Dual Boot - Vista Home Premium & XP Pro

My laptop came with Vista Home Premium x64 preinstalled. It shipped without
separate OS disks but it has a service partition which allows the user to
create recovery disks to reset the notebook back to its factory settings in
case of a hard drive failure or to simply reset the system from the service
partition without the use of the recovery disks.

Now that I have been using the system for several months, I would like to
install a 32 bit Windows XP Professional OS on the laptop in order to be
able to use some programs that will not run under a 64 bit OS. I have
installed Virtual PC on the notebook but because of the USB limitations of
VPC, only part of the 32 bit software issues were resolved. Some programs
require that I attach external devices, e.g. a GPS device, to the notebook
and the software will not work under the 64 bit OS and it will not work on
the VPC 32 bit Win XP Pro either.

My intention is to uninstall the VPC and install the 32 bit Win XP Pro
license on the note book.

Here's my problem: How do I do this without the Vista Home Premium x64 OS
disks? Vista was preinstalled and I do not know how to create a new
partition on the hard drive to install the 32 bit Win XP Pro OS.

In article <E7F2C476-7BDE-440F-9EA3->,
"VistaUser" <> wrote:

> My intention is to uninstall the VPC and install the 32 bit Win XP Pro
> license on the note book.
>
> Here's my problem: How do I do this without the Vista Home Premium x64 OS
> disks? Vista was preinstalled and I do not know how to create a new
> partition on the hard drive to install the 32 bit Win XP Pro OS.

Both the XP that came with VPC and the Vista you bought with the machine
are just OEM licenses. In contrast to the retail version they AFAIK
forbid what you want to do. It may still be technically possible, but I
don't know how.

--
Tobias Weber

VistaUser wrote:

> My laptop came with Vista Home Premium x64 preinstalled. It shipped
> without separate OS disks but it has a service partition which allows the
> user to create recovery disks to reset the notebook back to its factory
> settings in case of a hard drive failure or to simply reset the system
> from the service partition without the use of the recovery disks.
>
> Now that I have been using the system for several months, I would like to
> install a 32 bit Windows XP Professional OS on the laptop in order to be
> able to use some programs that will not run under a 64 bit OS. I have
> installed Virtual PC on the notebook but because of the USB limitations of
> VPC, only part of the 32 bit software issues were resolved. Some programs
> require that I attach external devices, e.g. a GPS device, to the notebook
> and the software will not work under the 64 bit OS and it will not work on
> the VPC 32 bit Win XP Pro either.
>
> My intention is to uninstall the VPC and install the 32 bit Win XP Pro
> license on the note book.
>
> Here's my problem: How do I do this without the Vista Home Premium x64 OS
> disks? Vista was preinstalled and I do not know how to create a new
> partition on the hard drive to install the 32 bit Win XP Pro OS.

You don't need the Visa disks. You need to partition your hard drive and
install XP on the new partition. Before you do this, you should check on
your laptop mftr.'s tech support site to make sure there are XP drivers. If
there aren't, forget about it.

I like Acronis Disk Director for partitioning but Vista can do simple
partitioning natively. You should be able to shrink the Vista partition to
make room for XP. There are quite a few links explaining this here:

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q...ta&btnG=Search

The optimal way to multiple-boot different operating systems is to install
the oldest MS one first, but with some extra work you can install XP after
Vista is already there.

Dual Booting Windows Vista & Windows XP -
http://bertk.mvps.org/html/dualboot.html

Install Windows XP On A Machine Already Running Windows Vista (MVP John
Barnett) -
http://vistasupport.mvps.org/install...ning_vista.htm

Again, it is *imperative* that before you do any of this you:

1. Check to make sure XP drivers exist for your machine.
2. Make recovery disks for your current operating system.
3. Back up your data before continuing with partitioning because Stuff
Happens.

If there are no XP drivers for your laptop, you might want to try VMware
Workstation instead of VPC. VMware handles USB quite well and IMO is more
elegant and sophisticated than VPC. They have a trial version I believe.

Malke
--
MS-MVP
Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!
FAQ - http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/#FAQ

http://apcmag.com/how_to_dual_boot_v...step_guide.htm

Have a read of the above link.
--
Mad Mike


"VistaUser" wrote:

> My laptop came with Vista Home Premium x64 preinstalled. It shipped without
> separate OS disks but it has a service partition which allows the user to
> create recovery disks to reset the notebook back to its factory settings in
> case of a hard drive failure or to simply reset the system from the service
> partition without the use of the recovery disks.
>
> Now that I have been using the system for several months, I would like to
> install a 32 bit Windows XP Professional OS on the laptop in order to be
> able to use some programs that will not run under a 64 bit OS. I have
> installed Virtual PC on the notebook but because of the USB limitations of
> VPC, only part of the 32 bit software issues were resolved. Some programs
> require that I attach external devices, e.g. a GPS device, to the notebook
> and the software will not work under the 64 bit OS and it will not work on
> the VPC 32 bit Win XP Pro either.
>
> My intention is to uninstall the VPC and install the 32 bit Win XP Pro
> license on the note book.
>
> Here's my problem: How do I do this without the Vista Home Premium x64 OS
> disks? Vista was preinstalled and I do not know how to create a new
> partition on the hard drive to install the 32 bit Win XP Pro OS.
>

In addition to the excellent post by Malke, be aware that each time you boot
into XP you will lose the shadow copies and restore points in Vista.

