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I need to set up my wife's laptop to be able to run either Win7 (already loaded), or WInXP (for certain games). I know I can do a dual boot set-up (just need to find some good step-by-step instructions), but I was wondering if I might also be able to install XP on an external USB-connected hard drive and run it from there?
If so, how would this be done?
(Now that it is April, she wants to replay her *Titanic* game again and I haven't been able to get it to work by just loading it on the Win7 install. :~( )
Any and all suggestions/advice welcome!
Thanks!!!!!!
Bruce
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Total posts: 3 (Showing page 1 of 1)
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Answer Best answer as chosen by user Snooks
USB is a dead end.
by R. Proffitt 
- 4/2/12 11:30 AM
In Reply to: Booting with either Win7 or WinXP? by Snooks
Microsoft never supplied this feature.
Installing XP after 7 is not supported either. You can find articles about doing that so I don't think this is your question.
Is installing XP to Virtual Box a solution? I can't tell but you can try this for free and without harm to your Windows 7 setup.
Read http://titanicadventureoutoftime.wordpress.com/2011/01/26/how-to-play-titanic-adventure-out-of-time-on-windows-7-vista/ to see how this works on VMWARE but Virtual Box would be not much difference.
Bob
Answer Best answer as chosen by user Snooks
BEWARE
by MarkFlax - 4/2/12 11:31 AM
In Reply to: Booting with either Win7 or WinXP? by Snooks
Sorry for the CAPS, but you need to beware the problem.
If you install XP after Win 7, Windows 7 will become inaccessible.
The proper way to set up a dual boot is, install the older OS first then the newer. This is because the last OS to be installed replaces the boot record file on the first one's partition or drive. XP will replace Win 7's BCD, (Boot Configuration Data), with it's own boot.ini file, and Win 7 will not boot from that, even though it has an entry for Win 7.
I have not personally seen an XP OS successfully boot from an external drive.
So the options are;
1] If this Win 7 is Windows 7 Professional, Enterprise, or Ultimate, then it is possible to download and install Windows XP Mode from http://www.microsoft.com/windows/virtual-pc/download.aspx
2] See if the games can be installed in Win 7 using the Compatibility wizard.
3] Install XP onto a new drive, but remove the Win 7 drive beforehand. Then reconnect the Win 7 drive and use the BIOS Boot Selection menu, (available on most BIOSs by pressing an F key at power on, to select which disk to boot from. I know that works as I have just discovered it myself on my own system, (courtesy of fellow Moderator, Kees).
There may be other problems, eg installing XP with drivers, but you may already know about that.
I hope that helps.
Mark
Total posts: 3 (Showing page 1 of 1)
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