After install, plug back in the other HD and boot it using one-time BIOS Boot menu key given on first screen:
Asus - F8
HP/Compaq - Esc
Sony - F2
Acer - F12
Gateway - F10
eMachnes - F10
Toshiba - F12
Dell - F12
IBM/Lenovo - the blue Thinkvantage button
This keeps the HD's independent to come and go as you please, whereas a Windows-managed Dual Boot interlocks them and makes one harder to remove.
Thanks, for your advice. That's what I will do.
May I ask another question:
My second drive contains some file and data, the first drive is 256GB SSD, so I installed some of the programs on the second drive.
Is there a problem to split the second drive to two, where all that files from the above will be on the second partition, named D (as the origin). And the first one I will use to install the second Operating System (XP)?
Thanks, alon.
Yes you can partition the other HD to use for both another OS (booted wisely via the BIOS) and data or storage for your Win7 HD, e.g. Win7 backup image.
Use Disk Management to shrink the one partition, then create another in the space. Or use free Partition Wizard bootable CD to Resize it from the left so XP will be in preferred first position closer to disk reader. Free Download Magic Partition Manager Software - Partition Wizard Online
It is not recommended to install programs to another partition, however, since they write registry keys which integrate them to the OS. But User folders can be moved quite easily, keeping your Win7 OS/programs backup image lean so if Win7 becomes irreparable you can reimage your OS partition in 20 minutes and your data will be ready and current in its partition - which should also be backed up.
User Folders - Change Default Location
Backup Complete Computer - Create an Image Backup
Backup User and System Files
Hi! I did a clean Win 7 install (C:) on one of my HD partitions (3 partitions) and after that I installed Win XP on the other one (D:). I installed .NET 2.0 Redist and EasyBSD 2.0 followed the steps on how to use EasyBSD then I rebooted but I don't get any Boot Manager menu and it defaults to Win 7.
I ran EasyBSD on Win 7 and did the steps but still not getting the boot manager screen and my boot still defaults to Win 7.
I opened EasyBSD again and the changes I made are gone and only have Win 7 to boot to. What is going on?
Thanks!
Can you post back a screenshot of your full Disk Mgmt drive map with listings? Tell us what is located where.
Did you choose Add OS in EasyBCD 2.0 and attempt to add XP by type, then allow it to autocomplete? Did it offer you boot files?
Hello, first time in the forums and I have been trying to achieve this dual boot but am having some issues.
It is on a new Dell M4500, It was set up with windows 7 ultimate x86. C:/ is a recovery drive (as they don't include an install dvd), d:/ was the system drive. I shrank the d:/ and created another partition, weirdly it became an extended/logical drive and I had no option to switch to primary.
So what I did from there was format the partition and installed windows xp to that F:/ drive.
Everything went fairly well as I continued to install .net framework and easyBCD.
However, when I ran EasyBCD, and tried to add an entry it gave me an error saying I had no available space. I was wondering if it may be because of the recovery c:/ drive.
In any case, even though I didn't have an xp entry, I thought I would repair the windows 7 bootloader/ mrb. So I followed the steps and restarted.
Now when it restarts I don't get a bootloader, it goes to start windows 7 but i get a flash of a blue screen then it restarts and the next start up they ask if I would like to do start up repair.
Unfortunately I don't have a windows 7 ultimate x86 install disk and am unsure what to do next. My thoughts are to download an install disk, try to do a startup repair or fix the mbr.
And if I can fix it, what should I do to get the bootloader working?
Thanks for your help
XP likely placed its boot files on Recovery Partition, which as C must have held the Active flag, since it cannot place boot files on a Logical partition. This would explain why there is no room left for EasyBCD to add the Win7 files to dual boot.
What I would do at this point is download and burn to CD a Win7 Repair Disk: System Repair Disc - Create
Now boot the Repair CD, accept any offered repair. If this doesn't start Win7, boot back in to run Startup Repair up to 3 separate times: Startup Repair - Run 3 Separate Times
If this doesn't start Win7, use free Partition Wizard bootable CD or Diskpart from the Repair CD Command Line to mark Win7 partition Active then run the Repairs again: Partition - Mark as Active
Free Download Magic Partition Manager Software - Partition Wizard Online You can also run Rebuild MBR from PW CD Disk tab.
If Win7 won't start post back a camera snap of PW full drive map and listings.
If WIn7 starts, install EasyBCD 2.0 to add XP on Add OS tab. If this fails, post back a screenshot of your full Disk Mgmt drive map, using Snipping Tool in Start Menu.
Once you get the Dual Boot sorted, we can help you test your Recov Partition to see if it will still run and if not recover its space into other partition(s) using PW. Hopefully you made your Recovery Disks.
Ok, well just so you know, I can't boot to either 7 or XP, it is just a loop where it boots up, the windows 7 boot up screen appears, then flashes to a blue screen quickly and then restarts.
