you need the SATA drivers slipstreamed onto your XP disk.
On top of that, there is no XP driver support for your DV7. This does not mean that XP wont install, just check around from your hardware manufacturers site (nvidia/AMD, broadcom, probably atheros, and intel/amd for the chipset drivers)
it is possible to dual boot.
Slipstreamed means that you install an additional driver to the install disk. Without this SATA driver, you will not be able to boot, due to the BSOD problem.
I am not sure how to slipstream, but im sure John, or one of the other senior users can guide you through it.
In this case I would do a test install on a blank hard drive that you may have laying around so you don't screw up your Windows 7 install. There may be some hardware that doesn't support xp. Once xp is installed, I can help you find the correct drivers if they exist. I'm at work on my phone right now but can help you more tomorrow if you give me the exact model number of dv7 you have. So I can determine if it has an xp SATA driver available.
bottom near the windows COA. it should be DV7-****NR.
I don't have time tonight to look into this, i did look really quick and it looks like we may be able to slipstream the sata driver into a new install cd. I just got home from work but have to be back in like 7 hours so i'm going to bed shortly and can help you more tomorrow after I get home from work.
can't OC integrated graphics.
/thread
Ok, before I pull my hair on this. Check the bios on the laptop to see if you can change the sata controller setting from ahci/raid to IDE/compatibility. The next step I need you to do is go into device manager and click the plus sign next to the following entries and tell me whats listed.
1. sound
2. network
3. display adapter
I've found a couple websites that have successfully downgraded this laptop to XP with links to drivers.
Ok, before I pull my hair on this. Check the bios on the laptop to see if you can change the sata controller setting from ahci/raid to IDE/compatibility. The next step I need you to do is go into device manager and click the plus sign next to the following entries and tell me whats listed.
1. sound
2. network
3. display adapter
I've found a couple websites that have successfully downgraded this laptop to XP with links to drivers.
Would have been much easier if you were able to change the sata setting.
Here is one of those pages I was telling about.
http://notebookblogonline.com/installing-windows-xp-hp-pavilion-dv7t-series/
If you have any questions, feel free to ask and I'll try to help you. It has links for certain drivers you'll need and links to nlite and instructions on how to do it. Like I said before, I would do this on an spare drive before you screw up your windows 7 install.
Any particular reason why you want to install XP on this?