Dual Boot Installation with Windows 7 and XP

Mark Win7 partition Active before running Startup Repair - Run 3 Separate Times until Win7 starts and holds the System Active flags.

Then install EasyBCD to Win7 to add XP, accept offered boot files, autocompletes, Save, reboot to Menu.

Download your wireless driver from the Acer Support Downloads webpage for your model to CD/flash stick, unzip and install it to get online to update Win7 including the latest drivers in optional Windows Updates. Absent XP drivers you may to search to find an XP driver for the wireless device if the oldest one on Acer webpage doesn't work in XP, even installed in Compatibility Mode

So others know: You didn't need to buy XP SP3 if you already own the OS, only find the CD with SP3 for your version available on the web.

Install EasyBCD to Win7 to add XP on the Add OS Entry tab: Accept offered boot files, let it autocomplete, Save, reboot. EasyBCD (free Download at bottom of page - no name or email required)

Let us know if this works. If not post back a screenshot of your maximized Win7 Drive map with listings, using Snipping Tool in Start Menu.

I am having a problem getting a dual boot instillation working. I have read all the tutorials and serched for a solution with no success.

Briefly, I have a computer (self assembled) with Windows XP that I use for image processing and want to upgrage to a 64 bit system. I bought Windows 7 pro and installed it without difficulty on a new 1 TB drive; nothing else is on that drive. Windows XP resides on its own drive. I can access either operating system with no difficulty by going through the BIOS and changing the boot order of the HD.
I installed Easy BCD on the drive with Windows 7 as suggested by many and get both Windows 7 and Windows XP as choices when I start the computer and the drive with Windows 7 is first in the BIOS boot order.
Selecting Windows 7 will start Windows 7 . Selecting Windows XP gives the error message:

Invalid Boot.inf file
Booting from C:\windows
NTDETECT failed

I have replaced NTDETECT with no effect. I realize this is some sort of boot configuration problem but have been unable to fix it or find a solution after several weeks .

Any help would be greatly appreciated

John

Did you have the problem before adding XP with EasyBCD? If not, try removing it using Edit OS Menu tab, then after rebooting add it again.

Please post back a screenshot of the maximized Win7 Disk Mgmt drive map and listings.

If XP HD still retains the System Active flags in Disk Mgmt, can you unplug the Win7 HD, enter BIOS setup to set XP HD first HD to boot, then get the XP HD to boot?

If so I would leave it that way, plug back in the Win7 HD to boot via BIOS Boot Menu key. You can remove the XP entry in EasyBCD.

If not then with Win7 HD unplugged try this:

1. Boot the Windows XP CD
2. F6 if RAID drivers are required and install when prompted
3. Repair Windows
4. Logon to the Recovery Console
5. fixmbr \Device\HardDisk0 [Enter]
6. fixboot c: [Enter]
7. Exit [Enter]
8. Restart into the OS.

You may finally need an XP Repair Install.

I followed all steps bt the "boot menu" never appears.

Thanks for reply. I have tried installing Windows 7 with the Windows XP disconnected and than replacing the XP drive and adding Easy BCD-no difference.
I had no problems with XP b4 adding Easy BCD. As mentioned I can selectively boot either one by changing the boot order of the HD in the BIOS. I have not been able to do selective booting with Easy BCD.

Attached are screen shots of the disc management drive map as well as that of Easy BCD

John

My EasyBcd show exactly the same data as in your screenshot, but the "boot menu" simply never appears.

Make sure the drive letters for the OS entries are correct. If not, edit the entry to delete it and Add it again forcing the correct drive letter.

Try running EasyBCD from Win7 which works better. The steps are given to start Win7 many times in these comments.