Dual booting with vista

**MIG-31** · Feb 10, 2007, 01:44 PM

Ok this is something i have never done before with a pc.So this may take a little time to get to understand...

After using windows vista premium now for the last 2 or 3 days now,for various reasons i have mixed feelings about vista.And i am still to activate my copy.

The advantage of the media options installed,DVD's are now viewable without the need to install a independent DVD software such as Power dvd plus many more.

The main problems im having (and i suppose many may be also) is the gaming side of windows vista.Just like windows xp did on first release it appears like it's going to take some time for nvidia to start releasing drivers thats worth while have windows vista as a sole operating system.

So i have actually just ordered a second 160Gig Sata HDD from ebay.So to my main question is it going to be an easy task to set up a dual-boot system.

For example: (Drive C or D going by a default installation).
Drive C: Windows Vista (to set up digital imaging etc)

Drive D: Windows XP (to set up games etc)

How easy is it to set up a dual-boot pc with 2 different OS?

Judas · Feb 11, 2007, 01:39 AM

It's as easy and inserting the disk, making sure that you've already partitioned off (if using one HD) the partition you plan to install to, and installing.

With vista, so far i've encounter that every vista install i've done, each one considers itself the C drive after installing and it'll remap the other partition usually in order, as it sees fit.

So while a fresh install may set Drives C through to any letter call it G correctly, and you decide to install another copy on say F drive, F drive within that vista install will be seen as C drive and then C through to G normally would be D and so forth.

While i haven't ran into any problems thus far, the last vista install will be considered your main install. You can manually readjust this in the advanced system properties under startup. (just select the correct install, or if you like, rename the install so you can properly identify which one you like to use)

One thing i really have noticed, you'll most likely want wipe the Vista install, install XP on the drive you want, then install vista, this way the boot manager works correctly, choose "earlier version of windows" for your XP install booting.

**MIG-31** · Feb 11, 2007, 03:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Judas

It's as easy and inserting the disk, making sure that you've already partitioned off (if using one HD) the partition you plan to install to, and installing.

With vista, so far i've encounter that every vista install i've done, each one considers itself the C drive after installing and it'll remap the other partition usually in order, as it sees fit.

So while a fresh install may set Drives C through to any letter call it G correctly, and you decide to install another copy on say F drive, F drive within that vista install will be seen as C drive and then C through to G normally would be D and so forth.

While i haven't ran into any problems thus far, the last vista install will be considered your main install. You can manually readjust this in the advanced system properties under startup. (just select the correct install, or if you like, rename the install so you can properly identify which one you like to use)

One thing i really have noticed, you'll most likely want wipe the Vista install, install XP on the drive you want, then install vista, this way the boot manager works correctly, choose "earlier version of windows" for your XP install booting.

Thanks for the info... i can't do a thing until the second hdd arrives.Also i forgot to mention i'd have to install xp on both drives as i only have the Vista Premium upgrade disk.

BlueMak · Feb 11, 2007, 04:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MIG-31

Also i forgot to mention i'd have to install xp on both drives as i only have the Vista Premium upgrade disk.

Don't have Vista, but IIRC, you don't have to do this.
IIRC, go for the clean installation, then when asked for the key, don't type it in. Proceed with the installation, then it will ask you again after it finishes, then type the key in. Then I think you reinstall it or something, but what matters is that you don't have to install XP to install Vista with the upgrade version of Vista.

**MIG-31** · Feb 11, 2007, 04:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueMak

Don't have Vista, but IIRC, you don't have to do this.
IIRC, go for the clean installation, then when asked for the key, don't type it in. Proceed with the installation, then it will ask you again after it finishes, then type the key in. Then I think you reinstall it or something, but what matters is that you don't have to install XP to install Vista with the upgrade version of Vista.

Never knew that,i'll certainly give that a shot.

Thanks.

Judas · Feb 13, 2007, 11:32 AM

you could install xp freshly on one drive, and then using a partition program, duplicate that partition onto the 2nd drive, volla, saved you probably a good 30 minutes.

Dragunov · Feb 13, 2007, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Judas

It's as easy and inserting the disk, making sure that you've already partitioned off (if using one HD) the partition you plan to install to, and installing.

With vista, so far i've encounter that every vista install i've done, each one considers itself the C drive after installing and it'll remap the other partition usually in order, as it sees fit.

So while a fresh install may set Drives C through to any letter call it G correctly, and you decide to install another copy on say F drive, F drive within that vista install will be seen as C drive and then C through to G normally would be D and so forth.

