Dual Boot Installation with Windows 7 and XP

gregrocker said:

You said the disk came with another PC you ordered from Tiger Direct. Did you install it on that PC, or was it already installed and this is the Reinstallation DVD for that PC? If so it should only activate on that hardware it was originally installed upon.

Is it possible it came with the PC but wasn't used for that PC, an OEM copy which has never been activated before, e.g. did the PC come with Vista and this DVD was included to upgrade that?

When I purchased the pc from Tiger Direct, it already had Vista installed. So I would have to say that this windows 7 disc had never been installed.

Never did use it to upgrade to windows 7.

It is now installed on my other pc on the new HDD.

Is that ok if I used this disc to load on my other HDD?

John G.

I've seen several posts over the past 3 years where the Win7 Upgrade kit DVD's - apparently Builder's OEM disks - were used on another machine. Since I don't know the exact EULA which covers those I cannot say for certain if it is lawful, but if it activates and holds activation then MS is not making an effort to block it's use or requiring it to be tied to a qualifying Vista OS. For all I know you paid a retail premium for it.

It is however now locked to this mobo and will not be able to migrate without special exception from MS Phone Activation. It could also flag as Non-Genuine at some point down the line if the key turns out to be not legit.

As to your question about AVG, it is not recommended by anyone I respect here. I would use Microsoft Security Essentials with the Win7 firewall kept Updated automatically.

Run a Clean Boot and Win7 shouldn't hang on adequate hardware: Troubleshooting Steps for Windows 7 - Windows 7 Forums. These steps will assure you have a perfect Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7

gregrocker said:

I've seen several posts over the past 3 years where the Win7 Upgrade kit DVD's - apparently Builder's OEM disks - were used on another machine. Since I don't know the exact EULA which covers those I cannot say for certain if it is lawful, but if it activates and holds activation then MS is not making an effort to block it's use or requiring it to be tied to a qualifying Vista OS. For all I know you paid a retail premium for it.

It is however now locked to this mobo and will not be able to migrate without special exception from MS Phone Activation. It could also flag as Non-Genuine at some point down the line if the key turns out to be not legit.

As to your question about AVG, it is not recommended by anyone I respect here. I would use Microsoft Security Essentials with the Win7 firewall kept Updated automatically.

Run a Clean Boot and Win7 shouldn't hang on adequate hardware: Troubleshooting Steps for Windows 7 - Windows 7 Forums. These steps will assure you have a perfect Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7

OK- Thanks again for all your help! I will read over the Run a clean boot articles you have posted.

One last question- Should I or do I need to get the service packs for windows 7?

Thanks again,

John G.

Yes you need any Service Packs as they are overhauls of the OS, which like an engine overhaul become the engine itself.

thank you so much , followed your instrucrtions which where very well constructed , Im now booting xp / win7 on the same disk , absolutly fantastic , well done.

I had windows 7 OS and after following these steps i installed windows xp. But now even if I restart my PC the OS option screen isn't coming. It directly boots win7. In other words win xp isn't booting. Help!!...

Hello Greg,

I just wanted to say once again, Thanks for all your help for the pc I had installed the second HDD! It is working fine.

My problem is with my other computer that has only 1 HDD. I purchased it as an already built desktop pc. I ordered it through Tiger Direct. It is a Systemax desktop pc. I can tell you what it has inside- mo-bo is a MSI G31TMP-P21/CPU=Intel Celeron E3300 2.5GHz/RAM=rendition MEO 2GB Single Channel DDR2 PC6400 800MHz/Power Supply= ATX 250W Switching power supply-Model#SL-8270BTX/HDD=WD 250GB model#WD2500AAJS/LG super multi DVD-rom drive. I am unsure of the model # of the DVD-rom drive, but could take it out if you need it. I kind of thought that maybe the dvd drive could be having an issue of writing to the HDD, or maybe the HDD is having problems. I am not sure.

I hope that the info I have listed could be of some assistance. Sorry for the delay, I will try and stay on this pc, which is working fine, as I try and solve the issue of the broken one!

Thanks so much!

Best Regards,

John G.

What do I do if I have Windows 7 installed first, a SATA drive, and no floppy disk drive?