Re-installing XP on a dual boot system

K

kamsycool

New Member
Hi there....

I am running Windows Vista (Ultimate Version) and Windows XP as a dual booting systems on my computer currently. However there seems to be some problem with XP. The start-ups and shut-downs in XP has become very slow and some of the control panel functions are not happening. I cant install any new software on it as well.

Now, I am planning to re-install XP again. But at the same time I don't want to disturb my Windows Vista installation (Vista in what I use mostly...XP would be a stand by system just in case vista goes down)

What is the correct way to install the same and what precautions should I be taking before installing XP.

Kamlesh.
kams201275@yahoo.com
 
If you have the full install disks for both versions you are set to go. Following the reinstall of XP even if you remove the XP primary entirely and create a new primary for a fresh copy you will have to do one thing later namely boot up with the Vista installation disk and use the automatic startup repair tool in the repair tools optional section there.

For seeing XP re-entered into the VIsta boot loader however there is an easier way to see that done rather then the BCD editor found in Vista. A freeware for dual and multibooting OSs called EasyBCD was written for Vista. The Linux boot loader known as Grub4Dos will also work for both versions while being a bit more involved to see a manual configuration with that.

The latest version of the freeware EasyBCD 1.7,2 is found at http://neosmart.net/dl.php?id=1 with the general information seen on the page at http://neosmart.net/wiki/pages/list...ey=EBCD&openId=196612#selectedPageInHierarchy

When first tried here shortly after Vista's initial release it turned out to be an effective tool with an easy interface to use. You can also set which version will be the default OS. I have Vista here as default while still keeping XP for older softwares written for XP.
 
PC Eye,

You mean to say that after re-installing the XP, the comp will not show up dual booting options and will straight go into XP ? I know you have explained it well but still its just a little bit too much for non-techie like me. I am really scared to do anything until I get some confirmed advised as I am afraid of loosing vista where a lot of my work happens every day. And I dont have vista installer right now with me.

Cheers
Kamlesh
 
I'll have to bump this thread since I was called away.

Without being able to at least repair the Vista portion of the mbr and overall boot information you won't want to do anything quite yet. I'm currently working with and performing some tests on a beta tool still undergoing some more revisions that will see XP and Vista work well together in a dual boot without loss of Vista's restore points once you boot into XP.

Once the new build of that is ready for download and hopefully on a separate new download page I can refer people to that for additional testing and comments. You can still see a working dual boot there as long as you have the installation disks onhand since once XP goes on a second primary that will take over until added into the Vista boot loader.

Step #1 following XP being installed onto the second primary and then loading with no option for Vista seen you then boot up with the Vista dvd. First you may want to see EasyBCD temporary installed on XP anyways since you can run it from there if you make any mistakes with it while booted in Vista later. The startup repair tool on the Vista dvd is then used to see Vista then load.

Step #2 is copying the basic XP boot files onto the root of the Vista primary followed then by using the EasyBCD tool to then add XP as the second OS into the Vista boot loader. Note that NotePad may have to be used to make a slight edit in the boot.ini if that is found needed. The default should point to the second primary as where XP is located however.

The beta tool being run here uses EasyBCD in it while it has it's own universal type boot loader build into it. Currently the main programmer is rebuilding it due to the not dual boot on one drive but dual boot between ide and sata drives when each version is on a separate hard drive.

Your first step however is having the capability of reinstalling as well as repairing both versions before making any attempt if you are not familiar with a list of things like partitioning drives, editing boot loaders, repairing Windows if not seeing a version reinstalled, etc.. You first have to learn how to bail yourself out if you make any mistakes along the way along with making sure all important files are backed up elsewhere in the event a partition needs a reformatted or a new primary is needed to replace another.
 
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