Can I Vista->new partition->XP->copy programs??

  • Thread starter Thread starter Guest
  • Start date Start date
G

Guest

Here’s where I am and what I’d like to do:

Where I Am:

I was a happy XP user and installed Vista Premium the day it was available.
Since that time I have spent tens, maybe hundreds, of hours trying to get
some of my hardware and software to work properly. 95% of everything now
works after installing new drivers/updates, and replacement software, but the
remaining part contains software/hardware that I really need and can’t get
Vista replacements for.

I am close to throwing in the towel and reverting back to XP, but I like the
Vista environment and don’t want to lose the time and money spent to get to
where I am now. I believe that Vista will ultimately solve my remaining
problems in a future SP but I need to move on now.

My machine:

I have a Dell E-510 that came with Windows XP Media Edition preinstalled. I
have 3 large HDDs and a DVD-RAM burner. I also have a 120GB external USB HDD.

What I’d like to Do

I would like to somehow boot into either XP or Vista and use my choice of an
OS with all of my programs installed. I don’t know whether this means an
additional partition on my C:\ drive or whether installing the OS on a
different drive makes more sense. Because my XP came preinstalled, I have
the Dell “Restore†CD but not a Microsoft XP install CD. (actually – I have
an XP install CD but that copy of XP is on an older/slower machine that I
need to keep operable, and I think XP can be installed on only one computer).
After I have the two OS configuration, I think that I can probably use the
Vista file transfer utility to move my files to the newly created XP
partition (maybe using my external HDD), right?

Though I never have imaged my HDD or created a dual boot partition, I think
that I have the expertise to do it. What I need to know is where to find the
self-help needed. I’m using MS OneCare for my firewall/AV protection if that
makes a difference (it has created problems with other software
interactions). I’m not beyond purchasing software to do the work, but I’d
rather do it myself if possible. I just need first to know if it’s doable,
and then some good instructions on how to go about it. If there is a book
that I can purchase to walk me through the process, I’d buy it, but a Google
search hasn’t found anything that appears appropriate.

Thanks greatly.
 
Lee Beck wrote:

....
I would like to somehow boot into either XP or Vista and use my choice of an
OS with all of my programs installed. I don’t know whether this means an
additional partition on my C:\ drive...
Click to expand...

I'll try a trick that most married people know: never ignore a
question, but never answer the question that you were asked ;o)

You should consider the possibility of running your XP as a guest OS
under Vista using MS Virtual PC:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/pr...alpc/overview.mspx?wt_svl=20323a&mg_id=20323b

I've never used it, but that's because I'm lazy. I've heard that the
downside is you may need more RAM, depending on how many things you
want to do at the same time.
 
Don said:
Lee Beck wrote:

...

....

You should consider the possibility of running your XP as a guest OS
under Vista using MS Virtual PC:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/pr...alpc/overview.mspx?wt_svl=20323a&mg_id=20323b

I've never used it, but that's because I'm lazy. I've heard that the
downside is you may need more RAM, depending on how many things you
want to do at the same time.
Click to expand...

I may need to backpedal a bit, here. I shamed myself into installing MS
Virtual PC, finally, and started reading the docs.

I have no doubt that the solution would ultimately work for you, but it
involves more that I suspected.

IIUC, Virtual PC will not use a pre-existing install of an OS -- it
wants you to do a fresh install of the OS on a 'virtual disk' which you
create with Virtual PC just for that special purpose. Sounds like a
very nifty thing, but only if you are willing to do a fresh install of
the OS along with any of its applications that you may want to use.

Once you've done that much, you can switch instantly from OS to OS with
a click or two. Sounds ideal for developers.

If I have any details wrong, I'd like to be corrected by someone who
actually knows something ;o)

I have no doubt you can also do what you originally proposed if you are
willing to take some risks and spend some time doing it. The bottom
line (as always) is: backup everything before you do anything! You
*will* screw up at least once if you are doing something new, so plan on it.
 
