Windows 7 Dual Boot problems. Please help

[spaceface]

I have recently upgraded my home computer to Windows 7 64-bit, but need to create a dual boot machine with XP so i can work from home.

Firstly i will confirm that i do need dual boot. I cannot install the software i need on my windows 7, neither does compatibility mode work.

I created a small partition on my new 500GB sata HDD and installed windows 7 first. Which works fine. I've been trying to create the dual boot using the guide on the following page (from this website):

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/8057-dual-boot-installation-windows-7-xp.html

I only have a windows XP serv pack 1 upgrade disk, so i bought a windows 98 full disk as the cheapest option to get windows installed (these are all official copies with the key).

I am able to get just beyond point 5 in the linked webpage guide - i select the partition i made, and then the system takes 5-10 minutes to copy across the installation files. It then says the computer must restart to finish installation. When the computer restarts it gets as far as a startup screen that says:

Loading Operating System ....
Boot From CD/DVD :
Press any key to boot from CD or DVD.....

I always see this screen when booting Windows 7 and a disk is in the drive, except this time if i do not press any key (which under normal circumstances the computer would carry on booting from the hard drive) the screen just hangs. Pressing any buttons at this point does nothing, and i have to reset my computer. If i restart the computer the same screen will continually appear. I have to use the windows 7 installation disk to in repair mode to allow Windows 7 to boot correctly again.

Both installations are done using NTFS file system. I don't see any bios settings that could be causing an issue, but then i am no expert.

System set-up:
Intel i5 750 2.66 cpu
Gigabyte GA-P55A-UD3R motherboard
Seagate Barracuda 500GB sata - boot HDD
(there are also 3 other HDDs, one sata and 2 IDE)

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

[SIW2]

Better to take the install cd out just before you get to that stage - it's trying to boot the cd again as it is first in bios boot order.

Your keyboard is not responding at - it may only work with a ps2 keyboard.

 

[spaceface]

Thanks for the quick reply, but unfortunately that didn't work. This simply omits the third line when the machine reboots so that the screen reads:

Loading Operating System ....
Boot From CD/DVD :

and it still hangs...

Also, i am using a PS2 keyboard.

 

[PeaB4YouGo]

Do I have the command name right?

Oh, for the days of Format /mbr



I say this, because I remember booting to the DOS prompt and setting up the Master Boot Record with that after screwing up a LINUX install. HEH

 

[gregrocker]

Try resetting the CMOS: Clear CMOS - 3 Ways to Clear the CMOS - Reset BIOS

Then follow these steps carefully: http://pcsupport.about.com/od/tipstricks/ht/bootcddvd.htm

 

[spaceface]

PeaB4YouGo - could you please clarify, bearing in mind that i'm not an expert when it comes to this kind of stuff? Do you mean to say that when i reach the point where the computer is hanging, i should then startup in dos mode and execute the command you've stated? Do you expect this will allow the computer to boot into XP and finish the install?

gregrocker - i reset my bios settings, and then set boot device to CD first then HDD. I also checked the HDD boot order (another bios setting) to ensure that the correct HDD with my OS was first. I then tried to reinstall again but got exactly the same issue. I'm quite sure this is how i had them set previously, but done again just to make sure.

Also can i ask what you mean about running the XP disk from windows 7? If i try to start the install from within Windows 7 i am unable, since the 'install Windows XP' option is not permitted when i run it directly. Or do you mean once it hangs i should repair using the Windows 7 disk, and then run the XP disk from Windows 7 to complete the installation?

Thanks both for the replies.

 

[spaceface]

Still needing help if anyone has any advice, thanks!

 

[myzr7]

Still needing help if anyone has any advice, thanks!

Are you loading sata drivers into the xp install as per the tutorial?

