Create second boot partition with XP : how ?

[Pivert]

Hi,

I would like to install a fresh, clean XP Pro-SP1a partition to boot from.

Since I have plenty big software already installed, that I daily need & use,
I thought of multibooting from two Win XP Pro SP1a partitions :
- the old one, I currently use
- the new one freshly created and installed.

Simply choosing at boot time from which I boot, would allow to progressively
add my software to new partition, while preserving all other program
accesses until all is finished ( I can only work at this at night, and will
not have the time to do a 'one shot' full XP & prorams
install-configuration)

How should I proceed ?

Thanks !

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi,

Boot your current installation, insert the CD and start the installer. From
the options (which probably will default to an in-place upgrade), choose a
new installation and indicate a different installation folder. Proceed, the
dual boot should be setup for you during the last stages of setup, there is
nothing special you need to do.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

 

[Pivert]

OK. But do I need a free partition totally free for this new install or will
it install "anywhere" on my hard disks ?
Thanks !

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi,

You should install it to a partition/volume/drive other than the one that
currently has the installation, however I've seen many instances where a
parallel installation to the same partition works fine. I would not
recommend it, but I've seen it work.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

 

[Pivert]

Thanks !

Hi,

You should install it to a partition/volume/drive other than the one that
currently has the installation, however I've seen many instances where a
parallel installation to the same partition works fine. I would not
recommend it, but I've seen it work.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

choose need

 

[Alex Nichol]

I would like to install a fresh, clean XP Pro-SP1a partition to boot from.

Since I have plenty big software already installed, that I daily need & use,
I thought of multibooting from two Win XP Pro SP1a partitions :
- the old one, I currently use
- the new one freshly created and installed.

To do that you need a Boot and Partition manager, to shrink present
partitions to free up space for the new one, and then to handle the dual
booting. I use BootIT NG, from http://www.BootitNG.com ($35 shareware -
30 day full functional trial)
With that, make its boot floppy, boot that and cancel install, entering
maintenance. Click Partition Work. There you can shrink the present
partition, and take its Properties, to set it as hidden. OK out

Boot the XP CD, enter setup, and New Install. When it asks where,
select the free space (may need an ESC) to make a new partition and
carry on to format that and install into it

Having done, boot the BING floppy, this time install (let it choose
where) and on rebooting to it on HD, enter its Maintenance and Boot Edit
to Add a new instance for each system. You select the partition to
boot on the left, and select the other one on the right and Hide it so
that they are quite independent

 

[Alex Nichol]

OK. But do I need a free partition totally free for this new install or will
it install "anywhere" on my hard disks ?

I would *not* have the two in the same partition, or you will get
confusion over what other software has been installed in each. It would
be quite the opposite of the independence you seem to be aiming at.
I would not even use the dual boot method Rick suggests, which is going
to have the second system on a different drive letter than the one you
actually boot through, and will be a nuisance should you ever want to
clear out the first. Use a third party boot manager and do it properly
- see my other replay

 

[Pivert]

Thanks!
I allways separate very clearly syustem partition ( C: : only windows and
those programs that still cannot do without writing a lot into C: ( shared
programs, dlls and so many other things they shoudl never put there !), and
programs on a dedicated partition and data on still another and swap on a
separated one as well.
So I can easily make data backup ( singel data partition), system images and
so on. Not complex to build, a little thinking to use at very beginning (
even my favorites and start menu are in a separate partition, so that
restring old system, does not delete my new favorites ! Nor corrupt my
patiently very organized start menu).
Thanks again.
Phil