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    Dual boot Vista and XP?

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by ClumsyKayaker, Dec 17, 2007.

  1. ClumsyKayaker

    ClumsyKayaker Newbie

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    I just took delivery on a T61p that has Vista preinstalled. I also purchased a second hard disk and a Hard Drive Bay Adapter. I want to ease into using Vista, but continue to use XP for everyday work. Included in my purchase are the R&R and XP installation CDs so I can 'downgrade' my system. I would like a dual boot setup where I can choose between Vista and XP.

    First question: Is it possible to set up my T61p so that I can select one or the other operating system. Essentially, I will be able to choose between two PCs; (1) an XP system configured with the Lenovo customizations and (2) a Vista system configured with the Lenovo customizations? I realize that I must purchase an additional license (presumably for XP). OK -- how and where do I purchase the necessary license? By the way, I also purchased System Commander 9, but I am open to purchasing another boot and partition manager, if necessary.

    An alternative to dual boot would be have XP on one disk and Vista on the other. Is it possible for XP to boot off the second hard disk, instead of booting Vista off the primary hard disk? And if it is, could I use the other disk for data back up?

    There is no way I can be productive with Vista, but I want to learn. Any suggestions?

    Thanks.
     
    ClumsyKayaker, Dec 17, 2007
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  2. Acorn

    Acorn Notebook Evangelist

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    phone up microsoft and purchase a license for windows or you can go to a local computer store and purchase one. The 'Genuine' license that is.
     
    Acorn, Dec 17, 2007
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  3. mcbrided

    mcbrided Notebook Consultant

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    Yes its possible. I'm unsure if you can buy XP any longer retail wise - you may have to resort to ebay or something.

    To do this, you have to set your t61p into compatibility mode in the bios. Then do a clean install of Windows XP - do another clean install of vista (not upgrade) afterward. Obviously you will need to install these on separate partitions.
     
    mcbrided, Dec 17, 2007
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  4. Renee

    Renee Notebook Virtuoso

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    We don't know that OP's proposed configuration as he mentioned a second disk.

    Secondly, I have installed Xp after Vista on the the same volume in separate partitions where XP was the second system. Vista has the ability to expand and shrink partitions, so the there may be no reason for a new installation of Vista. I was able to accomplish this using Boot Manager. What I did was to download boot manager and leave it in the vista partition. Then I installed XP. At that time, XP was the only bootable system. Running Bootmanger from the XP partition, I was able to set up Vista to be the primary boot system.
     
    Renee, Dec 17, 2007
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