Hello. I am planning to install 2 instances of windows xp on 2 separate partitions on my PC. is this possible? how do i do it? thanks to any one who can help. 
multi boot windows xp
- Thread starter MDme
- Start date
it is possible. when asked if you want to repair the other installation, say no, and then choose the second partition to install it on.
cool. and if i do that will i be able to boot into either one? will there be a menu of some sort? thanks.
I have a dual boot to Win XP on two different hard drives. It's really simple. On startup you have a selection on which one you want to boot. As to two xp's on the same hard drive I can't help you. Have no experience with that . As Malak asked, "why", If you lose your hd you lose both systems, With two hd's you always have a back up. If you would like some help on using two hard drives let me know and I will be more than happy to give you a hand./Chuck
Not sure about the install particulars myself, but I think that the boot.ini file would need to be set to indicate that there was more than 1 operating system boot to choose from. Perhaps searching on boot.ini would help.
You can look at it/edit it from Control Panel->System->Advanced->Startup and Recovery-> Settings->Syetem Startup->Edit
You can look at it/edit it from Control Panel->System->Advanced->Startup and Recovery-> Settings->Syetem Startup->Edit
Just install the second one on the other partition and it will set up the boot.ini to give you a choice when you start the computer.
One problem with this setup is that the second OS will be on the D drive or some letter other than C since C is your first OS.
Often when you download something, the default place for download is on the C drive. Even if you boot the OS on D, it may download stuff on C and you will be confused "where did my download go"?
Another problem with this setup is that the default place for installing programs is on the C drive. So, you boot into the OS on D and install a program that you already have installed on C. It will overwrite the one on C.
One way to address this is to always hide the partition that you don't want.
Installation is not as simple. It will need a third party utility for boot management.
The result is that the OS is always on C. Even when you boot to the OS on the second primary partition, it will consider itself to be drive C since the first partition will be hidden.
One problem with this setup is that the second OS will be on the D drive or some letter other than C since C is your first OS.
Often when you download something, the default place for download is on the C drive. Even if you boot the OS on D, it may download stuff on C and you will be confused "where did my download go"?
Another problem with this setup is that the default place for installing programs is on the C drive. So, you boot into the OS on D and install a program that you already have installed on C. It will overwrite the one on C.
One way to address this is to always hide the partition that you don't want.
Installation is not as simple. It will need a third party utility for boot management.
The result is that the OS is always on C. Even when you boot to the OS on the second primary partition, it will consider itself to be drive C since the first partition will be hidden.
Are you sure about that Navid? I had Windows XP Pro installed on one partition, and then put Longhorn 4051 on a second partition, and longhorn treated the XP partition as d: and it's own partition as c: (where XP did the opposite). I'm sure it would be the same with XP, especially if SP2 is being used, because it's newer than LH4051.
I would be very interested to know how to make the OS on the second partition consider itself to be on drive C without hiding the first partition!
I don't think that it is possible.
The drive letters are assigned even before the OS is installed.
I don't think that it is possible.
The drive letters are assigned even before the OS is installed.
NT based versions of Windows (e.g. XP) don't really use the pre assigned driver letters from the BIOS like Windows 9x and DOS did (they handle them more like Linux does, as device names). Hence the ability to mount a partition wherever you want. So it is possible.
OK, I'll give it a try tonight and let you know what happens.
Regardless, I don't like the possibility of one OS writing into the Windows folder of the other OS. That is why I always make the other OS partition hidden. That way, there is no possibility of accidentally modifying the system files of the other OS.
Regardless, I don't like the possibility of one OS writing into the Windows folder of the other OS. That is why I always make the other OS partition hidden. That way, there is no possibility of accidentally modifying the system files of the other OS.
I installed XP pro with SP2 slipstreamed into the other primary partition.
After installation was complete and booted up, checked the drives. The new XP was on drive I.
You can try it too. I just didn't want to say that is how it is since you said it would assign drive C to the new installed XP when you boot to it. Well, I tried it and it did not!
After installation was complete and booted up, checked the drives. The new XP was on drive I.
You can try it too. I just didn't want to say that is how it is since you said it would assign drive C to the new installed XP when you boot to it. Well, I tried it and it did not!
To the original poster, you can install XP into two partitions in different ways. What I suggested is just one way. If you don't mind having the second one on a drive letter other than C, just go ahead and install and it will work.
An easy way I found to do it is buy another HD (they're dirt cheap, now). Unplug your existing HD. Install Xp on the new HD (let Windows do the formatting, partitioning). Plug in the old HD, and use the bios to switch between OS's. This way, you don't have the boot,ini to deal with, and if one HD dies you have a good working OS on the other.
I'll answer for me. I do video editing, and a barebones Xp installation (hardware drivers and video software and that's it) works a lot better. I get far fewer crashes with a barebones installation dedicated to video editing.
ActuaryTm
Diamond Member
- Mar 30, 2003
- 6,858
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Have you considered any of the number of full-emulation solutions? Virtual PC, VMware, etc. Much easier to work with.
ActuaryTm
Diamond Member
- Mar 30, 2003
- 6,858
- 12
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Unfortunately, neither of the above two mentioned are. However, both are reasonably priced, considering their power and features. Also, both offer trial versions to experience prior to possible purchase.
There may be a free alternative, but am not personally aware of one.
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