How to set up dual boot Windows 7 and XP?

[usadan]

I have a T510 with Windows 7 64 bit OS.

I also have the XP Recovery Disks shipped with the system.

My work involves software that the manufacturer reports does not run in Windows 7.

Is it possible to use the recovery disks to create a dual boot system so I can choose either XP or Windows 7 at startup?
Or do I need to buy a fresh copy of XP to do this?

Thanks.

[usadan]

Alternatively, can I use the XP Recovery Disks to install in a virtual machine?

[nikki605]

You might want to consider something simpler - Windows Virtual PC, XP Mode. I just installed it on my T410 and it works slick.

Get it here: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/virtua ... nload.aspx

I considered dual boot, but this was much easier. I had it up and running in about a half hour & then loaded my XP application. There are some demo videos at that link as well which are pretty helpful.

Check it out,
Gary

EDIT: If you decide to try it, be sure to enable virtualization in the BIOS before downloading and install the 3-step files.

[usadan]

Hmmm Gary, I tried just that, with the virtualization enabled, but didn't have luck. I was trying to use the XP Install Disks that came with my T510. It would seem like it would start to boot from the CD and even pop-up the recovery flash screen but then just start reloading itself, and it would repeat this over and over.

I was guessing I needed a fresh copy of Windows XP for this to work and that the Lenovo recovery disks were restricted to work only with a fresh 'factory' install. Any thoughts?

[nikki605]

You don't use your XP disks. Its all files downloaded from MS.

Here is a topic I posted in earlier today. Scroll to the last post.

http://www.eggheadcafe.com/community/as ... inued.aspx

Let me know if you have any questions. It works slick!

EDIT: Installing those 3 files from MS gives you a full-blown version of WinXP Pro SP3 that runs virtually under Win7 - no XP CDs needed and no license key to worry about. From there, you can install any XP compatible program. I've already loaded 2 and I have a 3rd one in mind, when I can get some free time.

[ARD]

You can also download VMWare Player and it will read the Windows XP virtual disk and you will have even better performance than Microsoft's VirtualPC.
I have both and I compared them and VMWare is far and away much better.

http://www.vmware.com/products/player/

[usadan]

ARD...do you need a licensed copy of XP to use with VMWare or does it build it in like the Microsoft version?

The Virtual Windows XP doesn't need a separate copy and this is great because I only have the XP installation disks from Lenovo (I tried in a VM and they didn't work).

So the Virtual Windows XP worked brilliantly. It's exactly what I needed. The only little hiccup for me was that I had to force a link to the host's network adapter (rather than using the default converter). This gave me control of the IP address to the extent that it now matches the host PC. (which was relevant for my application).

I'm so pleased. Thank you guys so much for the hints and links. Now I can go enjoy the rest of my weekend

[nikki605]

Glad you were able to get it working.

I've never tried VMWare. Not having anything to compare to, I've been happy with the speed/performance of Virtual PC.

[ARD]

USADan,

It will read the virtual disk of Windows XP that you download for free from Microsoft.
Simple as that.
It will read a whole bunch of virtual disks like Linux distributions and Solaris too.
You can run a bunch of different operating systems in it.
Its all on the VMWare Player webpage. And its all free.

Nikki,

Try VMWare Player. You are missing a lot. VPC is pretty sluggish compared to Player.
And Player is FREE as well.

[nikki605]

ARD - Can you tell me which of the 3 files MS had me download is the "virtual disk of Windows XP?" Its probably the 481MB WindowsXPMode_en-us.exe file, but I want to make sure I understand correctly before I make any change to what I've already set up.

Thanks,
Gary
Downloaded from MS:

1. WindowsXPMode_en-us.exe
2. Windows6.1-KB958559-x64.msu
3. Windows6.1-KB977206-x64.msu

EDIT: I just found what seems like a good tutorial for installing the VMware Player and the WinXP Mode file downloaded from MS. And, the VMware Player apparently does NOT require that your CPU have virtualization capability. I may give this a try.

http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/10911/ru ... alization/

[ARD]

Nikki,
Yea its that large file. You need to install it first.
Install the XP Mode as you normally would, launch Player, then navigate in VMWare Player to the VHD, C:\Users\nikki\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows Virtual PC\Virtual Machines\Windows XP Mode.vhd, and open it. Follow the instructions in the user guide. Thats it.

[IraSeigel]

You might want to consider something simpler - Windows Virtual PC, XP Mode. I just installed it on my T410 and it works slick.

Get it here: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/virtua ... nload.aspx

I considered dual boot, but this was much easier. I had it up and running in about a half hour & then loaded my XP application. There are some demo videos at that link as well which are pretty helpful.

Check it out,
Gary

EDIT: If you decide to try it, be sure to enable virtualization in the BIOS before downloading and install the 3-step files.