Lee Beck said:
Here’s where I am and what I’d like to do:

Where I Am:

I was a happy XP user and installed Vista Premium the day it was
available.
Since that time I have spent tens, maybe hundreds, of hours trying to get
some of my hardware and software to work properly. 95% of everything now
works after installing new drivers/updates, and replacement software, but
the
remaining part contains software/hardware that I really need and can’t get
Vista replacements for.

I am close to throwing in the towel and reverting back to XP, but I like
the
Vista environment and don’t want to lose the time and money spent to get
to
where I am now. I believe that Vista will ultimately solve my remaining
problems in a future SP but I need to move on now.

My machine:

I have a Dell E-510 that came with Windows XP Media Edition preinstalled.
I
have 3 large HDDs and a DVD-RAM burner. I also have a 120GB external USB
HDD.

What I’d like to Do

I would like to somehow boot into either XP or Vista and use my choice of
an
OS with all of my programs installed. I don’t know whether this means an
additional partition on my C:\ drive or whether installing the OS on a
different drive makes more sense. Because my XP came preinstalled, I have
the Dell “Restore†CD but not a Microsoft XP install CD. (actually – I
have
an XP install CD but that copy of XP is on an older/slower machine that I
need to keep operable, and I think XP can be installed on only one
computer).
After I have the two OS configuration, I think that I can probably use the
Vista file transfer utility to move my files to the newly created XP
partition (maybe using my external HDD), right?

Though I never have imaged my HDD or created a dual boot partition, I
think
that I have the expertise to do it. What I need to know is where to find
the
self-help needed. I’m using MS OneCare for my firewall/AV protection if
that
makes a difference (it has created problems with other software
interactions). I’m not beyond purchasing software to do the work, but I’d
rather do it myself if possible. I just need first to know if it’s
doable,
and then some good instructions on how to go about it. If there is a book
that I can purchase to walk me through the process, I’d buy it, but a
Google
search hasn’t found anything that appears appropriate.
Click to expand...

So to summarize, Vista is currently the only OS installed. You want to
install XP from an OEM's recovery CD and set up a dual boot with XP and
Vista.

There are a couple of ways to do this. The way I would recommend is to take
out the drive that has Vista on it; using the recovery CD install XP clean
to another drive. After that reinstall the drive that has Vista on it and
use BootIt NG from Teraybyte Unlimited to set up the dual boot. There is
good documentation on the Terabyte Unlimited site including videos on how to
do this.

Besides setting up the dual boot, one reason I recommend using BootIt NG is
that by so doing you avoid one of the problems in dual booting XP and Vista.
Namely if XP can see the Vista drive, then whenever XP is booted, it will
delete the system restore points, shadow copies and backups on the Vista
drive. The best way to get around it is to use a good 3rd party boot loader
which hides the Vista drive from XP. BootIt NG does this.

Note: Windows Easy Transfer (WET) is designed to migrate files and settings
from an XP installation to a Vista installation either by connecting the two
computers and doing the transfer or by using WET on the XP installation,
copying the data and settings from the XP installation to an external drive,
CD/DVD or network drive, then using WET in Vista to bring in the data and
settings. It's not designed nor can it move files from Vista to XP whether
they are on the same computer or not. You will have to find other ways to
move the data, i.e. manual copying, or store the data in a common location.
Programs will need to be reinstalled from original media in XP.

As a final note, in terms of licensing you did not say if the version of
Vista Home Premium was an upgrade version or a full version. To do what you
want it needs to be a full version. Per the license for an upgrade version,
Vista and the qualifying OS cannot be installed at the same time.
 
Lee, I'm not an expert on Dell machines(preferring Micron due to more user control and supplying a fully useable XP Pro OEM Windows Cd for reinstallation)

Before you go down the dual system path...and you probably will groan at the suggestion, your best chance of success for a dual boot system is with XP on the original or primary drive and Vista installed to unallocated space on the slave drive(35-40GB minimum recommended). It can be also be done on another primary partition on the same drive, but I am not a fan of that approach(especially with an OEM machine that has a restore cd and possibly capable of use only on the master drive)

Second, the full(not upgrade)Vista retail version should be the full DVD version that has the capability to boot the cd and install to the unallocated space on the slave drive

I am not familiar with Vista Premium only full version Ultimate in a dual boot(XP/Vista) system..thus I would suggest prior to proceeding you determine the capability of the software that you have since an OEM restore cd may only install to the primary drive. If you used that OEM product as proof for your Vista install, then EULA constraints eliminates any ability to accomplish your task legally. If so you need two full version licensed o/s to accomplish your task.

