Running 2 operating systems

I recently got a new machine with vista basic on it. Its ok, but it wont suport much old software and some new stuff.

I still have my old machine and the xp disc. Is it possible to run 2 windows systems on the same machine? If so, how?, and are there any disadvantages? I'm guessing it might slow things down?

Sorry if this has been asked before and thanks for any replies!

 

If you plan on running a "lower version" O/S on a dual_boot machine, the lower version "should be" installed first. This is the easiest/most problem free type of dual boot installation.

A search of the net (Google is good) will present ways to load an earlier O/S on an existing higher O/S version machine.

As an example: http://mesich.com/ Click on "How-To's", and scroll down to "Install Win98 After WinXp" (last entry).

 

Or you can run something like Virtual PC on the system. Doesn't work for gaming.

 

Vista will partition, and strink the C:drive .
I tried setting up XP after Vista, and it would not accept the sata driver for the XP setup to install (I had three seperate floppy's to do it with, too- none would work.
If you have a Vista reinstallation disc, then I would suggest that you partition your drive, into three, C:, D:, and E:-and save the drivers to the E: partiton- uninstall Vista, or, format the C:drive
Then Install XP, to make things simple, on the D: drive.
Then install XP, on the C: DRIVE- As Vista will otherwise call itself the C;drive, regardless, as it wants it for itself.
Alternitively, setup the partitions, as you want them, with Vista installed as it is , and buy HyperOs 2007VE (it's latest system for Vista ), that I used, in the end, to just add XP, on another partition, and leave the C:drive large (at least 60gb, as you can also drag a copy of Vista's / and/or, XP partion, on to the back up pane, once XP is installed and if Vista (or, XP, get corrupted), you can replace the system in minutes, instead of hours.
http://www.hyperossystems.co.uk/
I now have two copies of Vista, two partitions with XP, and a backup of both syatems, on my new system.
HyperOs copes with Vista changing its drive letter to C:, every time you change, very competently.
Ther may be other free systems coming out to do this, but I have not found one as good.:major

 

Try this guide. I just hope that your machine has XP drivers for it.

 

a few links to peruse

http://search.microsoft.com/results.aspx?mkt=en-AU&setlang=en-AU&q=dual+boot+vista

 

Hi audiedoggie, and shanemail.
Interesting links, - there is bccd a free boot sorter-outer (I have not tried it), which is supposed to sort out the boot issue. Ther are a few little helpers about, but generally, installing XP , after Vista is normally a pain in the derrier.
Vista will not be moved , or, recognise any other position, but C:
Installing Vista, and XP can be so easy the way that I did it on my new system.
If you have XP installed first - Put the hyperos disc in the cd/dvd drive, and load it - it will ask if you want to create one or more extra partitions- create at least one- hyperos will create it, without losing anything you have installed .
Restart - put in the Vista disc, direct it to install on the new partition- it will install, and when it restarts, it will take over the C: drive, and xp will be on the next partition!
If you want to be really geeky, like I am at times, you can form up to 11 partitions (if you have a large hard drive hard drive ) then you can be double geeky, and just click on the Vista drive, and copy it , by dragging it and dropping it onto the backup pane, and you will have a rar copy of your setup in minutes - do the same with XP, just for reserve- drag and drop the same systems to another partition, and it will copy it -YES VISTA , TOO to another partition.
It is so simple and quick that I reckon it will take some beating- I had mine , from clean instal, activate, update of both XP, AND VISTA, and backups, and cloned both within 4, or, 5 hours!
No problems booting at all- the cloned copy of Vista also decided to be C: drive when it started up, but all I had to do was name the partitions so that I knew which was what, and away I went, with another partition for documents and saved drivers/copies of antivirus , and others.
Simple, so easy, a schoolkid could do it.

 

One doesn't need HyperOS in this scenario, unless one hasn't partitioned the drives in the original XP install. I've had as many as 5 Win OSs installed older to newer and never had a problem with 7 or so partitions. The only thing about HyperOS is it costs money.

If one wants to put some sweat equity into their setup, then partition one's drives appropriately from the start and then everything's smooth sailing after that. I realize not many folk have that luxury of flexibilty after their machine has been populated with programs and files.

 

Vista has its problems, but as you know will partition, and resize for you, BUT, the pain is the installation wants that C; drive - Have you found a freebie to sort it out audiedoggie, I would have saved my money if I had one that I could be sure of- I found bootmanagers (but I did not fancy messing with the boot with Vista, as it could freeze so easily), I found a good antivirus free , I found loads of links, and information, but I couldn't see anything that I could use to dual boot, without the problems people have been having, and having to tweak the registry.
If you can find a freebie for it, I think it will be most weklcome.

 

The C drive will be used by both XP and Vista, with Vista's boot manager wanting to reside there also and taking over 'Legacy' OS's boot.ini, , basically XP and Win 2K. If one is dual booting then the Vista boot manager will take over. I found a decent BCDeditor at MG's here.

This is not a boot manager as normally thought of, it's only a front end for the BCD store commands put in a GUI format that's easier to use. Avast! is a good AV and Vista Firewall Control for a good in/out FW solution ATM. I have trouble with configuring Vista's outbound protection, needs an IT person IMO. I hope that this helps.

 

Dual booting will not slow anything down as only one OS runs at a time. Have you tried compat mode yet for your older SW?

 

VistaBootPro, and Easybcd, looked the part, too, for dual booting, but I will have to wait until I have a clean hard drive, spare, to try them.

 

I have PCTools antivirus free edition , installed with Vista, and find it very good.

 

I added Vista firewall control, to the Vista firewall, and found it over-efficient, just like Vista, so, I went back to Vista's firewall, on its own, and find it addequate, and reasonably simple to use once you get the hang of it.