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Dual boot basic question

S

Sumotku

Member
I'm wanting to install XP 64 bit aside XP Pro on my desktop. I've begun reading up and came across this,
From the mouth of MS : "If you have already installed Windows, and you have only one partition, you must reformat and partition your hard drive before you can multiboot."

This seems like conservative best practice to me and that there needn't be a reformat if a new partition can be installed properly. Can someone adivse on the alternatives if available? Thanks very much.
 
Originally posted by: Sumotku
... you have only one partition...
Click to expand...

You have to install XP64 on another partition or on another hard disk. If you only have one hard disk with only one partition, then you need a program like Partition Magic to create two partitions. This is what MS is stating.



 
Originally posted by: EuR Fr3nCh T3rRoR
Use Partition Magic and create a new partition and install XP 64bit onto that partition...Then you can dual boot both operating systems.
Click to expand...
Be very cautious with Partition Magic. When it works, it is a jewel, but it can fail, and take your valued files with it (never happened to me, personally, but given the way Murphy's law seems so very real, the first time I don't have the files backed up, it's going to fail!)

Create backups on CD's and be safe!


:thumbsup:

 
Originally posted by: Kiwi
Originally posted by: EuR Fr3nCh T3rRoR
Use Partition Magic and create a new partition and install XP 64bit onto that partition...Then you can dual boot both operating systems.
Click to expand...
Be very cautious with Partition Magic. When it works, it is a jewel, but it can fail, and take your valued files with it (never happened to me, personally, but given the way Murphy's law seems so very real, the first time I don't have the files backed up, it's going to fail!)

Create backups on CD's and be safe!


:thumbsup:
Click to expand...

Same goes for just about any partitioning tool! I only ever use partition magic as a last resort as it can go so horribly wrong (I have experienced it!) and thus started using things like qparted on a knoppix live cd. Then that decided to destroy a partition on a disk that wasnt even the one being adjusted!! Fortunately I had fit of conservatism before that process and had just backed up the 18.5GB of my GF's photos that it had happily destroyed!

Just a big fat caution sign whenever dealing with any partitioning tool 🙂

 
Even my backups have redundant backups so no worries there. It's time that I value most here. Average 12 hours maybe to reinstall, update and install all programs and then configure them. I've been using Acronis True Image and this is what I'd use to make my partitiion on a 74 gig raptor. I've used it to create partitiions with success in the past, but only on non OS disks. ISo I consider myself forewarned, and will proceed with the appropriate sense of impending doom and resignation. Any other insight is welcome and thanks everyone very much for your input.
 
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