Same hard drive can work with both 64-bit and 32-bit versions if they're on different partitions.
Same hard drive can work with both 64-bit and 32-bit versions if they're on different partitions.
Is it feasible to set up Windows XP 32-bit on your SSD that already runs Windows 7 Pro 64-bit across two separate partitions without affecting the current OS? Just to clarify, you recently added Windows XP to the same drive as your Windows 7 installation, but on a different partition. Did this installation cause any issues with your existing system? If not, how can you switch back to your Windows 7 environment because it’s still booting from XP? I have no idea why I didn’t consider this before installing XP.
Yes, it's possible to start with Windows 7 using the boot menu. (I've tried this before, though it was a while ago.)
In the boot menu, it displays just your SSD without showing the partitions.
It’s conceivable, yet based on what I’ve faced, I usually encounter more issues when setting up XP Professional after installing Windows 7 64 bit Home Premium. Installing XP first—while creating the partition during setup—then moving on to Windows 7 on a separate drive tends to be smoother. If you’d like, I can run a test using this machine, which currently runs Windows 7 Professional 64 bit on an SSD and has a Windows XP Pro 32 bit disc (though I’d caution against using XP on an SSD without following some guides).
I’m also accustomed to swapping out my system frequently, and usually just need a fresh install. Everything stays intact because my profile remains on the larger 1TB HDD.
I understand the situation well. I often update my operating system and it’s nice that the secondary machine is only used for XP, so I don’t risk losing anything important. The main issue is getting it to boot or letting me pick the OS. If it doesn’t work, I’ll have to restart and reinstall Windows again.
Start with Windows XP, then move to Windows 7. It’s tricky on older systems. Alternatively, consider EasyBCD to build your own boot menu that supports both versions. Visit http://neosmart.net/EasyBCD/ and sign up for the free, non-commercial option.