Installing XP on the same computer twice

[Dave Neve]

Hi

I have two hard drives in the same computer.

The first one has 3 partitions and the second one just one for the time
being.

Ideally, I'd like to install either a Ghost copy of XP onto the second HD or
install XP from my CD onto the second HD (in case the first HD packs in, I
would have a second one ready to access the Net assuming I can load it via
DOS)

I've already tried installing XP a second time from my CD but I failed.

XP detects itself and only offers to either modify or uninstall itself on
the first HD.

A friend has said that even if I copy my Ghost Image of XP onto the second
HD, it won't work cos the drives won't have the same letter.

Another friend has said that XP can multiboot with a second system like
Millenium or even Linux, but he's not sure about XP being installed twice
and multibooting.

As I am skating on thin ice, I'd like to ask your group what they think.

Thanks in advance

Dave Neve

 

[Old Geek]

I have 2 copies of Windows XP, along with Windows 2000. I like to experiment
a lot so I keep one copy in pristine condition for when, not if, I have
problems in testing new software.

 

[Dave Neve]

Hi

Great but how did you install the second one and how do you bot your system?

Thanks in advance.

Dave Neve

 

[davetest]

Hi

Great but how did you install the second one and how do you bot your system?

Thanks in advance.

Dave Neve

The proper way to install a second instance of XP
is to boot from the XP cdrom.
Let it go thru the motions and you eventually get to the
part where you tell it where you want it to go.
That's about it.

Dave

 

[Michael Stevens]

Hi

I have two hard drives in the same computer.

The first one has 3 partitions and the second one just one for the
time being.

Ideally, I'd like to install either a Ghost copy of XP onto the
second HD or install XP from my CD onto the second HD (in case the
first HD packs in, I would have a second one ready to access the Net
assuming I can load it via DOS)

I've already tried installing XP a second time from my CD but I
failed.

XP detects itself and only offers to either modify or uninstall
itself on the first HD.

A friend has said that even if I copy my Ghost Image of XP onto the
second HD, it won't work cos the drives won't have the same letter.

Another friend has said that XP can multiboot with a second system
like Millenium or even Linux, but he's not sure about XP being
installed twice and multibooting.

As I am skating on thin ice, I'd like to ask your group what they
think.

Thanks in advance

Dave Neve

The EULA does not allow two installations of XP on the same computer, but it
is technically possible and XP activation doesn't seem to have a problem
with it either; since it will activate over the internet. The OEM version
will not install from Windows; you will need to boot from CD to install to a
different location.
You boot from the CD and do a clean install.
Click on or copy and paste the link below into your web browser address bar.
How to clean install XP.
http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html
--

Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
(e-mail address removed)
http://michaelstevenstech.com
For a better newsgroup experience. Setup a newsreader.
http://michaelstevenstech.com/outlookexpressnewreader.htm

 

[Old Geek]

I use a 3rd party boot manager called System Commander. You can boot from
any installed system. You can assign accounts, along with permissions. For
instance, when my youngest son was still living with me, he was only allowed
to boot into a copy of Win98 that I had installed for him to play games. He
could not access my systems. No matter what he accidentally did to destroy
his O/S, mine were left unaffected!

 

[Dave Neve]

Thanks everyone for answering this question.

I'll be taking bets next week on the likelihood of me crashing my system at
Christmas. The odds are pretty high me thinks.

Regards