Computer help

[Valkysas]

I'm getting a new laptop very soon, but unfortunately it comes preloaded with vista. you know, the OS that isnt compatible with 90% of software in existence.

Since I actually intend to USE the computer, I need help. I want to install Windows XP on it too. have vista on one partition, and XP on another. However, I have no idea how to do this.

thus, this topic exists.

[Jeroak Nelave]

Re: Computer help

once you have a copy of vista and xp, you will need to reinstall a fresh copy of vista, you will need to wipe and reformat the hard drive. You will then have the option of partitioning the drive however you choose. you would then install the OS of your choosing on the other partition from a cold boot...and there is a bunch of other stuff. i havent done a dual OS in a long time. there are probably decent online guides for it.

[Chad]

Re: Computer help

It is possible to install XP over Vista so that you can choose which OS to boot into. I did it. But it's hard to explain, you have to mess with the new boot config for Vista and I'm at work right now.

TheTrueCoolness, I choose you.

[thetruecoolness]

Re: Computer help

Well I haven't used Vista, so hopefully they didn't make this painfully difficult, like it is doing Linux and Windows sometimes. But yes, either get Parition Magic if you plan on formatting a lot, or install XP first I would say (so that way Vista is in the MBR once you're done, since it will have a better chance of correctly supporting XP in it's boot program, than XP will with Vista since it's newer). When installing XP, make two partitions and install XP, and depending on which OS you're going to use the most put that one on the first partition and the other on the second. So make one partition I would say 30-40GB and the other one the rest of the drive (assuming Vista is still using NTFS as a file system which I believe is true both OS will be able to see each partition). Then continue installing XP. Then insert the Vista disc and install it, and it SHOULD recognize that XP is on the other partition and give you a boot manager when you boot up after installing allowing you to choose which one to use (I know this works with XP and 2000, or 2000 and 98, so should continue to work).

So
- Insert XP
- Partition Drive with one 30-40GB NTFS partition, and a second partition the size of the rest of the drive, also NTFS.
- Install XP on first partition if you plan on using it the most, second if not (this is for a slight performance gain, due to earlier partition being on faster parts of the disk, so doesn't really matter if you don't care about that).
- Install Vista on the other partition.
- Profit (hopefully)

Of course if you mess up worst you would have to do is reinstall both, so make sure it works before installing programs.

Now if you want to keep the data on the drive as it, that's tricker, and also somewhat dangerous so BACKUP before attempting. This you pretty much need Partition Magic for as Windows Partitioner does not allow you to resize partitions. So before you resize defragment and clean off any unnecessary files from that partition, then resize it. Then create a new partition for Vista, install Vista making sure not to overwrite XP, and that should be it.

I'll let Postulate Man fill in the gaps since it seems he's done this.

So if you're buying the Laptop, ask them if it comes with a full install disc for Vista, cause you're going to need that incase you mess up, or if you know a friend with one, since you'll still have the Key, you just need the disc.

EDIT:

Looks like I found a free alternative to Partition Magic http://www.linux.com/article.pl?sid=06/04/25/1917228.

Also Online Tutorial (Vista installed first) Online Tutorial (XP installed first)

As I figured it's easier to install XP first, then Vista.

[Red Dragon]

Re: Computer help

Press F12 while the laptop is booting up. Then choose Boot from CD. it's pretty self explanitory after that.