[reevester]

Hey Guys,

I recently upgraded my PC to Windows Vista and although I am simply loving Windows Vista, I required Windows XP to run the more demanding applications which I use when i am programming or designing. This Dual-boot setup that I have created, allows me to tinker around with new software (installing/uninstalling) without messing up my main OS, which is Vista. however, it is not that easy to install Windows XP or any other OS after installing Vista!

But there is a very easy solution! Just follow these steps:

1] Install Windows Vista

2] Install the second OS in ANOTHER PARTITION (Very important! You cannot have a Dual Boot setup from the same partition)

3] Make sure you download EasyBCD 1.7.2 and keep it ready. Make sure that you have .NET Framework 2.0 installed! If not then download it from Microsoft's homepage!

4] After you have installed XP and set it up to your liking, install and run EasyBCD.

5] When the app loads, it will show the current BOOT Settings

6] Click on Add/Remove Entries

7] Select the Type of OS and give it a Title. Add Vista first, then XP.

8] You do not need to select the partition or anything of that sort as EasyBCD will do it automatically for you!

9] Save Changes, and you are done!!!

10] You can change settings such as the Timeout period from the "Change Settings" pane

Cheers Guys!
Hope that helped!

[sushrukh]

Actually the process is more simple than you've described.So, here's my way of doing it.

1. Install Windows Vista.

2. Install XP on a different partition.

3. After installing XP, you'll see that you have only XP as boot OS.

4. Boot with your Vista DVD & perform the repair option presented by Vista installation.Vista will then write another boot entry.It just takes 10 secs for me.Reboot & you'll have both the Operating systems present as your boot options.Simple yeh ?

Thanks for posting the steps too.

[uxevangelist]

Try this on for size, assuming you're starting from a clean HDD:

1 - Pop in your XP installation disk, create 2 new partitions and go ahead with installing XP on one of them.

2 - When XP finishes installing, pop in your Vista installation disk and install on the 2nd partition you created.

When Vista finishes installing and your system goes to boot, it will ask you which version you want to boot in to. Unless you want to choose a different OS to default to, you're done. =) Now, if you're starting with either Vista or XP already installed, you will need to create a new partition within your installed OS, then install the other OS of your choice to that partition. Depending on if you're starting with Vista or XP will determine which process you need to follow to get dual boot up and running. In those cases, the posts above mine have the necessary steps for such procedures.

-Stephen

[Sheerdal]

Yeah I was about to say what Stephen said. I basically installed XP and then in another partiion I installed Vista. when my machine boots up there is a landing page that says Previous version of windows or Vista.... make your choice and then it will boot in that OS and you are good to go.

[sushrukh]

There isn't any issue about installing vista after XP.The thread is about the problems if you install Vista first & then XP.

[reevester]

Yep! This thread is basically when you already have a perfectly fine copy of Windows Vista running on your PC and you suddenly decide you want Windows XP as an option too!

The reason I included the application stated above is because it can really someone who isn't that good with Boot settings! Also, having a GUI based method is always easier!

[uxevangelist]

Originally Posted by sushrukh

There isn't any issue about installing vista after XP.The thread is about the problems if you install Vista first & then XP.

I thought I would contribute what I did due to this thread having the capacity to be understood either way due to steps 1 and 2 of the opening post telling you install both operating systems:

1] Install Windows Vista

2] Install the second OS in ANOTHER PARTITION (Very important! You cannot have a Dual Boot setup from the same partition)

Since step 1 noted to install Windows Vista, I was under the impression that we are starting from a hard disk with no OS residing on it. With that being the case, I thought I would note to simply flip steps 1 and 2 and that would alleviate a user from having to follow any other steps! Of course, if this is from the standpoint of Vista *already being installed*, then the information from previous posts is definitely applicable. Please excuse the misunderstanding.

-Stephen

[DeAnnaCochran]

It is easy to install Virtual PC, a free download from Microsoft, then install XP as a virtual machine, you can then be in Vista and load XP without rebooting...a better solution if you are just testing. I can't see why else you would want a dual boot, you can only use 1 OS at a time, if you need to use a certain OS for a particular software, then virtual makes more sense.

[djeuro]

Originally Posted by reevester

Hey Guys,

I recently upgraded my PC to Windows Vista and although I am simply loving Windows Vista, I required Windows XP to run the more demanding applications which I use when i am programming or designing. This Dual-boot setup that I have created, allows me to tinker around with new software (installing/uninstalling) without messing up my main OS, which is Vista. however, it is not that easy to install Windows XP or any other OS after installing Vista!

But there is a very easy solution! Just follow these steps:

1] Install Windows Vista

2] Install the second OS in ANOTHER PARTITION (Very important! You cannot have a Dual Boot setup from the same partition)

3] Make sure you download EasyBCD 1.7.2 and keep it ready. Make sure that you have .NET Framework 2.0 installed! If not then download it from Microsoft's homepage!

4] After you have installed XP and set it up to your liking, install and run EasyBCD.

5] When the app loads, it will show the current BOOT Settings

6] Click on Add/Remove Entries

7] Select the Type of OS and give it a Title. Add Vista first, then XP.

8] You do not need to select the partition or anything of that sort as EasyBCD will do it automatically for you!

9] Save Changes, and you are done!!!

10] You can change settings such as the Timeout period from the "Change Settings" pane

Cheers Guys!
Hope that helped!

if you completely want to erase vista, you need a merged windows xp and sp2 disk which i have made. If anyone needs help on how to make it or anything you can ask me

[reevester]

Originally Posted by DeAnnaCochran

It is easy to install Virtual PC, a free download from Microsoft, then install XP as a virtual machine, you can then be in Vista and load XP without rebooting...a better solution if you are just testing. I can't see why else you would want a dual boot, you can only use 1 OS at a time, if you need to use a certain OS for a particular software, then virtual makes more sense.

Not all apps run smoothly on a Virtual PC, and secondly for a Virtual PC, you would require a PC with some decent horsepower under its hood......!