Hi again everyone.

I used to have a dual boot system for XP & 98, but I had to install the 98 OS before the XP OS.

I now want to install a dual boot with Vista installed first and then XP. These Operating Systems will be installed on separate partitions on my Hard Drive.

From what I have read about this, it appears that there will be no problems or conflicts if I install these systems in this order (Vista and then XP).

Is this correct?

I have in the past used this dual boot system but installed XP before Vista. This appeared to work fine.

Thank you all in advance.

Cy
(Poseidon)

Theorectically, if you install to separate partitions this should work.

Not necessarily. Some can be done on the same partition, not that I would try it.

Both XP and Vista will happily co-exist.
Yes being on separate partitions is the way to go.
The good thing is neither has a requirement to be on the C: drive as Win9x did.
Personally I found it easier to install XP first and then Vista, as Vista replaces the boot loader.
Not to sure how it would work the other way around, you might need to use a separate boot loader.

Thank you Scott and Curlyben for your invaluable advice.

I may install the Vista OS first and then the XP OS and see how it goes.

I can't give either of you an 'official' rating I'm afraid .

I have the 'Spread Some Rep' sign coming up, having given you both a rating previously, to this Q (Scott) and a previous Q (Curlyben).

Cy
(Poseidon)

Thank you Scott and Curlyben for your invaluable advice.

I may install the Vista OS first and then the XP OS and see how it goes.

I can't give either of you an 'official' rating I'm afraid .

I have the 'Spread Some Rep' sign coming up,

No problem, both Ben and I are more concerned that we know you received and appreciated the advice then any points we might get from a rating.

This site seems to have some good advice for vista - xp dual boot system

Easily Set Default OS in a Windows Vista and XP Dual-boot Setup :: the How-To Geek (http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/easily-set-default-os-in-a-windows-vista-and-xp-dual-boot-setup/)

Heeeeeyyyyyyyyyyy go ahead intall it, even I my laptop is running on XP and 2000 and its doing fine...

I have had a dual boot running between XP and Vista Business. It worked fine, either way you install it. The one issue you might have is XP might not give access to Vista, or vice versa. The best way to fix this is to edit the bootloader with Easybcd.

You can download from here.

Download EasyBCD 1.7.2 - NeoSmart Technologies (http://neosmart.net/dl.php?id=1)

Hello Summoner2100,

Thanks for your reply,

It appears the reason I could not clean install Vista as the 1st OS in a dual boot is due to my having the Vista Premium upgrade version only and with this version it will not allow me to. I cannot simply do a clean install of Vista and then XP as my secondary system. I can only use the premium upgrade to 'upgrade' XP to Vista, or so I thought.

I have since discovered a way in which I can do a 'clean' install of Vista and get rid of all XP files.

I can then do an install of XP which will be my secondary OS, if I decide to.

Poseidon