installing vista without removing xp on single drive

i want to install vista but since im guessing not all my programs and games might not be compatible with vista i would like to keep xp pro, what are the steps i have to take to get this done right the first time and without loosing any files

i want to install vista but since im guessing not all my programs and games might not be compatible with vista i would like to keep xp pro, what are the steps i have to take to get this done right the first time and without loosing any files

On Sat, 10 Jun 2006 19:51:02 -0700, daniel wrote:

i want to install vista but since im guessing not all my programs and games might not be compatible with vista i would like to keep xp pro, what are the steps i have to take to get this done right the first time and without loosing any files

You really need to install XP on a different partition. If you don't have room for another partition on the drive(s) already in the machine, you're going to need to install another hard drive for this beta test. Assuming you have room in your case for another drive, all you'd need to do would be pick up a small 30-80GB drive.
If you had imaging software, such as Ghost or True Image, you could image your current XP setup and return to it after you're finished with the beta, but then you'd have the hassle of backing up all the files you'd accumulated while you had Vista installed. By far the better choice is to put it on a different partition and dual boot.
Ron

how can i create a second partition on my drive? i have the space i just dont know how to create a second partition without reformatting?

how can i create a second partition on my drive? i have the space i just dont know how to create a second partition without reformatting?

I just got done installing Vista again. Previously I had used the upgrade options. That left alot of old hardware drivers interfering with Vista. Now, after doing a fresh install, my pc is running awesome. No more bugs. It even has Aero inabled now, awesome. Try find info to install on a seperate partition and dual boot. That is your best option. But remember of course, it is a beta, so you are likely to have problems, so back up your files regardless of what option you choose.
-- Lanthos ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Lanthos's Profile: http://www.64bit-world.com/forums/member.php?u=2112 View this thread: http://www.64bit-world.com/forums/showthread.php?t=28575

If you already have XP installed but have lots of extra room on your drive you can use any partition program to go ahead and create partitions without messing your installation.
"daniel" wrote:

how can i create a second partition on my drive? i have the space i just dont know how to create a second partition without reformatting?

On Sat, 10 Jun 2006 21:01:02 -0700, daniel wrote:

how can i create a second partition on my drive? i have the space i just dont know how to create a second partition without reformatting?

You'd need to purchase a copy of Partition Magic. There are freeware programs that can shrink a partition and then create a new one from the freed space, like Partition Magic does, but I'd not trust a critical task like this to any freeware program. Even PM does not guarantee that nothing can go wrong. Interestingly, for beta testing Vista, you'd need only a 40GB drive. If you look around, you should be able to find one for less than the cost of PM -- problem solved.

You will need to use a third-party program. Disk Manager in XP will not allow you to partition the system drive. Your best bet is to follow milleron's advice and add a second drive. They are very inexpensive.
"daniel" wrote in message

how can i create a second partition on my drive? i have the space i just dont know how to create a second partition without reformatting?

I recommend defragging the system drive first.
"Leonaitis" wrote in message

If you already have XP installed but have lots of extra room on your drive you can use any partition program to go ahead and create partitions without messing your installation.
"daniel" wrote:
how can i create a second partition on my drive? i have the space i just dont know how to create a second partition without reformatting?

On Sat, 10 Jun 2006 19:51:02 -0700, daniel wrote:

i want to install vista but since im guessing not all my programs and games might not be compatible with vista i would like to keep xp pro, what are the steps i have to take to get this done right the first time and without loosing any files

You really need to install XP on a different partition. If you don't have room for another partition on the drive(s) already in the machine, you're going to need to install another hard drive for this beta test. Assuming you have room in your case for another drive, all you'd need to do would be pick up a small 30-80GB drive.
If you had imaging software, such as Ghost or True Image, you could image your current XP setup and return to it after you're finished with the beta, but then you'd have the hassle of backing up all the files you'd accumulated while you had Vista installed. By far the better choice is to put it on a different partition and dual boot.
Ron