New Build with Dual Boot

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MartyMo

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Mar 2, 2012
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This is my scenario: New computer build with AMD AM3+ FX6300. Would like to do a dual boot setup with the following: New Win XP Home 32-bit (Builder), New Win 7 Pro 64-bit (Builder).
I have a new WD hdd 1tb SATA and an old SONY 120 gb hdd IDE with an OEM version of Win XP 32-bit already installed on it (Intel Pentium 4)

1) What would be more ideal: 1 OS for each hdd or 2 OS for 1 hdd then partition that drive? If the latter which hdd to use 120 gb or 1tb? If using old hdd does it need to be re-formatted?

2) Would using a virtual machine like Virtual Box be a good idea? If so, when would I install it? 1. Win XP, 2. virtual machine, 2. Win 7 Pro?
Confused. When would I install the drivers?

P.S. I have an IDE to SATA converter for the old hdd and a 500 gb external drive.

Thanks in advance.
 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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Mar 16, 2013
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Depending on what you use it for, XP in a Virtual machine would be my recommendation.

1. The old 120GB drive from the Sony will almost certainly not boot with the new hardware. XP would need to be reinstalled anyway.
2. XP goes off life support in a couple of months. Not advisable to run it as a primary system
3. The old 120GB drive, being an IDE, would be slooooow.

And VirtualBox is a good choice. I use it daily.

So. Install the Win 7
Install VirtualBox
Create a VM, and install XP in it.
 
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Scoutdrago3

Scoutdrago3

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Sep 27, 2013
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1) I like using 1 HDD per OS, but you can do 2 OS in 1 HDD. And yeah, reformatting your HDD will be better. Just make sure you get all those old pictures and files you need ;)

2) I was never a fan of VMs nor will I ever be. So if you like using VMs, then go ahead and do that instead. Its really all your choice on this one.

If you mean the drivers for Windows XP/7 then they should install them self. In a VM, I am not sure.
 
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MartyMo

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Mar 2, 2012
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All intriuging answers. I'm leaning towards putting Win XP and Win 7 Pro on 1 hdd namely the 1tb WD, would I partition those evenly? Also running Win XP through Win 7 (with compatabilty) is also interesting, so no need to install Win XP if doing it this way? Please explain. Would have liked to use my old IDE hdd for backup files at least. Hmmm, decisions, decisions...thanks all for the quick replies.
 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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You wouldn't 'run XP through Win 7 compatibility mode'. Whatever applications you used in XP will either run natively in Win7, or possibly be forced to run via the Compatibility Mode in Win 7.

There is very, very little need to actually run XP as it's own OS. Unless you have some absolutely critical application that flat out will not run in 7, I'd say ditch XP completely.
 
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