Multiple OS Boot system

Hi ,

I'm currently running Vista Ultimate with SP2 . I split the internal 500gib HD initially into 285 / 180 partition . I did this with Vista's inbuilt partition tool . The Primary 285 gig partition holds all program files and system files , the 180 gig partition holds games and other miscellaneous stuff .

For study reasons I need to create a multiple boot system of Windows 2000 , Windows XP and my preferred OS Vista . It's been a while since I created a multiple boot system and the OS installs won't be used for anything other than OS construct study .

I tried using the Vista partition again to reallocate some spare HD space on the main partition but I seem to have shrunk the partition as far as Vista will allow . Still 285 gig with 182 gig spare space is more than adequate for multiple OS installs .

If I create a partition upon install ( boot from disc ) , leaving clear the existing Vista install will I be able to create seperate partions on the main drive for installs of Win 2k and Win XP using the same method on a clean install ( create partion , delete partition prompts ) .

I know most drivers for Vista and XP work the same but would I have to reinstall specific drivers if uncompatible for the different OS installs ? Say chipset drivers for example ?

Many thanks .

You can use vista to create the partitions that you need for the other operating systems. You do have one big concern: windows operating systems should be installed in order from oldest to newest. So you would ideally install 2k, Xp, and then Vista. The problem with installing 2k and Xp but not reinstalling Vista is that XP's boot loader is going to be in charge as it will overwrite the vista boot loader on the MBR and it will not know that Vista exists; your only options in the boot menu will be XP and 2k. This is why it would be ideal to install Vista last because it's boot loader will be in charge and will know about the other systems. There is a way to restore the Vista boot loader from XP but it is very tricky to use and if you mess up you will render your drive useless as you could erase all entries from the boot loader and not have any OS that you could boot into. This is most certainly an advanced procedure and not one to be taken lightly. So first either get familiar with how this works, plan on reinstalling Vista (and backing up first anyway), or perhaps rethink your plans. If you want to know more let me know.

One way to be familiar with how to do this is to create a dual boot on a virtual machine using either Vmware or MS's virtual PC, install Vista and then XP and make sure that you can figure out how to restore the Vista boot loader. If you mess that up you will just mess up a simulated machine and there is no harm in that. Actually an alternative would be to use either program and just have 2k and Xp on that and not even worry about actually having those other systems on your computer. Another concern are drivers for 2k but in comparison that is a minor issue.

Each time I've done this I've sweated, held my breath, and prayed that I didn't screw things up. Before the first time I practiced on a virtual machine to figure out what I needed to do, and of course I messed up a few times, but when I did it for real I still all most screwed up. If you don't know what you are doing I don't recommend it or I would plan on reinstalling Vista. That is actually the safest and easiest way to complete your muitiboot.

I just noticed this after re-reading your post and no the Vista and XP kernels are significantly different and so drivers for one will almost certainly not work for the other. You would have better luck substituting XP and 2k drivers but drivers should be matched for the OS that you are running.

Cheers Townsbg ,

I've been sat mulling over the problem on a wet , dreary UK morning , fuelling the cerebrals with the strongest caffiene I have . The computer in question is my main pc , used for all the day to day mundane tasks , plus it holds all my music and video ( these are on seperate drives naturally ) . I've heard of the virtual pc method and have limited experience of emulators and the like .

I do have a spare IBM Thinkpad Z61m running :

core duo t7200 x 2gig
3 gig ddr2
Internal 120 HD
Mobility Radeon x1400 gfx

I say spare - I use it on network to my main pc for video playback and surfing the net if I can't be bothered to get out of my bed . I was unaware that OS multiple installs require the oldest OS to be installed first - many thanks for that priceless piece of info .

Deep thought , the computer that calculated the answer to the universe as 42 .

I have computed the answer to the lesser but just as important question as :

Leave my current main system as it is , I'm correct in thinking that XP and Vista are still file share compatible ? I could reformat my Z61m , which has nothing of any real use on it anyway , install the multiple boot OS onto that instead . Makes easier compatability for driver issues . Then just network the laptop for the same use when booted into XP . Sound like a more viable , less ballbreaking solution ??

I'll just say that I don't like having to restore the Vista boot loader after a reinstall or install of XP so if you don't want to reinstall Vista after installing the other 2 then I recommend that you think of something else. A VM emulation would be perfect for experimentation if that is all that you are going to do. You can share files among the host and guest machines and even connect the guest to the internet. When I first had to do this boot loader restore I was still using XP quite a bit (actually more so than Vista) and I had to reinstall XP. I still needed XP on my computer and I didn't want to reinstall Vista. Now I'm running Vista full time but XP is still there. Again it is do-able but it is dangerous and tricky. I don't know how you feel about getting your hands dirty or how comfortable you are with messing around with the OS; that is for you to decide. If you want I can try my best to help you from here and tell you what you need to do but for all practical purposes you are on your own unless you personally know someone who happens to know how to do this kind of thing. The program I use actually runs anther program that is put on every Vista installation to control the boot loader but the problem is that the program is command line only; the program that I found gives you a GUI interface that automates the necessary commands so it isn't as bad otherwise I wouldn't have even tried it. It was tricky enough with the GUI program and is still dangerous.

To answer your file system questions 2k, xp, and vista all use the same version of NTFS as their default file system so their is no problem there and you can set computers to share files over the net.