Dual boot question

Rifleman70T · Nov 14, 2007, 11:43 PM

Hello,

I'm trying to set up a Vista/XP dual boot. I'm using Vista currently and I need to set up XP. I've already tried setting up XP on a second drive but unfortunately I've got BIOS issues that won't let me change the boot order of the computer. ( Not gonna whine about the mobo manufacturer here, suffice it to say I'm pissed ).

So I'm thinking about installing Vista and XP on the same disk, same partition probably. Any thoughts on this? I know I used to be able to dual boot 98 and XP off one FAT partition a long time ago. Hoping that someone here has tried it and can shed some light on it for me?

BlueMak · Nov 15, 2007, 01:48 AM

I am not aware of any way to make it work off the same partition. Perhaps someone else can help you.

Judas · Nov 15, 2007, 02:06 AM

OK, what you NEED to do (from what i've tested for myself) is to wipe the drive.... install xp first... then install vista.....

you cannot installed xp after vista...

(at least i tried initially... didn't work)

it's unfortuneate that you don't have a hardrive boot priority option.

**MIG-31** · Nov 15, 2007, 02:10 AM

Ive done this before..You need two partitions to do this and that means a fresh vista install also.Thats the way i was told.

But give How to Dual Boot: Partition an already existing drive in windows XP and Vista for free from ehow a read to see if this helps you.

***temeteus82*** · Nov 15, 2007, 02:11 AM

The basic rule of dual-boot installs is this: "Instal older OS first! Since you would have to use Vista's boot loader to boot to Vista it must be installed last. And it's not recommended to install the two OS's to the same partition.

Judas · Nov 15, 2007, 02:17 AM

yeah... about the partitions things.... usually good idea to seperate them.... having mixed up program files and windows directors is not fun to trouble shoot (i had to untangle a machine with 98/me/xp installed all to the same partition with 3 differently named windows folders and some pretty messed up program files folder.

stormy13 · Nov 15, 2007, 11:51 AM

How to dual boot Vista and XP (with Vista installed first) -- the step-by-step guide

Dyre Straits · Nov 15, 2007, 03:43 PM

The way I like to do it, and am doing it presently is this way:

I've installed Vista on a HDD with no other HDDs connected.

After that, I installed XP PRO SP2 on another HDD with no other HDDs connected.

After getting both installed and fully updated, I've then connected all my HDDs and use the Boot Sequence in BIOS to determine which OS I boot to. I never did like it the other way with the OS option coming up as a selection after POST.

Presently, I have six HDDs and two ODDs installed.

BlueMak · Nov 15, 2007, 04:09 PM

Oh, that's just clever. I might use it one day.

Rifleman70T · Nov 15, 2007, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dyre Straits

The way I like to do it, and am doing it presently is this way:

I've installed Vista on a HDD with no other HDDs connected.

After that, I installed XP PRO SP2 on another HDD with no other HDDs connected.

After getting both installed and fully updated, I've then connected all my HDDs and use the Boot Sequence in BIOS to determine which OS I boot to. I never did like it the other way with the OS option coming up as a selection after POST.

Presently, I have six HDDs and two ODDs installed.

Yeah, that's what I wound up doing. Except I'm installing Grub on top of it now.