[Stephen47]

I believe the Acronis safe zone is just for an Acronis backup. Just make another primary partition and install Win 7 this will be a dual boot situation.

[JohnWill]

I'm not sure you can use the Safe Zone as Stephen has stated. You need a new partition that is a "special use" partition to install. I'd also give it a bit more than 30 gigs, maybe 40-50.

[Byteman]

I have win7 beta running on two multi installs with XP Home on the same physical hard drives, different partiitons and they are working just perfect! I have them networked also, and it is super easy once you go over the details of how it works.

Here is the installation directions that come up on the download page, maybe you didn't have them handy Buf

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/win...tructions.aspx

Turn OFF Antivirus programs.... I know, but you should according to MS....

And Defrag the hard drive well....I found that twice was a better option than just once!

Referring just to anyone who wants to multi-boot, you have to choose the Custom option during the installation beginning in order to select your desired partition or drive.

I installed Windows 7 while running on XP....that is one way, and the directions have that way.... though, I see that you can certainly boot up from the install DVD and do it. I made the partitions beforehand, by using EASEUS Partition tools (free one) to shrink the XP C:/ drive, and I created a Primary partition on the same hard disk of about 30 gigs and left some Unallocated.
The Win 7 setup runs right from the DVD, copies the files etc and then it will restart the computer several times during the install....just let it boot, do NOT press any buttons like you would to boot from the DVD or CD.... you will see a new temporary option in the boot list called "Setup of Windows 7" or something simialr to that....I only caught sight of it once..

In other words, just let the install restart the computer itself....no buttons needed, until you have to choose at the last restart which operating system you want to start into....then, you have to choose 7 or "Older version of Windows"
If Acronis Safe Zone is preventing that, you will have to work that out, too.

Have a good evening

[buf]

The advice given and the knowledge shared by you folks is just amazing; and I genuinely appreciate all of you.
I think I will explore 2 possibilities. 1.) wipe clean one of the hard drives I have in one of several external cases and try my luck at installing Win7 on it---or 2.) study the VMWare offering. Have never attempted use of it and know nada about it; don't even know if there is a cost or requires software but I will Google for it now.
Sorry Byteman but I am not interested in dual booting after having a bad experience with that option once. Caused by me, of course.
Have been outta town for 2-3 days and am just now catching up on threads and posting.

[JohnWill]

One option that will solve the dual-boot issue and still do the trick for you are these drive drawers. You have one adapter in the machine and just swap in the drive with the O/S of your choice and boot up.

SATA drive drawer

IDE drive drawer

[buf]

Opinions and options just keep coming. Thanks for the latest John.
After having already spent a few $$ for external cases for my purposely bought HDs for backup purposes, I may consider the boxes you describe. Not knowing if I will even like win7, I am reluctant to spend additional $$ to beta test a new OS. I am trying, and wish I could install the new OS "somewhere" just to test the OS. I am quiet happy with XP Pro; I might add.

[JohnWill]

I still use XP-Pro on my main box, though I have a Vista and Windows 7 machine. The laptops have XP and Vista.

[aka Brett]

i made a dual boot with xp and 7 couple days ago
went very painless.
I put in xp and deleted the partition. Made 4 partitions using xp.Installed xp on C. next installed 7 on D.
Fully fuctioning boot menu.No third party tools needed.
When i am booted into W7 its lists itself as being on C.
when the true c isnt shown in my computer,but does show in disk mangement.
When I am in xo i can see the 7 install.
Any i deas on how to be able to see xp while booted into 7?
they are both formated ntfs

[JohnWill]

I think you'd have to have set that up during the installation, not after the fact.

[aka Brett]

Originally Posted by JohnWill

I think you'd have to have set that up during the installation, not after the fact.

its odd it shows in disk management and also in system restore area.
everywhere except in my computer so i cant explore it.
now when i am on xp i can see w7 which is on d.

[JohnWill]

That's a "feature". It allows both versions of Windows to boot from the C: drive. Other 3rd party partition managers do a similar thing. If you'd have installed it manually in a different partition, the boot manager would have been configured in a different manner and both would probably have been visible.

I haven't installed Windows 7 for dual-boot, I'm suspecting they went with a different boot manager model than previous Windows versions.

[aka Brett]

Originally Posted by JohnWill

That's a "feature". It allows both versions of Windows to boot from the C: drive. Other 3rd party partition managers do a similar thing. If you'd have installed it manually in a different partition, the boot manager would have been configured in a different manner and both would probably have been visible.

I haven't installed Windows 7 for dual-boot, I'm suspecting they went with a different boot manager model than previous Windows versions.

I do like both of them being C ,I shouldnt get greedy and accept the benefits.
Dual boot setup was painless didnt have to do any repairs.I have the choice of windows 7 and "older version of windows" to boot from.
I used the xp cd to make my partitions as it is pretty easy