While i haven't ran into any problems thus far, the last vista install will be considered your main install. You can manually readjust this in the advanced system properties under startup. (just select the correct install, or if you like, rename the install so you can properly identify which one you like to use)

One thing i really have noticed, you'll most likely want wipe the Vista install, install XP on the drive you want, then install vista, this way the boot manager works correctly, choose "earlier version of windows" for your XP install booting.

Can u change the name "earlier version of windows" to another name?

and how if possible?

thx

Judas · Feb 13, 2007, 01:51 PM

Sure can:

Look for more specific information on doing this even though vista here

Microsoft Corporation

OmegaRED · Feb 13, 2007, 02:08 PM

I'm on a dual boot Xp/Vista Ultimate and it's been a disaster. There's a huge Nvidia driver bug on 7900GT's where exiting from games to desktop causes video corruption and a reboot is needed. It's been like that for over 2 months and affects pretty much every owner of this card (and there are thousands).

So yeah, Dual boot gets my thumbs up. I'd not be gaming if it wasn't for it.

Judas · Feb 13, 2007, 03:39 PM

You mean dual booting has been excellent and that your nvidia+vista experience has been a disaster

just trying to clear up the running 2 operating systems not being a problem

Zelig · Feb 13, 2007, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OmegaRED

I'm on a dual boot Xp/Vista Ultimate and it's been a disaster. There's a huge Nvidia driver bug on 7900GT's where exiting from games to desktop causes video corruption and a reboot is needed. It's been like that for over 2 months and affects pretty much every owner of this card (and there are thousands).

So yeah, Dual boot gets my thumbs up. I'd not be gaming if it wasn't for it.

I haven't noticed that... or wait, you mean in Vista only? I haven't noticed it in any games I've tried in Vista, though the list is pretty short.

Dragunov · Feb 13, 2007, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Judas

Sure can:

Look for more specific information on doing this even though vista here

Microsoft Corporation

Well I want to change 'older version of Windows' to 'Windows XP Professional'

But I don't find the correct file to change

I had a look but I don't trust this the way explained in ur link.

Well they don't mention anything about changing names

But already thx!

**MIG-31** · Feb 13, 2007, 03:44 PM

Just recieved my second hd today and installed with no problems.Just taken me the last couple of hours getting both windows set-up and updated.

Must say this was much easier than i thought it was going to be.

Judas · Feb 13, 2007, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dragunov

Well I want to change 'older version of Windows' to 'Windows XP Professional'

But I don't find the correct file to change

I had a look but I don't trust this the way explained in ur link.

Well they don't mention anything about changing names

But already thx!

sorry that link really doesn't provide much of any help..

this one explains it a little better though

The NT Insider:Tooling Around with Vista - Modifying Windows Boot & Debug Options in <b style="color:black;background-color:#a0ffff">Vista</b>

sandan · Feb 14, 2007, 09:11 AM

Mig-31, I am assuming you did a clean install of Vista. Did you have to reactivate Vista? Was it simple like doing so over the internet or did you have to call Microsoft?

**MIG-31** · Feb 14, 2007, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sandan

Mig-31, I am assuming you did a clean install of Vista. Did you have to reactivate Vista? Was it simple like doing so over the internet or did you have to call Microsoft?

yes it's a clean install of vista and xp (yet my current xp pro disk don't require activation) I already mentioned it in the opening post.i only had windows vista for a week previously,i have not activated my copy just yet.

So this could be the same for my previous xp home disk did require a phone in activation,i hope it's not going to be the same for vista,with 29 days left i have plenty of time to do so.

Judas · Feb 14, 2007, 11:28 AM

Plus if you use the Timer Reset cmd in vista, you can bump that 29 days to 120days

**MIG-31** · Feb 14, 2007, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Judas

Plus if you use the Timer Reset cmd in vista, you can bump that 29 days to 120days

I know.. i'll be looking at that soon.

**MIG-31** · Feb 17, 2007, 02:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueMak

Don't have Vista, but IIRC, you don't have to do this.
IIRC, go for the clean installation, then when asked for the key, don't type it in. Proceed with the installation, then it will ask you again after it finishes, then type the key in. Then I think you reinstall it or something, but what matters is that you don't have to install XP to install Vista with the upgrade version of Vista.

I tried this on the install,when i got around to typing in the key for my copy.it would not accept it.

Came up with a "This is Key is for Vista upgrade version and not usable on a clean install" message.Ended up having to format and install xp and vista again.