[Nexus5.01]

Hey,
I have tried to dual boot with Windows XP 64bit (legal) but when I get to the step in the installation where it asks where I want to install XP it says it cannot find any hard drives.

I'm using a laptop and do not have any means of connection a floppy drive with the drivers on it. I do however have a flash drive but last time I tried that it just carried on as if the flash drive wasn't there.

Windows XP will find the hard drives if I turn an option off in the BIOS, can't remember what it was though I think it was something to do with SATA.

Is it going to be possible to get Windows Vista to boot with Windows XP?

Thanks!

[Elvandil]

Installing XP on a SATA drive

"Many newer BIOS allow an Alternate method for SATA . . Go into the BIOS and check the 'Sata Operation' setting, change it to 'Raid Autodetect/ATA' if it is not already. Now try to install XP (Verbiage will vary by manufacturer)" - Courtesy of simpswr.

[Nexus5.01]

Whenever i disable the SATA option, Windows XP will install fine, but Windows Vista will not boot until I turn the setting back on which will then cause XP not to boot.

Sorry if this doesn't make sense.

[Elvandil]

After XP is installed, the machine will always boot from the Vista partition. If XP is chosen from the menu, the boot process is then transferred there.

After XP is installed, you may need to run Startup Repair in Vista, or add XP to its boot menu with:

VistabootPro or EasyBCD

[Nexus5.01]

Right okay then, thank you. I will have to try this - I will get back to you!

Thanks again.

[Elvandil]

Yes, get XP installed and then worry about configuring boot. Make hidden files unhidden and copy ntldr and ntdetect.com so they are on both the XP and Vista partitions. Then use VistaBootPro to add XP to the boot menu. Point it to the XP partition, but if that doesn't work, point it to the Vista partition (for booting XP).