Can I set up "Part" of my HD to test Vista Beta?

[SylEm]

I downloaded the newest Vista beta and I haven't installed it yet for fear that it will override my operating system I'm currently using and if something bad happens, whipe all my data. So, I was wondering that since I have 3 HD's (2 internal, 1 external), 1 internal used for installing programs, 1 internal for storage, and 1 external for extra storage, is it possible to set one of them up and only use a section of it to run the operating system? That way it won't conflict with the system I have now. If so, how?

 

[gtjr]

create a 20gb partition on the hdd where your win xp installed, using partition magic

 

[jonesthewine]

I was in your situation...with two internal HDDs...to avoid any problems I simply unplugged the power connector from the HDD that hosts XP and all associated data and installed Vista RC1 on the HDD that was still connected. To switch back and forth from XP to Vista is a simple procedure of shutting down the OS, opening the case and switching the power connector from one HDD to the other.

 

[Brazen]

I'm not sure if Vista can resize partitions itself, but you can use GParted LiveCD to resize your current partition and make room for Vista. I'd probably make space at the back of the drive for vista and leave your current partition at the front of the drive. BTW, GParted LiveCD is free (just need a blank cd) and has been eaiser and worked better for me than Partition Magic.

 

[Aluvus]

You could use a nondestructive partitioner such as Partition Magic (but not the one built into Windows XP), yes.

Alternately, you could just run it inside a virtual machine. This ensures painless removal if something really does go wrong.

 

[Brazen]

Originally posted by: Aluvus
You could use a nondestructive partitioner such as Partition Magic (but not the one built into Windows XP), yes.

Alternately, you could just run it inside a virtual machine. This ensures painless removal if something really does go wrong.

I don't think a virtual machine will let you experience all the Vista gui goodness, though. No 3d acceleration in vms and all that.

 

[BroadbandGamer]

Originally posted by: jonesthewine
I was in your situation...with two internal HDDs...to avoid any problems I simply unplugged the power connector from the HDD that hosts XP and all associated data and installed Vista RC1 on the HDD that was still connected. To switch back and forth from XP to Vista is a simple procedure of shutting down the OS, opening the case and switching the power connector from one HDD to the other.

why not just hit F-8 at POST and bring up the Boot Menu and select the drive you want?

 

[Navid]

Originally posted by: BroadbandGamer

Originally posted by: jonesthewine
I was in your situation...with two internal HDDs...to avoid any problems I simply unplugged the power connector from the HDD that hosts XP and all associated data and installed Vista RC1 on the HDD that was still connected. To switch back and forth from XP to Vista is a simple procedure of shutting down the OS, opening the case and switching the power connector from one HDD to the other.

why not just hit F-8 at POST and bring up the Boot Menu and select the drive you want?

Because he has only one OS on the hard drive that he has connected at any point in time.
So, he has to do a hardware switch (swap the hard drives) in order to switch OS.

It is a little bit cumbersome. However, it is the safest way.

 

[jonesthewine]

QFT

 

[SylEm]

So if I use partition magic, can I partition 20GBs on another HD instead of the HD currently running my OS? Only reason being is I don't have much space left on it, only about 10GBs cuz all my programs are installed on it, but I have plenty on my external hd and my seagate internal barracuda.