Dual Boot XP Pro and Vista OEM

[WooHoo2You]

I have never used an OEM version of windows in a "dual boot setup" will this
work?" Currently using an OEM Windows XP Pro SP 2 and would like to
'upgrade' to a OEM version of Vista on a different drive with a dual boot
setup.

___________
WooHoo2You

 

[Timothy Daniels]

I have never used an OEM version of windows in a "dual boot setup"
will this work?" Currently using an OEM Windows XP Pro SP 2
and would like to 'upgrade' to a OEM version of Vista on a different
drive with a dual boot setup.

Try the NG "microsoft.public.windows.vista.installation_setup".
Include your meaning of "upgrade" - does it mean to upgrade the
WinXP to Vista or to add Vista as a 2nd OS.

*TimDaniels*

 

[Mike T.]

I have never used an OEM version of windows in a "dual boot setup" will
this work?" Currently using an OEM Windows XP Pro SP 2 and would like to
'upgrade' to a OEM version of Vista on a different drive with a dual boot
setup.

___________
WooHoo2You

If your hardware is 100% vista compatible, what you want to do will be easy.
You have to run the install for vista from within XP. Eventually, vista
install will ask you where you want Vista installed, and if you want to
format the partition that XP is installed on (NO!). If you don't nuke the
XP partition, then Vista will set up a boot menu for you, so you can choose
which OS loads. Nothing could be easier. IF your hardware is 100% vista
compatible. It's not that easy to GET 100% compatibility, even if you start
from scratch and build a new system. -Dave

 

[Jeff]

It's not that easy to GET 100% compatibility, even if you start

from scratch and build a new system. -Dave

Okay, I must ask. Why is it so difficult to get 100% vista compatible
hardware in a new system?

I just looked at the adds and believed them when they told me that the
product was vista compatible.

I must admit that I've been mislead by some software - e.g., our software is
vista compatible in large print, while the fine print says something about a
required driver only being available for XP, but I have not yet had any
hardware issues. ...and what is there other than a vista compatible video
card?

Jeff

 

[Mike T.]

It's not that easy to GET 100% compatibility, even if you start

Okay, I must ask. Why is it so difficult to get 100% vista compatible
hardware in a new system?

Short answer: Pre-alpha drivers released too early as "beta" or even
"stable" releases.

Even some major component manufacturers are guilty of this (are you
listening, nvidia?)
Yes, they can advertise vista compatibility. Indeed, the hardware is fully
vista compatible. Too bad the vista drivers suck ass.

I just looked at the adds and believed them when they told me that the
product was vista compatible.

Well you weren't misled...not exactly. Once the driver issues are all
straightened out, you should be good to go. Oh, you wanted the drivers to
be vista compatible, also? So sorry...

I must admit that I've been mislead by some software - e.g., our software
is vista compatible in large print, while the fine print says something
about a required driver only being available for XP, but I have not yet
had any hardware issues. ...and what is there other than a vista
compatible video card?

Jeff

The video card is a major component, but it's not the only component in the
system. There are many other issues to deal with. Many mainboards (some
released AFTER vista, btw) require a BIOS flash before vista will install.
It's been a while since I looked at the sound card issue, but last I
checked, only Creative was even TRYING to support vista, and even then only
with their very latest hardware, of course.

Bottom line, if you've got an older system (say something that was built
more than a few weeks ago, ha ha), good luck getting that puppy up and
running on vista. AS A MINIMUM, you'd better check and double-check that
all the following are available before trying to install Vista:

- NON-BETA labelled vista drivers for the bit level you will be running (32
or 64) for mainboard chipset
- NON-BETA labelled vista drivers for the bit level you will be running (32
or 64) for mainboard ethernet adapter, if using built-in
- NON-BETA labelled vista drivers for the bit level you will be running (32
or 64) for mainboard USB ports, if separate from chipset driver
- NON-BETA labelled vista drivers for the bit level you will be running (32
or 64) for video card chipset (even then, you might have a problem, but I'm
listing minimum requirements here, before you even attempt it)
- NON-BETA labelled vista drivers for the bit level you will be running (32
or 64) for sound card, whether built into mainboard or not
- NON-BETA labelled vista drivers for the bit level you will be running (32
or 64) for printer
- NON-BETA labelled vista drivers for the bit level you will be running (32
or 64) for any other component you absolutely need. For example, if you are
still stuck using dial-up, then you will need modem driver, obviously. If
you want to use a TV Tuner, then get the drivers for that, too. Etc.

If you can download all that and burn it to a CD, then you MIGHT possibly be
ready to try to install vista. Another thing to check for is a recent
release of BIOS for your mainboard, even if the mainboard is brand new. You
might need that. -Dave

 

[Timothy Daniels]

I have never used an OEM version of windows in a
"dual boot setup" will this work?" Currently using an
OEM Windows XP Pro SP 2 and would like to
'upgrade' to a OEM version of Vista on a different drive
with a dual boot setup.

Here's an article that appeared at a website yesterday
(Feb 27, '07):
http://www.geardigest.com/2007/02/28/how_to_dual_boot_xp_and_vista/

Here's the section on adding Vista to a pre-existing XP:
http://apcmag.com/5023/dual_booting_xp_with_vista

If the pre-existing WinXP is to be put on another pre-existing
partition, especially on another hard drive, it's a snap. Having
all the necessary drivers may not be, though.

*TimDaniels*

 

[WooHoo2You]

Try the NG "microsoft.public.windows.vista.installation_setup".
Include your meaning of "upgrade" - does it mean to upgrade the
WinXP to Vista or to add Vista as a 2nd OS.

*TimDaniels*

I would like to add a 2nd OS to my system. Not ready to fully trust MS with
Vista by eradicating XP, however would like to use some of the 'improved'
features. I cannot find a Wii, so I need some toy to keep me entertained

The reason I did not post in the windows upgrade group is hardware upgraders
have a good if not superior knowledge of Windows installations. Also,
groups such as those tend to be filled with "help me"s that go unanswered,
flames, and people talking out of their ass in an attempt to look smart.
(the fact I lurk this group may also had something to do with it)

BTW, thank you so much for the post regarding the dual-boot xp/vista setup.
I searched and searched until I was blue in the face.

___________
WooHoo2You

 

[Timothy Daniels]

BTW, thank you so much for the post regarding the
dual-boot xp/vista setup. I searched and searched
until I was blue in the face.

I'm glad the article was a help - despite the nonsense
of my 3rd sentence. I meant to say that installing Vista
on a pre-existing partition next to a pre-existing WinXP
is a snap. In such a case, you don't have to first shrink
down the WinXP's partition to make room for the
Vista partition, and the Vista installer sets up the dual-
boot process for you (providing the installer can see the
WinXP while it's setting up the installation).

Regarding the microsoft.public.* NGs - I agree that
there is a lot of noise in the way of misinformation and
newbie questions, but in the *.general and the *.setup_
deployment NGs, most questions are at least addressed
by *someone* if not answered by a Microsoft Volunteer
Professional. Right now, it seems the most frequently
asked questions regarding Vista are about upgrading from
WinXP and how to dual-boot it with WinXP.

*TimDaniels*

 

[Jopa]

I have never used an OEM version of windows in a "dual boot setup" will
this work?" Currently using an OEM Windows XP Pro SP 2 and would like to
'upgrade' to a OEM version of Vista on a different drive with a dual boot
setup.

Its gonna work if you install them on different partitions

 

[WooHoo2You]

Its gonna work if you install them on different partitions

I have dual booted before, however I was not sure if it would work with two
different OEM versions. You never know with MS.

___________
WooHoo2You