I have switched to the active partition to the Win7, ran the startup repair several times afterwards and no luck, the same thing.
I booted PW wizard and repaired MBR and also repaired the boot.ini. Unfortunately no luck. I'm currently downloading a full install disk of windows 7 to try repairing with that rather than the other system repair disks. I will post a quick overview of the drive layout in a bit.
Unfortunately I was not aware of dell's system and dove into this after receiving the computer. I had no idea that the recovery partition was useless without creating disks from it. Stupid me, I know.
It is important to note, however, that I have been doing this to 2 computers. The second one is up to the point where I have xp on it (logical drive) and it is booted in xp. It will not boot to the win7 side, but it does boot up nonetheless. If I could fix that one up to dual boot and get back to the windows 7 side, i may be able to create recovery disks from that to use on the first one.
The second is identical in specs, disk layout, and all steps leading up to the MBR rewrite that I think caused the crash. I havent done anything with it as I am scared to screw that one up too.
I know, huge dilemma, I thank you for all your help.
Here is the screen for the PW drive map.
Thanks again
**Interesting development**
I was playing in the BIOS and switched back a SATA option from ATA style (needed to boot xp disk) back to the RAID-On style. It then booted back to Windows 7 where I was able to install EasyBCD, and add Xp as an entry. It will let me see both OS's at startup, However, since the switch, it will not let me boot XP. This may be because it is not a primary partition.
Any advice of where to go from here? I might have to clear those XP partitions and make a primary (though i tried last time and it didn't give me the option).
Thanks
Last edited by Strife18; 11 Jan 2011 at 02:25. Reason: merged
I didn't say that the Dell Recov partition doesn't work without the disks, only that you should make the Disks. Dell's Factory Recovery is pretty standard across recent models but check your Manual on their Support Downloads webpage to be sure: Restoring Your Computer´s Software to the Factory Settings | Dell
Try to make your Recov disks now that you've started Win7.
Since you only have 3 primary partitions on the HD (or is it a RAID with two HD's?) you should be able using PW CD to rightclick XP to Modify>Convert to Primary. Then remove any XP listing in EasyBCD 2.0 on Edit Boot Menu tab, add it again on Add OS tab.
If it won't start, boot XP CD to try a Repair Install: http://pcsupport.about.com/od/operat...txprepair1.htm
Have you considered running Virtual XP which is included in Ultimate, or using a separate HD for XP booted via BIOS?
I am not clear why if you have RAID you changed SATA controller setting in BIOS before installing XP.
You may need to reinstall Win XP & load the Sata controller drivers at F6.Ok, well just so you know, I can't boot to either 7 or XP, it is just a loop where it boots up, the windows 7 boot up screen appears, then flashes to a blue screen quickly and then restarts.
I have switched to the active partition to the Win7, ran the startup repair several times afterwards and no luck, the same thing.
I booted PW wizard and repaired MBR and also repaired the boot.ini. Unfortunately no luck. I'm currently downloading a full install disk of windows 7 to try repairing with that rather than the other system repair disks. I will post a quick overview of the drive layout in a bit.
Unfortunately I was not aware of dell's system and dove into this after receiving the computer. I had no idea that the recovery partition was useless without creating disks from it. Stupid me, I know.
It is important to note, however, that I have been doing this to 2 computers. The second one is up to the point where I have xp on it (logical drive) and it is booted in xp. It will not boot to the win7 side, but it does boot up nonetheless. If I could fix that one up to dual boot and get back to the windows 7 side, i may be able to create recovery disks from that to use on the first one.
The second is identical in specs, disk layout, and all steps leading up to the MBR rewrite that I think caused the crash. I havent done anything with it as I am scared to screw that one up too.
I know, huge dilemma, I thank you for all your help.
Here is the screen for the PW drive map.
Thanks again
**Interesting development**
I was playing in the BIOS and switched back a SATA option from ATA style (needed to boot xp disk) back to the RAID-On style. It then booted back to Windows 7 where I was able to install EasyBCD, and add Xp as an entry. It will let me see both OS's at startup, However, since the switch, it will not let me boot XP. This may be because it is not a primary partition.
Any advice of where to go from here? I might have to clear those XP partitions and make a primary (though i tried last time and it didn't give me the option).
Thanks
First check for all the Win XP drivers for your hardware.
If your Win XP CD, does not support your Sata Controller, you will need to load drivers to uses at F6.
Load Sata Controller drivers with a floppy disk is the best way.
SATA Drivers - Load in Windows XP Setup on Dual Boot
OR
SATA Drivers - Slipstream into Windows XP CD
You can Order Dell recovery disks from here:
http://support.dell.com/support/topi.../backupcd_form
Last edited by theog; 11 Jan 2011 at 13:03. Reason: Added link
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