Multiple configurations question

[Richard]

Is anyone familiar with how I can set up my computer with different
configurations.

What I hope to do is use the same computer but with two different set ups.
One will be for work related and home related stuff - for which I have a lot
of software installed. I also want to use the computer for graphic - movies
etc. Installing that sort of software loads up the background system
programs and slows the machine (4gRAM, Dual Core). I was wondering if I
could create a boot CD for one of the configurations - so the machine will
only load the system support processes needed for that sort of work. I am
looking to avoid purchasing another machine for the pictures and videos.

Any help, suggestions - or even a "don't bother" will be appreciated.

 

[DL]

It depends which avenue you wish to explore and what software/licences are
available to you.
To keep everything totally isolated you could use Virtual PC, or you could
install a seperate hd, disconnect the current hd (C, windows drive) install
win to this new drive, and the specific software you require.
Then connect the origonal C drive and use the bios boot options to select
which drive to boot from.
You would need, legally, two win licences

 

[Richard]

The virtual PC idea - does that need a second machine. I expect to have
everything licensed - and I did not think of two hard drives with a
selection menu at boot up. What I am hoping for is to keep the background
systems reasonable and the registry not bloated - to keep some of the
machine's speed. I expect to use network or usb attached storage drives for
both set ups.

TIA for the suggestions.

 

[DL]

Virtual PC doesnt require a second PC, see link below
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...02-3199-48A3-AFA2-2DC0B40A73B6&displaylang=en
Both options would mean completely seperate win installations, there would
be no interaction between the two o/s - much the same as if you had two
seperate PC's

NB with seperate HD's its the bios boot menu you access to select the drive
and not a win bootup menu, of the type you would get by eg installing two
versions of win. You would need to check that your mobo bios has a bootable
menu option to select the drive to boot from, most modern ones do.

Its also possible that Vista, or the soon to be available Win7, with its
capacity to utilise more ram than winxp may offer greater usibility with
your software when installed to a single o/s

 

[DL]

I have a Vostro with Vista Business, it runs fine