Please help me dual boot XP/Win7 (Dell XPS 1645)

I love Windows 7 but very ocassionally I need to run some apps those wont work in a VM or XP mode, so I need to create a small (5Gb or so) Windows XP partition.

I followed the instructions to slipstream the SATA drivers using Nlite to create a Windows XP SP3 bootable install CD and setup goes a way through but I get a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) during the install before I get to the partitioning screen.

I didn't slipstream audio drivers because I wont need sound in XP and I didn't slipstream wireless network drivers because my 1645 has the Dell wireless card and I can only find XP drivers for the Intel wireless card.

Has anybody managed this feat recently?

Thanks in advance

 

Anybody?

 

Can't give you a direct answer. But why don't you simply use VirtualBox? Your machine should be powerful enough to handle most tasks inside a virtual machine. And I cannot imagine that programs won't work inside a virtual machine.

 

I haven't done a dual boot since Windows 7 (XP mode works for me) but this is how I'd do it:

1. Use Windows 7's built in partitioning tool to create a new partition. If that doesn't work, use a live CD like gParted.

2. Check to see if you're supposed to change the HDD setting in the BIOS from ACHI to Compatibility temporally during XP install.

3. Put in the XP install disk, and tell it to install on the new partition.

 

You may have fix up your bootloader after installing XP if you do it after installing windows 7. I've used a program called EasyBCD in the past to help dual boot vista and xp.

 

out of curiousity have you tried XP Mode in Windows 7?

for all the XP tools/apps i need, so far XP Mode has worked. i haven't (fingers crossed) had the unfortunate scenario where i absolutely require a native Win XP installation.

 

Exactly! try that.