How do I install two copies of XP on the same Computer?

Hi Tim,

Thanks for the response. I do wish to use the ntldr to present the options
from the boot.ini file.

My question, though was specifically on how to go about installing WinXP
from the installation CD. My two choices are
(a) start the computer and let it boot as normal from the C drive with my
original WinXP and then insert the 2nd WinXP installation CD into the DVD-ROM
drive and let it install from there

or

(b) Change my boot sequence so that my DVD-ROM drive boots before the C:
drive and insert my WinXP installation CD in the DVD-ROM drive and boot the
computer from there.

thanks again



"Timothy Daniels" wrote:

> "Saina77" wrote:
> > I have one copy of WinXP on my C drive and I recently
> > installed a second hard drive. I formatted that and partitioned it.
> >
> > I bought a second WinXP license and want to install it on
> > the F: drive (partition on the 2nd physical HDD).
> >
> > Should I boot my computer from the CD ROM drive with
> > the WinXP installation CD or should I first boot my computer
> > from the C: drive and then insert the WinXP installation CD
> > and let it go from there? Does it make a difference either way?
> >
> > thanks!
> > Saina77
>
> It depends on whether you want to use the XP (ntldr) to
> boot manager to control the dual-boot or not. If you want
> to use ntldr to read and present the boot.ini boot menu of
> OSes, you just install the 2nd XP in the partition that you can
> designate during setup for the installation process. This can
> be on the same HD or another HD. See the following pages
> for details:
> http://www.winxpfix.com/page5.htm#dboot
> http://support.microsoft.com/default...&Product=winxp
>
> If you want to use the BIOS to select the HD that controls
> booting, just disconnect the 1st HD when installing XP on
> the 2nd HD. Thereafter, use the BIOS during startup to
> select the HD which will be at the top of the Hard Drive
> Boot Order (i.e. boot priority) list. The OS on that HD
> will be booted.
>
> *TimDaniels*
>
>
>

I've only done it with b), but I think it doesn't matter
which way you do it - the running OS will be replaced
in memory with what's on the DVD in both cases. When
it's over, you'll have to re-boot to get a Windows OS
running again. Try it both ways - there's nothing wrong
with experimenting, as long as youv'e got your files
backed up. In this case, the penalty for the wrong
choice is neglibly small. In any event, you'll probably
be told what you're about to do before you do it, and
you can decide then to stop and reverse course if you
want.

*TimDaniels*

"Saina77" wrote:
> I do wish to use the ntldr to present the options
> from the boot.ini file.
>
> My question, though was specifically on how to go about
> installing WinXP from the installation CD. My two choices
> are:
> (a) start the computer and let it boot as normal from the
> C drive with my original WinXP and then insert the
> 2nd WinXP installation CD into the DVD-ROM drive
> and let it install from there
>
> or
>
> (b) Change my boot sequence so that my DVD-ROM
> drive boots before the C: drive and insert my WinXP
> installation CD in the DVD-ROM drive and boot the
> computer from there.
>
>
> "Timothy Daniels" wrote:
>
>> It depends on whether you want to use the XP (ntldr) to
>> boot manager to control the dual-boot or not. If you want
>> to use ntldr to read and present the boot.ini boot menu of
>> OSes, you just install the 2nd XP in the partition that you can
>> designate during setup for the installation process. This can
>> be on the same HD or another HD. See the following pages
>> for details:
>> http://www.winxpfix.com/page5.htm#dboot
>>
>> http://support.microsoft.com/default...&Product=winxp
>>
>> If you want to use the BIOS to select the HD that controls
>> booting, just disconnect the 1st HD when installing XP on
>> the 2nd HD. Thereafter, use the BIOS during startup to
>> select the HD which will be at the top of the Hard Drive
>> Boot Order (i.e. boot priority) list. The OS on that HD
>> will be booted.
>>
>> *TimDaniels*
>>
>> "Saina77" wrote:
>> > I have one copy of WinXP on my C drive and I recently
>> > installed a second hard drive. I formatted that and partitioned it.
>> >
>> > I bought a second WinXP license and want to install it on
>> > the F: drive (partition on the 2nd physical HDD).
>> >
>> > Should I boot my computer from the CD ROM drive with
>> > the WinXP installation CD or should I first boot my computer
>> > from the C: drive and then insert the WinXP installation CD
>> > and let it go from there? Does it make a difference either way?
>> >
>> > thanks!
>> >
>> > Saina77

Can I install a second version of XP on the same drive and have a choice at
boot up of which one to use?

The reason I want to do this is that my SYSTEM registry file become
corrupted, but in the process of using Recovery Console I have ended up
without a SAM registry file, and now when asked for a password I am unable to
proceed with the recovery. (Actually, is there a default password in this
situation?).

I hope that I will be able to boot up in the second version of XP and sort
out the registry files in the original version, and then reboot into the
original version.

I don't want to lose any data that I have on C: or D: (two partitions on the
same drive), but if it so happens that the original XP installation becomes
unusable then I can put up with that.

