Dual Boot Installation with Windows 7 and XP


  1. Posts : 21
    Windows XP Pro
       #1730

    gregrocker said:
    Which OS is booting now because it's HD is set first to boot in BIOS boot order?

    Try to reboot and trigger the other HD by tapping the one-time BIOS Boot Menu key given on first screen. You may need to click on HD to expand choices. But some mobos don't give a choice.

    In this case set Win7 HD first to boot, boot into WIn7 to install EasyBCD, add XP on Add OS Entry menu, accept offered boot files, Save, reboot.
    Hello gregrocker,

    I appreciate you trying to help me! Please excuse my lack of knowledge about computers, as I am fairly new with loading another HDD and using windows 7. I have basic knowledge about this, but would like to learn more.

    I will try and follow your suggestion here and let you know what happens. I am not sure if this will tell you anything, but when I open up my computer, it shows the following folders under Hard Disk Drives: Local Disk-(C) Local Disk-(E) System Reserved-(F) Local Disk-(G)

    Here is my system information: My mo-bo is a Gigabyte GA-MA770-UD3

    Thanks again for your info and help!

    John G.
      My Computer

  2.    #1731

    Hi John - Are you booted into Windows 7 or XP? What happens when you try to boot into the other OS by setting it's HD first to boot in BIOS setup?

    Type Disk Management in Start Search Box. Use the Snipping tool in Start menu to capture a snip of the maximized window including listing and drive map: Screen Shots
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 21
    Windows XP Pro
       #1732

    kimicg said:
    EASYBCD wont work without Framework 2.0
    Hello kimicg,

    I tried to install the .net framework 2.0, but it would not let me. It said to remove any other .net 2.0 stuff in add/remove programs. I tried uninstalling them, but windows xp said that I could not uninstall them. I guess I will have to try some other approach.

    Thanks for wanting to help!

    John G.[/QUOTE]

    Strange problem you got there with EASYBCD, write exact error. I suppose new HDD is Sata, what about old drive with XP?

    Of course i want to help, i was here couple days ago also with the problem, i know how frustrating can be :)[/QUOTE]

    I'm not sure what happened when trying to install the EASYBCD. Yes, it is very frustrating when things don't go as planned. Both HDD's are SATA connected.

    Here is the error message I get from EASYBCD:
    Dual Boot Installation with Windows 7 and XP-bcd.png

    Thanks again!
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 21
    Windows XP Pro
       #1733

    gregrocker said:
    Hi John - Are you booted into Windows 7 or XP? What happens when you try to boot into the other OS by setting it's HD first to boot in BIOS setup?

    Type Disk Management in Start Search Box. Use the Snipping tool in Start menu to capture a snip of the maximized window including listing and drive map: Screen Shots
    Hello gregrocker!

    I am booted in Windows XP. I am still going to try to see if my mo-bo will let me boot up with Windows 7, as you had suggested to do in your earlier post. I have had some things to do with xp, but will try it in just a little while. Thanks again for your help!

    Here is the screen shot of the disk management:

    Dual Boot Installation with Windows 7 and XP-disk-management.jpg
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 21
    Windows XP Pro
       #1734

    gregrocker said:
    Hi John - Are you booted into Windows 7 or XP? What happens when you try to boot into the other OS by setting it's HD first to boot in BIOS setup?

    Type Disk Management in Start Search Box. Use the Snipping tool in Start menu to capture a snip of the maximized window including listing and drive map: Screen Shots

    I was able to go into the boot first option by pressing the F12 key. I selected the boot from hard drive, and was able to get into Windows 7. I loaded the EASYBCD program from windows xp to a usb flash drive, and was able to install it onto Windows 7. I ran the program, but am unsure as to what to do with it. I don't want to mess uo anything. Can you let me know what I should do at this point?

    Thanks again!

    John G.
      My Computer

  6.    #1735

    Hi John -

    I'd like to see a screenshot from Win7 Disk Mgmt as well. It looks like you can boot into either XP or Win7 via the BIOS which is the cleanest method to Dual Boot.

