Unsolved
This post is more than 5 years old
7 Posts
0
1208
August 1st, 2004 02:00
Dual hard drive and dual boot setup
I would like to know how to Install 2 hard drives with original Dell ME on 20 GB hard drive and XP pro on 80 GB hard drive.
The 80 Gb (NTFS) hard drive is already in use and fully loaded with XP Pro OS with all updates.
The 20 GB (FAT) hard drive has Dell Me OEM OS installed with nothing else on drive.
I want to be able to go from one OS to the other relative freely and with hardship. I do not want to buy the pullout cradle and physically swap drives. I guess I want to get as close to hot swappable as possible.
Where can I go on the internet to find info on how to? I am looking for any advice.
Both hard drives work fine independently on this Dimension 8100.
I tried cable select the both and I got only one up. When I switched the cable position I got the other OS. I knew that but did it anyway.
I tried Master XP Pro and Slave ME and didn't know how to get ME up.
I tried looking in the bios but I was unable to figure out what settings. I selected auto on IDE 2. That didn't work or seem to.
Thanks guys.
Mac
Denny Denham
2 Intern
•
18.8K Posts
0
August 1st, 2004 03:00
You can do it without physically reconfiguring the connections to your hard drives, but in order to set up a dual boot system you need to either install Windows ME first followed by Windows XP (see this) so that you can use XP's boot manager to switch between the two operating systems or purchase a third-party product such as Partition Magic, which includes a boot manager.
Adamfromthesout
1 Message
0
August 2nd, 2004 12:00
you can biuld a switching device to solve your problem. to find out more
click on the link below.
http://www.g4techtv.com/feature.aspx?article_key=43190
billymac65
7 Posts
0
August 2nd, 2004 13:00
Thank you for your responses.
I will try and reformat the ME 20 GB hard drive.
Then I will install the 20 GB hard drive with the XP Pro 80 GB hard drive.
Then Install the ME onto the 20. While the XP is running.
Does this sound right?
I really do not have the option of deleting the XP pro as it is loaded with to much of wifes software.
Thanx MAC
It seems that the Microsoft site said to install the older OS first then follow that With the newer OS.
Thank you for the info concerning the switch but I do not want to use any kind of mechanical switching devices for this application.
If there are any other suggestions. i am willing to hear them.