Why not do a Repair Installation.....which should correct your System Reg
problems and not touch any of your programs/personal files.
Of course then you would need to reapply all of the updates.
peter
"tooc" <tooc@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:24B0E779-0216-4FF4-82F1-560703716F7F@microsoft.com...
> Can I install a second version of XP on the same drive and have a choice
> at
> boot up of which one to use?
>
> The reason I want to do this is that my SYSTEM registry file become
> corrupted, but in the process of using Recovery Console I have ended up
> without a SAM registry file, and now when asked for a password I am unable
> to
> proceed with the recovery. (Actually, is there a default password in this
> situation?).
>
> I hope that I will be able to boot up in the second version of XP and sort
> out the registry files in the original version, and then reboot into the
> original version.
>
> I don't want to lose any data that I have on C: or D: (two partitions on
> the
> same drive), but if it so happens that the original XP installation
> becomes
> unusable then I can put up with that.
>

That's something I didn't know about.

However, is the method I proposed feasible and if so is it more foolproof
than a Repair Install? It worries me to overwrite files!

If installing a second XP is feasible, would it go on C: (where the original
\WINDOWS directory is situated) or would it go on D: (the same drive but
another partition). Or if either is possible, which is best?

Am I right in thinking that I will not change anything to do with the
original installation by installing another version?

I am trying to be particularly careful because I have got myself into this
mess by slavishly following some incomplete instructions. I have my brain
plugged in this time! All I need to be able to do is copy some missing
registry files into \Windows\System32\Config – the only one there at present
is SYSTEM.

It is annoying that the Recovery Console is asking for a password when none
exists any more! What answer can it expect me to give? There is no SAM file,
so I am deducing that there is no password. I am correct in saying this,
aren't I?

Hi Tim,

I checked with someone else and they recommended that I go with option B,
i.e. boot up from the WinXP CD and go with the install. Everything worked
out - I have a dual booting system with two WinXP's, each on their own hard
drive!

While I suspect that it would work fine either way (i.e., booting up with
the C: WinXp first) I don't have the time or energy to fix whatever might go
wrong!

cheers,
Saina77

"Timothy Daniels" wrote:

> I've only done it with b), but I think it doesn't matter
> which way you do it - the running OS will be replaced
> in memory with what's on the DVD in both cases. When
> it's over, you'll have to re-boot to get a Windows OS
> running again. Try it both ways - there's nothing wrong
> with experimenting, as long as youv'e got your files
> backed up. In this case, the penalty for the wrong
> choice is neglibly small. In any event, you'll probably
> be told what you're about to do before you do it, and
> you can decide then to stop and reverse course if you
> want.
>
> *TimDaniels*
>
> "Saina77" wrote:
> > I do wish to use the ntldr to present the options
> > from the boot.ini file.
> >
> > My question, though was specifically on how to go about
> > installing WinXP from the installation CD. My two choices
> > are:
> > (a) start the computer and let it boot as normal from the
> > C drive with my original WinXP and then insert the
> > 2nd WinXP installation CD into the DVD-ROM drive
> > and let it install from there
> >
> > or
> >
> > (b) Change my boot sequence so that my DVD-ROM
> > drive boots before the C: drive and insert my WinXP
> > installation CD in the DVD-ROM drive and boot the
> > computer from there.
> >
> >
> > "Timothy Daniels" wrote:
> >
> >> It depends on whether you want to use the XP (ntldr) to
> >> boot manager to control the dual-boot or not. If you want
> >> to use ntldr to read and present the boot.ini boot menu of
> >> OSes, you just install the 2nd XP in the partition that you can
> >> designate during setup for the installation process. This can
> >> be on the same HD or another HD. See the following pages
> >> for details:
> >> http://www.winxpfix.com/page5.htm#dboot
> >>
> >> http://support.microsoft.com/default...&Product=winxp
> >>
> >> If you want to use the BIOS to select the HD that controls
> >> booting, just disconnect the 1st HD when installing XP on
> >> the 2nd HD. Thereafter, use the BIOS during startup to
> >> select the HD which will be at the top of the Hard Drive
> >> Boot Order (i.e. boot priority) list. The OS on that HD
> >> will be booted.
> >>
> >> *TimDaniels*
> >>
> >> "Saina77" wrote:
> >> > I have one copy of WinXP on my C drive and I recently
> >> > installed a second hard drive. I formatted that and partitioned it.
> >> >
> >> > I bought a second WinXP license and want to install it on
> >> > the F: drive (partition on the 2nd physical HDD).
> >> >
> >> > Should I boot my computer from the CD ROM drive with
> >> > the WinXP installation CD or should I first boot my computer
> >> > from the C: drive and then insert the WinXP installation CD
> >> > and let it go from there? Does it make a difference either way?
> >> >
> >> > thanks!
> >> >
> >> > Saina77
>
>
>

"Saina77" wrote:
> with option B, i.e. boot up from the WinXP CD and go
> with the install. Everything worked out - I have a dual booting
> system with two WinXP's, each on their own hard drive!

I'm glad to hear that it worked out for you.

*TimDaniels*