win 7 Ultimate 32-bit. But the install for XP screwed it up and XP wouldn't start-up, due to I believe was that XP 32-Bit couldn't handle more than 3gb of RAM, which I have 4GB. So I figured I'd need XP 64-Bit to install for me to use XP on my machine.

Now, I have a couple of questions about installing XP 64-Bit on one of my partitions, even though I'm pretty computer literate; I don't want to accidentally screw up my system. I've had Windows 7 32-Bit on my system since Jan, of this year without much problems (besides maybe a few BSOD's here and there). I also have 2 physical drives in my machine, and 4 letter drives. My E and F drives are roughly about 75% or 80% full of stuff, my D drive is only roughly 60% or 65% full. I want to install XP on one of my drives (preferably E or F). My D drive is mostly just games, and my E/F drives have mostly "downloads" I accumulated over the past few years. (I tend to keep files on my computer in case I might need them later, I'm what you could call a "pack rat" when it comes to computer files).

Even though I want to use E or F as my XP drive, I think D is more realistic due to it having the biggest space remaining.

Now, the big question for me is: How many gigabytes of RAM can Windows 64-Bit handle without it not being able to run? When I mean "not being able to run" is where I'll go through the setup after hitting a key to run setup when it says "Press any key to run setup" when it runs the setup from the DVD, that's when my XP 32-Bit would just get stuck with, and it also screwed up my Windows 7 setup, so I had to format both drives and reinstall Windows 7 (this was right after I formatted 3 letter drives (I had 5) and combined 2 into 1 so I had 4 letter drives instead of 5.).

I'm going to assume that the XP 64-Bit won't screw up my Windows 7 setup that's already installed? And will it make me have to format Drive D in order to install, or will it simply just let me choose to let the drive be? If not, oh well, I can just format the D drive and reinstall all of the games I have. Either that, or I can just burn all the really necessary files from the E drive and format that instead.

Anyone elses thoughts are appreciated. Go ahead and throw a few at me. I don't have any external drives either, so that's out.

 

[gregrocker]

The best arrangement for a Dual Boot when you have multiple HD's is to install each OS on separate HD's.

In your case, empty a partition for XP, unplug the Win7 HD, set XP target HD as first to boot in BIOS setup, install XP using it's CD to full format the partition first.

After XP starts up, plug back in Win7 HD, set the preferred HD as first HD to boot in BIOS setup, then use the one-time BIOS Boot Menu f-key to boot the other OS HD when needed.

I doubt whether the issue with XP install was too much RAM. If you have an install fail during this attempt, take a camera snap of the error message or write it down and post the verbatim text.

 

[Richardc269]

Well, the problem with that is, is I don't know which physical drive C and D are on. That's the bigger problem. Or the rest of the letter drives, for that matter.

 

[gregrocker]

Please post back a screenshot of your full Disk Management drive map and listings, using Snipping Tool in Start Menu.

Type Disk Management in Start button Search box. Maximize the window, open Snipping TOol and draw a rectangular box around the map and listings above it.

Tell us what is on each partition as best you now. You may need to look in Computer to check each partition's content, you can rightclick>Properties to label each in box at top.

 

[theog]

Your best bet is to go for Win XP 32bit, as 64 bit drivers are hard to find.

 

[DeaconFrost]

What would be the point of installing XP x64 now? If you want to use an x64 OS, with your system, run Windows 7 x64. The x64 testing phase has been done and over with...it's safe for use, plus you'd get full use of your memory.

If you want an older XP OS for some compatibility with old apps, then stick with XP x86 and just virtualize it.

 

[Richardc269]

What would be the point of installing XP x64 now? If you want to use an x64 OS, with your system, run Windows 7 x64. The x64 testing phase has been done and over with...it's safe for use, plus you'd get full use of your memory.

If you want an older XP OS for some compatibility with old apps, then stick with XP x86 and just virtualize it.

I'd do this, but I'm not interested in virtual OS's. I don't like using them.

And XP 32-Bit can't handle more than 3 gigs, I'm told, while XP 64 can handle up to 64 gigs of RAM.


And it seems I screwed something up with the installation. I installed XP 64-Bit on the wrong letter drive by accident. I decided I wanted to put it on the F drive instead of the E drive, seeing as they're on different physical drives. But now when it barely passes the "press any key to load from DVD", it gives me error, something like "Disk Read Error". I have to find my Windows 7 Ultimate disk, which I misplaced right now, so I have to find it. What can I do to fix this?

