Add XP to existing Vista system?

[dgsg]

I know you can add Vista to XP as a dual boot, but is it possible to add XP to a PC that is currently running Vista? How to link would be nice.

 

[pcgeek11]

Right here:

http://www.pro-networks.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=88231

pcgeek11

 

[Navid]

Having a dual (multi) boot menu is very handy if you boot to either OS on a regular basis.
But, if you boot to one most of the time, and want an option to just occasionally boot to the other, you can do it much easier and cleaner.

Just, install XP on the first partition of a second hard drive. If you need to boot to it, press F11 (may be another function key depending on your motherboard) to get to the boot selection menu and select the second hard drive as the boot device and you will boot to XP. The next time you boot, it will boot to Vista unless you select the boot menu again and select the second drive.

This is clean because each installation (on each hard drive) will have a clean MBR and clean boot file. If you some day want to get rid of XP, you just delete it! You will not have to do anything to your Vista installation.

The disadvantage is that every time you want to boot to XP, you will need to press F11 at the boot time to select the second hard drive. But, if you only do it occasionally, it should be OK.

Just an option!

 

[Pirotech]

just create the partition for XP, boot from the XP installation CD, and install it on this partition. Boot list composed of win xp and vista will be created automatically.

for partitioning you will need to use 3d party partitioning software for example disk director.

 

[Shawn]

Originally posted by: Pirotech
just create the partition for XP, boot from the XP installation CD, and install it on this partition. Boot list composed of win xp and vista will be created automatically.

for partitioning you will need to use 3d party partitioning software for example disk director.

not true. if you replace Vista's boot loader with XP's, Vista will no longer boot. Also, Vista allows you to resize partitions so you don't need to use 3rd party software.

 

[mancunian]

Originally posted by: Navid
Having a dual (multi) boot menu is very handy if you boot to either OS on a regular basis.
But, if you boot to one most of the time, and want an option to just occasionally boot to the other, you can do it much easier and cleaner.

Just, install XP on the first partition of a second hard drive. If you need to boot to it, press F11 (may be another function key depending on your motherboard) to get to the boot selection menu and select the second hard drive as the boot device and you will boot to XP. The next time you boot, it will boot to Vista unless you select the boot menu again and select the second drive.

This is clean because each installation (on each hard drive) will have a clean MBR and clean boot file. If you some day want to get rid of XP, you just delete it! You will not have to do anything to your Vista installation.

The disadvantage is that every time you want to boot to XP, you will need to press F11 at the boot time to select the second hard drive. But, if you only do it occasionally, it should be OK.

Just an option!

:thumbsup:

A very good option I find. I have done this because I cannot be bothered with all the bootloader crap. The 'clean' aspect of it is also good, as you point out.

Also, it makes it easy to restore images of each OS. Just boot into one and restore the other from the first. Tested this and it works great, because you are obviously not dealing with active files. Not only that, it works much quicker than running Acronis off the boot CD...