Dual boot same HDD easy to do?

iMacMart

iMacMart

iMacMart

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I currently have Vista 64bit Ultimate installed on a 500gb drive in 2 partitions 'C' and 'D' (data storage) if I were to create a 'E' partition (maybe with partition magic) and whack XP Pro on would I just get the option to choose at boot?

I've heard some horror stories about current Vista installation going pete tong when people try to do dual boots on the same disk?

Can anyone confirm before I jump in feet first :)
 
As far as I know, you have to install XP first, then install Vista so installing XP Pro probably wouldn't work.

But i've heard things about Vistabootpro or something...

Wait for confirmation on this first!
 
I could put another sata drive in and boot that way?

Although again I don't know if that would work the same?
 
You can install dual boot os's on the same hdd but they must be on seperate partitions. If you have installed Vista first, then installed XP, you will need to boot from your Vista CD and repair the installation. Then once in Vista use EasyBCD to rewrite the bootloader. Viola, dual boot PC with both os's selectable when you boot up. Google is your friend if you get stuck! ;)

P.S. No need for partition magic, use vista to resize the hdd and chreate the 3 partition (in Disk manager)
 
So I make the partition (within Vista), install XP on the new partition, then boot into Vista with the DVD in and run a repair and then use EasyBCD and roberts your fathers brother??

Sounds bit too easy to me :)
 
tweakinfreak said:
So I make the partition (within Vista), install XP on the new partition, then boot into Vista with the DVD in and run a repair and then use EasyBCD and roberts your fathers brother??

Sounds bit too easy to me :)
Click to expand...

Spot on buddy!

Youll notice that after XP has installed Vista will disspaear! Thats why you have to boot from the Vista CD after the XP install! Then XP will dissapear when you get Vista back! Thats why you have to use EastBCD to fix the bootloader! LOL Once youve done the EasyBCD bit, youll see both os's.

http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=178390
 
Last edited:
Hi guys

I got the dual boot working thanks :)

For my next trick I would like to get my work lappy (Thinkpad T60p) dual booting, the base OS will be XP as per the restore partition, will it be hard to then install Vista Business and have it dual boot? I've heard its lots easier to do XP then Vista?

Anyone done it this way care to share their experiences? :)

Only got a 100gb hard drive installed, although I have access to network storage
 
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