Dual Boot Vista / XP separate HD's

Typhoon

Typhoon

Typhoon

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615
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Hi guys I run Vista 64 and want to install XP32 on a second harddisk and make the sytem dual booting. I have everything to hand but haven't given it a go yet. Installing XP onto the second hard disk is easy enough, but how do I set it up to give me a dual booting option when I switch on? I understand adding Vista after XP is straight forwards but not the other way around?? Any pointers before I give this a go.
Cheers
 
if on the same hard disk then install xp first

if installing on seperate hard disk it doesnt matter as you disconnect the other hard drive.

can cause problems if you leave both hard disks connected when installing
 
IIRC, if you install Vista first, and then install XP afterwards, it should add it to the Vista Bootloader automatically. If not, it should be to hard to edit the boot config in vista, by adding XP, or you could use EasyBCD.
 
BloomerzUK said:
IIRC, if you install Vista first, and then install XP afterwards, it should add it to the Vista Bootloader automatically. If not, it should be to hard to edit the boot config in vista, by adding XP, or you could use EasyBCD.
Click to expand...

Oldest OS should be installed first, XP then Vista.
 
When I used to Dual boot, I installed XP first then Vista, no problems encountered at all.


One thing to make note of, (which may have been fixed as new service packs have been released since i dual booted), was that there were problems with System Restore on the Vista install.

just had a look round the net and found the original article.



the origional post:

Someone on PCReview said:
You have a dual-boot system? ... then follow the instructions in the following KB article and the attached guide to protect your Vista VSS files from being destroyed by XP everytime you boot into XP. Otherwise you will lose your Vista Backup and Restore Center files, restore points, shadow copies (aka Previous Versions), and more just by booting XP.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/926185

Good old MS.
Click to expand...
 
Thanks guy, I already have Vista up an running on the main HD so no chance of deleting and starting again. I am now have a new second HD and want to install XP on there rather than a partition on the the Vista HD. I see 2 ways to proceed 1) remove the Vista HD, fit the second HD, install XP, then refit the Vista HD and use Bios to choose the boot drive (not very neat). 2) Keep the vista HD as it is, fit second HD, install XP on to the second HD - but surely XP will want to make this bootable and disable booting on the Vista HD?? Or does it install some way to choose which HD to boot from??
 
Typhoon said:
1) remove the Vista HD, fit the second HD, install XP, then refit the Vista HD and use Bios to choose the boot drive (not very neat)
Click to expand...

you only need to unplug the sata cable once when installing and its a lot more conveniant... it will automatically boot into set os unless u want to change then just press the key (usually escape) to go into boot menu(not full bios menu).

having the os choice everytime u restart or boot the computer up just increases boot time.

ofcourse its your choice but im just giving u a little extra info to take into consideration.

i got mine set up like above ^^
 
Yep was just going to unplug the cable. Thanks i think using the the Bios boot menu may be the easiest way when you have 2 dedicated hard disks.
 
is this possible with windows 7 and vista? I have both installed and currently have to push F12 on start up and choose the HDD, anyway of making this easier?
 
I have Win7 running, then I decided I needed XP alongside, but wanted it on a seperate disk ... what I did:

1) Unplugged the Win7 disk and attached a small 40gb disk
2) Installed XP as per usual on the 40gb
3) Plugged my Windows 7 disk back in ensuring it's main disk in boot priority
4) download BCEdit ... in BCEdit add an entry for XP, select disk ... click apply and reboot

All done automatically by BCedit in a matter of minutes
 
I turned my computer on today, and it loaded up, then said something was wrong... insert CD/DVD...

So i put the win 7 disk in, and clicked repair and now i have the choice of Win 7 and Vista in Boot Manager...

The only thing is, it says "Vista Home Premium (TM) (recovered)"
 
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