If the operating system on the "other" drive was independently installed
on the same computer then you can just connect the drive to the other
SATA controller and then you will be able to boot to one drive or the
other by changing the boot priority in the BIOS but that is a bit of a
clunky way to dual boot.
Instead of changing the BIOS boot priority you can just add another line
to the boot.ini file on the first drive. The boot.ini file is a hidden,
read-only system file in the root of the C: drive. The file can be
edited with Notepad.
How to edit the Boot.ini file in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/289022
Your file probably looks something like this now:
[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 Home"
/fastdetect
To add the other Windows on the other disk you will need to add a new
line pointing to the installation on the other disk, it will look
something like this:
[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 Home"
/fastdetect
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(1)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP x64"
/fastdetect
If you have problems copy and post the contents of your boot.ini file
here and someone will help.
John
First up I do thank you for the quick reply.
I am pretty good with most things with computers, but I plead “ignorance†on
this one.
Actually “old age†lol I am 60+!
a.- I assume the “other†is the hard drive that I would connect to SATA #2
and set it as second priority the cmos.
b.- what exactly are the steps {what, when and where, how} is this “entry
point†made?
I feel a bit out of my league here, but this is very new to me and to think
I built this computer my self. {careful assembly is more like it}
c.- will I get a simple “option†of which hard drive to boot up on a cold
reboot or start up?
I AM A GOOD LISTENER AND CAN DO WHAT I AM TOLD
Respectfully…………Mrkosta
:
How do you now boot these different operating systems?
All you need to do is add an entry pointing to the other operating
system to the boot.ini file.
John
MrKosta wrote:
How can I have a “duel boot†option with 2 hard drives?
One drive I have is loaded with Windows XP X64 Edition {100% 64 bit}
The second has windows XP home edition 32 bit.
I love the 64 bit BUT it will, nor will never run, according to OEM, a dozen
programs I would like to use.
Some program manufacturers have “patches†to allow for this 64bit, MOST do
not!
I have 2 SATA connections in my mother board and both hard drives are SATA
Any help would appreciated!
