Dual boot XP and Windows 7 systems

[DarkStar_GT]

I have a few questions about dual-booting systems: XP Home 32-bit and Windows 7 64-bit.

What I am aiming for is:
a) the Booted OS (XP or W7) on C:\
b) the other OS on D:\
c) my other disk (partitions) on K:\, L:\ and M:\ (to be used under both OS),
d) my DVD drive on Z:\ (to be used under both OS).

As I understand it, the process would be:
-- install XP first,
-- create the partition for W7, lettered D:\,
-- create the other partitions,
-- install W7,
-- use W7 Disk Management to change the disk letters.

Then when I boot, the booted OS is on disk lettered C:\ and the other other will be on a disk lettered D:\. Have I got that right?

Secondly, I understand that disk partitions in W7 (and Vista) have to start / end on multiples of 2048 sectors (XP's partition can start /end on multiples of 64 sectors). So it seems that the partition would need to be created using W7 (or another utility or with some very careful calculation). Or have I misunderstood?

And finally, for the moment, I have read that XP will delete any Windows 7 System Restore Points, as they are in a different format, unrecognised by XP. How is that avoided, so that I can have System Restore points for each OS? (for the OS disks only, not the data disks K:\, L:\ and M:\),

But that prompts another question - if I did want Restore points for the data disks, what is the best way of achieving that? Create them only under XP? Or ...?

[donkiddik]

I have a few questions about dual-booting systems: XP Home 32-bit and Windows 7 64-bit.

What I am aiming for is:
a) the Booted OS (XP or W7) on C:\
b) the other OS on D:\
c) my other disk (partitions) on K:\, L:\ and M:\ (to be used under both OS),
d) my DVD drive on Z:\ (to be used under both OS).

As I understand it, the process would be:
-- install XP first,
-- create the partition for W7, lettered D:\,
-- create the other partitions,
-- install W7,
-- use W7 Disk Management to change the disk letters.

Then when I boot, the booted OS is on disk lettered C:\ and the other other will be on a disk lettered D:\. Have I got that right?

Secondly, I understand that disk partitions in W7 (and Vista) have to start / end on multiples of 2048 sectors (XP's partition can start /end on multiples of 64 sectors). So it seems that the partition would need to be created using W7 (or another utility or with some very careful calculation). Or have I misunderstood?

And finally, for the moment, I have read that XP will delete any Windows 7 System Restore Points, as they are in a different format, unrecognised by XP. How is that avoided, so that I can have System Restore points for each OS? (for the OS disks only, not the data disks K:\, L:\ and M:\),

But that prompts another question - if I did want Restore points for the data disks, what is the best way of achieving that? Create them only under XP? Or ...?

XP deleting Win 7 Restore points
Managed to find out how to stop this by modifying registry, there is an article here for anyone with a similar problem :-

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/926185


Hope this helps

[jim]

Then when I boot, the booted OS is on disk lettered C:\ and the other other will be on a disk lettered D:\. Have I got that right?

Yes, looks good to me. That's exactly what I found when dual-booting XP and Vista.

I don't remember partitioning ever being difficult, I just went for it and everything was fine. If you're worried, why not just install XP and create a partition for it leaving a load of unallocated space. Then install 7, and let that install itself in the unallocated space. They'll install themselves properly.

The other obvious question is why on earth do you want XP?

[circuitmonkey]

How about installing 7, and use the free XP virtual machine image? I've been quite impressed with the performance on both my Signature Rig, and laptop

[DarkStar_GT]

Thanks for the replies.

Why XP? - familiarity and continuity, in case I find things I cannot do under Windows 7 (e.g drivers not available yet).

Hmmm, reading through that Microsoft article indicates to me that System Restores and multi-OS systems are not really compatible. All disks with Windows 7 System Restore points on them have to be hidden from XP.

@don - what System Reasotre settings are you using on your multi-boot Systems?

Virtual XP machine is only available in Windows 7 Professional, Enterprise and Ultimate, and, even so, would not be suitable for audio applications.

[jim]

I would highly recommend giving Windows 7 a go on its own before deciding that you need a dual boot system - if possible.

As before, I had a dual boot XP/Vista installation and just never used XP. It's a nice idea, but the hassle involved in swapping from one OS to the other and having to do all of your personalisation and software installations twice made it a complete non starter. As with most people I've spoken to, I haven't had a single compatibility issue in 7 yet... apart from Theme Hospital, which I can accept

[donkiddik]

I used restore on all my O.S.'s (XP, Vista and WIN 7), and XP used to delete Vista and Win 7. After I changed the registry settings in XP, it never saw the other drives but I could access XP through Vista And Win 7. Now that I am comfortable with Win 7 I have removed XP and will be removing Vista shortly. I have found even some of my old games will run on Win 7 and it's the best O.S. to date, everything Vista should have been.