ok, i have xp, and i have a vista disc, i was wondering if i could dual boot with vista so i dont have to format my hdd when loading vista? as i dont want to lose all my applications.

Buy a second hard drive and load Vista. You won't have to reformat your existing XP disk that way. Boot to either system on seperate HDs. I do it every day.

hmm i cud try that, i have 3 hard drives 2 of them filled with films 400 gb and 500 gb. plus a 320 internal hdd. so unless i copied all my data over it wont work.

let me explain i have xp, but it wont validate sand he 1 day left top validate it. so my friend gave me his vista disc and told me to try it out for a month so i can find out which OS i prefer. so if i copy all my data from my external hdd to internal and boot from my external. then i have 2 boots drives and a external hdd. leaving me with all my software on the internal. so when i do buy a copy of vista/xp, all i have to do is copy the data back to my external and ill have a clean hdd to load vista. is there any way i can partition my hdd though? which has xp on it?

Call the 800 number and validate your xp install. You will have to format your HD to do any 'fresh' OS installs you have in mind.

im in the uk whats the number?
i went to this site http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/d [...] 12c785853b

and it isnt working

Do a search on your OS built in search for 'windows validation' . Try and validate with the built in program online. The number directory will appear. Windows Validation should be on your 'start' menu.

Partion that drive using Power quest Partion magic and install the Vista on the new partion.

Yes, take one of your hard drives, and partition it. Keep xp on one partition, and install vista on the other.