Thanks for this great post.
I'm having a problem with the instructions on the Download page. It says that after you install the XP Mode (the first of the 3 files), go to Start, All Programs and select Windows Virtual PC. My problem is that this program is not listed in my start menu. There's a new folder in Program Files for Virtual PC, but it's EULA and a Tutorial and not the actual program.

Would you be able to tell me the name of the EXE so that I do a search of my HD and create a shortcut? Once I find the program and can run it, I can follow the rest of the instructions.

Many thanks.

[nikki605]

I think you may be reading the instructions incorrectly. I know I loaded all 3 files first, in the sequence as listed. Then, the Windows Virtual PC folder and subfolders showed up at the bottom of my Start Menu, like this:



The Applications subfolder doesn't show up until you install application programs.

[IraSeigel]

Gary,
Thank you for your reply. Yes, of course you're correct.

The instructions on the Microsoft webpage, however, are misleading, at least in MY mind:

Once you have installed Windows XP Mode, click the Windows 7 Start button , then select All Programs > Windows Virtual PC > Windows XP Mode to begin setup.

There are 3 files (2 if you've installed SP1). One of the files is named "XP Mode". So I thought I had to install that one first, and that would allow me to begin the setup.

Anyway, thanks for the clarification, and now I have XP Mode running.

I'll try the VMWare Player next.

Cheers.

[nikki605]

Glad you got it working. I never did try the VMWare Player. If you try it, post back with your impressions of both, if one has an advantage over the other.

Thanks.

[MrPeter1985]

To answer the original question, For those gamers who wish to have both Vista/Win7 and XP dual booted. I found it best to install XP first on a partition size of choice. (preferably 20g atleast) Then install Vista or Win7 on another Partition with atleast 30g. The remaining space can be used by both Vista/Win7 or XP. And if you want Triple boot, just install Linux last on a 10g partition. And a tip for those space lovers, if you install something on either XP or vista/Win7 you do not have to install it on the other OS. Example I installed a game that would not install on Win7 in XP and was able to play it on Win7's side. And for the advanced users who already have Win7 installed and don't want to install it again. You can install XP 2nd but you will need to fix the MBR as XP overites Win7 and will only load XP. All from my experiance with triple booting.

[Colonel O'Neill]

You can still install XP after Vista/7. Just pop in a repair disc (Windows install disc, or one from NeoSmart) and tell it to do startup repair, which will put the Vista/7 bootloader back in it's place.

Some games and software are not portable, some are partially portable (save games in Crysis are stored in a userprofile folder), and some are entirely portable.

[ParatoOptimal]

Doesn't VMWare require a high powered processor and LOTS of RAM?

[Colonel O'Neill]

Not really? If your processor has virtualization support (which all ThinkPads should), then CPU power isn't an issue. VMware can also page out parts of the guest RAM to disk, which is useful on low RAM systems.

[ParatoOptimal]

Others on this forum told me it would require a LOT of RAM and CPU cycles which would slow most old laptops.
The OS would require RAM, the VMWare would require RAM, each VM would require RAM and the apps used on each VM would require RAM.

I have an Lenovo/IBM X60s with 3GB RAM currently dual booting 7 and Ubuntu.
Duo Core (not Core2Duo) 1.6 I think

I have an IBM X31 with 3GB RAM currently booting 7.
Pentium M 1.3

I have a Lenovo 3000 N100 currently booting Ubuntu.
Duo Core (not Core2Duo) 1.73 or 1.83 I think

Could I get satisfactory results with any of the above?

Thanks

[Colonel O'Neill]

I'm assuming XP as a guest? It should be fine on the X60s.
Might be a bit of a strain on the X31
The 3000N100 should run XP in VirtualBox fine.

As a bit of nostalgia: I had an 800MHz desktop (384MB of RAM) that I used to run 2000 on (die-hard 2k fan =P) but needed XP occasionally, which I ran in Microsoft Virtual PC 2007 SP1, which was barely passable.

[ParatoOptimal]

Do you think VMWare would be fast enough on a P4 3.0 Prescott with 1GB RAM?
I will be trying to boos it to 2GB RAM.
Thanks

[Colonel O'Neill]

As long as you're not running anything more than slightly intensive programs, it should be okay. What are you going to run in VM as a Guest OS and as software?

[ParatoOptimal]

7, XP-Pro, maybe older but probably not, various variants of Linux.
Programs to make DVDs, office suites, test new ware I find that suits a specific OS better, maybe Data Base.

[Colonel O'Neill]

Might have trouble burning discs if it encounters buffer underruns, but creating an ISO out of it should work. Office suites should be fine, but database might be tricky, especially on the older P4, which probably doesn't have virtualization support.

[ParatoOptimal]

Is a CPU with virtualization support a requirement?

[Colonel O'Neill]

It'd help significantly, but not necessary.

[Garfed]

3 MS files from the installation to give you a clinical WinXP SP3 full version, in fact, run Win7 - without the XP CD and do not need to worry about the license key. From there, you can install any XP-compatible programs. I have installed 2, I have a third party to remember, if I can get some free time....