Dual boot XP

[Jason]

I need to dual boot... one HD two partitions each XP pro SP2

I'm starting from a blank HD, so is it as easy as install the first OS.
During the Setup process to create a partition of 20 gig and continue with
the install.

Once the first install is done, boot from the CD again, and create a
partition in the in the unpartitioned space, and let XP create the boot
menu.(modify the boot.ini)
[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP
Professional" /fastdetect
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP
Professional" /fastdetect

Then once the OS is installed the boot menu should appear?

Sounds simple, but is it really?

 

[Timothy Daniels]

I need to dual boot... one HD two partitions each XP pro SP2

I'm starting from a blank HD, so is it as easy as install the first OS.
During the Setup process to create a partition of 20 gig and continue
with the install.

Once the first install is done, boot from the CD again, and create a
partition in the in the unpartitioned space, and let XP create the boot
menu.(modify the boot.ini)
[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP
Professional" /fastdetect
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP
Professional" /fastdetect

Then once the OS is installed the boot menu should appear?

Sounds simple, but is it really?

It's that simple. And the 2nd OS's partition will be named "D:" -
which will drive you nuts later on when you want to get rid of the 1st
OS. Posts arrive in these NGs weekly with questions on how to
rename the 2nd OS's partition. If you can afford it, install them
separately and independently on separate HDs so both OS's
will call their own partition "C:" when each is running.

*TimDaniels*

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I need to dual boot... one HD two partitions each XP pro SP2

I'm starting from a blank HD, so is it as easy as install the first OS.
During the Setup process to create a partition of 20 gig and continue with
the install.

Once the first install is done, boot from the CD again, and create a
partition in the in the unpartitioned space, and let XP create the boot
menu.(modify the boot.ini)
[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP
Professional" /fastdetect
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP
Professional" /fastdetect

Then once the OS is installed the boot menu should appear?

Sounds simple, but is it really?

Yes, it's just exactly that simple.


--

Bruce Chambers

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safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

 

[Jason]

ok, so if I selct the first selection from the boot menu (partition 1) I can
do a START | Run c:\ and the C drive will of course be the files of
partition 1

If I then restart, and select the second option in the boot menu (partition
2) can I do a START | Run c:\ and except to the second partition? Or do I
have to do a START | Run d:\?

The reson I ask is because I have some software that I use, and I also have
a need to use a older version of the software. I don't want to uninstall
one version to use the second version, and vice versa. Thats why I was
thinking of dual booting, because then I can have version 1 one the first
partition and version 2 on the second. A restart is better then a
uninstall.

Kind of like installing MS office 2003 and still having a need for Office
97. They may work together installed on one partition, but I wouldn't bet
on it.

Would that work for me?

 

[Timothy Daniels]

In your boot.ini example, the text for both entries are the same, so you
would see the same text lines for each entry on the boot menu. If you
edit them (using Notepad) to be different, you will be able to differentiate
them. Just naming them "Part 1" and "Part 2" would be sufficient.

I am unfamiliar with "Run c:" or "Run d:". To see the partitions arranged
in a GUI window, rt-clk MyComputer, select Manage, select DiskManagement.
If the partitions were not allowed to see each other during OS installation,
the partition with the running OS will be called "Local Disk (C" and the other
partition "Local Disk (D". If the 2nd installation was able to see the other
partition when it was installed, it will permanently be "Local Disk (D"
and the 1st installation will always be in what's called "Local Disk (C".

And when you post a reply, please indicate to whom you are replying.

*TimDaniels*

ok, so if I selct the first selection from the boot menu (partition 1) I can
do a START | Run c:\ and the C drive will of course be the files of
partition 1

If I then restart, and select the second option in the boot menu (partition
2) can I do a START | Run c:\ and except to the second partition? Or do I
have to do a START | Run d:\?

The reson I ask is because I have some software that I use, and I also have
a need to use a older version of the software. I don't want to uninstall
one version to use the second version, and vice versa. Thats why I was
thinking of dual booting, because then I can have version 1 one the first
partition and version 2 on the second. A restart is better then a
uninstall.

Kind of like installing MS office 2003 and still having a need for Office
97. They may work together installed on one partition, but I wouldn't bet
on it.

Would that work for me?

I need to dual boot... one HD two partitions each XP pro SP2

I'm starting from a blank HD, so is it as easy as install the first OS.
During the Setup process to create a partition of 20 gig and continue with
the install.

Once the first install is done, boot from the CD again, and create a
partition in the in the unpartitioned space, and let XP create the boot
menu.(modify the boot.ini)
[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP
Professional" /fastdetect
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP
Professional" /fastdetect

Then once the OS is installed the boot menu should appear?

Sounds simple, but is it really?

 

[Jason]

Tim

When I say START | RUN c:\ I refering to clicking the Start button, clicking
the Run... cmd and typing C:\ from there.

