Solved Partition query

[glenvern1]

If I partition my Hard drive can I install XP on one partition and Win7 on another if this can be done can I then use programs from either partition at the same time?

I have old software that will not run on 7 but I would still like to use this software if possible.

 

[TheReaper]

Hi there.

You sure can, do a double boot install. Have a read: dual boot installation: windows 7 & XP.
But you can't use programs from different OS at the same time. To use the old software from within Win 7, you'd need XP mode installed: windows xp mode install, but I don't think it can be done in Home Premium.

 

[seavixen32]

I can confirm that Windows XP Mode is not available for Windows 7 Home Premium.

However, you can download and use VMware Player.

Create an XP Mode for Windows 7 Home Versions & Vista - How-To Geek

 

[glenvern1]

Thanx for the suggestions - tried VMare but it gave me the bsod (couple of times) so had to uninstall it.

Would it be more efficient if I installed XP onto a seperate hard drive instead of a partition?

just one question.

Can I call data from either HD or partition, work on it and then save it to either HD or partition?

 

[seavixen32]

Can I call data from either partition, work on it and then save it to either partition?

By data I take it you mean personal data such as documents you're working on? If so, you can.

As for the two operating systems I think you would have problems with the registry if you tried to run Win 7 from the XP partition and vice versa.

What I did find useful when dual-booting was to use another partion/drive purely for personal data. This could then be accessed by either operating system without difficulty.

Your suggestion of installing XP on a separate hard drive is a good one. If you disconnect the Win 7 drive when you're installing XP and vice versa, you can then boot each system independently of each other as each drive would have its own boot record.

 

[glenvern1]

Ok I can work on my data from either HD and save to either HD.

I see your answer to install on a different HD so that's what I will do thanx...

 

[seavixen32]

Ok I can work on my data from either HD and save to either HD.

How does that affect dual booting if using two HD's?
Will I still get the choice at startup?

To question one, yes.

To question two, yes, the difference being you would have to choose which drive to boot from instead of which operating system.

 

[seavixen32]

Ok I can work on my data from either HD and save to either HD.

Now have the problem of how to install XP on second drive, it tells me it can't as the
OS installed is newer that the one I am trying to install and exits.

I can't get to the point where it asks where to install it.

Have a read of this tutorial: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/8057-dual-boot-installation-windows-7-xp.html

 

[glenvern1]

Still no good keep getting the bsod when it gets to the file system (fat of ntfs)
Not sure what format I should be in (if that is the reason for the bsod).

My second HD is USB external would that make a difference?

 

[TheReaper]

You can't install Windows (at least not easily) onto an external USB HDD and even if you would succeed in installing, it would run very slowly.

 

[glenvern1]

It seems that whichever way I go I end up with a BSOD.

So I think I will call it a day on this one.

Thanx for all the help people.

 

[seavixen32]

OK, that's your choice.

Sorry you didn't get the outcome you wanted, but thanks for letting us know anyway.

If you try again later, get yourself a second internal drive and put XP on that after disconnecting your Win 7 drive first.

Reconnect the Win 7 drive when you're done and you should be good to go.

 

[glenvern1]

Yes I have been looking for a cheap internal drive and found one on ebay (80gig) for £15 so will probably go down that road.

thanx...

 

[seavixen32]

You're very welcome.

If you do encounter problems along the way, just create a new thread as this one has been recorded as solved so you'll get little if any further response from it.