Wanting to use Windows XP and Vista? Please Recommend which Dual Boot software?

[malice19]

Hi,

I am thinking of moving to the Dark side.... That is by installing Vista on my Rig.
Im still not sure how to take Vista as its a new OS and as a new OS has quite alot of bugs... But
What i want to do is try and have both....

Mainly using Windows XP for my day to day use of the PC and using Vista to learn the new OS and for the use of Games using DX10.

So can any one Recommend what software i should use on my PC,

• So that it will allow me to select which OS to use at startup

• what dual boot software to use?

• Or do you have a better Idea i should try?

Thanks for all the Help

[Splash]

Not sure what you mean. Create partitions for both installs, install XP in one, then Vista in another. Vista will install a bootloader as part of the install that will allow you to select the OS to load at boot time.

[TotalyRandom]

Stick in a XP disk

Delete all partitions on the drive

Create 2 Partitions one for XP on for Vista.

Install XP first
Format the second partition within XP
Reboot Stick in Vista and Choose Second partition to install on

Now when you start your PC you get the option pick what OS you want.

No additional software needed

[dangel]

Yeah dual boot is dead easy. You can install it either way round (although XP first is easier) - if you do Vista first (and then XP) just use either the Vista DVD to fix the bootloader (choose repair) or use VistaBootPRO - Go PRO with Microsoft Windows Vista Boot Manager to fix it from Windows XP.

[excalibur2]

...and can only add you wont regret dual booting as it's so useful esp if one OS goes down or things that don't work in Vista e.g my new Sandisk USB flash drive won't work in Vista..............................I've got win98, winxp and another winxp, partition for downloads, storing junk etc and one for JPG.s and Mp3's...in all makes 5 partitions.

[Splash]

Windows 98? Mind if I ask why? If it's for accessing some legacy application then why not run it in a virtual machine? If your machine is up to running Vista then I can't see that it would struggle to host a Win98 virtual machine....

[dangel]

Win98 is useful for self flagulation when the mistress orders it.

[MaddAussie]

Rofl

[Splash]

Win98 is useful for self flagulation when the mistress orders it.

I find Windows ME to be more suited for that.

[dangel]

I find Windows ME to be more suited for that.

Duely noted mistress.

[excalibur2]

Windows 98? Mind if I ask why? If it's for accessing some legacy application then why not run it in a virtual machine? If your machine is up to running Vista then I can't see that it would struggle to host a Win98 virtual machine....

Number 1 computer has winxp and vista and no 2 computer has the win98 because my scanner will not work with a later OS cos Epson couldn't be bothered to write drivers for them.

[malice19]

Cheer All for the help, was thinking that i will probably get another HDD installed in the PC and install vista to it, as i don't want to piss about with my current partitions i already have
and also read that there is a problem when you use both XP and vista, that Vista Deletes XP restore images?

Should still get a pop up when i start the PC asking which OS to boot right, by having vista on another HDD? Will it be a case of setting them both to Cable select?

Cheers

[Splash]

and also read that there is a problem when you use both XP and vista, that Vista Deletes XP restore images?

You got a source for that one? Certainly not something that I've read.

Should still get a pop up when i start the PC asking which OS to boot right, by having vista on another HDD? Will it be a case of setting them both to Cable select?

Cheers

Setup the disks exactly as you would were you not dual booting. Vista will install the bootloader to the first hard drive in the boot sequence and you'll be able to select which OS to boot at boot time, you don't need to worry about fiddling with setting different drives as master (in fact, doing so would be a stonkingly bad idea)

[Splash]

Number 1 computer has winxp and vista and no 2 computer has the win98 because my scanner will not work with a later OS cos Epson couldn't be bothered to write drivers for them.

Based on the price of scanners these days I know what I'd be doing in that situation!

[Neilsson]

maddaussie and i must think somewhat alike.

with the greatest of respect old chap, perhaps your cash would be best spent on psychiatric sessions...

lmfao

jk malice

[malice19]

Enjoy, working Great, Have XP Pro on one HDD and Vista 64 on another HDD.
When i boot up it asks which OS i want to load.

Thing is that i sure be fore when I've used dual boot that it would give a count down and then selected the default or OS at the top of the screen selected to boot.... but I'm not getting a count down. PC will just sit there till i hit enter on one of them.

Is there i can set one of the OS as default with a count down?

Cheers