 

[gregrocker]

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/72185-sata-drivers-slipstream-into-windows-xp-cd.html?ltr=S

 

[acurasd]

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/72185-sata-drivers-slipstream-into-windows-xp-cd.html?ltr=S

I actually did this to my Windows 2000 Pro installation CD and when I tried to burn another copy of the cd, it turned it non-bootable. Anyway I can get it back to a bootable CD?

 

[gregrocker]

I would try slipstreaming another ISO, then burn it using ImgBurn at 4x speed with Verify.

The prob could be either in the compiling of the ISO or burning of CD.

If you load the ISO into ImgBurn it will tell you in the text if it is "bootable."

 

[spaceface]

I hadn't done this because i didn't think i needed to - it was my understanding that the slipstream disk is only necessary if the sata drives are not recognised when installing. However when i install XP, both my C: and G; drives (the small partiton off the C: ) are both visible already. (my additional sata data drive is also visible at this stage). Hence i can copy all the install files across to the G:, and then only after the restart does the problem occur. I've been reading my motherboard manual and i understand that its a bios setting that allows the sata drives to be detected.

Does this make sense? Is my understanding correct?

 

[gregrocker]

Yes, you understanding is correct to my knowledge.

Are you installing Win98 when this happens, or XP? You said you had bought Win98 to upgrade to XP, so I am wondering if this is what is causing the hang. It is a very old OS.

Try removing the formatting for the G: partition and apply it from the installer, as the partition table is slightly different with Win7.

 

[spaceface]

I am installing XP. I start by putting the XP upgrade disk in, then the installer gets to a point where it says that it cannot find a full windows OS to upgrade. It asks that i put in any other full Windows OS disk to verify that i have a full installation, so at this point i insert the windows 98 disk. Once checked, it asks that i put the upgrade disk back in and starts copying files across. As far as i can tell it only uses the 98 disk for verification, it doesn not appear to use any files at all from that disk.

As regards your second point, are you saying i should do the NTFS format as part of the install, rather than doing it in windows 7 disk manager before the install? If so then i am already doing this. i have tried everything i can think of and this is driving me crazy.

It did still occur to me that it could be an issue with XP SP1 though. Is it possible that even this is old enough to be causing compatibility issues with my new hardware? Unfortunately I have no way of trying the upgrade using a full XP SP2 disk which is something i would like to test.

 

[theog]

Can you post a screen shot Disk management?
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/9733-how-post-screenshot-seven-forums.html

Screenshot tools.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/9717-screenshot-paint.html
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/51160-screenshot-upload-using-mwsnap.html
Fscapture free download

 

[gregrocker]

Yes, a screenshot would be helpful. Are there any hidden or EISA partitions on the HD?

Can you borrow another XP CD to try it?

 

[spaceface]

No problem, just to clarify, is it only a screenshot of sisk management within windows 7 that you want to see? Thanks for your assistance here guys by way, i appreciate the help very much.

 

[gregrocker]

Yes, full Disk Mgmt drive map and listings; use Snipping Tool in Start menu, attach file using paper clip in Reply box.

Check also for any hidden partitions by typing CMD in start search box, rightclick result to Run as Admin, type:

DISKPART
LIST DISK
SELECT DISK # (replace # with Win7 HD #)
LIST PARTITION

Now check for any partitions in list which don't appear in Disk Mgmt. Copy down all info for such a partition and post back.

EXIT

 

[spaceface]

My apologies for the delay in getting back but i've been away. I've attached both screeshots requested, but i don't see anything out of the ordinary in the way of hidden partitions.

 

[gregrocker]

Try deleting the partition you made for XP in Win7 Disk Mgmt, then using the XP CD to create and format the partition in that space.

Try removing all but 2gb of RAM for the install. Swap RAM. Test RAM.

Test your HD using maker's diagnostics/repair full CD scan: Hard Drive Diagnostics Tools and Utilities (Storage) - TACKtech Corp.

Check the CD carefully for scratches or dirt and clean carefully.
Borrow or download another XP installer for your version.

Check also the SATA controller setting in BIOS. What is it?