dual boot system question

[janetg]

hi there, i'm considering using a dual boot on my computer..i have vista installed, but one of my absolute favorite programs is not compatible.

i have 2 questions...if i choose to re-install xp - do i have to completely wipe out the current op sys, or will it let me choose dual boot?

2) will the programs currently installed be accessible by both operating systems?

thanks for any replies..

janetg

[KdLaneJr]

You don't have to wipe out Vista, but you will have to partition your drive to make place for XP. There are ways around this but partitioning with partition magic is pretty quick and usually painless.

My experience with this is that the programs must be installed under both operating systems if you want that functionality. In windows this is because information is written to the registry during install and even if you elect to install your programs to another location a certain amount of info is always written to your default drive.

It's been a while since I've set up a dual boot system. As a result; I don't fully recall If I had to build the dual boot in the boot.ini file or if the second OS did so. I think the install process asked if I wanted to start over (format and start over) or if I wanted to add a partition and install the new OS. This usually only happens when you install a newer OS.

Pretty sure installing XP on a Vista drive will involve a new partition and manually editing the boot.ini file.

Hope this helps,

Ken

[zeroendless]

http://apcmag.com/5485/dualbooting_vista_and_xp