Dual Boot Installation with Windows 7 and XP


  1. Posts : 3
    64bit windows 7
       #1780

    I am about to buy a new pc tower, the spec that i am getting is : 2000gb hard drive, 16gb RAM Windows 7 64 bit, is this spec good enough to run a duel boot with xp ??? if so how much should i shrink the windows 7 volume ?
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  2. Posts : 71,989
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #1781

    Hello Cundall, and welcome to Seven Forums.

    Sure, your specs would be fine for a dual boot. It really depends on how much you plan on installing and saving in the XP installation. XP itself only requires a bare minimum of 1.5 GB. For the size HDD you have, I'd at least give it 20GB to have some breathing room.

    Hope this helps,
    Shawn
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 3
    64bit windows 7
       #1782

    ok i have an old laptop with this spec :

    Processor & Cache Memory Intel® Celeron® C220 (1.2GHz)

    Operating System Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium 64 bit

    Chipset SiS 672
    Main Memory 2048MB (2048x1) DDRII 800 RAM

    Windows Vista SP1 includes reporting of Installed System Memory (RAM)

    Display 15.6" HD TFT (1366x768, Color-Shine)

    Hard Drive 320GB (5400rpm)

    would this be able to use a dual boot ? i dont want to mess around to much with a new pc so this mite be better !

    let me know if this could work and thanks for your time !

    cheers
      My Computer

  4.    #1783

    Are you asking if you can Dual Boot XP on this machine? Probably. Follow the steps in tutorial.

    However on any machine with 2gb RAM - especially with a weak Celeron - I would only run Win7 32 bit for best performance. 32 bit vs 64 bit Comparison - Windows 7 Forums
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  5. Posts : 3
    64bit windows 7
       #1784

    Yes I want to duel boot xp on that laptop spec but was I was hoping someone knew if it could be done and weather XP was compatible ?
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  6.    #1785

    Yes, it is most likely compatible however XP is very old and no longer supported so it's best if you have programs that will only run on XP to try to run them in XP Compatibility Mode or by installing free Virtual Box, Virtual Player or VMWare in Win7 to run XP virtually.

    If you want to try Dual Booting then follow the steps to shrink Win7 to create a partition to see if XP will install to it, then follow Method Two in the tutorial. Let us know if you need any further help.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 21,004
    Desk1 7 Home Prem / Desk2 10 Pro / Main lap Asus ROG 10 Pro 2 laptop Toshiba 7 Pro Asus P2520 7 & 10
       #1786

    Hiyya Shawn I have a machine given to me without a HDD so stuck in an 80GB WD HDD and installed a new XP OS (- actually got the opportunity to get three brand new copies of XP!).

    The machine although it has a Pentium 4 @ 3Ghz and 4GB DDR RAM is still pretty quick so I thought I might just try to dual boot this machine.

    Now I have a 320GB WD HDD completely clean and ready for an install.What I cannot quite make out is do I unplug the 80GB and install the 7 onto the 320GB first and then install that XP onto a different partition afterwards therefore not requiring using the 80GB drive - or can I just install or transfer the XP already loaded with updates (including that very long SP process) and all other data from the 80GB to that new partition.

    Am wanting to do this for convenience sake rather than need to.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 71,989
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #1787

    Hello John,

    For that, you might consider using the cloning feature in Macrium Reflect Free to clone the 80GB XP to the 320GB HDD, get your partition sizes how you like on the 320GB afterwards, then install Windows 7 as a dual boot on the 320GB with the 80GB removed.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 21,004
    Desk1 7 Home Prem / Desk2 10 Pro / Main lap Asus ROG 10 Pro 2 laptop Toshiba 7 Pro Asus P2520 7 & 10
       #1788

    Brink said:
    Hello John,

    For that, you might consider using the cloning feature in Macrium Reflect Free to clone the 80GB XP to the 320GB HDD, get your partition sizes how you like on the 320GB afterwards, then install Windows 7 as a dual boot on the 320GB with the 80GB removed.
    Thanks Shawn I was actually thinking along those lines but just wanted to no I was heading in th right direction.

    I'll try the Macrium free again as I usually use the EaseUS to do but some of the stuff I ma getting through their site now is looking a bit "odd" as I pointed out in my thread re IObit malware app they were advertising. Not that I have anything against IO but the reviews were terrible.

    Thanks again
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 71,989
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #1789

    You're welcome mate. Please let us know how it goes. :)
      My Computer


 

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