adding 2nd xp to xp/w7

[lancstech]

currently running xp/w7 trial as a dual boot on 2 drive desktop. would like to adding a fresh xp and gradually add my many apps whilst still running very old xp and w7. if its too hard will remove w7 as pc is too slow (for me) for w7 and use paragon partition 10 boot mgr to access xp1/xp2.

 

[xwb]

Are you adding the 3rd xp on another drive or the same drive as the old xp?

 

[lancstech]

drive 1 has xp + 3 data partitions, xp installation is my work horse pc and is over 4 years old, has tons of software (some i can't transfer), but just works.

drive 2 has w7 + 2 data partitions. w7 is basic config.
i use w7 (non activated) only for learning/backup to above xp.

would like to add fresh xp to drive 2, paragon boot mgr can hide active partitions if reqd, and over the weeks load it with apps as and when.

haven't installed xp for years but have played with v/w7 beta/trials & linux os.

have a number of acronis xp images, which might form a starting point rather than installing,
but not sure about drive number allocation effect etc.

was hoping someone had travelled this path before?

 

[linney]

You must first create a partition to install XP in to. You can then just boot from the XP CD and install the operating system.

HOW TO: Partition and Format a Hard Disk in Windows XP (Q313348)

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q313/3/48.asp

Read the paragraph,
"How to Partition and Format Your Hard Disk by Using Windows XP Setup."


For more help (shows enlargeable screenshots) go here.

http://www.petri.co.il/install_windows_xp_pro.htm

http://www.blackviper.com/Articles/OS/InstallXPPro/installxppro1.htm

You will probably upset the Windows 7 Boot Manager but should be able to correct the problem via the Startup Repair option of Windows 7 or by using third party programs such as.

Used EasyBCD

http://neosmart.net/dl.php?id=1

DualBootPRO 1.0

http://www.vistabootpro.org/

You should end up with a triple boot system, 2 x XP, and Windows 7.

 

[lancstech]

hi linney, thanks for links. will try a quick install of xp on a fresh partition on 2nd drive, to see if paragon partition boot mgr recognizes and allows me to switch easily. will advise progress if any.

 

[lancstech]

update, installed 2nd xp to 2nd drive, xp install recognizes old xp (not w7) but allows selection of install partition.

after xp install and reset of paragon boot mgr the choice is xp menu old & new or windows 7.

forgot how slow xp install is and how awful dell driver setup is. makes w7 setup look pretty good.

have created/backed up a base setup of xp+updates/monitor/firefox/acronis. next stage is to add email, office apps etc., going to try hard not to add apps/utils unless essential.