Windows 7 & XP?

[mygoldfishbowl]

Hi folks, I have windows 7 64bit running on my laptop but have bought some software that can not run on 64bit systems. I have a PC running XP upstairs & the originally bought XP disc. I've read that if I do a dual boot that the older version operating system needs loading first so that is not really possible on my lappy.

Can I load the XP onto a separate hard drive using the XP machine upstairs & then boot it on my windows 7 laptop?

[Zod]

All you need is Windows 7 XP mode.

[mygoldfishbowl]

Thank you very much I shall give it a go & report back.

[mygoldfishbowl]

Apparently that works on Windows 7 Professional, Enterprise, or Ultimate. I have home premium.

[davepoth]

A virtual machine will do the job. Install this:

https://www.virtualbox.org/

Then install Windows XP in the virtual machine.

[mygoldfishbowl]

Thanks davepoth but after loading the virtualbox & installing XP I went to load my software & on the instructions it stated they don't support virtual machines because there are always errors. Back to plan A me thinks.

[MissChief]

Not sure how will it will run but what about XP on an external drive?

[mygoldfishbowl]

That's what I was thinking with my original question MissChief, loading XP onto an external hard drive on the XP machine & then booting the external hard drive on the windows 7 lappy. I should have explained myself better.