[ChuckII]

I have win xp pro 64 on my C: Drive, and I have another drive on my computer that is empty. I would like to instal win xp 32 on the second drive. How do I accomplish this. I want to be able to use both systems. Because win xp 64 isn't compatible with some of my software. I want to boot to win xp 64 then if i need too, go the xp 32.

ChuckII

[cheesewheels99]

you cant do that the only way is emulators you could just reboot everytime

[MJM]

I'm not sure what cheesewheels is trying to say, so I have some questions to you ChuckII.
Do you want a dual boot, as in, at boot of computer select WinXP64 or WinXP32?
Or do you want to always boot to WinXP64 and just "switch" over to WinXP32?
The first case is not an issue, just install WinXP32 to your second HDD. Next time you boot up you should have the choice between 64 and 32 and 30sec time to choose.
The second case is not as easy, but possible via programs like Microsoft's Virtual PC or VMWare (Player).
I have never used MS's solution, but can couch for VMWare, the only issue being that if you want a constant image to boot up you need to create it with VMWare Workstation. There may be freeware apps around to do this, but I couldn't find any. Otherwise you'd have to go through the Windows installs everytime.

[Baxter]

MJM, i wonder if lilo would take care of a dual boot on two different drives.

ChuckII, do you want to use both HDD for windows or would you rather put them both on the same drive.

[MJM]

You don't need LILO since if you install two Windows on different drives they will automatically alter the BOOT file on C:\ to include both OSs, so I wouldn't worry about it.

[cheesewheels99]

wow at was i thinking mabye it would be eaiser to use emulators

[Baxter]

An emulator would be an option but not everyone wants to have two OS running at the same time.
Wait for ChuckII, see what he wants to do. He said he wants an OS on each drive but he might want an emulator now.

[ChuckII]

Thanks for all the replies. Sorry I haven't answered sooner, been out of town.
Since I last posted I reformated and took win xp pro 64 off my systm and reinstalled win xp pro 32. I have an empty hd and want to put xp pro 64 on it. Can I just boot to that drive and install 64. I would like to boot too xp 32 first then if i want too go to 64. Is this possible.

Also when the system boots what system will it boot too. Or will it give me a choice.

I want to thank everyone for there help in this matter.

Thanks in advance.

ChuckII

[Carbon]

Question - so if I were to install Vista on my other hard drive, with XP on my regular 80GB, I wouldn't have to mess around with a bunch of configuration stuff? It'd just give me a menu?

[philthomas]

VistaBootPro is a handy little utility that gives you a few extra options, such as choose the default system and set a countdown of nn seconds,before booting to the default. This allows you to select the non default OS, when required.
You can change the default and timer at any time also.

I've used it for a good few months now and it works very well.

HTH

[MJM]

You could also just edit the boot.ini, I guess the tool is easier though.

ChuckII, so you want to do on-the-fly switching of the OS? As such it's not possible, but you can run the one OS inside of the other. It's referred to as a Virtual PC or sometimes emulation. Just read my post above.

[philthomas]

Originally Posted by MJM You could also just edit the boot.ini, I guess the tool is easier though.

Yeah definitely easier, but more importantly ..... safer