multiple copies of xp for multiple purposes

  • Thread starter Thread starter ortus
  • Start date Start date
O

ortus

multiple copies of xp for multiple purposes

I recently bought a new computer. With my old computer i had xp home
whittled down to only a few processes running in the background (maybe
6-8 processes under the task manager). My new comp shipped with
norton, which i personally believe is second only to windows anti-spy
as the most invasive program ever invented. But in this day an age i
admit it is a good thing to have. The problem is that, although each
program is small, all the processes running really sap my computer
speed.
Here are my questions:

-Can i install a second version of windows to this computer using the
following conditions?:
different root dir
no overlap between root files
no partitions
FULL access to the entire hard drive and its contents.

My goal is to have the option on boot to select between two visions.
One vision would be the vision the computer shipped with, (slow, but
well protected) to be used for online ventures, file management, etc.

The second vision would be for work and play. Photoshop, premeire,
audition, freehand, flash, go live, 3ds, poser, quake 4, doom 3, fear,
age of empires 3, etc.
This vision would be bare bones. I would cut out solitare if it helped
make the aforementioned programs run faster.

-Can i install win64 this way? The computer is has a 64 bit processor
but didn't ship with win64.
-If so, can i run the above programs on win64? will the run faster on
win 64?
-would i need duplicate installs of programs(1 for each windows)
-if one windows got a virus and crashed, would the other work? could i
use it to fix the original?
-could i install linux this way and have a third os(to learn linux)
 
Do you have an XPsp2 CD? If so, then:
1)To avoid new partition, add a 2nd Hard Drive. Set the new drive as
"slave",then install the 2nd XP.
2)Don't know about win64, but win32 works this way, for me.
3)You'll need duplicate installs on Programs, but you can run any
"executable" or access ANY file that resides on either drive.
4)If one XP "crashes", you can easily copy Windows "System" and/or
"Software" files from the "Repair" folder in 'XP1st' to the "Config" folder
in 'XP1st' when booted into 'XP2nd'. [Or vice-versa] This usually allows you
to reboot the crashed one.
Malware only affects the system you were using; drivers are loaded
separately to each system.
5)You can also "Defrag" one copy from the Other copy, and other things.
Each "XP" can be customized or "slimmed" as you please.
6)Loads of possibilities!
7)There are "Sites" to tell you how to "multi-boot", Linux included.
 
Thx for the speedy reply. Its a labtop, so im limited to one hard
drive.
Can I install w/out a 2nd hard drive or a partition as long as i use a
different root dir?
 
Thx for the speedy reply. Its a labtop, so im limited to one hard
drive.
Can I install w/out a 2nd hard drive or a partition as long as i use a
different root dir?
Click to expand...

Not really. Two XP setups on the same partition is asking for trouble and
not supported. If limited to one hard drive, use a separate partition for
each operating system.
 
Back
Top