Configuring HDD and Installing XP
Before you begin, make sure that you back up all important data on your hard drives because this procedure will completely wipe all data from your computer on your primary hard drive. To get started you need a Windows XP installation CD:
- Boot up your computer to the XP CD drive, and choose to boot to the CD.
- After setup loads, hit Enter to begin setup, and then hit F8 on the Windows XP License Agreement screen.
- Next, I show you how to prepare the partitions on your hard drive. If partitions already exist on the drive, select them and hit D to delete the partition followed by L to confirm. Remember, this will delete any data on that partition. When all the partitions are deleted, you are ready to create the new partitions.
- Back on the drive and partition screen, select the Unpartitioned space on the drive on which you want to install your operating systems. Then press C to create a partition. Next, enter the size of the partition in megabytes. I like to use 20GB for XP and plenty of space for games which equals 20480MB. Enter the size and hit Enter.
- Next, select the Unpartitioned space again, and hit C to create the partition for Windows 7. This time, I suggest leaving the partition size as calculated, so it uses up the rest of the free space on your hard drive. Hit Enter to create the partition.
- When returned to the drive and partition screen you should see both of the partitions you created. Select Partition1 and hit Enter to install. Because the new partition does not yet have a file system you will need to format it with one. Select Format the partition using the NTFS file system (Quick) option on the top of the list and hit Enter.
From this point on, follow the normal Windows XP installation steps. After you have Windows XP fully installed and up and running, you are ready to install Windows 7.
Installing Windows 7
When you have Windows XP installed and configured, insert the Windows 7 install DVD into your computer, and then restart and boot to the DVD. Make sure to hit any key to boot to the DVD when asked.
Proceed through the install normally, but stop on the Which type of installation do you want? screen, and follow these steps:
- Select the Custom (advanced) option.
- Select the second partition that you created during the Windows XP install and click Next.
- Continue to install as normal.
While Windows 7 is installed, a boot menu will be automatically configured and created that will allow you to switch between Windows XP and Windows 7 at boot.
After Windows 7 is fully installed and configured you can switch between Windows XP and Windows 7 by restarting your computer. Keep in mind that if you enable hibernation on either OS and hibernate instead of doing a full shutdown you will not see the boot menu when you turn on your computer. It is only shown when you restart or are on a full, normal startup.
