arsenuts411

Was wondering I have 2 hard drives 1 with server 2003 installed and the other with windows Vista which I plan on installing xp over it tonight because I can't stand vista but that is another story. My question is I want to be able to switch back and fourth from one to the other easily is there any simple way to do this?

I have tried using Virtual PC but did not have good luck with that any insight would help.

apocalyptic

What you really want to do? Install Vista and Server2003/Xp both? Or only Vista?

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Angel

imsati

I thought this: was self-explanatory, but eh.

Anyway, arse, it should be very easy. Burn an image of Gparted to a CD and boot from it. Delete the partition on the Vista drive from that CD to ensure a 'clean' format, but don't format it at this point. Connect both HDDs to the MoBo; put the future-XP Drive as Master and the WS2003 as Slave (or SATA0, SATA1, respectively), and also change the boot order in BIOS so the future-XP Drive would be the primary.

Exit Gparted, replace the CD with Windows Setup, and boot from it. You'll see a list of both HDD's during the partition/format stage. The Drive XP is being installed to will read as Unpartitioned Space, so that's the one you'll work with - don't touch the other area. Set up the partitions on the XP Drive how you'd like (all the instructions are on the screen for you - it's very easy). Once you choose to install, let it do it's thing. When all is said and done, It should auto-detect WS2003 and create a prompt to boot to it after POST.

Word of caution if you've never reinstalled before: you only need to boot to the Setup CD the first time. During Setup, the system will reboot a few times and after POST you'll see the 'Boot from CD' prompt again, but don't youch anything - you'll start from the beginning if you do. Just let it run - it's knows what it's doing.

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--Jay
Gigabyte EP31-DS3L | E4500 | Masscool HSF paired with AS-5
80 GB SATA2 x 2 | e-GeForce 7100 GS | CM Elite 330 (gorgeous!)
Triple Boot: Ubuntu 7.10/XP Home/Kubuntu 7.10
Also, I can kill you with my brain.

The Great Forum Challenge
http://www.computerforum.com/114761-...tml#post922619
(And you follow his advice why, exactly...?) (Funny Thread though!)