[H] Dual Boot questions
Folks I need a bit of feedback regarding creating a dual boot system. I currently have 2 HDs running, a smaller one has XP Media Center as the OS and the second larger HD has D, E and G partitions used for storing files. I want to install XP Pro on the same computer and have the option to boot to either one as needed. Is it fairly simple to create a new partition on the existing HD and install XP Pro on that partition? Or is it better to buy a new HD and install XP Pro on the new HD? If I am able to install the second OS on the same HD as the first one, will both OSes be able to recognize the files stored on the D, E and G partitions? If I need to install the second OS on a separate HD, will it be able to recognize and access the files stored on the other HD on the D, E and G partitions? thanks
Re: [H] Dual Boot questions
'Veech ve...@earthlink.net' said: Folks I need a bit of feedback regarding creating a dual boot system. I currently have 2 HDs running, a smaller one has XP Media Center as the OS and the second larger HD has D, E and G partitions used for storing files. I want to install XP Pro on the same computer and have the option to boot to either one as needed. Is it fairly simple to create a new partition on the existing HD and install XP Pro on that partition? Or is it better to buy a new HD and install XP Pro on the new HD? If you have the contiguous free space on your current C: drive and the tools to resize the partition then that's probably easier, otherwise a new drive is probably the easier of the two routes (especially if the C: drive is already strapped for space). If I am able to install the second OS on the same HD as the first one, will both OSes be able to recognize the files stored on the D, E and G partitions? If I need to install the second OS on a separate HD, will it be able to recognize and access the files stored on the other HD on the D, E and G partitions? Yes to both. You may have to change the drive mappings to be correct but they will all be accessible. If they're formatted with FAT32 then there's no security to worry about. If they're formatted as NTFS, members of the local Administrators group have full control over newly created partitions by default. You'll also be able to see your existing C: drive - it may stay as C: or be another drive letter. You can unmap the drive if you want through Disk Management. Jamie
Re: [H] Dual Boot questions
ok so the good news is that whether I install a second OS on the same physical HD or on a completely new one, that both OSes will be able to see all files on all drives? That is great news. The C drive is crowded, I would have to move a bunch of files over to another drive so maybe the new physical HD is a good solution. I don't have a partition utility handy. Partition Magic is expensive, for the price I could just buy another HD. I don't recall how they are formatted but it's my personal PC at home so I'm the administrator as well. Great info, thanks Jamie! 'Veech ve...@earthlink.net' said: Folks I need a bit of feedback regarding creating a dual boot system. I currently have 2 HDs running, a smaller one has XP Media Center as the OS and the second larger HD has D, E and G partitions used for storing files. I want to install XP Pro on the same computer and have the option to boot to either one as needed. Is it fairly simple to create a new partition on the existing HD and install XP Pro on that partition? Or is it better to buy a new HD and install XP Pro on the new HD? If you have the contiguous free space on your current C: drive and the tools to resize the partition then that's probably easier, otherwise a new drive is probably the easier of the two routes (especially if the C: drive is already strapped for space). If I am able to install the second OS on the same HD as the first one, will both OSes be able to recognize the files stored on the D, E and G partitions? If I need to install the second OS on a separate HD, will it be able to recognize and access the files stored on the other HD on the D, E and G partitions? Yes to both. You may have to change the drive mappings to be correct but they will all be accessible. If they're formatted with FAT32 then there's no security to worry about. If they're formatted as NTFS, members of the local Administrators group have full control over newly created partitions by default. You'll also be able to see your existing C: drive - it may stay as C: or be another drive letter. You can unmap the drive if you want through Disk Management. Jamie
