Question Triple boot machine ( PCMech Forums Drives and Storage )
Updated: 2009-06-04 05:20:18 (10) |
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Triple boot machine
I have been wanting to add another OS to my box.
Currently I have Windows Vista Home Premium running on one hard drive.
I have Windows 7 RC running on a second hard drive.
The duel boot works well, but I have a number of old hardware items that I used to use with XP Pro and of course much of it does not work with Vista and none of it works with Windows 7.
I also have a third unallocated hard drive sitting in my box. I want to load XP Pro onto that drive to make a triple boot set up.
My question:
While I believe that this is going to be no problem having 3 OS on 3 different drives, I am concerned with the boot loader problem.
How can I load XP onto the machine with Vista and 7RC already on there and be able to boot up with my choice of one of the three OS? This may have been discussed before but I could not find anything on it.
Thanks for any help........... pg
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| Answers: Triple boot machine ( PCMech Forums Drives and Storage ) |
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Triple boot machine
Easiest way is to press F8 or whatever your machine uses for boot menu while starting up and boot from the hard drive you choose.
Khalil
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Triple boot machine
Thanks Kahlil......
That sounds simple enough. I will give it a try.
Loading XP seems to be the simple way to re-instate the operation of all the old hardware I have installed.
Most just will not fully work with Vista.......... pg
piniongear
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Triple boot machine
If you are going to change the boot order to boot into a different OS, you should disconnect the other 2 drives when you install XP on the 3rd drive.
In order to have a true triple boot without having to change boot order, you need to install from scratch - oldest OS to newest in that order.
glc
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Triple boot machine
i lost the System Restore function in the Vista64.. when i set up the Dual Boot
i set a hard drive as a default loader in the Bios.. i love that song, 'Blue BIOS'
I tap F8 when i want the other, 3 HHD's, 1 is a back up.
passn_thru2
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Triple boot machine
Good point Glc. Thanks.
I will unplug the two drives with 7 RC and Vista before loading XP on that third drive.
I am hoping this is going to work........ pg
piniongear
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Triple boot machine
Just a follow up on my effort to install XP over Vista.
It failed to work.
So I guess the only way I am going to get this going is to format all 3 hard drives, then install XP first, followed by Vista. and last of all to install Windows 7 RC.
My big question is............. can I expect to have 'activation problems' with the reinstall of Vista? I think that is going to be an issue.
pg
piniongear
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Triple boot machine
If you do, all you have to do is call M$ and tell them what you did - they will give you an activation number.
glc
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Triple boot machine
OK, I hear that.
I called MS yesterday to ask the question..... Can I uninstall Vista and reinstall XP?
The guy would not answer the question directly. He told me.... 'Yes, I can connect you with a Windows Certified Tech for a year of 24/7 service. Sensing this was not going to be free, I asked how much? He beat around the bush, then finally I forced him to say $139. Ha-Ha, that is not cheap in my book.
He then went on saying I had completely messed up my computer by working on it and it will take a Certified Tech from MS to straighten it out.
Third parties will not be able to do this job. I call that scare tactics.
Man, they must be very hard pressed to sell service these days!
Well, my computer may be messed up, but it works just fine thank you.
Guys like that I do not need to talk to. I thanked him and said I would keep them in mind....... pg
piniongear
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Triple boot machine
Activation issues are handled by a dedicated phone number, they dont try to sell you service.
glc
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Triple boot machine
Thanks GLC, I may be calling them soon....... pg
piniongear
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