How do i set up multiple operating systems?

[Joe42]

I have come across several situations now where a 2nd copy of windows would be really useful, can anyone exlpain how this works?

Assuming i want to install a 2nd copy of xp... does it need to be on a separate partition?
How do i select between the two, will it slow down the bootup process?
Can switch between the two without rebooting?

I was also thinking of experimenting with vista at some point and i wouldn't want it as my primay os.

Thanks

 

[zetec452]

I use a few operating systems and use VMWare within my XP system to run various linux, and windows testing servers.

It's probably a lot better to use vmware rather than having to dual boot a system.

 

[zilla]

Either get a second hard drive and put a second OS on that, or partition your current drive, using one of the many programs out there - partition magic for instance. Then you can stick another copy of XP on that partition/drive, when you specify the location during windows setup

Get yourself a copy of Acronis OS Selector or just google for a free boot manager - it will set up a boot menu for you and make it really simple to choose between the OS's at startup - it makes no difference to speed of boot at all - just the time it takes for you to tell it what OS you want to boot into.

Vista is a different matter - it will set up a boot menu for you so there is no need for Acronis OS selector or the like

 

[BillytheImpaler]

If you want to go with non-virtualized installations you'll need a separate partition for each. You would then install a bootloader to manage them. Vista comes with its own that works with other versions of Windows or you could use a more user-friendly and powerful bootloader like Grub that will boot any OS.

 

[Joe42]

Well i do have that free microsoft virtualisation software so i might just give that a try.
Having a lot of porblems with bf2 and they keep trying to blame background tasks so it would be good to be able to run it on a clean os. I'll experiment and see, and if that doesn't work i'll try vista.

Thanks

 

[Joe42]

It seems you can't have anything more than a default rubbisy graphics adaptor in virtual pc so probably no good for testing bf2.

 

[Stelly]

It seems you can't have anything more than a default rubbisy graphics adaptor in virtual pc so probably no good for testing bf2.

Yup this is true, not sure about VMware WS 5.5 that even supports duel core

Stelly

 

[Joe42]

Well i'm going to have to do it the old fashoned way. I can't really use vista as i doubt bf2 works with it, so i'm looking to install a 2nd copy of xp in a different harddisk, although i do not want the data on this harddisk to be wiped.

Edit: Does this one look ok?