DualBoot

[BuP]

Hi,

I would like to have two totally separated version of XP on a single disk (2
different partition).
If I boot "normally", it will boot on the XP version 1.
To boot on the XP version 2, I would like to have a BootDisk (Floppy, CD or
USB Key) to choose to boot on the XP version 2.
Each XP version should not "see" the other partition (XP version).

Any Idea ??

Regards,

 

[Ron Sommer]

Save a copy of boot.ini.
Install XP to the second partition as a dual boot.
Save boot.ini again.
Replace second boot.ini with the first boot.ini. The computer will now boot
to the original XP.

To boot the second XP, put ntldr, boot.ini, ntdetect.com on the boot disk.
Modify boot.ini to point to the second XP partition.

 

[BuP]

The problem is, when I boot on the original XP, I don't want to see the D:\
drive with the second XP ?

How to hide the second partition from the original XP ?

Thnaks,

 

[midnight]

To hide a partition you would need third party software like Partition
Magic. I don't think there are any hidden XP tools that would hide a
partition like you ask. Someone might be able to provide a link to a free
program that would do the job or you could try searching the web for
partition managers.

Out of interest why do you not want to see the second partition. XP will
quite happily boot with 2 versions installed on seperate partitions without
hiding either partition.

Midnight

 

[Ron Sommer]

http://members.shaw.ca/bootitng/
This will hide partitions.

 

[M]

Extended Operating System Loader (XOSL) from
http://www2.arnes.si/~fkomar/xosl.org/home.html will allow you to multi boot
and hide and unhide partitions selectively. I also allows you to boot
Windows from a second hard drive. It is also free.

 

[Alex Nichol]

I would like to have two totally separated version of XP on a single disk (2
different partition).
If I boot "normally", it will boot on the XP version 1.
To boot on the XP version 2, I would like to have a BootDisk (Floppy, CD or
USB Key) to choose to boot on the XP version 2.
Each XP version should not "see" the other partition (XP version).

If you want to hide them, then you really need a separate boot manager -
I use BootIT NG, from http://www.BootitNG.com ($35 shareware - 30 day
full functional trial)

It is originally a boot manager - now also a full partition manager and
imaging program as well. In its setting up of Boot entries you can
arrange to boot whatever partition you want; hide others from it at
choice, *and* arrange that it appears in any desired partition in the
partition table, using a 'move up/down/ in the list of partitions to the
right. This means that if you have an XP in a suitable size partition
you can use BING's partition management functions to 'clone' that
exactly to free space, then set up boot instances with the partition
appearing each time in the original 'slot' - normally 1. This gets
round trouble with boot.ini entries in them. I find I then need to boot
one and change wall paper so as to tell them apart

Can be used on FAT or NTFS partitions. Normally it installs into a
micro partition of its own, in the spare space in the drive's first
cylinder