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Running Windows 7 64-bit & XP Pro 32-bit On A Notebook

Discussion in 'Windows 7' started by IveyLeaguer, 2009/10/19.

  1. 2009/10/19
    IveyLeaguer

    IveyLeaguer Inactive Thread Starter

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    Greetings Everyone,

    I'm getting an HP dv2277cl notebook this week from Sam's with Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit pre-installed, speced as follows:

    Intel Core2 Duo Processor P7550, 2.26GHz, 3MB L2 Cache
    4GB DDR3 System Memory (2 Dimm)
    640GB (7200RPM) Dual HDD (320GB x 2)

    What I want to do is keep Windows7 Home Premium 64-bit on the primary HD, and install XP Professional 32-bit on the other HD. Then shift between the two as needed. I'm thinking that would be a good way to keep my older 32 bit programs and ease into the W7/64-bit world without too much initial expense.

    I've heard there could be some problem with running both but can't imagine what it could be. I also thought of dual-booting the primary HD but that seems more likely to create conflicts. I always separate data from the OS by partitioning so that isn't a factor.

    Do you guys see any problem with this scenario? Is running W7-64 & XP-32 on separate HD's better than dual booting the primary drive? And BTW, how large should a partition be to give W7-HP-64 ample space to operate?

    Thanks very much in advance.

    IveyLeaguer

    ~~~
     
    IveyLeaguer,
    #1
  2. 2009/10/20
    Arie

    Arie Administrator Administrator Staff

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    There is no need to get another OS to run 32bit software, 64-bit Windows runs nearly all 32-bit software just fine!

    I'm not sure about the partition size of Windows 7 to recommend, I think I would assign at least 50GB (probably 75).

    I only have the \Users files on my D drive & keep the rest on C.
     
    Arie,
    #2


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  4. 2009/10/20
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    And older 32-bit software which will not run in Win 7 can be run in XP mode in 7 Pro and above.
     
    PeteC,
    #3
  5. 2009/10/20
    IveyLeaguer

    IveyLeaguer Inactive Thread Starter

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    Yeah, I'm kinda stuck with 7 Home Premium.

    ~~~
     
    IveyLeaguer,
    #4
  6. 2009/10/21
    Arie

    Arie Administrator Administrator Staff

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    You can still run MS Virtual PC 2007 which is a free download.

    You'd only need to have a valid WinXP CD & product key.
     
    Arie,
    #5
    IveyLeaguer likes this.
  7. 2009/10/21
    IveyLeaguer

    IveyLeaguer Inactive Thread Starter

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    Wow, thanks Arie.

    So, the free Windows Virtual PC program adds the XP Mode feature to 7 Home Premium, in effect turning 7 Home Premium into 7 Pro, since XP Mode is the primary feature benefit of 7 Pro over 7 Home Premium.

    Because after setup, Virtual PC acts the same as XP Mode, correct? Further, that eliminates the need for a dual-boot system?

    ~~~
     
    IveyLeaguer,
    #6
  8. 2009/10/21
    Steve R Jones

    Steve R Jones SuperGeek Staff

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    Nope. Virtual PC allows you to install Windows XP within Windows 7. Which means you have to have a legal copy of XP....The attach pic show my Vista machine and typeing this message with a VM of XP on top.
     

    Attached Files:

    Steve R Jones,
    #7
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  9. 2009/10/21
    IveyLeaguer

    IveyLeaguer Inactive Thread Starter

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    OK, got it. Thanks. I have XP Pro.

    How do the mechanics work? The XP-VM has a separate window? Is is easy as switching windows back and forth?

    And if I'm allowing 60-75 GB of partition space for 7, I should add another 20 or so for XP? Say, 90 or 100 GB for a C: partition, as opposed to setting up dual-boot?

    ~~~
     
    IveyLeaguer,
    #8
  10. 2009/10/21
    Steve R Jones

    Steve R Jones SuperGeek Staff

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    Its like having a Notepad window open and or minimized.
     
    Steve R Jones,
    #9
  11. 2009/10/21
    IvanH

    IvanH Well-Known Member

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    XP Mode is not available in Windows 7 Home Premium. You need Windows 7 Professional or Ultimate, right?
     
    IvanH,
    #10
  12. 2009/10/21
    IvanH

    IvanH Well-Known Member

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    Be careful. Some Wireless G cards do not have 64-bit drivers, and even 32-bit drivers work under 64-bit Windows 7, the utility might not.

    I tested a few Intel, NetGear and TP-Link Wireless G cards (and Wireless Draft-N cards) and even though they passed Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor, eventually they couldn't run under Windows 7.

    Ironically, same as graphics cards tested, some of them couldn't run on x86 (32-bit) can run under 64-bit!
     
    IvanH,
    #11
  13. 2009/10/22
    Arie

    Arie Administrator Administrator Staff

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    We already addressed this.
     
    Arie,
    #12
  14. 2009/10/22
    Arie

    Arie Administrator Administrator Staff

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    No, Virtual PC running Windows XP is not the same as Windows XP mode. XP Mode is way cooler then that.

    With XP Mode you can run a Windows XP program in Windows 7 like it is running in Windows 7. You don't "see" the Virtual Windows XP running, just a window with the program. Have a look at the image attached.
     

    Attached Files:

    Arie,
    #13
  15. 2009/10/22
    Athlonite

    Athlonite Inactive

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    why not just try using xp compatability mode right click the *.exe and choose properties click compatability mode tab and choose run app as winXP
     
    Athlonite,
    #14
  16. 2009/10/22
    Arie

    Arie Administrator Administrator Staff

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    I have some software that won't work that way, + I need to have XP running all the time to check for solutions to problems ;)
     
    Arie,
    #15
  17. 2009/10/23
    IveyLeaguer

    IveyLeaguer Inactive Thread Starter

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    Wow. I lust, but can't shuck out the $199 for the upgrade when all I'd be getting (for my purposes) is XP Mode.

    I've decided to install XP on the second HD. On the primary HD I'll shrink the C:/W7 partition to 60 GB or so then partition the rest of the drive. Then format the second HD if it has anything on it, and create a 30GB or so partition for XP.

    I think I could get through this XP setup if somebody could walk me through getting started. Once XP begins to install, I should be fine provided both OS options appear in the startup boot menu.

    Thanks so much for the help, fellows.

    ~~~
     
    IveyLeaguer,
    #16
  18. 2009/10/24
    Athlonite

    Athlonite Inactive

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    ah i get ya yes i to have a couple of programes that won't work that way either
     
    Athlonite,
    #17
  19. 2009/10/24
    Athlonite

    Athlonite Inactive

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    you'll want to install XP first and then win7 so that xp can be added to the boot options of win 7
     
    Athlonite,
    #18

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