Multiboot XP & XP ?

[Shelley]

Hi there,

Looking at the Microsoft website for multibooting tips I only see reference
to multibooting XP with 2000, NT4, 98, 95, DOS etc. but no instructions for
installing XP on both partitions.

I have just fitted a second HDD in a computer runing XP Pro on the C drive.

The new drive has been FDisk'ed and then formatted under the C: XP system
and given the designation D:

When I try to boot from the XP Upgrade CD after a few seconds of loading the
HAL I get the following error;

"File \i386\halacpi.dll could not be loaded.
The error code is 7
Setup cannot continue. Press any key to exit."

If I boot into XP, insert the XP upgrade CD and choose New Installation (as
opposed to Upgrade) it
tells me it wants to install into \\Windows - does this mean C:?

If I select Advanced I can choose to install on the D: drive but I am
concerned that I may overwrite something on the C: drive which I do not want
to do.

Ironically I am writing this on a dual boot XP computer where some time ago
I installed a second HDD to multiboot XP-XP...I used an OEM XP CD to install
from but forget how I done it! :-(

Thanks & regards,
-=Shelley=-

 

[John Barnett MVP]

Multi booting two copies of xp on different partitions is a simple
procedure. Simple in the sense that you install to drive C:/ first then
insert a Windows XP CD into your CD-Rom and install fresh install to the D:/
drive. However, having said all that, if you only have one copy of the XP CD
then you are breaking your EULA (End user licence agreement). In order for
you to install two copies of XP on your machine you need two licenced copies
of the XP cd.
Okay everyone is about to shout about a parallel installation such as you
would do if you have problems with your original installation. This is only
temporary as you will be removing one anyway once you are up and running
again.
You mention the XP Upgrade CD, in which case you are installing xp over
another operating system. To perform a clean install in this instance you
will need to boot witht he XP upgrade cd and, when asked by windows, insert
the cd of yuor old operating system - win 98/ME or 2000 as verification that
you have alegal copy of Windows.
The bottom line is, if you don't have two copies of XP to install on two
seperate partitions on yuor hard drive (or two seperate hard drives) then,
to put it bluntly, you are breaking the law.

 

[NotMe]

Hmmm, Did I read the EULA wrong? It says I can install it on ONE
computer...it doesn't say how many times.
Does my RAID system break the EULA too? I have identical 'installs' on each
drive and can choose which to boot from.

 

[Michael Stevens]

In

Hi there,

Looking at the Microsoft website for multibooting tips I only see
reference to multibooting XP with 2000, NT4, 98, 95, DOS etc. but no
instructions for installing XP on both partitions.

I have just fitted a second HDD in a computer runing XP Pro on the C
drive.
The new drive has been FDisk'ed and then formatted under the C: XP
system and given the designation D:

When I try to boot from the XP Upgrade CD after a few seconds of
loading the HAL I get the following error;

"File \i386\halacpi.dll could not be loaded.
The error code is 7
Setup cannot continue. Press any key to exit."

If I boot into XP, insert the XP upgrade CD and choose New
Installation (as opposed to Upgrade) it
tells me it wants to install into \\Windows - does this mean C:?

If I select Advanced I can choose to install on the D: drive but I am
concerned that I may overwrite something on the C: drive which I do
not want to do.

Ironically I am writing this on a dual boot XP computer where some
time ago I installed a second HDD to multiboot XP-XP...I used an OEM
XP CD to install from but forget how I done it! :-(

Thanks & regards,
-=Shelley=-

Choose the D drive an it will only add the new installation to the boot
loader on the C drive, your other files will be fine.
Activation should go through over the internet if no hardware has changed.
Kind of makes you wonder why you need another license, doesn't it?

--
In memory of, MVP Alex Nichol may his legacy live on.

Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
(e-mail address removed)
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com
For a better newsgroup experience. Setup a newsreader.
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/outlookexpressnewreader.htm

 

[Michael Stevens]

In

Hmmm, Did I read the EULA wrong? It says I can install it on ONE
computer...it doesn't say how many times.
Does my RAID system break the EULA too? I have identical 'installs'
on each drive and can choose which to boot from.

Technically yes, and if you are in a situation that is subject to audit, you
should seriously research your liabilities. If you are not engaged in a
commercial entriprise and activation was made over the internet and never
questioned it is very likely you fall into the gray area of fair use. You
are technically able to only use one installation of XP per boot up at any
given time, dual booting XP and a second XP does not allow you to use both
at the same time so in essence you satisfy the EULA, and from my experience
internet activation is also satisfied.
The use of Virtual PC booting XP with the same PK would not be in compliance
with the EULA, as you could use both XP installations simultaneously.

--
In memory of, MVP Alex Nichol may his legacy live on.

Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
(e-mail address removed)
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com
For a better newsgroup experience. Setup a newsreader.
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/outlookexpressnewreader.htm