Anyway, when you install XP how do you make it so that partitions are not
allowed to see each other during the OS installation?

In your boot.ini example, the text for both entries are the same, so you
would see the same text lines for each entry on the boot menu. If you
edit them (using Notepad) to be different, you will be able to
differentiate
them. Just naming them "Part 1" and "Part 2" would be sufficient.

I am unfamiliar with "Run c:" or "Run d:". To see the partitions arranged
in a GUI window, rt-clk MyComputer, select Manage, select DiskManagement.
If the partitions were not allowed to see each other during OS
installation,
the partition with the running OS will be called "Local Disk (C" and the
other
partition "Local Disk (D". If the 2nd installation was able to see the
other
partition when it was installed, it will permanently be "Local Disk (D"
and the 1st installation will always be in what's called "Local Disk
(C".

And when you post a reply, please indicate to whom you are replying.

*TimDaniels*

ok, so if I selct the first selection from the boot menu (partition 1) I
can do a START | Run c:\ and the C drive will of course be the files of
partition 1

If I then restart, and select the second option in the boot menu
(partition 2) can I do a START | Run c:\ and except to the second
partition? Or do I have to do a START | Run d:\?

The reson I ask is because I have some software that I use, and I also
have a need to use a older version of the software. I don't want to
uninstall one version to use the second version, and vice versa. Thats
why I was thinking of dual booting, because then I can have version 1 one
the first partition and version 2 on the second. A restart is better
then a uninstall.

Kind of like installing MS office 2003 and still having a need for
Office 97. They may work together installed on one partition, but I
wouldn't bet on it.

Would that work for me?

I need to dual boot... one HD two partitions each XP pro SP2

I'm starting from a blank HD, so is it as easy as install the first OS.
During the Setup process to create a partition of 20 gig and continue
with the install.

Once the first install is done, boot from the CD again, and create a
partition in the in the unpartitioned space, and let XP create the boot
menu.(modify the boot.ini)
[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP
Professional" /fastdetect
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP
Professional" /fastdetect

Then once the OS is installed the boot menu should appear?

Sounds simple, but is it really?

 

[Timothy Daniels]

There are 3rd party utilities that can "hide" partitions. I believe
Partition Magic is one of them. Of course, when you install
WinXP without the installer seeing another OS, the installer
doesn't create a multi-boot version of the boot.ini file for you.
You have to add the additional entries in the boot.ini file of the
partition marked "active" yourself. (And also set the "timeout"
value in boot.ini as well.) By far, the easiest way to multi-boot
and have each OS call its own partition "C:" is to put them on
separate HDs. Otherwise, you can search Google for utilities
that can hide partitions.

*TimDaniels*

When I say START | RUN c:\ I refering to clicking the Start button, clicking
the Run... cmd and typing C:\ from there.

Anyway, when you install XP how do you make it so that partitions are not
allowed to see each other during the OS installation?

In your boot.ini example, the text for both entries are the same, so you
would see the same text lines for each entry on the boot menu. If you
edit them (using Notepad) to be different, you will be able to
differentiate
them. Just naming them "Part 1" and "Part 2" would be sufficient.

I am unfamiliar with "Run c:" or "Run d:". To see the partitions arranged
in a GUI window, rt-clk MyComputer, select Manage, select DiskManagement.
If the partitions were not allowed to see each other during OS
installation,
the partition with the running OS will be called "Local Disk (C" and the
other
partition "Local Disk (D". If the 2nd installation was able to see the
other
partition when it was installed, it will permanently be "Local Disk (D"
and the 1st installation will always be in what's called "Local Disk
(C".

And when you post a reply, please indicate to whom you are replying.

*TimDaniels*

ok, so if I selct the first selection from the boot menu (partition 1) I
can do a START | Run c:\ and the C drive will of course be the files of
partition 1

If I then restart, and select the second option in the boot menu
(partition 2) can I do a START | Run c:\ and except to the second
partition? Or do I have to do a START | Run d:\?

The reson I ask is because I have some software that I use, and I also
have a need to use a older version of the software. I don't want to
uninstall one version to use the second version, and vice versa. Thats
why I was thinking of dual booting, because then I can have version 1 one
the first partition and version 2 on the second. A restart is better
then a uninstall.

Kind of like installing MS office 2003 and still having a need for
Office 97. They may work together installed on one partition, but I
wouldn't bet on it.

Would that work for me?

:
I need to dual boot... one HD two partitions each XP pro SP2

I'm starting from a blank HD, so is it as easy as install the first OS.
During the Setup process to create a partition of 20 gig and continue
with the install.

Once the first install is done, boot from the CD again, and create a
partition in the in the unpartitioned space, and let XP create the boot
menu.(modify the boot.ini)
[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP
Professional" /fastdetect
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP
Professional" /fastdetect

Then once the OS is installed the boot menu should appear?

Sounds simple, but is it really?