Two operating systems in one desktop

A

AdamJ

Member
I'm going to use my current harddrive as a secondary harddrive. The current harddrive has XP. The new harddrive will utilize windows 7.

I'd like to be able to occasionally access the old harddrive to run certain programs. If I understand correctly, I should be able to change the boot order in bios to boot from the old harddrive when I want to run those programs. Is this correct; is there an easier way than changing boot order in bios?

Thanks,

Adam
 
Leave your XP drive hooked up.
Hook up the drive that you want to put W7 on.
When you install W7 make SURE you point the install to the new drive.
Now when it boots up it will give you the option of which OS you want to use.
 
AdamJ said:
I'm going to use my current harddrive as a secondary harddrive. The current harddrive has XP. The new harddrive will utilize windows 7.

I'd like to be able to occasionally access the old harddrive to run certain programs. If I understand correctly, I should be able to change the boot order in bios to boot from the old harddrive when I want to run those programs. Is this correct; is there an easier way than changing boot order in bios?

Thanks,

Adam
Click to expand...

Read this. It is a guide that I have on this site as to how to EXACTLY set up XP and 7.

You dont need to switch in BIOS. Windows 7 will ask you when you boot. But you HAVE TO INSTALL WINDOWS 7 AFTER XP. IF YOU INSTALL XP OVER 7 AT ANY POINT YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO BOOT 7.

Hope I have helped :)
 
MyCattMaxx said:
Leave your XP drive hooked up.
Hook up the drive that you want to put W7 on.
When you install W7 make SURE you point the install to the new drive.
Now when it boots up it will give you the option of which OS you want to use.
Click to expand...

Wow, didn't realize it could be that easy. After installing the new harddrive, all I have to do is insert the windows 7 CD, or will the current C: harddrive with XP try to boot first.

Also, I'd prefer the windows 7 harddrive to be the primary C: harddrive. If I leave the XP harddrive in, can I rename it to drive E: after installing the new harddrive and installing windows 7?
 
You have to set your comp to boot to cd/dvd drive first in the boot order.
If it boots into XP the order is wrong while installing W7.
The install disc has to be in the drive before you boot up.
After W7 loads up a few things it will ask you where you want to install it.
Pay close attention at this point to make sure you do not tell it to install on your XP drive.
It should tell you the brand and model of the drive along with the drive size in the options, so pick the right drive.
You will be doing a full install and not an upgrade.

Do not worry about the drive letters because when you boot into W7 it will be C: drive, when you boot into XP it will be C: drive.
You can also name your drives like XP and W7 and you will see that in explorer.

EDIT: Also during the install the computer will reboot a time or 2 and it will ask if you if you want to boot to cd/dvd don't do it, let it sit and it will continue on.
 
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Pay close attention at this point to make sure you do not tell it to install on your XP drive.
It should tell you the brand and model of the drive along with the drive size in the options, so pick the right drive.


Maxx, I will be installing the exact same type harddrive in the computer to load XP on. Will I be able to distinquish the harddrive with XP vs. the new one I want to install windows 7 on?
 
AntimatterAsh said:
Read this. It is a guide that I have on this site as to how to EXACTLY set up XP and 7.

You dont need to switch in BIOS. Windows 7 will ask you when you boot. But you HAVE TO INSTALL WINDOWS 7 AFTER XP. IF YOU INSTALL XP OVER 7 AT ANY POINT YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO BOOT 7.

Hope I have helped :)
Click to expand...

Thanks Ash!
 
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