Dual Boot with XP?

[LMO]

Aloha all. I have Vista Home Premium on C:. There are a few programs that
won't run under Vista, and I've read that dual booting in easy under Vista.
I have a spare drive so I'm wondering, can I mount the spare drive and
install XP on it and use it to dual boot? Any issues I'll need to be aware
of?
Thanks.

 

[Earle Horton]

This note describes a potential problem that you might have

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/933179

«When you install an earlier version of the Windows operating system on a
Windows Vista-based computer in a dual-boot configuration, Windows Vista may
not start. This article describes how to configure the hard disk partition
to enable Windows Vista to start.

This article is intended for a beginning to intermediate computer user.

You may find it easier to follow the steps if you print this article first.»

Ideally, you would have wanted to install XP first, Vista second. But it is
doable the other way too.

Earle

 

[One Who Knows]

If you purchased a new computer with Windows Vista preinstalled, it is
not recommended to attempt a dual-boot with Windows XP. The older
operating system (Windows XP) would have to be installed before the
Windows Vista operating system was installed.

I would suggest upgrading your applications to those that are Windows
Vista compatible.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Aloha all. I have Vista Home Premium on C:. There are a few programs
that won't run under Vista, and I've read that dual booting in easy
under Vista. I have a spare drive so I'm wondering, can I mount the
spare drive and install XP on it and use it to dual boot? Any issues
I'll need to be aware of?
Thanks.

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 your best - possibly only - option, anyway. Consult
the computer's manufacturer about the availability of device drivers.
Secondly, adding another OS might void any support agreements and,
sometimes, even the warranty. Again, consult the computer's
manufacturer for specifics.

If WinXP do device drivers exist, then you can proceed.

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

MS-MVP John Barnett's Guide is considerably more user-friendly:
http://vistasupport.mvps.org/install_windows_xp_on_machine_running_vista.htm

However, 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 WinXP 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

 

[Bruce Chambers]

If you purchased a new computer with Windows Vista preinstalled, it is
not recommended to attempt a dual-boot with Windows XP.

"Not recommended" by whom, precisely?

The older
operating system (Windows XP) would have to be installed before the
Windows Vista operating system was installed.

It's certainly easier that way, but not necessary.

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

MS-MVP John Barnett's Guide is considerably more user-friendly:
http://vistasupport.mvps.org/install_windows_xp_on_machine_running_vista.htm

I would suggest upgrading your applications to those that are Windows
Vista compatible.

Unfortunately, that's still not always a viable option. It depends
upon whether or not the manufacturer(s) of the software in question has
provided a Vista-compatible version, and whether upgrading is
economically feasible.


--

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

 

[One Who Knows]

"While documentation on how to use dual-booting may be available on the
web, HP does not support computers that have been set up in a dual-boot
configuration."

Ref:
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/...2639&cc=us&dlc=en&lc=en&jumpid=reg_R1002_USEN

 

[measekite]

Aloha all. I have Vista Home Premium on C:. There are a few programs that
won't run under Vista, and I've read that dual booting in easy under Vista.
I have a spare drive so I'm wondering, can I mount the spare drive and
install XP on it and use it to dual boot? Any issues I'll need to be aware
of?
Thanks.

I think you would benefit more by dual booting a distro of Linux. It is
so superior to anything on Windows it is a joke.

 

[Mick Murphy]

Wrong, wrong, wrong!

Vista is the 1st MS operating system, where if dual-booting, you do NOT have
to install the older operating system 1st.

 

[John Barnett MVP]

Take a look at this link from my website:
http://vistasupport.mvps.org/install_windows_xp_on_machine_running_vista.htm

--

--
John Barnett MVP
Windows XP Associate Expert
Windows Desktop Experience

Web: http://www.winuser.co.uk
Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org
Web: http://www.silversurfer-guide.com

The information in this mail/post is supplied "as is". No warranty of any
kind, either expressed or implied, is made in relation to the accuracy,
reliability or content of this mail/post. The Author shall not be liable for
any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising out of the
use of, or inability to use, information or opinions expressed in this
mail/post..

 

[Guest]

I think you would benefit more by dual booting a distro of Linux. It is
so superior to anything on Windows it is a joke.

and measekite is so inferior to anything else, measekite is a joke

 

[Bruce Chambers]

"While documentation on how to use dual-booting may be available on the
web, HP does not support computers that have been set up in a dual-boot
configuration."

Ref:
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/...2639&cc=us&dlc=en&lc=en&jumpid=reg_R1002_USEN

Just because HP does not support it doesn't mean that it's "not
recommended."


--

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

 

[RalfG]

Just because HP does not support it doesn't mean that it's "not
recommended."

True, it just means that if you go ahead and do it don't ask HP for
assistance when you develop problems.
Similar to voiding the HP software warranty if you change the OS on the
computer.