Before doing anything it would be wise to invest in an image program(e.g. Acronis True Image). You'll need two if you intend to install in each o/s. Acronis Disk Director Suite an additional purchase(again one per o/s) can modify both master and slave existing drives to free up unallocated space for the Vista.

Scan this forum for dual boot topics and links on how to best accomplish the process, and if it were my system(I'd install Vista last to ensure that Vista properly creates the dual boot loader on the Xp drive.

Note: The image program will come in handy, since a dual boot XP and Vista system will mostly likely corrupt any use of System Restore.
Here's some reading info.
http://bertk.mvps.org/html/dualboot.html
http://blogs.technet.com/filecab/archive/2006/07/14/441829.aspx
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=931854
http://www.dcr.net/~w-clayton/Vista/DisappearingPartitions/DisappearingPartitions.htm
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/919529
...winston


: Here’s where I am and what I’d like to do:
:
: Where I Am:
:
: I was a happy XP user and installed Vista Premium the day it was available.
: Since that time I have spent tens, maybe hundreds, of hours trying to get
: some of my hardware and software to work properly. 95% of everything now
: works after installing new drivers/updates, and replacement software, but the
: remaining part contains software/hardware that I really need and can’t get
: Vista replacements for.
:
: I am close to throwing in the towel and reverting back to XP, but I like the
: Vista environment and don’t want to lose the time and money spent to get to
: where I am now. I believe that Vista will ultimately solve my remaining
: problems in a future SP but I need to move on now.
:
: My machine:
:
: I have a Dell E-510 that came with Windows XP Media Edition preinstalled. I
: have 3 large HDDs and a DVD-RAM burner. I also have a 120GB external USB HDD.
:
: What I’d like to Do
:
: I would like to somehow boot into either XP or Vista and use my choice of an
: OS with all of my programs installed. I don’t know whether this means an
: additional partition on my C:\ drive or whether installing the OS on a
: different drive makes more sense. Because my XP came preinstalled, I have
: the Dell “Restore†CD but not a Microsoft XP install CD. (actually – I have
: an XP install CD but that copy of XP is on an older/slower machine that I
: need to keep operable, and I think XP can be installed on only one computer).
: After I have the two OS configuration, I think that I can probably use the
: Vista file transfer utility to move my files to the newly created XP
: partition (maybe using my external HDD), right?
:
: Though I never have imaged my HDD or created a dual boot partition, I think
: that I have the expertise to do it. What I need to know is where to find the
: self-help needed. I’m using MS OneCare for my firewall/AV protection if that
: makes a difference (it has created problems with other software
: interactions). I’m not beyond purchasing software to do the work, but I’d
: rather do it myself if possible. I just need first to know if it’s doable,
: and then some good instructions on how to go about it. If there is a book
: that I can purchase to walk me through the process, I’d buy it, but a Google
: search hasn’t found anything that appears appropriate.
:
: Thanks greatly.
:
 
Thanks to all of you for taking the time to read and respond to my query.
All of the advice is good, and several viable options are offered. I'll give
them thought and decide which route I want to take. My version of Vista is
the upgrade so I'm leaning towards options that can use what I already own,
with the exception of maybe buying some image and/or dual-boot software (I
should buy some disk imaging software anyway). I don't think drive space
will be a problem since my 3 drives are 120, 120, 160 and I have a 120GB
external drive if I need it for file transfers. etc. I have 1GB RAM (to
answer the RAM question) but am amenable to adding to that if needed.

Again, thank you for your thorough responses.

Lee
 
Maybe this is too simple an idea, but have you tried running your programs in
compatible mode for your older OS? It's free and easy.
 
Back
Top