Dual boot windows xp, and Vista information.  Hope this helps some what

 

 
http://www.theeldergeekvista.com/vista_dual_boot_installation.htm

The hardware thing is something to do with SATA hard drives and the fact that some versions of XP setup disks lack support for them, so it is possible but it takes a bit of work.

 

As for duel booting, id suggest looking up very carefully as i hoped to do the same when i realised how annoyingly hard it is to get Xp on a dell vista machine.

 

Theres a certain way of doing it however if its the wrong way it tends to mess everything up.

 

As for the space issue, i myself deleted all 3 partitions off of my vostro, C:, recovery and media direct, and made them all into one drive and im still missing 11GB of space.. , ive heard that nfts (the format that your hard drive is) takes up some room but im still an amature where this is concerned so if i was you id just check for any other partitions that may be there on the vista setup screen.

 

 

As far as i know, it shouldnt void your warrenty as it wont be causing damage, or breaking any of dells conditions, but you could read the warrenty details just to be sure.

 

The partitions can be managed when you install vista, once u boot with the vista CD, it brings a menu up asking what partition you wish ti install on, u can delete/format/add new partitions on this section, if you want to start from scratch delete all partitions, and then select the uallocated space, which should be around 148GB ect if u have 160GB hdd, then click new and it will ask how much space to put in this partition, its in mb so make sure you realise how many mb's in a gb. then simply install vista on one of them. and xp on the other.

 

But like i said im not experianced with duel booting so check articals to make sure theres not other things you have to do. but thats how to manage the partitions.

i wouldnt recommend using the toshiba one as like you say its probably configed for your toshiba laptop,

 

However the OEM Xp disc should be fine if its a standard xp disc, comes with the registration key for that disc, Depending on where the oem disc came from tho, for example some can be limited to the amount of times it is used, you may encounter a bit of trouble authenticating /activating xp after, However its worth a try before going out and paying for anouther copy of xp

 

 

Lara, you warranty will not be voided, but you will no longer be able to get "Support" for Software problems from Dell if you do what you suggest.

 

It is illegal to install any Windows software unless you are the legal owner of said software.

Borrowing a CD does not make you the legal owner.

 

The only time it is considered OK to borrow and use a "Dell CD/DVD" is when you have lost your copy of Windows and need to reinstall Windows on that Dell. It must be the same version that is licensed to your PC (Vista-basic, home, business,ultimate-  XP-Home, Pro, MCE)

Your Dell has what is called a COA sticker on it, this is the license and version of Windows for that particular PC, if you want to install another Version of Windows on that PC, you must purchase it. 

 

A nice guide to Installing Vista

http://www.blackviper.com/Articles/OS/InstallVista/installvista1.htm

 

 

Normally id say yes becuase from what i gather dell software OEM Operating system discs can be used on other dells, however when i reformated my vostro recently, thinking my vista business disc was a dud, i tryed my windows vista home from my home dell pc, and it didnt work at all.. So weather this was a coincidence on my end or it could be that they dont cross over.. but i think they should since dell OEM disks have protection to stop them being used on things other than dell, so since both the disc and the laptop is dell it should work.

 

 

Thinking about it if you can Borrow a dell oem xp disc, its worth a try, it either works or it doesnt.