Dual Boot Installation with Windows 7 and XP

Dual Boot Installation with Windows 7 and XP

How to Setup a Dual Boot Installation with Windows 7 and XP To stop XP from deleting your Windows 7 System Restore Points everytime XP is started, then see System Restore Points - Stop XP Dual Boot Delete to hide Windows 7 from XP. Windows 7 Minimum Hardware Requirements NOTE: For more information on this, see: Windows 7 system requirements 1 GHz 32-bit or 64-bit processor 1 GB RAM for 32-bit Windows 7 OR 2 GB RAM for 64-bit Windows 7 16 GB available disk space 32-bit Windows 7 OR 20 GB for 64-bit Windows 7 Support for DirectX 9 graphics with 128 MB memory (in order to enable Aero theme) DVD-R/W Drive Internet or phone access to activate Windows 7. Windows XP Minimum Hardware Requirements NOTE: For more information on this, see: System requirements for Windows XP operating systems PC with 300 megahertz (MHz) or higher processor clock speed recommended; 233-MHz minimum required;* Intel Pentium/Celeron family, AMD K6/Athlon/Duron family, or compatible processor recommended 128 megabytes (MB) of RAM or higher recommended (64 MB minimum supported; may limit performance and some features) 1.5 gigabyte (GB) of available hard disk space.* Super VGA (800 × 600) or higher resolution video adapter and monitor CD-ROM or DVD drive Keyboard and Microsoft Mouse or compatible pointing device EXAMPLE: Windows Boot Manager NOTE: This is the boot screen where you select what operating system that you would like to start. By default, you have 30 seconds to choose another operating system before the default operating system will start automatically. OPTION ONE When XP is Installed First NOTE: If you have a RAID setup, you will need to have the Windows 7 RAID drivers on a USB flash drive available to select and load while installing Windows 7. 1. Do step 2 or 3 below for where you wanted to install Windows 7 at. 2. To Create a New Partition from the XP Hard Disk Drive A) With your Windows 7 installation disc boot into the Command Prompt from the System Recovery Options screen. NOTE: Make sure that the CD/DVD drive is selected first in the boot order in the BIOS. B) In the command prompt, select and shrink the XP volume by how many MB (1024 MB = 1 GB) you want to have for this Windows 7 partition. (See screenshot below) NOTE: You would do steps 2 to 9 in METHOD TWO at that link. Windows 7 will need a minimum of 16 GB (16384 MB). C) Click on the X at the top right corner to close the command prompt. (See screenshot above) D) Click on the X at the top right corner to close System Recovery Options. (See screenshot below) E) Go to step 4. 3. To Use a Separate Hard Disk Drive than the XP Drive A) Boot from your Windows 7 installation disc. NOTE: Make sure that the CD/DVD drive is selected first in the boot order in the BIOS. 4. Click on the Install now button. (See screenshot below) 5. When you get to this point, select the partition (step 2) or hard drive to install Windows 7 on. (See screenshot below) 6. Finish installing Windows 7. NOTE: You would start at step 9 in that link to finish installing Windows 7. 7. When finished, restart the computer to have the option to boot from XP (Earlier Verision of Windows) or Windows 7. (See screenshot below)    Note If you are only booting into Windows 7 and do not have XP listed in the Windows Boot Manager, then you can install only EasyBCD (step 8 Option Two below) to add XP (or Windows 7) while started in Windows 7 the same way to the boot list. OPTION TWO When Windows 7 is Installed First    Warning If you have a RAID setup, you will need to have the XP RAID drivers for your specific motherboard on a Floppy disc available to select and load at the F6 prompt while installing XP. If you have a SATA drive, then you will need to do either one of these options to load the SATA drivers for XP for your specific motherboard. How to Slipstream SATA drivers into Windows XP setup CD with Dual Boot of Windows 7 or Vista How to Load SATA Drivers in Windows XP Setup on your Dual Boot PC with Vista or Windows 7 for how to load your SATA drivers from a Floppy disc at the F6 prompt while installing XP. 1. To Create a New Partition from the Windows 7 Hard Disk Drive NOTE: If you want to install XP on a separate internal hard drive instead, then skip this step and go to step 2. A) In Windows 7, select and shrink the Windows 7 volume in Disk Management by how many MB (1024 MB = 1 GB) you want to have for this XP partition. (See screenshots below) NOTE: You would do all of Method One at that link. 2. Insert your XP installation disc, then restart the computer and press any key to boot from it when prompted. (See screenshot below) NOTE: Make sure that the CD/DVD drive is selected first in the boot order in the BIOS. 3. From XP Setup, Press Enter. (See screenshot below)    Warning If you have a RAID setup, you will need to have the XP RAID drivers for your specific motherboard on a Floppy disc available to select and load at the F6 prompt while installing XP. If you have a SATA drive, then you will need to do either one of these options to load the SATA drivers for XP for your specific motherboard. How to Slipstream SATA drivers into Windows XP setup CD with Dual Boot of Windows 7 or Vista How to Load SATA Drivers in Windows XP Setup on your Dual Boot PC with Vista or Windows 7 for how to load your SATA drivers from a Floppy disc at the F6 prompt while installing XP. 4. Press F8. (See screenshot below) NOTE: On some multimedia keyboards, you may need to press the F-Lock or Function key before pressing F8. 5. Select the partition (step 1) or hard drive that you want to install XP on using the arrow keys and press Enter. 6. Finish installing POSTED BY: HONORE HAGUMA