Can Windows7 64 bits coexist with XP32 bits?

At present i run in this computer XP Pro 32 bits,it sees only 2.5 giga of the 4 gyga RAM installed, (I am not complaining,its more than enough for a very fast pc),but i'd like to try windows7 in the 64 bits version alongside XP in dual boot fashion. This in order to take advantage of the full available RAM, given I've read around that even Windows 7 32 bits,like Vista, cannot 'see' it all.
No problem with the HD,I've created a 50 gygabite partition since a long time awaiting a second OS,but....can a 64bits and a 32 bits dual boot ?
Or am I condemned to both OSs at 32bits?
Or one (W7) at 64 bits?

 

karad,

You can run both but make them independent. You can run WinXP and both Win7 if you like.

http://www.goodells.net/multiboot/index.htm

 

Thanks for your reply Brian and for the multiboot document, a very interesting tutorial which explains the real basic thing with thoroughness and clarity.
Unfortunately,being it a dated work, does not seem to shed light on my 32 + 64 question at a very first sight.
I will read it carefully tomorrow,though.
When you say 'You can run WinXP and both win7 if you like' you mean there's no problem running even XP 32 bits+Win7 32 bits + Win7 64 bits all independently together?
So the answer to my question is yes and there's no drawback or hidden danger in running a 32 and a 64 bits OS together?

 

When you run the OS independently there is no interaction between them. It's like each is running on its own HD. If you use the Microsoft Way of multi-booting as outlined in Dan's article, I've no idea how x32 and x64 would interact.

 

karad,

How is your progress? My x64 is now running.

 

I am a lot behind schedule Brian, due to sudden nice weather and a faulty monitor adapter for DVI in the computer i'm going to use for Win7 I need shops to open on monday or tuesday before installing- another couple of days,but I will surely let you know as soon as I complete the install, hoping all is ok.In the meantime,thanks for your interest,much appreciated.

Are you running only the 64 bits version by itself or double booting?

 

Just create a new partition whilst in XP32 and reboot from the Win7 disk. Choose custom install and choose the new partition to install Win7 too. Once it's installed, you'll see a boot screen each time you turn your pc on letting you choose which OP to run. (The default OP and time to choose between the two can be set within either XP or Win7). I did this with the first beta of Win7 x64 whilst having Vista x32 installed and there was no problems as previously stated they run completely independently from each other.

 

Thanks for your contribution and explanation, Ade 1,I hope there'll be no differences because i'll have XP32 instead of Vista32 as regards easiness of install and smooth working.

 

Win7 x32 and x64, Vista x32, a couple of XPs, a couple of DOS, a couple of Linux and a few others. All on the first HD. BootIt NG is the boot manager.

 

You'll be fine!

 

BrianK wrote:

Flabbergasting cornucopia in a single HD!

No, I wont go that far,but your reference to the marvels of BootIt NG reminds me I was on the verge of buying it six months ago when I bought this new pc ,but I opted out for Paragon Hard Disk Manager 2009 because i was already familiar with it. Paragon HDM also provides a booting program, but, as my needs are only for XP32+Win7 64bits, I surmise there's no need to use it, given the Win7 bootloader can take care of it well.
What worries me a bit is instead the following:
I have plenty recent images by Paragon which I can use to copy any boot-related file with Paragon WinPE Rescue disk if needs be,but ,in case i'd want to get rid of win7, can I just delete the partition and reinstall a former XP-only Paragon image via Rescue Disk, or is it better I keep some booting files belonging to XP or the whole MBR (kept in the Paragon image anyway)?
In other words, any tips to get back to a former state painlessly?
Please consider I will install Win7 in a separate partition of the same HD.

@Ade 1 wrote:

as 'Ade' ,or 'Hades' in greek , refer to a brother of Zeus and Neptune ,I take it as a prophecy for which I thank you!

 

karad,

See Dan's section on "What's Wrong with the Microsoft Way?"

http://www.goodells.net/multiboot/principles.htm

That's what Ade 1 is describing, the Microsoft Way. The partitions aren't independent.