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Dual installation of Windows 7 professional and Windows XP professional

I have only just found this question when I was searching for a solution to my problem.

I have installed Windows 7 Professional on a clean install (i.e. not an upgrade from Windows XP). I have used the 32 bit version (the PC is a 64 bit machine)

I am attempting to run a program which will not run on Windows 7 but using VMLite however there are problems with a) dates and b) printing.

It did occur to me that a better route may be to set up a dual boot installation. Currently I boot from my C: drive which is 160 gbt. I have a 500 gbt drive split into two partitions, one of 160 Gbt (which acts as a mirror immage back up to my C: drive and the second is currently unused. Backup is to an external 500 Gbt USb drive.

My questions are:

a) how do I install Windows XP professional;
b) if the solution is to add an addtional partition to by 500 Gbt internal drive what size should it be as the programme and data size would probable not exceed 2 Gbt; and
c) Is is better to stay with Windows 7 32 bit or to install the 64 bit version

Thanks for any suggestions

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PowerEdgeTech

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Mez4343

Have you tried XP Mode on windows7? It is similar to a VM but may produce better results than VMLite.

You need to verify your hardware to see if thats possible.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/install-and-use-windows-xp-mode-in-windows-7

SouthEssex

ASKER

Thanks for the suggestions about using Windows XP Mode. The problem is that whilst this works on my laptop, which is a modern machine, it will not work on my desktop which is too old to run Windows XP Mode. Which is why I wondered if the solution would be to try to run a dual operating system machine.

It would be better to be able to run some type of virtual XP installation without going to a dual boot so it there are any suggestions of how to run Windows XP Mode on an older machine or if there is another virtual solution I would be pleased to hear.

PowerEdgeTech

It will run on an older machine ... XP Mode no longer requires hardware-assisted virtualization (VT) to run. On the XP Mode download page I sent you, there are three downloads/updates. The third one updates Virtual PC to not require VT. What are other specs about your machine you might be worried about?

Mez4343

So you already have Windows 7 on your older desktop?

You might want to try Vmware Player. Should support older hardware

http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/10911/run-xp-mode-on-windows-7-machines-without-hardware-virtualization/

PowerEdgeTech

You don't need another virtualization software ... Virtual PC no longer requires VT (with the update I talked about).

noxcho

Have a look on this article: https://www.experts-exchange.com/OS/Miscellaneous/A_685-Multiboot-system-configuration-from-scratch.html
I have described step by step how to create true dual boot configuration in a safest way.

Glen Knight

This question has been classified as abandoned and is being closed as part of the Cleanup Program. See my comment at the end of the question for more details.