    However only the XP HD is marked System which means that Win7 is booting off of the XP partition and likely cannot boot on its own without XP plugged in. So we need to double-check that Win7 doesn't have its own boot files by seeing it's Disk Mgmt picture.

    If not we can help you recover Win7's boot files into its partition so that it can boot independently, then you can continue booting via the BIOS or install EasyBCD to Win7 to add XP to a Windows Dual Boot menu - your choice.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 21
    Windows XP Pro
       #1736

    gregrocker said:
    Hi John -

    I'd like to see a screenshot from Win7 Disk Mgmt as well. It looks like you can boot into either XP or Win7 via the BIOS which is the cleanest method to Dual Boot.

    However only the XP HD is marked System which means that Win7 is booting off of the XP partition and likely cannot boot on its own without XP plugged in. So we need to double-check that Win7 doesn't have its own boot files by seeing it's Disk Mgmt picture.

    If not we can help you recover Win7's boot files into its partition so that it can boot independently, then you can continue booting via the BIOS or install EasyBCD to Win7 to add XP to a Windows Dual Boot menu - your choice.
    Hi Greg!

    Sorry for the delay!

    Here is the screenshot of Windows 7 Disk Management:

    Dual Boot Installation with Windows 7 and XP-windows-7-disk-management.png

    Should I try and run the EASYCBD yet, or maybe I will just wait for your reply.

    Thanks again for your help!

    John G.
      My Computer

  8.    #1737

    I'd set Win7 first HD to boot in BIOS setup, then if you need to boot XP use the F12 key at boot. This keeps the HD's independent to come and go as you please.

    If this isn't to your liking after trying it for awhile, install EasyBCD to Win7, on Add OS Entry tab add XP by type, name and let it autocomplete. If it offers to install Boot files to Win7 SysReserved partition accept and Save, then reboot to Dual Boot menu.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 21
    Windows XP Pro
       #1738

    gregrocker said:
    I'd set Win7 first HD to boot in BIOS setup, then if you need to boot XP use the F12 key at boot. This keeps the HD's independent to come and go as you please.

    If this isn't to your liking after trying it for awhile, install EasyBCD to Win7, on Add OS Entry tab add XP by type, name and let it autocomplete. If it offers to install Boot files to Win7 SysReserved partition accept and Save, then reboot to Dual Boot menu.
    It appears that the bios wants to start windows xp. The only way that I can get into windows 7 is by pressing the F12 key and choosing the Hard Drive option to get into the next window to select the appropiate drive. The drives that are listed are the HDD-Windows xp-320GB and the other is the new HDD-Windows 7-500GB. It does not list the windows operating systems, just the HDD and size of the drive.

    When pressing the F12 key in the beginning, it takes me to a window that has around 8 choices. It always has Floppy checked as the main one on the top of the list. I have to go down to hard drive and select that option to bring me to the window that allows me to choose what drive to boot from. I guess in a way it is like getting the choice of which OS to boot from in the windows boot choice screen, only takes more time. No big deal.

    Do you think that using the F12 key is the better way to go when choosing which OS to boot from?

    If I decide to use the EASYCBD for dual boot screen, can this be reversed if I want to go back to the F12 key booting?

    Thanks again! You have been very helpful!!!

    John G.
      My Computer

  10.    #1739

    Yes you can always remove the other OS entry from the Dual Boot menu in EasyBCD Edit Boot Menu tab.

    You should also be able to change the default HD set first to boot in BIOS setup. Look for the key to tap on the first boot screen to Enter BIOS Setup, then look through the menus for Boot Order, navigate using the keys shown to change the order so Win7 HD is set first, XP HD second. I would also try to find a listing to remove the floppy drive entirely, or physically uninstall it so it can't later interfere.

    Then if you need the other HD, CD/DVD drive, or USB flash stick to boot choose it using F12.
      My Computer


 

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