"VistaUser" <> wrote in message
news:E7F2C476-7BDE-440F-9EA3-...
> My laptop came with Vista Home Premium x64 preinstalled. It shipped
> without separate OS disks but it has a service partition which allows the
> user to create recovery disks to reset the notebook back to its factory
> settings in case of a hard drive failure or to simply reset the system
> from the service partition without the use of the recovery disks.
>
> Now that I have been using the system for several months, I would like to
> install a 32 bit Windows XP Professional OS on the laptop in order to be
> able to use some programs that will not run under a 64 bit OS. I have
> installed Virtual PC on the notebook but because of the USB limitations of
> VPC, only part of the 32 bit software issues were resolved. Some programs
> require that I attach external devices, e.g. a GPS device, to the notebook
> and the software will not work under the 64 bit OS and it will not work on
> the VPC 32 bit Win XP Pro either.
>
> My intention is to uninstall the VPC and install the 32 bit Win XP Pro
> license on the note book.
>
> Here's my problem: How do I do this without the Vista Home Premium x64 OS
> disks? Vista was preinstalled and I do not know how to create a new
> partition on the hard drive to install the 32 bit Win XP Pro OS.

If you don't have a Vista installation DVD, then a problem you wil
encounter when you install XP afterwards in the second partition is thi
will wipe out the Vista bootloader and so then you will only have th
ability to enter XP. You need to run Startup Repair in order to correc
this. But without the Vista installation DVD, you will only be able t
do this if you go to this site to download the makings for a Vist
recovery CD (and it is a CD, not a DVD) and then burn it to the CD

'Windows Vista Recovery Disc Download &#x2014; The NeoSmart Files
(http://neosmart.net/blog/2008/window...disc-download/

--
LeeTuto

If this answer has been of help to you, then please add to my Reputatio
by clicking on the middle icon at the top right. :geek:

VistaUser wrote:
> My laptop came with Vista Home Premium x64 preinstalled. It shipped
> without separate OS disks but it has a service partition which allows
> the user to create recovery disks to reset the notebook back to its
> factory settings in case of a hard drive failure or to simply reset the
> system from the service partition without the use of the recovery disks.
>
> Now that I have been using the system for several months, I would like
> to install a 32 bit Windows XP Professional OS on the laptop in order to
> be able to use some programs that will not run under a 64 bit OS. I
> have installed Virtual PC on the notebook but because of the USB
> limitations of VPC, only part of the 32 bit software issues were
> resolved. Some programs require that I attach external devices, e.g. a
> GPS device, to the notebook and the software will not work under the 64
> bit OS and it will not work on the VPC 32 bit Win XP Pro either.
>
> My intention is to uninstall the VPC and install the 32 bit Win XP Pro
> license on the note book.
>
> Here's my problem: How do I do this without the Vista Home Premium x64
> OS disks? Vista was preinstalled and I do not know how to create a new
> partition on the hard drive to install the 32 bit Win XP Pro OS.


First and foremost, if the specific computer model in question was
designed specifically for Vista, there may well be no WinXP-specific
device drivers available to make the computer's diverse components work
properly. If this proves to be the case, installing WinXP in a virtual
machine would be your best - possibly only - option, anyway. Consult
the computer's manufacturer about the availability of device drivers.
Secondly, adding another OS might void any support agreements and,
sometimes, even the warranty. Again, consult the computer's
manufacturer for specifics.

If WinXP do device drivers exist, then you can proceed.

Normally, the older OS must be installed first unless you wish to
acquire and use some 3rd-party partition and boot management utility.
(In which case you have to follow the instructions provided by whatever
3rd party solution you select.) However, this KB Article (not for the
faint of heart or technically-challenged) explains how to repair the
Vista boot process after installing WinXP:

Windows Vista no longer starts after you install an earlier version of
the Windows operating system in a dual-boot configuration
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/919529

MS-MVP John Barnett's Guide is considerably more user-friendly:
http://vistasupport.mvps.org/install...ning_vista.htm



--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot

Well, if you are going to mention that way, shouldn't you mention that a 3rd
party boot manager and Bit-Locker can also be used?

First they have to know the problem exists.

