multiple instances of XP Pro on one PC

[Paul Kraemer]

Hi,

I have just purchased a new PC with a 500 GB hard drive. I would like to be
able to run (at least) three totally separate installations of Windows XP Pro
on this one PC. I have just created a new 100 GB primary partion and
installed my first instance of XP Pro along with all necessary drivers. Now,
I would basically like to create two more primary partitions, each with an
identical (but totally separate) installation of XP Pro.

1. Can I create new primary partitions and use some sort of imaging
software to copy my first instance of XP to these new partitions?

2. If I do this, how do I make these new partitions bootable and get them
to appear on a OS selection menu when I boot the PC?

3. When I boot to either of these new partitions, is there a way I can make
sure that the partition that I booted from always appears as drive C:?

4. If I later decide that I want to reformat or delete one of these
partitions and start over, is there I way I can make sure that this will not
screw up any of the other partitions/windows installations?

Any advice will be greatly appreciated. If it would make my life easier, I
would be happy to buy third party software that would allow me to do what I
want rather than setting it all up on my own.

Thanks in advance,
Paul

 

[Klaus Jorgensen]

Paul Kraemer explained on 27-04-2009 :

I have just purchased a new PC with a 500 GB hard drive. I would like to be
able to run (at least) three totally separate installations of Windows XP Pro
on this one PC. I have just created a new 100 GB primary partion and
installed my first instance of XP Pro along with all necessary drivers. Now,
I would basically like to create two more primary partitions, each with an
identical (but totally separate) installation of XP Pro.

1. Can I create new primary partitions and use some sort of imaging
software to copy my first instance of XP to these new partitions?

Yes - with BootIt.

2. If I do this, how do I make these new partitions bootable and get them
to appear on a OS selection menu when I boot the PC?

Yes - with BootIt

3. When I boot to either of these new partitions, is there a way I can make
sure that the partition that I booted from always appears as drive C:?

Yes - with BootIt

4. If I later decide that I want to reformat or delete one of these
partitions and start over, is there I way I can make sure that this will not
screw up any of the other partitions/windows installations?

Yes - with BootIt

Any advice will be greatly appreciated. If it would make my life easier, I
would be happy to buy third party software that would allow me to do what I
want rather than setting it all up on my own.

http://www.terabyteunlimited.com/bootit-next-generation.htm

I have been using BootIt for a couple of years. It is a boot manager,
imaging tool, partition manager - all in one. It even lets you create
extra partitions that can be shared as a common D-drive.

Installing an OS first is the best option to start using BootIt. Then
install BootIt, and copy the first partition to others and setup your
boot menu. You can save the first "master" image in a hidden partition
or to an external USB drive as a backup.

Please note that all partitions MUST be created from within BootIt so
that it is in control of the partitions. Also, it cannot format NTFS
drives so this must done from Windows - guess this limitation comes
from the size of BootIt as it can be installed from a single floppy
disc.

 

[peter]

here is a thought..
Will you be able to Activate all 3 installations on the same system
or
do you have 3 licenses??

peter