I already have XP running so can I partition some of the empty space on the C: drive and install Windows 7 on it? and if so will there be an option everytime the pc is started to choose between the two systems?

 

Cheers

Not being rude, but any particular reason you need to?

 

If its compatibility, Win 7 has "compatibility mode" for older stuff.

 

Try this

 

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/8057-dual-boot-installation-windows-7-xp.html

You wont be able to partition a drive with data already on it.

 

Just buy another drive and load it on that

Not being rude, but any particular reason you need to?

 

If its compatibility, Win 7 has "compatibility mode" for older stuff.

 

Try this

 

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/8057-dual-boot-installation-windows-7-xp.html

 

I don't want to lose the stuff on XP and I need 7 as the software which I'm upgrading to requires it.

 

You wont be able to partition a drive with data already on it.

 

Just buy another drive and load it on that

 

Why not? I've just watched a tutorial on how to go about doing it.:confused1:

Why not? I've just watched a tutorial on how to go about doing it.:confused1:

 

Its never 100% accurate, you would be far better off spending £30 on a new drive and starting from scratch.

 

Just my 2p. :)

Soon as I buy or add something to my pc I run into problems. :(

This seemed like a no hassle solution.

This seemed like a no hassle solution.

 

:clover:

 

For luck ;)

 

You could be ok, I wouldnt though.

This seemed like a no hassle solution.

 

:clover:

For luck ;)

You could be ok, I wouldnt though.

 

Yeah, a bit like all eggs in one basket.... just buy the another drive....

keep copes of everything on both drives.

 

will you need help to set the hardware up? can you sort out master / slave?

or two master on different ports.

You can use a program called partition magic to split a harddrive that already has files on it. but there is also already away to run a virtual windows xp from windows 7 check this article here

will you need help to set the hardware up? can you sort out master / slave?

or two master on different ports.

 

I guess I would probably need advice on setting both (sata) drives to master, one with the current XP installed and one with a freshly installed Windows 7 and then choose which of those two I want to startup during boot, assuming this can be done?

:clover:

 

For luck ;)

 

You could be ok, I wouldnt though.

 

TY, I don't think I will either. lol

been there done that caused a shed load of issues with internet etc really slowed down the machine ...i have just today gone back to xp and am happy again

 

steve

Windows 7 actually does allow you to re-partition on installation if you have the right media, if not, then Partition Magic or a free (But slightly harder to use, although not rocket science) called GParted will do the job. GParted just requires you to download it, burn it to disc, boot your machine from that disk and follow the prompts, whereas partition magic has to be installed on your XP machine first, it must be paid for because it's not free and it isn't perfect either.

 

As someone else said, you're better off just buying another drive and installing it on that. You don't need to set SATAs to Master or Slave, that's an IDE thing. With SATA you simply set the one you want to boot from in your BIOS/boot options menu on your machine.

 

If you put another SATA drive in, then install Windows 7 to that drive (Be careful which drive you are installing to, because you do not want to overwrite Windows XP) It will pick up the fact that the current MBR (Master Boot Record) contains a record to boot Windows XP, and it will replace the MBR with one of it's own that then gives you the option to boot Windows XP or Windows 7 as the machine boots up. None of this is an exact science however, and you're always better off backing your stuff up, either to an external hard drive, or to DVDs or some other media before attempting anything like this.

Thanks for making that clear hollowpoint, I think I will just get another sata drive when the time comes, cheers all.:flowers: