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Dual boot Inquiry Vista & XP

Tags:
  • Windows Vista
  • Dual Boot
  • eMachines
  • Windows XP
Last response: in Windows Vista
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December 22, 2013 9:54:17 AM

Hi I have a 64bit pc -emachine- given to me. I want to install Vista SP2 64bit and XP SP3 32bit on the same HDD. Will I experience any problems with this setup.

Thanks for your sassistance

More about : dual boot inquiry vista

December 22, 2013 10:17:36 AM

Yes. Basically because when you install Vista, XP will state 'a newer version of Windows already exists'. If you try the other way Vista will upgrade over XP and wipe out XP. In the case of Windows there can only be ONE Windows on a computer. Now if you want to use https://www.virtualbox.org/, this is a sandbox to install the second OS into, and run as a Virtual Machine. It will behave and look like a regular Windows, but inside a 'window' that sits on your Desktop.

I might want to point out VISTA hasn't been supported for a long while, and XP has been officially 'dead' for consumer support, so installing either isn't really a advisable option (things are no longer made to work for either also). The minimal standard is Windows 7, which I see on PickParts can be had as low as $90, but the normal price for 7/8 is around $179, which are supported (if you have a problem).
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December 22, 2013 10:22:10 AM

You won't face any problems installing windows Vista.

XP doesn't support new SATA drives out of the box. So you need a workaround for that in BIOS settings.

But assuming that you just want to know if you will face any problems, you will need to create a partitions in your HDD.

Then install XP first, and Vista 2nd.

EAch time you want to use one OS, you will have to go to bios to change boot settings.

or you can use a bootloader.

It's always better to install on different hard drives through.

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Best solution

December 22, 2013 11:14:08 AM

Bassim: Uhm yeah that isn't a real solution "EAch time you want to use one OS, you will have to go to bios to change boot settings. ", that is seriously asking for problems if you keep repeatly changing your BIOS settings daily to swap (and can't count how many times in a day).

If he hacked a bootloader is another way, but the problem is one 'messup' with the bootloader, he looses both Windows and has to start all over again. The solution I suggest mitigates any such risks, and still performs the task required in a much safer solution. Also the virtual machine is instantly restorable, so if something happens the 'second OS' can be restored on any computer by running virtualbox with no loss (except in the case of a HDD failure).
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