Installing Win-XP-sp3(32bit) in z87 ext.4PC

Master Tito wrote: Hi friends, I have built a desktop PC with Z87 Extreme 4 motherboard with 8gb ram & installed Win-7-ult-x64 in C partition. After building this machine I am facing a peculiar problem. Now I cannot use my Umax scanner which can be operated in a 32bit system. Since my scanner is working fine I don't want to buy a 64bit scanner. I have several issue in mind for which I have no answer. i) Can I install XP-32bit in a separate partition when in C-partition Win-7-64 bit already installed. If not possible, shall I uninstall Win 7 & then first install Xp & then Win 7. ii) Assuming xp install possible, how to get drivers for 32-bit XP. If graphix /chipset drivers are not available, then merely  installing scanner drivers shall I be able to use my scanner ? iii) My friend told me that I can install XP after first installing VMWare or Virtual box. Since I have very little knowledge in virtualization, I didn't take risk in this line.  Pl. help me so that I can use my old scanner in a 64bit machine. Thanks & regards, Master Tito

You can install XP 32bit in another partition on the drive you are currently using for Windows 7. That assumes you have enough space on that drive for XP.

You can find many guides on the Internet by searching on, "installing windows on multiple partitions", and choosing one you like.

You may not be able to find drivers for your board's Z87 chipset and Windows XP. Unfortunately the transition away from XP occurred between the Intel 7 and 8 series chipsets, yours being the Z87 chipset. You can try to use the XP 32bit drivers from an ASRock Z77 board, such as the Z77 Extreme4:

http://www.asrock.com/mb/Intel/Z77%20Extreme4/?cat=Download

I have not used XP for so long, I cannot predict if it will work completely with the Windows XP 32 bit drivers supplied by Microsoft.

Using a virtualized environment requires the hardware you are using to support it. That means the processor and chipset. The Intel 'Z' chipsets generally do not support virtualization, the Z87 specifications show it does not support it. No idea what processor you use.

But many programs that are used on 64bit versions of Windows are really 32bit software. On your Windows 7 drive, you should find two folders called, Program Files, and Program Files (x86). The programs in the Program Files (x86) folder are 32bit programs. 32bit is identified by "x86".

What is the problem using your scanner with Windows 7? If it uses it's own software, then it may not be compatible with Windows 7. If you left click on its software, do you see an option to run it in Compatibility mode? That may include an XP compatibility mode.