Installing Windows 7 with XP on different HDD's

[Golf18]

Hi,
can someone just confirm for me, I have a PC with XP on the C: drive (IDE) I need to keep this as I use a VPN and they are not supporting Win 7 yet. I have installed a new HDD (SATA) and this shows as disk 0 I want to install win 7 on this and make it dual boot, this is drive H: but it is in a caddy. Will this be OK I do not see me removing the Drive but need to make sure it is not an issue.

I have Windows 7 retail and will probably use 32 bit, or is 64 bit better I am in the UK.

Thanks

 

[zigzag3143]

Hi,
can someone just confirm for me, I have a PC with XP on the C: drive (IDE) I need to keep this as I use a VPN and they are not supporting Win 7 yet. I have installed a new HDD (SATA) and this shows as disk 0 I want to install win 7 on this and make it dual boot, this is drive H: but it is in a caddy. Will this be OK I do not see me removing the Drive but need to make sure it is not an issue.

I have Windows 7 retail and will probably use 32 bit, or is 64 bit better I am in the UK.

Thanks

It will work. win 7 will install some boot files in the XP partition but you are fine.

Re: 32 or 64.
Depends on the way you use your computer. If you dont do video editing, rendering, use large photoshop files, etc. 32bit will be fine. It uses less resources, has a smaller HD footprint, and drivers are easier to find.

Good Luck Mate


Ken J

 

[gilbo]

Hi Golf18 welcome to the forum,

Should be fine. When you install Windows 7 from the CD make sure you choose the Custom install option so you can specify the hard drive.

As for 32-bit versus 64-bit, you will only see noticiable performance increase with 64-bit if you have 4GB of RAM or more.

 

[Golf18]

ZigZag and Gilbo Thanks for the replies I will do the install now just needed to make sure XP would be fine

 

[4left]

Also, per the 32 vs 64 bit debate, some processors cannot support 64 bit. I have a system with 4 GB of RAM, but my processor is not 64 bit compatible.

 

[Golf18]

Hi All UPDATE
I have done the installs and that went bril, thanks for the advise even updated my printer driver. I went for 64 bit in the end after checking available drivers and progs.
1 final question " XP deletes restore points" should I follow this to finish off as they are on different HDD's?

I have told a few friends about this forum, and 1 has found a fix for a niggle that he was having.

great work guys and thanks

 

[Dave76]

Welcome to Seven Forums.

Glad that you got the installation completed.

Win7 64bit is a good choice, drivers are not hard to find anymore unless you are using older un-supported software.

Use the " XP deletes restore points" to keep your Win7 restore points, they are very useful when needed.

Hope your friends find what they need here.