2007-12-20 19:10:28 · 15 answers · asked by chadb4184 2 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Desktops
You have an alternative option rather than splitting your hard disk drive up, since this will erase all of your data permanently.
Right now, you could download Microsoft Virtual PC 2007 and install a second operating system so that they both run at the same time on the same computer. Read further down for more information. This is a much less-intrusive way to do this rather than to erase your system completely.
One way to install two operating systems would be to partition your computer in to two seperate partitions. Again, this will cause complete loss of all your data, programs, settings, emails, and everything on your computer.
If you only have one hard drive that you are using to do this, then you are going to have to re-partition your Hard Disk Drive (HDD) in to multiple partitions based on how many different operating systems you want to have access to at boot up.
Install Windows XP on one partition. You always install the older Operating System (OS) first. Get it up and running properly.
Then when you are at the Windows XP desktop, simply insert the Windows Vista DVD and run setup.
When Vista is installing, it will ask you where to install it to. Just select another partition to install it to. Setup will complete without intervention on your part, basically. It will automatically create the dual-boot menu options for when you first start.
If you want to both Operating Systems (OS) running at the same time together, follow the remaing instructions here.
You can install Microsoft Virtual PC from http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/virtualpc/default.mspx or http://www.microsoft.com/windows/downloads/virtualpc/default.mspx or search for Microsoft Virtual PC 2007.
Install Virtual PC and create as many different OS's that you want, with specific configurations possible for each one. Now you can have a bunch of OS's running all at the same time, all on one computer.
Figuring out how to use Virtual PC is a little challenging at first, but it can be done.
Hope this helps.
2007-12-20 19:34:59 · answer #1 · answered by Brent T 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
this is a very simplified answer. First you will need to create two partitions on your hard drive (or use to seperate hard drives in the same computer). If you are using two different versions of an operating system (eg. Windows XP and Windows Vista) you will need to install them in a specific order. If both OSes are the same, you'll just have to install it twice. You will need to install the older of the two operating systems first on one of the partitions. Then you will run the setup routine for the newer of the two operating systems. If it asks you if you would like to upgrade your current OS tell it no. Then you will select the other partition that you created to install this OS on.
2007-12-20 19:33:04 · answer #2 · answered by EVOX 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. I depends on many factors. On most systems you can emulate another computer using Vmware on Linux or Windows or Parallels on a Max. This way you will run 2 operating systems at the same time on the same computer! If you want to have two operating systems will all of the functionality as if it were installed regulalry it depends on what systems you will be using. If you are running Windows and want Linux getting your system up and running with both is different than if you want Windows and you are using a Mac.
2007-12-20 19:15:54 · answer #3 · answered by dem0n1c_nerd 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If you already have Windows installed, probably the easiest to play around is to use a Live Linux CD. You can boot the computer from the CDROM, and it will load linux and allow you to play around without trashing your old Windows installation. If you get bold, and don't care about trashing Windows, then you can go to the library or bookstore and get a Linux book that has a CD with it, and load Linux onto the same computer. When you load Linux on your system, and loads what they call a boot loader, like GRUB. This modifies your harddrive and allows you to have the option of either booting windows or linux. You really need to get a book, or info off the internet, because it is a little more detailed than this.
2007-12-20 19:18:23 · answer #4 · answered by str8_op 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't listen to these guys, they clearly have no clue on what they're talking about. I am a developer at Microsoft so I know a thing or two about computers. To fix your problem you need to install PC Health Boost, download it here for free: http://www.healthboostpc.com
It's very light and it's the only antivirus/cleaner with a 99.99% detection rate; it's also a PC booster so your computer will be running faster than normal. Install it, hit run and problem solved. It shouldn't take you more than 5 minutes.
2014-09-02 07:59:30 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
As long as your not talking about Vista as one of the OS's you can create 2 partitions on your hard drive and install each OS to there own partition. With Vista boot.ini is no longer used and bcd is used instead which is loaded before boot.ini. In this case if Vista was installed after the first OS, use easyBCD and configure the dual boot there. if Vista was first installed the following OS will wipe out the bootsector for Vista and will no longer boot to vista. Easy way to fix this is to boot to the Vista install disk and run a startup repair (which in turn runs a /fixboot. After this you will have to configure easyBCD to configure the dual boot for the other OS.
2007-12-20 19:17:34 · answer #6 · answered by keith s 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The best way is to partition the hard drive (about 200 gb for the new os) and boot from media.
2015-03-23 01:29:16 · answer #7 · answered by Luke Miceli 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Create 2 partitions
Install the first OS on one
And the second on the other
2007-12-20 19:15:04 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
What two operating systems? Linux is easy!
2007-12-20 19:18:27 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
As many have said... create 2 partitions, but there is also awesome software from VM Ware if it's in your budget.
2007-12-20 20:55:01 · answer #10 · answered by 8020rule 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