3x Windows XP Installations / boot list

[Jono]

I'd like to install 3 copies of XP on my PC and be able to boot into any of them. Or maybe 2 of XP and one of Vista

1 for general stuff + games (maybe vista)
1 for 3d work
1 for music stuff

The reason for this is I'd like to keep everything I do on my pc separate, to keep it running as fast as possible. I don't mind having to reboot in order to change tasks.

I have 3 hard drives available, so each installation could go on a separate disk, but what's the best way to get it all working?

I've not done a dual boot for ages, and that was windows or linux. This'll be 3-way windows, which i've never done before.

 

[Jimbo.UK]

When installing the XP OS for the first time, make sure you set up 3 partitions.. more of a pain to do this later in XP, something vista actually improved upon!

Once you have 3 partitions set up, just install XP on each partition, the boot loader should pick up the OS's and be fine. They may all be called the same name in the boot loader so you will have to get around to changing the names.

On a side note, perhaps a little over the top having three seperate boots, all with XP, for said tasks?

edit: having re-read the above, i would installl the vista partition first, will make it easier to fix if something should go wrong with the other two, providing you dont just write over the top of them.

 

[linktoinsanity]

Agreed with Jimbo ^^ except for installing Vista first. Set up the three partitions, install the first XP OS, then install the second XP on another partition, then finally install Vista (or the 3rd XP).

 

[Jono]

Well they'll all be on separate drives, i think.