Installing Windows XP Pro AFTER Vista Ultimate

H

Howard Kaikow

Can Windows XP Pro be installed AFTER Vista Ultimate to create a dual boot
system?
 
A

AJR

Yes - providing XP is installed on a separate partition/drive - will require
use of BCDEdit or third party uitility such as VistaBootPro to "correct"
boot manager/boot.ini.
 
J

John Henderson

You should install XP first then install Vista second but put Vista on its
own partition separate from XP or Vista will make your XP installation non
working and will rename you windows Xp windows directory to windows.old. If
you want to dual boot XP and Vista must be on different partions or even
different hard drives, which is the best way.
 
M

Mick Murphy

John, Vista is the first Windows OS where you don't have to install the older
OS first.
A new innovation from MS.
 
H

Howard Kaikow

Mick Murphy said:
John, Vista is the first Windows OS where you don't have to install the older
OS first.
A new innovation from MS.


I'm now thinking that I may buy an OEM XP CD and build an XP system, then
add Vista if I so choose.
Drawback is that I would not be able to move XP to another PC
 
B

Bruce Chambers

Howard said:
Can Windows XP Pro be installed AFTER Vista Ultimate to create a dual boot
system?


Yes, but not easily. Normally, the older OS must be installed
first unless you wish to acquire and use some 3rd-party partition and
boot management utility. (In which case you have to follow the
instructions provided by whatever 3rd party solution you select.)
However, this KB Article (not for the faint of heart or
technically-challenged) explains how to repair the Vista boot process
after installing WinXP:

Windows Vista no longer starts after you install an earlier version of
the Windows operating system in a dual-boot configuration
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/919529

Before proceeding:

First and foremost, if the specific computer model in question was
designed specifically for Vista, there may well be no WinXP-specific
device drivers available to make the computer's diverse components work
properly. If this proves to be the case , installing WinXP in a virtual
machine would be you best option, anyway. Consult the computer's
manufacturer about the availability of device drivers. Secondly, adding
another OS may void any and all support agreements and, sometimes, even
the warranty. You would, at the very least, have to re-install Vista
before getting any support from the manufacturer. Again, consult the
computer's manufacturer for specifics.

Dual-booting is no longer necessary in a great many situations.
Why not download a Virtual Machine application, such as Microsoft's
VirtualPC 2007 (http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/search.asp?) or
Innotek's VirtualBox (http://www.virtualbox.org/) and run Win2K and your
legacy applications within a virtual computer. Both are free and work
with Vista.

NOTE: Microsoft does not support the use of VirtualPC 2007 on Vista
Home editions, but several people have reported that it works. Your
results may vary.





--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:


http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot
 
H

Howard Kaikow

Currently, I'm planning on building the system.
I'll use an Ubuntu Live CD to check out the hardware.
Then, I'd install Windows XP Pro.
Later, I'd install Vista Ultimate.
 

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