Computer Hope

Microsoft => Microsoft Windows => Windows XP => Topic started by: shoaibm on March 28, 2010, 10:36:00 PM

Title: running dual operating system windows xp and windows 7
Post by: shoaibm on March 28, 2010, 10:36:00 PM

how i can link between these two windows that i have installed on my hard drive under two different partinions so that i can choose to what operating system i wana boot.
thanks in advance

Title: Re: running dual operating system windows xp and windows 7
Post by: Geek-9pm on March 28, 2010, 11:29:21 PM

Here is the quick answeer.
Not recommended.

Now the long answer.
1. Start with a clean Hard drive, or else erase the hard drive.
2. Using the Windows XP install CD, make two partitions.
3. Do a full install of the XP on the first partition.
4. Install Windows 7 on the second partition.

This should not be hard. But for a unknown reason some people just have a hard time. So Microsoft made a video:
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/help/upgrading-from-windows-xp-to-windows-7
If the video leaves your confused, please come back and say something.

Title: Re: running dual operating system windows xp and windows 7
Post by: BC_Programmer on March 29, 2010, 10:46:56 AM

Dual booting multiple windows operating systems has ALWAYS been as simple as installing the older OS first. This has not changed with the introduction of windows 7 and neither have the basic semantics.

Title: Re: running dual operating system windows xp and windows 7
Post by: Allan on March 29, 2010, 10:47:59 AM

Quote from: Geek-9pm on March 28, 2010, 11:29:21 PM

Here is the quick answeer.
Not recommended.

Why not?

Title: Re: running dual operating system windows xp and windows 7
Post by: Geek-9pm on March 29, 2010, 12:42:24 PM

Not recommended because there is another way that avoids common  issues.

The other way is to just get another drive and install the new OS on the new drive. When you are done, put both drives into the system and select the system you want from the BIOS boot menu.

Later, if you have a problem with the XP system, remove the other drive and do a recovery or repair in the normal way.  Otherwise when XP rewrites the loader or boot information. That will cause a problem with the new OS if the new OS is on the same drive.

One 'expert' said in is Blog that it is alright to trash the Windows 7 boot loader with Windows XP. His idea was that it is so easy to fix Windows 7 with the repair disk. Is this not like telling people you don't need a spare tire, just call road service when you have a flat?.

But the OP wants both on the same drive.

Title: Re: running dual operating system windows xp and windows 7
Post by: BC_Programmer on March 29, 2010, 12:56:43 PM

Yes, an XP repair install will trash a Vista or Windows 7 boot sector.

But a Vista/Windows 7 repair will restore it.