Solved Problem Installing Windows XP with Windows 7 preinstalled

[bdf1816]

I purchased Windows XP Pro OEM which said it was for installation only with a new PC and I am trying to install on a partition of my hard drive which has Windows 7 Pro installed. When I restart the computer with the setup CD in place the install begins but I do not get the option of selecting which drive to download to. If I select install the installation begins and seems to load but in the end I get a BSOD and am warned about continuing. Is this because I have not loaded SATA drivers or is it because the OEM software cannot be loaded on a partitioned hard drive? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[edwar]

Depending on the age, make and model of you computer you may not be able to install XP on it. You would need to first check with the system builder, Dell HP Sony, and see if they offer drivers for XP for your system.

Then you will need to Wipe the drive and install XP first then reinstall 7. If you try to install XP after 7 it may foul up the 7 install.


But instead of going through all that just download VMware Player from the Vmware website and install XP in a Virtual Machine. that way you boot to Win 7 then run the Virtual Machine of XP right inside 7.

 

[gregrocker]

The problem is almost always the lack of modern SATA drivers in XP installer. You'll have to slipstream them in since the only way to insert them during install is using ancient floppy support: SATA Drivers - Slipstream into Windows XP CD

You might want to try virtualizing XP in Win7 which is a more modern method becoming preferred, using free XP mode in Ultimate or Pro, freeware like VMWare, Virtual Box, or Virtual Player. Try them first at least.

 

[bdf1816]

I have tried the VM option but the software I am trying to run on XP is not compatible; that is why I am trying to set up a dual boot. Another option I've considered is installing a Hard Drive from an old computer that already has XP installed. My problem with that is that I'm not familiar with the connections. The old HD had a ribbon like connector and I think my new HP Presario has SATA connectors. There is a four pronged female receptor in the old HD and a four pronged male connector on the new system. Do you think that would be an option and if so is there any guidance that installation? Thanks...

 

[seavixen32]

If the software you are trying to run is not compatible with Windows XP, dual-booting Windows 7 and Windows XP won't make it compatible.

 

[gregrocker]

Same situation as before, except that changing XP to different hardware requires an XP Repair Install with SP3 CD of the same version and OEM/retail specfic installer.

If it bluescreens then you need the SATA controller driver slipstreamed just as with an install.

 

[edwar]

I have tried the VM option but the software I am trying to run on XP is not compatible; that is why I am trying to set up a dual boot. Another option I've considered is installing a Hard Drive from an old computer that already has XP installed. My problem with that is that I'm not familiar with the connections. The old HD had a ribbon like connector and I think my new HP Presario has SATA connectors. There is a four pronged female receptor in the old HD and a four pronged male connector on the new system. Do you think that would be an option and if so is there any guidance that installation? Thanks...

Sorry but that makes no sense. If it will run on XP it will run in a Virtual machine with XP. If it doesn't run in a XP Virtual machine it certainly won't run on XP loaded directly of the computer hardware.

What virtual machine software were you using? MS, Virtualbox or VMware Player.
MS VM is IMHO probably the worst choice.

I run VMware Player on Win 7 and their Fusion VM software on Mac OS X Lion and have XP installed in each. I have never encounter any software that would not run in the VM of XP, that is if it would run on XP at all.

That old drive is an IDE drive. Even if you could install it, it won't boot as it is set up for that other hardware.

What you can do is use another SATA drive and install XP on that drive with all other drives disconnected. Then when you want to boot into XP you disconnect the drive that has 7 installed on it and connect the drive that has XP installed on it. Yes you would need to leave the case open to do this easily. That is what I did when I first started using 7.

 

[bdf1816]

I misstated that, it is actually not the software but a Safenet device that does not have drivers compatible with the VM.