If I split the HDD into 2 partitions to boot WinXP & WinME, would it slow performance?

[Zero In]

I have a 60GB hard disk. Currently, my OS is Win ME and the hard disk is in one partition. I would like to install WinXP, but is it a good idea to have a dual boot OS configuration since Win XP has has compatibility problems with older games?

Now, how do I go about doing so? Do I have to create another partition and mark that partition active and install Win XP there? What software is there that could free space in my hard disk and make a new partition out of it?

**************
On another note, would doing all this slow down the performance of my hard disk? Besides that, are there any other bad points of installing 2 OS into one HDD?

 

[corkyg]

Partition Magic 7.0 will do that nicely and it is XP compatible.

But, personally I don't like dual boot systems. I find a better way to go is to put your HDD in a mobile rack (A good aluminum ATA 100 one) and get an extra tray and another HDD. Have your ME on a separate HDD. I have always found that dual boot systems bring together the worst features and habits of each system.

 

[Zero In]

Do I need a third partition for all the boot stuff?

 

[przero]

XP handles it all. As long as ME is in a seperate partition to begin with.