Mult-Boot Setup Sequence

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I recently purchased and used Acronis 2010 True Image Home, and am wondering how to go about this, that is, in which sequence.

I want to create a multi-boot disc of my newly added 2TB drive to be able to boot from XP Pro, Vista Ultimate, or Windows7 Pro. I have partitioned it already, but now I'm unsure as to what the sequence of events should be as far as installing the OS's. It seems that once the 3 'primary' partitions are created, only the last partition remains active. Then when booting from the drive XP won't install and probably because this system is way beyond what was available when XP was released (8GB memory, 2TB hard drive, 2.88Ghz processor, et-cetera [HP Pavilion e9140f]).

The questions are:

  • 1. Will XP Pro even install on this system?
  • 2. Will Vista Ultimate install?
  • 3. What are the sequence of events? (ie, partition with 2010 True Image then install OS, further partition with 2010 True Image then install next OS, et-cetera) It also seems that when going back in to further partition, that the original partition is overwritten, and that all partitions must be done initially prior to installing multiple OS's.
  • 4. Can you point to a 'good' tutorial on this?
  • 5. What are the min and/or max or 'optimum' partition sizes that should be set up for these 3 OS's? (XP Pro 32bit, Vista Ult 32bit, Win7 Pro 64bit)
  • 6. I'm assuming all the associated files can be stored on any logical drive, but is 32bit/64bit formatting a factor there as well? I didn't think that mattered as long as it's opened with the right bit program on the right bit OS.

What can I say, I just have such an ancient library of programs from way back that I want to be able to not let them die out.

I know this is a bit beyond questions for Acronis, but because I'm using True Image 2010 in this process as a major factor, surely some here have the answers or know where to point to get the answers.

Thanks,
Ken

Sat, 12/19/2009 - 20:49
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Ken,

Are you planning on using the Windows boot manager?

What Service Pack level of XP are you installing? If it's pre-SP1, then it may be more problematic than SP3. XP may also need you to "F6" the drivers in during the boot-up from the CD in order to see the drive. In addition, I would just create the Primary/Active partition for XP and then install XP (don't create the other partitions at that time). Let XP do a quick format of the partition as part of the installation.

Vista and Windows 7 can be installed next. You can use the installer of each one to create the partition or create them with a partitioning program. The method used really depends on the boot manager you want to use. If you're using the Windows boot manager, leave the XP partition Active. If you're using a different boot manager and want independent booting, use a partitioning program and set the new partition Active and hide the other OS partitions.

----

I think XP should install okay if you have the correct drivers, you locate the XP partition at the start of the drive (the first partition) and you keep the size fairly small. XP drivers aren't listed on the HP site for the computer, though. (Vista and Windows 7 shouldn't have problems.)

I would recommend making the OS partitions large enough to hold the OS and any programs you're installing in that OS. Data, large games, etc. can be stored on a separate partition. For example, you may want XP 40GB, Vista 60GB and Windows 7 100GB.

Mon, 12/21/2009 - 20:36