Using Windows XP but want dual boot w/ Windows XP 64bit

[Guest]

I'm currently using Window XP pro but i want to try dual boot with windows XP
64bit. There no partitions on my hard drive and i don't know if there is
going to be a problem making a partition for 64 bit without messing with my
current windows XP. Do i need to defregment first before a make a partition
or I must reformat my hard drive completely and then make two partitions. It
would be great if I don't have to reformat my whole hard drive. The hard
drive is a SATA 80gig. The Free space I have right now is 33.8gig. Also i
don't know if it work using partition of 10gig or 15gig for the windows 64bit
installation.

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

See below.

I'm currently using Window XP pro but i want to try dual boot with windows XP
64bit. There no partitions on my hard drive.

If there were no partitions then you would not have an installation
of Windows. You probably mean "There is only one partition on
my hard drive".

and i don't know if there is
going to be a problem making a partition for 64 bit without messing with my
current windows XP. Do i need to defregment first before a make a partition
or I must reformat my hard drive completely and then make two partitions.

The usual way is to get a partition manager (e.g. Acronis, PQMagic) to
resize your existing partition(s) and to make new partitions.

It would be great if I don't have to reformat my whole hard drive. The hard
drive is a SATA 80gig. The Free space I have right now is 33.8gig. Also i
don't know if it work using partition of 10gig or 15gig for the windows 64bit
installation.

My choice would be:
- Partition 1: WinXP, 15 GBytes
- Partition 2: Win64, 25 GBytes
- Partition 3: Shared data, 40 GBytes

Since you chose to mix your data with your OS, it will be a challenge
to separate the two and put your data on the shared data partition.
Whatever you do, back up your important files to an independent
medium before starting to play with your partitions.

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

Assuming both your motherboard and CPU supports
the 64-bit version of Windows XP Professional, my
recommendation is to purchase a new hard drive and
install it as a slave drive, then install the 64-bit version
of Windows XP Professional on it.

Frequently asked questions about Windows XP Professional x64 Edition
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/64bit/russel_x64faq.mspx

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows - Shell/User
Microsoft Community Newsgroups
news://msnews.microsoft.com/

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:

| I'm currently using Window XP pro but i want to try dual boot with windows XP
| 64bit. There no partitions on my hard drive and i don't know if there is
| going to be a problem making a partition for 64 bit without messing with my
| current windows XP. Do i need to defregment first before a make a partition
| or I must reformat my hard drive completely and then make two partitions. It
| would be great if I don't have to reformat my whole hard drive. The hard
| drive is a SATA 80gig. The Free space I have right now is 33.8gig. Also i
| don't know if it work using partition of 10gig or 15gig for the windows 64bit
| installation.

 

[emonk]

Check this page out ---
http://web.ukonline.co.uk/cook/dualboot.ht

I think it applies to dual booting X