Edit: By the way, when I say wrong drive, I mean I installed it on the E drive by accident instead of the F drive.

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hello Richard.


The really smart way to accomplish installing 64-bit XP, since you have separate Hard Disk Drives is to disconnect all HDDs except the one you want to install XP to and connect that to the #1 SATA port of the motherboard and set it as the second boot device after the CD/DVD drive and boot the XP installer to complete the process.

An even better way would be to do a complete wipe on the entire HDD first using the Windows 7 installation disk (when you find it), this will get XP on the first partition of the HDD thus letting it take the letter C: for itself.

SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

DISKPART : At PC Startup


When XP is booting, power down and change HDDs and reinstall Windows 7 to its own HDD using this same method; set the HDD/OS you want to start as default as first in the BIOS boot order and when you want to boot to the other HDD/OS use the one-time boot menu hot-key specific to your mobo (F12).

 

[DeaconFrost]

I'd do this, but I'm not interested in virtual OS's. I don't like using them.

That's a shame you gave up on them, as they are a much simpler, easier method to using multiple OSes...especially when you change your mind or want to use yet another OS. Multi-boot systems are a thing of the past. If you're interested in using all of your memory, you already have a license for Windows 7 x64.

 

[gregrocker]

Too bad you didn't post back the Disk Mgmt screenshot when requested (or even acknowledge the request) as we could easily walk you through repairing Win7 and Dual Booting XP via the BIOS. Now it's impossible to follow your description of what you did.

Can you download and burn to CD free Partiiton Wizard bootable CD, then post back a camera snap of your drive map with listings. Or just type them out for each partition in full. Partition Wizard

You might be able to boot Win7 now by unplugging all but it's HD and setting it first to boot In BIOS setup. Then do the same for XP target HD when ready to full format and install on it's partition.

 

[Richardc269]

Hi guys, sorry for not responding sooner. But I have Windows XP 64-Bit installed at the moment, and it's working well so far. I'm going to install Windows 7 later today. My friend on Facebook mentioned another way to install Windows 7 without having to open up my case (opening my computer case is a pain in the ass due to the way my desk is setup). Anyway, sorry for not coming back with answers sooner, I got caught up in doing other stuff and just forgot about coming back to the forum, I tend to have a bad memory and forget crap all the time (I guess you could call me absent minded).

 

[DeaconFrost]

I'm saying this just to attempt to be helpful, and I will admit it is an assumption, but here goes: Based on some comments you've made, you seem to be getting a lot of bad advice from people who have been helping or teaching you in the past. For example, virtual machines are excellent methods of accomplishing what you want, but it seems as though someone soured you on them with negative comments. Second, you never had to open your case to set up a dual boot. Whoever told you that shouldn't be trusted for advice.

Now, if you don't want to take my advice on virtual machines...so be it. Many people still would rather go with the over-compicated, out-dated multi-boot setup. However, before doing anything else, post a screenshot of your disk management, like gregrocker suggested.

 

[gregrocker]

If you don't want to open your case, why don't you ask back here instead of Facebook? This is the top tech forum on the net where we help with more of these problems than all of the others put together.

You can accomplish the same as unplugging the HD by entering BIOS setup to temporarily disable the other HD during install to the target HD. Set the target to boot next after DVD drive.

Or if you want a Windows-managed Dual Boot, just leave XP plugged in when installing to the other HD partition and Win7 will autoconfigure it. You'll have to do surgery afterwards however to remove the XP drive, which is why booting via BIOS is preferred when there are separate HD's so either can come and go as you please.

Screenshot with Paint - Windows 7 Forums

 

[Richardc269]

I'm saying this just to attempt to be helpful, and I will admit it is an assumption, but here goes: Based on some comments you've made, you seem to be getting a lot of bad advice from people who have been helping or teaching you in the past. For example, virtual machines are excellent methods of accomplishing what you want, but it seems as though someone soured you on them with negative comments. Second, you never had to open your case to set up a dual boot. Whoever told you that shouldn't be trusted for advice.

Now, if you don't want to take my advice on virtual machines...so be it. Many people still would rather go with the over-compicated, out-dated multi-boot setup. However, before doing anything else, post a screenshot of your disk management, like gregrocker suggested.

