Upgrade XP partition to Windows 7 in dual boot

[Crackertron]

Hi,

I have a dual boot scenario currently on an Intel 80GB SSD, with one partition as XP Pro, and the other is Windows 7, split 20GB(XP)/50GB(7).

The XP partition needs to be upgraded to Windows 7 for my wife's work remote access, and it will also include Office 2010 Pro.

Will I run into any issues dual booting into the existing Windows 7 partition after the upgrade, or should I just reinstall our personal Windows 7 OS after the upgrade is installed?

I have other hard drives to use as well if space becomes an issue, but I'd like to keep the existing Windows 7 install without starting from scratch.

Thanks

 

[theog]

Only having 20g would a issue for you, hope this helps.

 

[Bill2]

XP cannot be upgraded to win7. Only a clean install is possible. You'll need to backup all your data before installing win7 and reinstall all your apps afterwards.

 

[Crackertron]

I guess I'm using "upgrade" in the sense that it won't be XP anymore. The partition will be wiped no matter what.

I'll have to dual boot Win 7/Win 7 no matter what, but I'd like to keep the existing Win 7 install intact.

 

[Bill2]

As Theog has already pointed out, 20gb would be really cramped, even for just the OS and programs. You would need to keep a strict tab on what data enters that space whether by installing apps or user data. Ideally, win7 should be installed in a roomier space, say another hdd, but if dual boot is mandatory, you'll just have to go ahead with it.

 

[Crackertron]

Would it be possible to install the new Win 7 on its own HD, then somehow reintroduce the existing Win 7 on its current HD (I'd resize it's partition to reclaim the old XP partition) and dual boot?

 

[gregrocker]

Why not just delete the XP installation, then Resize the Win7 into its HD space? If you want to do this, post back a screenshot of your Disk Management using Snipping Tool in Start Menu, and we will give you the steps as the MBR will likely need to be recovered into Win7.

You never state the reason why you want a Win7 Dual Boot. Have you bought a higher version you want to use instead, then want to transfer files/programs over gradually? We are left to guess since you don't say.

Having a dual boot on separate HD's is the best arrangment since you can then boot via the BIOS boot order and one-time BIOS Boot Menu, keeping the HD's independent - whereas a Windows-managed Dual Boot makes them interlinked.

 

[Crackertron]

My wife uses the current XP partition for her job, and the current Win 7 is for personal use.

Her company needs to upgrade all users to Win 7, and due to user control/limitations/VPN, we can't use the work Win 7 for personal use.

Sorry for the lack of info, I hope that makes sense.

 

[gregrocker]

You can use free Partition Wizard bootable CD to delete XP, resize Win7 to make more room for your new install if you want, then create and format the new partition using Win7 installer. The install will create a Dual Boot with the other Win7, or use EasyBCD 2.0 beta to add it back to Boot Menu.

If you want to use separate HD's, then use PW CD to delete XP, Resize Win7 into its space and mark it Active, then boot the Win7 DVD Repair Console, click through to Recovery Tools list to run Startup Repair up to 3 separate times with reboots until Win7 starts on its own.

Now unplug old Win7 HD to install new Win7 and plug in new HD to install. Once it is installed, plug back in old Win7 HD, set preferred HD to boot first in BIOS (after DVD drive), then use BIOS one-time Boot Menu key given on first boot screen to boot the other Win7 HD. This keeps the HD"s independent to come and go as you please.

If you want a WIndows-managed Dual Boot, install EasyBCD 2.0 beta to first-booting OS to Add the other on Add/Remove tab, but they then become interlinked and it's harder to remove one.

 

[Crackertron]

Thanks Greg! Would it be OK to use Gparted instead of Partition Wizard?

Is it also OK if the new Win 7 is installed before I do the partition resizing/reinstall of the current Win 7? This is only due to time constraints with my wife's company help desk.

 

[gregrocker]

I can only recommend Partition Wizard bootable CD which has successfully helped hundreds of these types of operations here without fail. But always back up your files and a System Image before any type of Resizing operation as there is a fail possibility.

Why do you want to reinstall current Win7? When you delete XP, you can resize Win7 at the same time to make more space for your new Win7 install, then create and format the partition in that space during the new WIn7 install. There is no reason to reinstall old Win7, just resize it some.

It is best to do the resizing first rather than after you install new Win7 as it lessens the risk by about half. Resizing copies over files in the shrunken space which is extremely tricky. If it fails using PW it simply reboots and starts over until you interrupt it during boot process at which time Win7 will start, as it is preserved at all times.

 

[theog]

Best think to do is to have word with her Company IT Administrator; you may be in breech of use.

 

[Crackertron]

I'm already pushing the limit on the current Win 7 partition, so any space taken away from it for the new Win 7 would make it even worse.

Luckily none of the apps/docs on the XP partition need to be saved, since all that data is kept on the company servers, and my WHS has nightly backups of that partition anyway.

I think I'll just do the new Win 7 on its own hard drive and resize the current Win 7 partition on its current hard drive.

 

[Crackertron]

Best think to do is to have word with her Company IT Administrator; you may be in breech of use.

It's OK, I'm good friends with the company help desk lead who helped me do the initial XP/7 dual boot last November.

 

[gregrocker]

I think I'll just do the new Win 7 on its own hard drive and resize the current Win 7 partition on its current hard drive.

Good choice.

Make it even better by using a BIOS-managed Dual Boot so that the HD's remain independent to come and go as you please.

Again, once you resize into deleted XP space and recover the MBR into Win7 using steps given earlier, then unplug that HD while you install to the new HD which you have set to boot first in BIOS setup (after DVD).

After install plug back in the old OS HD and boot it using the key given on first boot screen for one-time BIOS Boot Menu.

As you determine which OS you want to use most, you can change it to first HD to boot in BIOS setup.