Installing XP Pro as a second system on new Vista machine

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I have a brand new Dell with Vista Home Premium. Can I create a partition to
install Windows XP Pro and effectively make the Dell into a dual-boot
machine. It has one 320 gig SATA drive. If so, What do I need and how do I
do it? Any help would be GREATLY appreciated.
 
I have a brand new Dell with Vista Home Premium. Can I create a partition to
install Windows XP Pro and effectively make the Dell into a dual-boot
machine. It has one 320 gig SATA drive. If so, What do I need and how do I
do it? Any help would be GREATLY appreciated.
Click to expand...

Get Gparted, create at least two partitions with Gparted. Install XP to C:
(first partiton) and Vista to D: (partition). I expect Dell only provided
you with a hidden Vista restore partiton though so it would automatically
install to C:.
 
Then should I delete the "restore" partition and start from scratch? Does
that seem too extreme!
 
Then should I delete the "restore" partition and start from scratch? Does
that seem too extreme!

:
Click to expand...
Well, I would check with Dell on how they setup your PC. I'm just guessing
they put a hidden restore partition on there. Or did they give you an
actual copy of Vista too? I have dual boot XP and Vista but my mb allows me
to choose which HDD to boot to by pressing F11 so I disabled the XP HDD and
installed Vista to it's own HDD and then re-enabled the XP HDD. Now I have
both installed and each is intact from each other, no boot menu needed like
you would need if you installed both to the same HDD on different
partitons. If I want to boot to Vista I just press F11 at boot up and
select the HDD Vista is installed to. Default boot is XP. If you have a
second HDD and your mb allows you to do the same I would suggest you also
do it this way.
 
Hey, Thanks much for the options. I don't currently own a second HDD, but
I've got a couple of empty bays so If I get the extra $$$ that's probably my
best bet. Thanks again.
 
Normally you'd install XP first, and Vista second.
If you do it the other way around, the XP install will clobber Vista's
boot sector, so you won't be able to boot back into Vista until you
repair its boot sector.
 
So you're saying there is no way to do it without uninstalling Vista from the
new machine and installing XP first?
 
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