Windows 7

[#1]

My company is not supporting Windows 7 just yet.  Our financial planning software uses XP Pro.   We will go to 7 I've been told, but it may be awhile.

Can I set up the hard drive on the Satellite P500-ST6822 for a dual boot option?  In other words when I start my Satellite I need the option of using XP Pro or in some cases Windows 7.

I know that Win 7 has the XP Mode, but Dell offers an option when building your laptop that has a full version of Windows 7 but they offer what is termed Windows XP Professional downgrade loaded at the factory.  And they mail you the Windows 7 disk for you to install at a later date when you want.

I can perform the dual boot install, but some companies lock the BIOS in such a manner that makes it impossible to have a dual boot option or two operating systems within the same laptop / computer.

I cannot find enough information that will confirm the possibility of installing a dual boot and give the operator the option of picking with OS to use on start up of the computer.

Any help will be greatly appreciated.  I want the Toshiba over the Dell, so I'm looking for a way to confirm I can add the XP OS in case the XP mode under Windows 7 does not run my software correctly.

Thanking you in advance,

Targa

[#2]

Sure you can.

First, you have to check if the BIOS is definitely locked out. Only way to find out if bios is locked is to restart your laptop and check the bios and change the boot sequence so that the cd/dvd drive would boot first.

Once you get pas the BIOS issue, you need to create a partition for your windows 7 install. You need to use a 3rd party partition manager like symantec or easus.

Once you created a partition for windows 7, just boot from the windows 7 dvd and follow the instructions....on the selection where it will ask for which partition to install, select the newly created partition.

Once it restarted, after boot up, it will now have a selection to boot from xp or 7.

Please note that you must install the operating systems on different partitions, and always install the earlier OS first before the new one.

Edwin