Duel-Boot Queiry

Question

Hi all,

I recently replaced my aging Dimension 8600 with an XPS 420 - Vista Home Premium is installed on the XPS while WinXP is installed on the 8600. I didn't recieve a physical copy of WinXP when i purchased the Dimension 8600, instead i had to create a recovery disk from the preinstalled version of XP shipped with the computer.

What i would like to know is - as part of a duel-boot senario - is it possible to install XP on the XPS by way of the XP Recovery Disk created on the 8600? Does a full valid copy of WinXP exist on the XP Recovery Disk, or would i need to purchase a new XP OS disk for the purpose of duel-booting with Vista on the XPS?

I hope that's clear enough. :emotion-40:

Davet50 · Answer

Yes you should be able to install it using the disk. As a side note you can go HERE and request a set of disks for your old 8600 .

I would highly recommed that if you want to dual boot you do so on seperate hd. This the cleanest way and in the event of trouble on either os it will only affect that drive and not the primary one.

andy2009 · Answer

Thanks for the sound advice, i'll certainly give it a try. The thought hadn't occured to me to duel-boot using seperate HDs, i suppose i didn't think it possible. My main problem when i buy an external HD will be where to start as i know very little on how to duel-boot on a single HD let alone 2. Would it be to much trouble to ask if Dell has a guide on such a thing or where i might find one.

Davet50 · Answer

I do not believe one can setup a dual boot using an external drive. The process is simple though you just choose the the correct drive at boot up and install.

andy2009 · Answer

Ok now i understand - Install both operating systems from scratch on a seperate internal drive, and like you said, should something go wrong, my original Vista OS on the primary drive shouldn't be affected.

That pretty much covers my duel-boot queiry, and thanks for your help. :emotion-21:

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Duel-Boot Queiry

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