Dual Boot Installation with Windows 7 and XP

I am trying to install XP pro on a second hard drive and followed method 2 to the letter. XP installed and then I had a problem with my computer booting anything so I fixed the boot record with my Win7 disc. Downloaded EasyBCD and followed the instructions as shown. When I restart, I will only load up Win7 without the boot menu coming up. I checked msconfig and there is nothing else other than Win7 on the boot list. Am I missing something?

I also have read that other people have disconnected their primary HD (the one with Win7 installed) and installed XP on a secondary drive. After that was finished and everything working, they replugged in the Win7 drive and were able to have the dual boot. Is this a workable option?

Did XP ever boot? You don't say. When you added XP from WIn7 using Easy, did it offer boot files and confirm it is added? I would run EasyBCD again, delete XP on the Edit OS Menu tab, then only add it back if you choose not to go with the option below.

What you describe in the second paragraph is actually the best way to Dual Boot since it keeps the HD's independent to come and go as you please. In this case after XP install with Win7 unplugged, replug and set Win7 as first HD to boot in BIOS setup, then when needed boot XP using the one-time BIOS Boot menu key.

XP never booted. When I ran EasyBCD, nothing happened when I clicked Add Entry, but I did see that XP shows up under the edit boot menu in Easy. Then I go to BCD Deployment and follow the steps in the tutorial. Every time I run Easy after reboot, the only OS that shows in the Edit boot menu is Win7. I can only guess this means that it didn't work. I am going to reformat my extra drive and try a clean install of XP after I disconnect my primary HD the next chance I get.

XP didn't install if it didn't start up. Did it see the HD to choose a partition? If so delete all partitions using CD to full format and new partition on the HD.

gregrocker I've read some posts that AHCI doesn't "play nice" on AMD boards and I'm using the M4N82 Deluxe board in this box. Any thoughts on that before I set down and install them in XP?

If you installed WIn7 in AHCI mode and your BIOS doesn't allow different SATA modes for each HD then you'll likely need to slipstream the drivers into the XP CD before it will install. SATA Drivers - Slipstream into Windows XP CD .

If you can choose a different SATA mode for the XP HD then choose IDE or Compatibility. Make sure you're using an XP SP3 installer for your version, retail or OEM specific.

This is why I asked if the XP install saw the partitions for install, because that would mean you don't need the SATA controller drivers.

mjl1297 said:

gregrocker I've read some posts that AHCI doesn't "play nice" on AMD boards and I'm using the M4N82 Deluxe board in this box. Any thoughts on that before I set down and install them in XP?

Are you using the right NVIDIA AHCI/SATA Driver for Windows XP.
ASUS - Motherboards- ASUS M4N82 Deluxe

Yes I am now anyway. I haven't installed it yet but I will give it a go later.

I was wondering if if I have to update the driver for every serial ATA controller that shows in my device manager (if there are more than one)?

gregrocker said:

XP didn't install if it didn't start up. Did it see the HD to choose a partition? If so delete all partitions using CD to full format and new partition on the HD.

it did install. I reran EasyBCD and I wrote the BCD to both drives I have. I rebooted and it now works. I was only adding it to my Win7 HD as shown in the tutorial and it wasn't working, but after I did it to both the Win7 and XP drives, it worked. Not sure if it just decided to work on its own or if it was actually adding it to both drives through Win7.

theog said:

mjl1297 said:

gregrocker I've read some posts that AHCI doesn't "play nice" on AMD boards and I'm using the M4N82 Deluxe board in this box. Any thoughts on that before I set down and install them in XP?

Are you using the right NVIDIA AHCI/SATA Driver for Windows XP.
ASUS - Motherboards- ASUS M4N82 Deluxe

@theog Yes I am now anyway. I haven't installed it yet but I will give it a go later.

I was wondering if if I have to update the driver for every serial ATA controller that shows in my device manager (if there are more than one)?

Reposting since we have multiple conversations going on here and I REALLY need to get this question answered as there is nothing conclusive in any of the guides I've come across.