Installing Vista but wanting to keep XP.

squiffy · 31 Jul 2007 at 00:21

I would create a larger XP partiton, add 2GB swap file, that's already 5GB. Plus you might have things like Photoshop, Office and Autoroute which are pretty big. My brothers partition is 5/6GB and I'm going to have to re-size it sometime. Then you have temp files and net cache ontop of that.

3) You can't have a shared program files directory for both OS, install each set of program files to each OS partition.

I'm trying to delete installed updates under Vista, in XP it's blue folders with $*.* but Vista is different. Usually once update is installed I don't need to uninstall it, therefore waste just sitting there (talking hundreds of megs, more if you did Service Pack after a install, unlike slipstream disc which means smaller install)

truebluecfc · 31 Jul 2007 at 00:24

squiffy said:
I would create a larger XP partiton, add 2GB swap file, that's already 5GB. Plus you might have things like Photoshop, Office and Autoroute which are pretty big. My brothers partition is 5/6GB and I'm going to have to re-size it sometime. Then you have temp files and net cache ontop of that.

3) You can't have a shared program files directory for both OS, install each set of program files to each OS partition.

I'm trying to delete installed updates under Vista, in XP it's blue folders with $*.* but Vista is different. Usually once update is installed I don't need to uninstall it, therefore waste just sitting there (talking hundreds of megs, more if you did Service Pack after a install, unlike slipstream disc which means smaller install)

#

damn ok thnx for that.

Marse · 31 Jul 2007 at 00:32

I use Acronis Trueimage which is one of several programmes which allow you to back up drives, partitions including the OS.

Dependent upon the level of compression selected an Image will be somewhere around one third the size of the original partition.
That relates to used space - the swap file is not backed up.

My approach to this if locating the applications on a separate partition would be to create an Image of the OS partition and an Image of the applications partition at the same time. When necessary I would restore the OS and its corresponding applications partition at the same time.

In other words they would both be in sync at all times.

You can’t create images of the OS on the same partition as the OS. Create them on a different partition, ideally on a different HD along with other images.

I haven’t used a dual boot system so I would have to give some thought as how best to back everything up based on how it was installed in the first place.
My best guess would be two partitions. One OS and its applications on one partition. The second OS with its applications on the second partition and back up to suit.

I think there is some disagreement or confusion about how successfully you can have applications installed in one partition being accessed by two different OS’s albeit at different times.

I’d keep it all simple and separate but as I’ve said I haven’t installed a dual boot system so I’m not speaking from experience.

I can’t recommend back up software such as Trueimage highly enough.

Having used such software for many years I couldn’t imagine having a PC without it installed. It can save you a lot of time and heartache.

truebluecfc · 31 Jul 2007 at 01:49

Ok I've installed both XP & Vista on 2 seperate Partitions and backed it up using Norton Ghost on a seperate Partition again. One final question though, i think i do but i wanna make sure, do i have to install my Sound, Mobo, GFX, Mouse etc drivers on both XP & Vista?

squiffy · 31 Jul 2007 at 01:55

Yes you do.

Some tips for Vista

Disable hibernation (don't need it for desktop) 2GB saving, if computer has 2GB of ram
disable indexing and system restore
lesser tips, auto login, disable balloons

truebluecfc · 31 Jul 2007 at 02:02

squiffy said:
Yes you do.

Some tips for Vista

Disable hibernation (don't need it for desktop) 2GB saving, if computer has 2GB of ram
disable indexing and system restore
lesser tips, auto login, disable balloons

Thnx

Garyj881 · 31 Jul 2007 at 16:51

thats wrong m8 u will have to re install the game for the registy files and the ones that go into windows dir, not all the game files go in to the game install folder you will be missing files if you tried to play that game dll's ect

If you read my post (# 6) it does say you have to reinstall the game for the registry entires.

Just then delete the install folder and use the one from your install directory.

This is getting confusing now.

james.miller · 31 Jul 2007 at 16:54

most of my games didnt need reinstalling.

squiffy · 31 Jul 2007 at 16:56

james.miller said:
most of my games didnt need reinstalling.

Some do, some don't.