Guide: Dual Boot - Vista/XP - Overclock.net

linskingdom · 09-09-07

Dual-Booting Windows XP and Vista

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Dual-boot is relatively easy to implement if you have two hard drives. However, it becomes a sticky issue if you only have one hard drive with have XP or Vista installed. This quick guide shows how to create dual-boot on your single hard drive.

BEFORE YOU WANT TO TRY, PLEASE BACKUP YOUR DATA!

If you have Vista installed and want to dual boot XP:
1. BACKUP DATA IF YOU HAVE IMPORTANT DATA.
2. Decide the drive space for XP. I recommend at least 40G.
3. Go to Vista/Control panel/Administrative tools/Computer management/Disk management. Select primart partition. Right click and select Shrink volume to shrink the primary partition. For example, you have 500G hard drive and want 100G for xp. Shrink the primary partition from 500G to 400G.
4. Select new created volume and format the new partition -100G. Vista will automatically assign the drive letter. Let’s say drive D
5. Insert you XP setup CD/DVD and Reboot PC.
6. Install the XP on the new drive D.
7. Reboot to XP. You won’t be able to see Vista at this point.
8. Whe you log in XP. Download the free VistaBootPRO. If you don’t have Internet connection, please download it before installation. Here is the link.
9. Install and run the VistaBootPro. You must have .net framework 2.0 install in order to run VistaBootPro. If you don't have, download from Microsoft and install it.
10. Open the VistaBootPro. Bypass the backup message.
11. Click System Bootloader. Select 'Windows Vista Bootloader' and 'all drivers'.
12. Click 'Install Bootloader' button to install.
13. Select 'Run Diagnostics' from Diagnostics menu. You will see the Vista and XP menu.
14. Rename them if you want. PLEASE DON’T CHANGE BOOT DEVICE IN THE 'CHANGE BOOT DEVICE' OPTION BOX! DO NOT!
15. Click 'Apply Udpate' to update settings.
16. Reboot PC. You should see the boot options for Vista and XP.
If you have XP installed and want dual boot Vista:
1. BACKUP DATA IF YOU HAVE IMPORTANT DATA.
2. Download free Linux Live CD image and copy to new CD. If you don’t have Internet connection, please download it before installation. Here is the link. I am using the version 3.3.
3. Boot from CD and use 'root' as user name and 'root' as password in the login screen.
4. You will see the red screen similar XP desktop window, select System/File/QTParted from menu bar.
5. Select resize to resize the primary partition. For example, you have 500G hard drive and want 100G for XP. Resize the primary partition from 500G to 400G. Enter proper number for free space in the 'free space after' field.
6. Format the new partition and select commit from the File menu to complete the task.
7. Rremove Linux Live CD, logout, restart to reboot PC.
8. You will/may see hardware change message to require reboot again.
9. Second reboot and get in XP.
10. Verify the new partition in XP File explorer.
11. Insert Vista CD.
12. Install Vista on the new partiton.
13. Reboot. You should have dual boot option.
14. Change the boot sequence by using the startup and recovery in the Vista boot manager.

Muttzcuttz · 09-09-07

regarding the first method. Shouldnt the older OS be installed first? I.e. XP the Vista?

linskingdom · 09-09-07

These are many ways to do it. I posted these two options here because I did them so many times and know they work. Regarding the option1, the 'real primary' partition is still holding the Vista. If you plan to use Vista at most time and just keep the XP for test and run legacy applications etc or the desktop or notebook already had Vista pre-installed, you should use option 1. Otherwise, it will be the option 2. Remember this just for single hard drive. Dual-boot won’t be an issue if you extra hard drive. Thanks for your inputs.

l3ebs · 09-16-07

REP + Great guide

linskingdom · 09-16-07

Quote:

Originally Posted by l3ebs

REP + Great guide

Thanks. BTW. Very nice pictures.

linskingdom · 09-24-07

Added some details. Updated.

kevsta112003 · 09-25-07

I have a question.

When I installed XP I created TWO partitions, One of 170GB for XP, and the other one i left BLANK and did not format (it is still viewable in XP explorer, just cant open or do anything to it without being prompted to reformat it first).

I am curious. To install VISTA on my 2nd, unformatted, partition (not unalocated space), Would I be able to just install vista on it? Or should I load XP install and delete the 2nd, unformatted, partition first? Or should I just delete the 2nd partition using the vista disc and then load?

linskingdom · 09-26-07

To answer you question, I need to point out one key thing. Vista only installs on the primary partition where your xp running now (as I know for the day one unless they change it ). In your case, the C drive is the primary partition and the second one is a unformatted free space. The vista will take the C and move you windows directory to the windows.old directory and replace xp OS. The key point is to create a second primary partition other than C so that vista doesn’t bother xp. To create a second primary partition, you don’t have to use live CD that I mentioned in my article, you can use third party softwares such as PartitionMagic to create a new primary partition easily but you need to pay for it. My goal is to use free softwares as many as possible. That’s why I mentioned live CD or VistaBootPRO in my article. In your case, I think you can use third party partition sofeware to reclaim the unformmted space and create a new second primary partition. If you don’t have import data and can afford to do a clear installation, then the first option is the way to go. It is much clear and smooth. As you know how Microsoft products do during the installation, always make a backup if you have important data.

tqs01 · 09-28-07

I had an office machine with XP installed but I want to be able to use Vista at the same time. So, I am thinking to give the option 2 a try. Can I use Acronis partition expert to create a primary partition?

linskingdom · 09-28-07

Quote:

Originally Posted by tqs01

I had an office machine with XP installed but I want to be able to use Vista at the same time. So, I am thinking to give the option 2 a try. Can I use Acronis partition expert to create a primary partition?

I don’t know about how Acronis partition expert works because I haven’t tried it personally. In general, third party tools are user friendly and work fine. Do you own it or need to buy it? The point I tried to make here is to use free software as possible to save $. If the software costs your $40-$50, you can add $10 to buy a decent hard drive and you don’t need to go through this process. You just format it and install Vista on it and done. Therefore, it seems non sense to buy it and use it once.

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Guide: Dual Boot - Vista/XP

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