Partitioning

I'd like to create a dual-boot for XP and Vista to run on my system. Problem
is that even though I have over 40GB of space on my drive, it won't let me
partition my drive. So, it looks as though I'd have to reformat it. My
questions:

My computer is a Compaq that I bought from my local store and it already had
XP installed. It did not include a copy of XP for reinstallation purposes.
All I have are system recovery disks.

So, would I have to run system recovery, then try to create the partition
after that, then install Vista?

Or do I install Vista, let it overwrite all data, create partitions, then
use the system recovery disks to reinstall XP onto a different partition?

It is totally normal that your operating system won't let you partition the
hard drive. You need something like Partition Magic to do it. After you have
created a partition of at least 20GB for Vista, give it a name (for example
'Vista') and give the XP partition a name too because Vista installation my
change the drive letters but it won't change the names. Saves you getting
confused. Then do a 'Clean Install' to the Vista partition. You'll then have
a dual-boot XP/Vista system. Colin


"deltafan" wrote:

> I'd like to create a dual-boot for XP and Vista to run on my system. Problem
> is that even though I have over 40GB of space on my drive, it won't let me
> partition my drive. So, it looks as though I'd have to reformat it. My
> questions:
>
> My computer is a Compaq that I bought from my local store and it already had
> XP installed. It did not include a copy of XP for reinstallation purposes.
> All I have are system recovery disks.
>
> So, would I have to run system recovery, then try to create the partition
> after that, then install Vista?
>
> Or do I install Vista, let it overwrite all data, create partitions, then
> use the system recovery disks to reinstall XP onto a different partition?

"deltafan" <deltafan@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:F55B3BA2-6547-47CF-862F-EB7F0F9CB9EF@microsoft.com...

> I'd like to create a dual-boot for XP and Vista to run on my system.
> Problem
> is that even though I have over 40GB of space on my drive, it won't let me
> partition my drive. So, it looks as though I'd have to reformat it. My
> questions:
>
> My computer is a Compaq that I bought from my local store and it already
> had
> XP installed. It did not include a copy of XP for reinstallation purposes.
> All I have are system recovery disks.
>
> So, would I have to run system recovery, then try to create the partition
> after that, then install Vista?
>
> Or do I install Vista, let it overwrite all data, create partitions, then
> use the system recovery disks to reinstall XP onto a different partition?

You need a different piece of software than XP to create a new partition.
Try Ranish. It is freeware and comes recommended by regulars here.

Also, I suggest you do some research here and on the 'net regarding
dual-booting. Can never be too informed.

Lastly, as a rule of thumb, always install the oldest operating system first
and the newest one last.

Ok, thanks guys. I'f I can create a partition without reformatting, I'd
rather do that. Also, will Ranish still let me create extended partitions,
should I want to expand the Vista partition?

"Mark D. VandenBerg" wrote:

>
> "deltafan" <deltafan@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:F55B3BA2-6547-47CF-862F-EB7F0F9CB9EF@microsoft.com...

>
> You need a different piece of software than XP to create a new partition.
> Try Ranish. It is freeware and comes recommended by regulars here.
>
> Also, I suggest you do some research here and on the 'net regarding
> dual-booting. Can never be too informed.
>
> Lastly, as a rule of thumb, always install the oldest operating system first
> and the newest one last.
>
>
>

OK, I am no computer tech by any means and after having read how to install
Ranish, I am still confused.

It says that I need to write the program to a bootable floppy disk. However
my computer does not have a floppy disk drive, so would a bootable DVD or CD
work fine? Do I need to put all of the files from the Ranish .zip on the
CD/DVD or just one or two of them (If I can use CD/DVD)?

"deltafan" wrote:

> Ok, thanks guys. I'f I can create a partition without reformatting, I'd
> rather do that. Also, will Ranish still let me create extended partitions,
> should I want to expand the Vista partition?
>
> "Mark D. VandenBerg" wrote:
>

"deltafan" <deltafan@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:8BE7C2A1-CA02-47EF-9CF0-4D588418C853@microsoft.com...

> Ok, thanks guys. I'f I can create a partition without reformatting, I'd
> rather do that. Also, will Ranish still let me create extended partitions,
> should I want to expand the Vista partition?
>
>

Dunno. Never used it. PartitionMagic guy, myself.

Also, can I create an NTFS partition, or do I create a Fat32 and let Vista
installation transform it?

"deltafan" wrote:

> OK, I am no computer tech by any means and after having read how to install
> Ranish, I am still confused.
>
> It says that I need to write the program to a bootable floppy disk. However
> my computer does not have a floppy disk drive, so would a bootable DVD or CD
> work fine? Do I need to put all of the files from the Ranish .zip on the
> CD/DVD or just one or two of them (If I can use CD/DVD)?
>
> "deltafan" wrote:
>

It doesn't matter what kind of partition you create. You should format it
NTFS as part of the Vista install as it is a slightly different version. If
you have software to create a bootable CD/DVD go ahead and use it. Roxio
and Nero have the ability to create bootable drives. They usually add the
dos boot files to the Ranish file you add. Unfortunately XP only creates a
basic bootable floppy and you can't direct them elsewhere.


"deltafan" <deltafan@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:9DAC9B7B-CBF9-4117-9EFE-5EE8B247F4E9@microsoft.com...

> Also, can I create an NTFS partition, or do I create a Fat32 and let Vista
> installation transform it?
>
> "deltafan" wrote:
>