Want to turn OEM Windows 7 computer into dual boot with XP

[DadTech]

Everything I find online is how to set up a dual boot system when you already have XP and want to add Windows 7 as dual boot.

Instead, I have a brand new Dell desktop that came with Windows 7.

How do I turn that into a dual boot system, since I want to be able to run XP (to use all my old software) without removing the ability to sometimes use Windows 7 instead. (The XP compatability feature in Windows 7 doesn't run most of my old software adequately.)

 

[Tmagic650]

Boot from the XP CD and start the XP install process. You will need to create a partition separate from the Windows 7, or the Dell restore partition. I don't know if the partition option is available in the XP install. If not, you can download and install a free 3rd party partition manager, to create another partition on the C drive for XP. Then you can install XP normally to the new partition

 

[EXCellR8]

If you need GParted, you can find it here.

You can burn it to a live CD and manage your partitions that way if you like.