Jump to content

Welcome to Geeks to Go - Register now for FREE

Need help with your computer or device? Want to learn new tech skills? You're in the right place!
Geeks to Go is a friendly community of tech experts who can solve any problem you have. Just create a free account and post your question. Our volunteers will reply quickly and guide you through the steps. Don't let tech troubles stop you. Join Geeks to Go now and get the support you need!

How it Works Create Account
Photo

Can't add XP to W7 for dual boot desktop


  • Please log in to reply

#1
stutts

stutts

    New Member

  • Member
  • Pip
  • 9 posts
My PC has two 250GB sata HDD's.

One has W7x64 OS on a 100GB partition (C: partition) with the rest of the drive as a data partition.
The other HDD has a 60GB partition ready for XP with the remainder of the drive also a data partition.

I wanted to install XPx86 on the 60GB (E:) partition of the 2nd HDD as occasionally I need to run a couple of application that only work on XP.
The install goes well until the first reboot after the install disk has added the initial files, but instead of rebooting to XP to finish the install I get the invalid boot ini message. So the XP boot.ini is not installing into the W7 master boot record or the disc faulty.

To regain access to W7 I ran a W7 repair disc.

To test the XP disc, I deleted the W7 OS and master boot record as I have an W7 ISO copy I can restore from an external drive.

The XP install disk was tried again and no problems installing on E:, so it's not the disc. After re-installing my W7 ISO back-up, I couldn't gain access to XP even using Easy BCD as it's just not recognizing any XP System 32\Hal.dll

In the past I have set-up XP/W7 dual boot systems running before without a problems, with XP installed after and also before W7 and then used EasyBCD when required.

I'm trying to avoid having to do a fresh re-install of W7 as it's my main OS.

Edited by stutts, 20 October 2013 - 03:18 PM.

  • 0

Advertisements


#2
zep516

zep516

    Trusted Helper

  • Malware Removal
  • 8,087 posts
Hi stutts,

Warning not very good at install issues, but see if http://support.micro....com/kb/330184' class='bbc_url' title='External link' rel='nofollow external'>This might help

Joe
  • 0

#3
Ztruker

Ztruker

    Member 5k

  • Technician
  • 7,091 posts
See this tutorial for how to setup a dual boot environment with Windows 7 and XP. It covers both methods, XP installed first or Windows 7 installed first.

How to Setup a Dual Boot Installation with Windows 7 and XP
  • 0

#4
stutts

stutts

    New Member

  • Topic Starter
  • Member
  • Pip
  • 9 posts
Hi Joe and thanks for dropping in and supplying the link, which is not much good I'm afraid as it's a dual boot problem.

This hasn't been an easy issue to Google, regardless of how I worded it.


What I have done now since my original post, is managed to do a complete install of XP (instead of partial) by temp. removing W7 first and then replacing W7 again from my back-up ISO after installing XP.

I now have both OS's installed but my PC boots straight into W7.

I need to get the W7 boot-loader to recognize XP, so I think it's a matter of editing the W7 boot-loader correctly to include XP.
Not my field at all!
  • 0

#5
stutts

stutts

    New Member

  • Topic Starter
  • Member
  • Pip
  • 9 posts

See this tutorial for how to setup a dual boot environment with Windows 7 and XP. It covers both methods, XP installed first or Windows 7 installed first.

How to Setup a Dual Boot Installation with Windows 7 and XP


Was typing Rich and missed your post.

I have successfully done both methods before several times and XP should have just gone straight in.
Why I was getting a partial install from XP with W7 already installed, but a full install with W7 removed is a mystery.
  • 0

#6
SleepyDude

SleepyDude

    Trusted Helper

  • Malware Removal
  • 4,974 posts
Hi,

I need to get the W7 boot-loader to recognize XP, so I think it's a matter of editing the W7 boot-loader correctly to include XP.
Not my field at all!


You should be able to fix that using EasyBCD you mentioned.
  • 0

#7
stutts

stutts

    New Member

  • Topic Starter
  • Member
  • Pip
  • 9 posts
Initially EasyBCD just wouldn't recognize XP.

Swapped around the HDD boot order in the BIOS and then made XP on E: the active boot drive/partition.

From within XP I used EasyBCD to edit and write the W7 MBR to the boot loader.

All good now so a quick thanks to all who have posted.
I have browsed a few threads here and you guys do a great job under (often) difficult circumstances, so a big THANKS :thumbsup:
  • 0






Similar Topics

0 user(s) are reading this topic

0 members, 0 guests, 0 anonymous users

As Featured On:

Microsoft Yahoo BBC MSN PC Magazine Washington Post HP