The two most popular operating systems are Windows XP and Windows Vista. Both have different capabilities and features. Windows XP is fast, stable and capable of running old applications. This is one version of windows which has universal compatibility ie. almost all software applications are compatible with XP. On the other hand Vista is more advanced, packed with amazing features like transparency, bells and whistles, Windows Sidebar, Games, Media Center Applications, Windows Ultimate Extras and so on. Everyone would like to enjoy the enhancements of Windows Vista without giving up the ability to run older applications that require Windows XP. So this is what you need to do : Install both the operating systems on your PC.

There can be two cases:

1-Windows XP is installed already and you want to install Vista now

2-Windows Vista is installed already and you want to install XP now

1-Windows XP is installed already and you want to install Vista now: If you want to have both XP and Vista and XP is already installed on your computer you don’t need to do much work to dual boot vista. Boot with your Windows Vista installation DVD and install Windows Vista on a separate partition (other than the one where XP is installed). Your previous XP installation will remain intact and automatically a boot menu with both XP and Vista will get listed on your system.

2-Windows Vista is installed already and you want to install XP now: Boot with your Windows XP installation CD and install Windows XP on a separate partition (other than the one where Vista is installed). When the setup is complete, the computer will automatically boot to Windows XP. You will find the system is not running Windows Vista any more. Whenever the system starts, Windows XP will start automatically. But there is nothing to worry as Vista is intact in its separate partition. When XP was in stalled, the Vista Boot Manager got replaced by XP boot components. Now we need to correct the Vista Boot Manager using the Windows Vista installation DVD. Boot with your Windows Vista installation DVD and repair Windows Vista (Start-up Repair). Now Windows Vista will run automatically whenever the system is started. But what happened to XP ? Its not running anymore. Not to worry, all we need to do is add an entry to the Windows Boot Manager for Windows XP. This is how we can do it. Log on to your system à Vista will run automatically à go to Programs à Accessories à right click on Command Prompt à Run as administrator à the Command Prompt window will open à run the following commands.

bcdedit /create {ntldr} /d "Windows XP"

bcdedit /set {ntldr} device boot

bcdedit /set {ntldr} path \ntldr

bcdedit /displayorder {ntldr} /addlast

Hit enter after typing each of the above commands. When you are done, reboot the system and watch out the new boot menu. It will give you an option to boot with Windows XP and boot with Windows Vista. Now its up to you, you can log on to whichever operating system you like. Don’t forget to leave a comment if you find this article useful.

• Written by SID.
• In category Software.
• 15 years ago.

Hot Hits: 2078

Like it on Facebook, Tweet it or share this article on other bookmarking websites.