Dual Boot, Installing XP Second...

[Guest]

The subject says it all. I have the 64 bit version of Vista installed on my
system and running smoothly. My HD is partitioned into three partitions; C:
D: & E:. Can I now install XP onto drive D: and dual boot between Vista & XP?

 

[John Barnes]

Yes but it won't be a 1 step process. I personally would make your D drive
the active drive first and install from the XP cd. After you have XP up and
running, you can change back to the C drive as the active drive and follow
instructions posted here in other posts to update your Vista boot file.

 

[John Barnes]

Just another point, you will have to restore the vista MBR using either
VistaBootPro or EasyBCD before you will be able to access your Vista system
again.
Also, if you can install another hard drive, that is the cleanest approach.

 

[Guest]

Just another point, you will have to restore the vista MBR using either
VistaBootPro or EasyBCD before you will be able to access your Vista system
again.
Also, if you can install another hard drive, that is the cleanest approach.

I'm still not really 100% on this. Let's say that I do have a 2nd HD on my
machine, and I boot from my XP CD, installing XP to this 2nd drive. From
what you're saying, after the install is done, the XP boot loader will be in
place, and it won't have Vista as an option to boot to.

So - here I am - I have Vista installed, but I can't get to it because of
the XP boot loader. XP at this point boots fine. Can I then install
VistaBootPro or EasyBCD on my XP installation, to 'recover' my Vista boot?

Thanks

 

[deebs]

It may be extravagent but I'd suggest three separate drives rather than
three partitions on the same platter.

Keep your data on the third drive and play with the other two as desired?

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

That's exactly what you do.

I'm still not really 100% on this. Let's say that I do have a 2nd HD on
my
machine, and I boot from my XP CD, installing XP to this 2nd drive. From
what you're saying, after the install is done, the XP boot loader will be
in
place, and it won't have Vista as an option to boot to.

So - here I am - I have Vista installed, but I can't get to it because of
the XP boot loader. XP at this point boots fine. Can I then install
VistaBootPro or EasyBCD on my XP installation, to 'recover' my Vista boot?

Thanks

 

[Guest]

That's exactly what you do.

Music to my ears - thanks Colin.