Hi, i just got the windows 7 rc, and wanted to install it on my comp. it says that it installs a fresh copy of windows so everything i already have would be deleted so that is not an option. i just bought a new hdd, and want to install it with windows 7 and have my current xp on my current hdd. My question is, is this easy to do? would i need to download a program so that at windows boot screen i get a prompt as to which OS i want to load? ive seen how to do it with one hdd, using partitions, but how can it be accomplished with 2 hdds running 2 seperate operating systems, my comp can more then enough handle it, so thats not a problem, but wut are my challenges in getting this done? thanks
First make a image backup of your windows xp partition. There are free software that can do that for you (macrium reflect/paragon drive backup express) save the backup file on an external drive. Next install your other hard drive and it's a good idea to partition it at this time and get it ready. When you install windows 7 (or vista) it will overwrite the MBR of your xp drive even if you are installing windows 7 on a different drive. If you decide to remove windows 7, you will need to rewrite the MBR (remove vista/7 bootloader)on the xp drive for it to work again. Below is the guide to dualboot xp with vista/7 http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/winvista_install_04.asp Removing vista/7 bootloader http://vista-uninstall-bootloader.freeware-alternative.uni.cc/ How you are dual booting is the recommended way, xp installed first and vista/7 added later. Your xp backup is just insurance in case you need to go back to your original configuration.