I've used various different Virtual OS programs, and I just find them too limiting. Playing games on them, for instance, is limited. The virtual programs I've used just don't have the full power as my hardware does. I've used MS's Virtual PC, Virtual Box and VMWare. I didn't like them. No offense to virtual OS's, but they just don't have the same thing as an OS.

Greg: My friend on FB is even more of a computer whiz than I am, I wanted his opinion as well as people's opinions from this forum. Can't go wrong with having more than 1.

Edit: The only thing I really do with my machine is playing computer games, and surfing the web, visiting forums, etc. There are a few games out there that won't work with Windows 7 correctly, so I installed Windows XP 64 to be able to play those older games, and maybe a few of the newer games, too.

 

[gregrocker]

Have you tried installing and running the games .exe using Compatibility Mode?

If you have any problem setting up the Dual Boot, post back the requested screenshot as we can often spot the problem just looking it over.

 

[Richardc269]

There's a few that don't work with Compatibility mode either.

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

If you have any problem setting up the Dual Boot, post back the requested screenshot as we can often spot the problem just looking it over.

   Note

In the Windows start menu right click computer and click manage, in the left pane of the "Computer Management" window that opens click disk management and post a snip of that.

How to Upload and Post a Screenshot and File in Seven Forums

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[Richardc269]

Hi guys, I'm sorry for not posting before about the problems, or if I fixed them. And I've discovered WHY the dual-booting was screwing up: It was because I had my stupid flash drive plugged in while trying to install the second OS! Major "DOH!" moment. Anyway, for roughly the last 2 weeks, my dual-OS has been working fine. I can switch between both OS's without a problem.

I also have a question, and a little explanation with the question: Roughly 7 years ago, I had a roomate in my house named Mike. Now, Mike was a better computer user than I was 6 years ago, and roughly about this time, XP had been released for 3 years or so. Mike hated XP versus Windows 98 at the time, and he had a dual-boot of XP and 98. He also really hated the "choose an OS screen" when you started up the machine, so he created 2 little icons in his Quick Launch area. Both icons were created with the 98 and XP inside the icon, what the buttons did however, was if you clicked on one of them, it would restart the machine, skip the "choose an OS" screen, and go straight to the other OS, and if he shut down the machine, whichever button he had clicked on last, it would have started up into that OS without having to choose from the menu.

Now, does anyone else here know how to do that? I would like to do that, too. Except that it's of course, between XP and Windows 7 instead.

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hello again Richard.


Good to see you got the system running and thanks for the update.



There are programs that do what you want but I never liked them so I can't remember a name for you, I'm sure someone else will come up with the correct name for you.

 

[Dwarf]

Hi guys, I'm sorry for not posting before about the problems, or if I fixed them. And I've discovered WHY the dual-booting was screwing up: It was because I had my stupid flash drive plugged in while trying to install the second OS! Major "DOH!" moment. Anyway, for roughly the last 2 weeks, my dual-OS has been working fine. I can switch between both OS's without a problem.

I also have a question, and a little explanation with the question: Roughly 7 years ago, I had a roomate in my house named Mike. Now, Mike was a better computer user than I was 6 years ago, and roughly about this time, XP had been released for 3 years or so. Mike hated XP versus Windows 98 at the time, and he had a dual-boot of XP and 98. He also really hated the "choose an OS screen" when you started up the machine, so he created 2 little icons in his Quick Launch area. Both icons were created with the 98 and XP inside the icon, what the buttons did however, was if you clicked on one of them, it would restart the machine, skip the "choose an OS" screen, and go straight to the other OS, and if he shut down the machine, whichever button he had clicked on last, it would have started up into that OS without having to choose from the menu.

Now, does anyone else here know how to do that? I would like to do that, too. Except that it's of course, between XP and Windows 7 instead.

Probably quite easy to do. What they probably do is execute a batch file which sets the appropriate OS as the default, and set the delay to 0 which means that the default OS will be loaded upon restart. It could also be possible to choose whether to shutdown, restart, or continue in the current OS after executing the file, in which case the next boot will launch into the desired OS. I'm not sure on the implications of UAC though, since the required command BCDEDIT (from W7's perspective) needs to be invoked with administrative credentials and privileges.

This should work with both dual-boot and multi-boot systems. In both cases, if the desired OS isn't already the default (i.e. first in the boot order), the 2 entries involved (the current and desired) will be swapped over.