Dual Boot Installation with Windows 7 and XP

  1.    #1850

    Always unplug all other HD's when installing a new OS, even for Dual Boot. Otherwise the installer will only update the boot files on the old OS to create a Dual Boot.

    Please post back a screenshot of you maximized Disk Mgmt drive map and listings showing all columns. Use the Snipping Tool in Start Menu, attach to Reply using paper clip in Reply box. Tell us what's on each partition, which you wish to keep. We will give you the steps to move the boot files onto the new OS.
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  2. Posts : 3
    Windows 7 Professional x64
       #1851

    I guess this was a special case. I used the first harddrive to install windows on the second using diskpart because I didn't feel like using a USB/DVD. Didn't realize the trouble it would cause. I don't want anything on the old drive besides the boot files.

    Ignore Disk 2 F:/G: I just plugged this in to get some files off of it and confuse you.
    Disk 0 is the only drive I want permanently E: and the boot C: and Disk 1 is the one with the boot files.

    Thanks!
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Dual Boot Installation with Windows 7 and XP-help.jpg  
    Last edited by jwitkowski; 14 Aug 2012 at 20:01. Reason: smileys
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  3.    #1852

    C is booting off of the System Active partition on Disk1, and is also way small for an OS partition. I would shrink E and resize C to the left using Partition Wizard boot CD: Partition Wizard Move/Resize Partition Video Help.

    Better yet I would resize it all the way to the left by deleting E to take advantage of faster read/writes on the lower addresses (left side) of the HD. PW will allow you to resize all the way to the left and then adjust the right border to where you want to place the new data partition.

    To transfer the System boot files to C so that it boots itself and also writes the System Recovery Options
    to F8 Advanced Boot Option, unplug Disk1 and Disk3, boot into BIOS setup to set Disk0 first HD to boot, then boot the Win7 installer or System Repair Disk to run Startup Repair - Run 3 Separate Times
    until Win7 starts on its own and C holds System flag.

    You can then plug back in Disk 1, move it's data off to wipe with Diskpart Clean Command so it cannot interfere. Then plug back in Disk3 and mark F Inactive: Partition - Mark as Inactive - Windows 7 Forums
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  4. Posts : 3
    Windows 7 Professional x64
       #1853

    I can't boot the installer without Disk 1 because that's where the installer is. I used this tutorial to install windows HD to HD since I don't have a DVD drive or USB. It looks like I'm going to have to acquire one or the other in order to make my new boot drive the active system. Appreciate your help!
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  5.    #1854

    You should have a bootable installer for rescue repair purposes anyway.

    It will not replace System Recovery Options on the F8 Advanced Boot Options menu but you can install EasyBCD to move the System boot files: Bootmgr - Move to C:\ with EasyBCD - Windows 7 Forums

    EasyBCD (free Download at bottom of page - no name or email required)

    However without the F8 Repair options you'll especially need the bootable install media or Repair CD.

    Flash sticks are $5 with free shipping on buy.com.
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  6. Posts : 2
    Windows 7 x86, Windows XP prof X86
       #1855

    No boot options


    Hi,

    I am new to here and I have a problem. please help me.

    I bought a new Desktop PC (i-3, with 500GB HD) with Win 7 Ultimate X86 installed in it. The HD partitions I could see from Win 7 are: C with 97 GB (win 7), D (DVD drive), E with 97 GB, F with 146 GB, and G with 117 GB.

    Then I installed XP (32 bit) but XP shows the partition like this; C with 100 MB !, D with 146 GB, E with 117 GB, F with 97 GB (Win 7), G with 97 GB (Win XP) and H for DVD.

    XP shows one partition of 100 MB more !.

    After installing XP, I didn't get boot options so, I again reninstalled XP on same partition. This time I got boot option but win 7 doesn't load.

    Then I repaired Win 7 with its DVD. Now Win 7 is Working well but no boot option available. I run EasyBCD from win 7 to fix this problem but it doesn't work.

    I added a new entry as win XP OS in the list with EasyBCD as you explained. Then I opened "Advanced System Options - Start up and recovery-Setting". Fine, it is there my XP listed and allowed time 30 seconds but when I restart the system it doesn't ask option for operating system. I noticed that after re-starting the system, there is no Win XP in the OS listing under Advanced System Options - Start up and recovery-Setting".

    So, help me to get boot option as well as Win XP in my PC.

    Thanks,
    Rahman
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  7.    #1856

    Install XP to its partition so that it boots and runs correctly.

    Then repair Win7 by marking it's 100mb System Reserved partition Active to run Startup Repair - Run 3 Separate Times.

    Now install EasyBCD to Win7 to add XP on the Add OS Entry tab, accept offered boot files, let it autocomplete, reboot to OS menu.
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  8. Posts : 71
    Windows XP and Windows 7 32 bit
       #1857

    Is there a version of windows 7 that is easier/better to add as dual boot to XP?
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  9. Posts : 71,977
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #1858

    Hello Primevyl, and welcome to Seven Forums.

    It's the same procedure no matter what version or edition of Windows 7 you use. :)
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  10. Posts : 71
    Windows XP and Windows 7 32 bit
       #1859

    Thanks Brink!
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