Hide partitions

[Guest]

I recently re-installed Windows XP home on an older pc. I created three
partitions, and installed XP on each one, and I am asked at start up to
choose which one I want to use, "C", "D", or "E".
I had to install/configure my home network, sharing, printers, USB hubes,
etc, on each partition as I had expected.
I installed some Anti-Spyware one "D". I then re-booted to "E" and
proceeded to install the same software there, but the software reported that
it was already installed on "D".
I want to set this pc up as though it were three different pc's. Is that
possible? I don't want to just hide the drives from each other (Tweak UI).
For instance, I do not want "D" to be able to detect what is installed on
"C", and I defintely don't want one drive to be able to "contaminate" any of
the other drives.
Is Acronis or something similar the only way to do this?

kingstonsean

 

[Rock]

I recently re-installed Windows XP home on an older pc. I created three
partitions, and installed XP on each one, and I am asked at start up to
choose which one I want to use, "C", "D", or "E".
I had to install/configure my home network, sharing, printers, USB hubes,
etc, on each partition as I had expected.
I installed some Anti-Spyware one "D". I then re-booted to "E" and
proceeded to install the same software there, but the software reported
that
it was already installed on "D".
I want to set this pc up as though it were three different pc's. Is that
possible? I don't want to just hide the drives from each other (Tweak
UI).
For instance, I do not want "D" to be able to detect what is installed on
"C", and I defintely don't want one drive to be able to "contaminate" any
of
the other drives.
Is Acronis or something similar the only way to do this?

FYI, per the license agreement you need three different licenses for that.
Each installation of XP requires a separate license.

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

I recently re-installed Windows XP home on an older pc. I created three
partitions, and installed XP on each one, and I am asked at start up to
choose which one I want to use, "C", "D", or "E".
I had to install/configure my home network, sharing, printers, USB hubes,
etc, on each partition as I had expected.
I installed some Anti-Spyware one "D". I then re-booted to "E" and
proceeded to install the same software there, but the software reported that
it was already installed on "D".
I want to set this pc up as though it were three different pc's. Is that
possible? I don't want to just hide the drives from each other (Tweak UI).
For instance, I do not want "D" to be able to detect what is installed on
"C", and I defintely don't want one drive to be able to "contaminate" any of
the other drives.
Is Acronis or something similar the only way to do this?

kingstonsean

You need a proper boot manager for this. XOSL can do it and
it's free. Perhaps Acronis can do it too - see what other respondents
say.

About the licensing issue that Rock mentioned: There have been
several discussions on this topic in this newsgroup, with no
consensus reached. Technically there is nothing that prevents
you from installing several versions of WinXP on the same disk.

 

[Ron Martell]

I recently re-installed Windows XP home on an older pc. I created three
partitions, and installed XP on each one, and I am asked at start up to
choose which one I want to use, "C", "D", or "E".
I had to install/configure my home network, sharing, printers, USB hubes,
etc, on each partition as I had expected.
I installed some Anti-Spyware one "D". I then re-booted to "E" and
proceeded to install the same software there, but the software reported that
it was already installed on "D".
I want to set this pc up as though it were three different pc's. Is that
possible? I don't want to just hide the drives from each other (Tweak UI).
For instance, I do not want "D" to be able to detect what is installed on
"C", and I defintely don't want one drive to be able to "contaminate" any of
the other drives.
Is Acronis or something similar the only way to do this?

kingstonsean

You will need a 3rd part boot manager utility such as BootIt Next
Generation from www.bootitng.com

These products allow you to hide the operating system partitions
except for the one you choose to boot from.

Good luck

Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP (1997 - 2006)
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca
Syberfix Remote Computer Repair

"Anyone who thinks that they are too small to make a difference
has never been in bed with a mosquito."

 

[AJR]

Boy there are some "weird" setups that pop up on the newsgroup - but Acronis
is good - why not consider virtual PCs?

 

[Noncompliant]

The least expensive and least troublesome way is with 3rd party boot
manager, as mentioned by Ron. I use System Commander (not cheap) myself.

If the hard drive is ide, and you have a spare 5.25" bay, consider a tray to
swap out for each example of XP on each hard drive. (Expensive). This
would also meet the MS requirement for only one installation of XP on the
PC. At least by my perspective anyway. For corporate legal advice
regarding the EULA for XP, check with a lawyer qualified in corporate law.