Member Avatar for BarJabba

I tried to search DaniWeb for something on this that may have been addressed already, but did not find it.

I have XP Pro 32-bit running now. I upgraded MB and CPU/RAM. I have bought Windows 7 Professional 64-bit and want to dual boot it with XP. I know there is the XP mode that I can mess with, but until I am comfortable with Win 7 and can use XP mode for a few programs, I will need to dual boot.

I wonder if any IT pro has a migration list (or the like) that I can consider all the things I need to back up and can re-incorporate back into Win 7 once installed. I know I will have a ton of apps to install. Some are Win 7 ready, some have not made the leap. I need them both for now.

I hear that Win 7 will take over my system in that it wants to be the only OS on it. I am not sure of that one.

Any advise or help on this?

░░▒▒▓▓█ Bar Jabba █▓▓▒▒░░

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As , and pointed out, running XP and Windows 7 side‑by‑side is a normal, supported configuration when done carefully. Windows 7 will install its boot manager and add an entry for “earlier version of Windows” so XP stays bootable; if the installer doesn’t add XP you can restore the Windows 7 boot manager and add an NTLD R entry with BCDEdit or Repair tools. (learn.microsoft.com)

Practical migration checklist (do these before you touch partitions or setup):

  • Make a full, verified disk image and create bootable rescue media (test that the rescue media actually boots).
  • Copy user data separately (Documents, Desktop, AppData profiles, mail PSTs, browser profiles), and export application license keys/serials.
  • Inventory hardware and download 64‑bit drivers for chipset, GPU, storage and network — save them to USB.
  • Note any 16‑bit programs or apps that install 16‑bit components (they won’t run on x64). Plan to keep those in XP or run them in a VM.
  • Keep an installations list (installers, service packs) so you can reinstall apps cleanly on Win7 x64. (scribd.com)

Key compatibility points to plan around: 64‑bit Windows runs most 32‑bit user apps under WoW64, but it does not support 16‑bit programs nor 32‑bit kernel drivers — any hardware that requires 32‑bit drivers will need a 64‑bit driver or to be used from XP. Also, moving to x64 lets you use more RAM for CPU‑intensive tasks, but you will typically need to reinstall applications rather than copy Program Files. (learn.microsoft.com)

If you want to avoid rebooting into XP for legacy apps, Windows XP Mode (available on Professional/Enterprise/Ultimate) provides a packaged XP VM, though it normally expects hardware virtualization (there is an update Microsoft released to relax that on some machines). Test your legacy apps inside XP Mode — some device access (specialized USB/serial hardware) may still require the real XP partition. For boot problems after install, Startup Repair or BCDEdit commands can recreate the proper entries (example BCDEdit syntax is widely documented). (learn.microsoft.com)

One last note: Windows 7 can create a small “System Reserved” partition to hold boot files and WinRE; don’t delete it unless you understand the boot layout and have tested recovery media. Verify the whole plan by restoring an image to a spare drive or VM before committing changes to your main disk. (learn.microsoft.com)

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All 6 Replies

Member Avatar for Xlphos

Hello,

You should have no problem dual booting XP and win 7.

I have three operating systems and all are listed; just make sure you install the oldest operating system first.

XP then Win 7. Windows 7 should detect XP and create an entry for that. if that doesn't work you could try EasyBCD.

- Let us know how it goes.

Member Avatar for mikeypc2010

Should be no problem at all, I have Windows XP 32bit, Windows 7 64 bit and Ubuntu all 'triple' booting on my system. Like has been said, install Windows XP first, then when you install Windows 7, make sure you create a seperate paration so as to not overwrite XP. :)

Member Avatar for BarJabba

Hello,
...
XP then Win 7. Windows 7 should detect XP and create an entry for that. if that doesn't work you could try EasyBCD.

- Let us know how it goes.

Thanks for the concenses. I have XP Pro on already and I would hope that MS would be consistant. It's just all the talk about it not working well in the dual boot area that I heard before making the plunge.

I use Disk Director 10 and True Image Home 2009 from Acronis. I am doing a full image prior to doing the install...of course. It just would be a headache if something went wrong. I don't have the cash to get some help locally either. (I am disabled, so I can't fix on hardware, as I once did all the time.)

I just hope I have considered ALL that needs to be considered when migrating like this, I have a number of "Processesor Intensive" software. I upgraded my system big time a few months back, to handle these applications. I really need to turn on the 64 bit OS soon.

I most certianly will inform you if all goes well. It would take awhile to get everything runn up to speed before I can say anything.)

Bless U!
:-)

Member Avatar for BarJabba

Should be no problem at all, I have Windows XP 32bit, Windows 7 64 bit and Ubuntu all 'triple' booting on my system. Like has been said, install Windows XP first, then when you install Windows 7, make sure you create a seperate paration so as to not overwrite XP. :)

Yes, I have always used the configuration that I set up at my last employment. I put the OS in one; the Applications in one, and then the Data in another. I can't tell you all the benefits, but security and easier, more orderly, restorations are a few. The cons, don't matter unless you are just a typical user who just wants to just play games and go on the internet. (that's what net books are good for).

:-)

Member Avatar for BarJabba

I know it has been about 15 days ago since I last responded. I apologize. I had much work and health issue that kept me away.

I am collective the most imortant application disks and moving download apps on to my externa' back up drives. I will be finally going for the install. Please wish me luck, I really hope I won't need it. But hey!

Member Avatar for Starry Guy

There is no problem at all as I did this. To make it work you must install it on a diffrent partion (Lets say if windows XP installed on C:\, you install windows 7 on somthing else than C:\)

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