One Computer Using 2 Different Operating Systems On 2 Different Drives

How does one setup one (1) PC computer to use two (2) different operating systems on two (2) different hard drives?

Each of the two hard drives are connected to the motherboard via a typical SATA connection. In this specific case, partitioning a hard drive (i.e., 1 drive with 2 operating systems) is not desired.

The goal is to be able to boot from either of the two operating systems (i.e. either of the 2 drives) without mechanical switches. The two operating systems are Windows XP Pro and Windows 7 Pro.

 

Assuming you don't want a dual boot scenario, but actual separate everything on each drive, then you simply install them to the hard drive in question.

Then when booting up, you choose which hard drive to boot from.

 

Adrynalyne,

Thank you for your reply.

Regarding "... simply install them to the hard drive in question. Then when booting up, you choose which hard drive to boot ..."

There are some Internet references that indicate both the registry and restore points will become corrupted in this scenario. Is this assertion correct?

 

No, that is not correct.

The only time that would happen is if you installed two versions of Windows to the same partition.

The only thing to watch for is to make sure System Restore doesn't monitor the second drive. Configure it in each OS.

 

Thank you. The following references were just discovered.

Ref. = http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-vista/install-more-than-one-operating-system-multiboot

Ref. = http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/...efault-operating-system-for-startup-multiboot

 

Keep in mind with that second link, you must install them in a dual boot configuration to do that.

 

Regarding "... you must install them in a dual boot configuration ..."

Do you know of a reference that lists the steps?

 

Point of order, so to speak.

Perform the XP installation first, then the Win 7 install. This will allow Windows 7 to utilize it's boot manager. When you have both installed, it will give you two choices at startup:

Windows 7
Earlier version of Windows

The latter will be your XP install.

It also bears mentioning that XP natively uses IDE, not AHCI. If the XP drive's SATA channel is set to AHCI in BIOS, you may get a BSOD during install.

 

Regarding "... you may get a BSOD ..."

What is BSOD? If it is an error or problem, how is it corrected?

 

Blue Screen of Death, or stop error. Set your SATA controller mode to IDE and it won't be an issue.

 

Have you given any thought to how you will manage your data files? If the two systems do not overlap in terms of your software then no problem - data files will be stored along with each OS. However if you want to be able for example to run Office from either system you will not want two lots of Office data files, so a separate shared data partition may be necessary on one of the two drives.