"Josh White" <> wrote in message
news:...
> On Sun, 30 Nov 2008 12:55:18 -0800, "John Barnes"
> <> wrote:
>
>>In addition to the excellent post by Malke, be aware that each time you
>>boot
>>into XP you will lose the shadow copies and restore points in Vista.
>
> NOT if one takes the proper steps to control that:
>
> http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/12...ot-delete.html
>
>
>>"VistaUser" <> wrote in message
>>news:E7F2C476-7BDE-440F-9EA3-...
>>> My laptop came with Vista Home Premium x64 preinstalled. It shipped
>>> without separate OS disks but it has a service partition which allows
>>> the
>>> user to create recovery disks to reset the notebook back to its factory
>>> settings in case of a hard drive failure or to simply reset the system
>>> from the service partition without the use of the recovery disks.
>>>
>>> Now that I have been using the system for several months, I would like
>>> to
>>> install a 32 bit Windows XP Professional OS on the laptop in order to be
>>> able to use some programs that will not run under a 64 bit OS. I have
>>> installed Virtual PC on the notebook but because of the USB limitations
>>> of
>>> VPC, only part of the 32 bit software issues were resolved. Some
>>> programs
>>> require that I attach external devices, e.g. a GPS device, to the
>>> notebook
>>> and the software will not work under the 64 bit OS and it will not work
>>> on
>>> the VPC 32 bit Win XP Pro either.
>>>
>>> My intention is to uninstall the VPC and install the 32 bit Win XP Pro
>>> license on the note book.
>>>
>>> Here's my problem: How do I do this without the Vista Home Premium x64
>>> OS
>>> disks? Vista was preinstalled and I do not know how to create a new
>>> partition on the hard drive to install the 32 bit Win XP Pro OS.
>
> PJ White

Have you contacted the manufacturer to find out whether OS install disks or
a recovery DVD is available? You would be in trouble if you had to replace
your hard drive. If they won't provide you with anything then the recovery
partition is probably 10 GB or so, much of it empty space, and you could
easily back it up to a DVD. You could also back it up to an external USB
interface hard drive.

There is another way to install an earlier operating system without
interfering with Vista or its Boot Manager. Once you create your second
partition, go into Disk Manager, make that partition "Active", reboot and
install XP on it. The new XP install won't interfere with either Vista or
its Boot Manager. If you want to get back to Vista, simply make the Vista
partition active again and reboot the machine. If you later decide you want
a multi-boot user interface, you can install one using VistaBootPro or
BCDEdit, the tool that ships with Vista.

Chances are also real good that your laptop has a SATA drive in it and that
it is easily removable. SATA drives of reasonable size are pretty cheap
now. If you are going to use 32-bit XP most of the time then you could swap
in a new drive, install XP, and put the Vista system on the shelf for the
next time you need it. There are many ways to skin a cat.

Earle

"VistaUser" <> wrote in message
news:E7F2C476-7BDE-440F-9EA3-...
> My laptop came with Vista Home Premium x64 preinstalled. It shipped
> without separate OS disks but it has a service partition which allows the
> user to create recovery disks to reset the notebook back to its factory
> settings in case of a hard drive failure or to simply reset the system
> from the service partition without the use of the recovery disks.
>
> Now that I have been using the system for several months, I would like to
> install a 32 bit Windows XP Professional OS on the laptop in order to be
> able to use some programs that will not run under a 64 bit OS. I have
> installed Virtual PC on the notebook but because of the USB limitations of
> VPC, only part of the 32 bit software issues were resolved. Some programs
> require that I attach external devices, e.g. a GPS device, to the notebook
> and the software will not work under the 64 bit OS and it will not work on
> the VPC 32 bit Win XP Pro either.
>
> My intention is to uninstall the VPC and install the 32 bit Win XP Pro
> license on the note book.
>
> Here's my problem: How do I do this without the Vista Home Premium x64 OS
> disks? Vista was preinstalled and I do not know how to create a new
> partition on the hard drive to install the 32 bit Win XP Pro OS.

"Tobias Weber" <> wrote in message news:towb-...
> In article <E7F2C476-7BDE-440F-9EA3->,
> "VistaUser" <> wrote:
>
>> My intention is to uninstall the VPC and install the 32 bit Win XP Pro
>> license on the note book.
>>
>> Here's my problem: How do I do this without the Vista Home Premium x64 OS
>> disks? Vista was preinstalled and I do not know how to create a new
>> partition on the hard drive to install the 32 bit Win XP Pro OS.
>
> Both the XP that came with VPC and the Vista you bought with the machine
> are just OEM licenses. In contrast to the retail version they AFAIK
> forbid what you want to do. It may still be technically possible, but I
> don't know how.
>
> --
> Tobias Weber

The "XP" did not "come with VPC". I had a local computer retailer make a desktop PC for me about 4 years ago. As part of that, I purchased a license for Win XP Pro. That desktop is now contributing its recyclable metals to help the environment. I kept the OS disks and I believe there is nothing in the license agreement that prevents its use on another computer. As I mentioned in my post, my intention is to uninstall the VPC, thus uninstalling Windows XP from the notebook before I install it as the second OS on the notebook. I know of no legal restriction that prevents me from installing Windows XP on a notebook that shipped with Windows Vista preinstalled.