Dual Boot XP with same OS (Cloned)?

[pilotbob]

It's time for me to re-install my XP pro to clear out some of the junk accumalated over the years. In order to separate some of the everyday stuff from the more specialized items (Virtual Machines etc.) I want to create a dual boot system with the same version of XP on both. My laptop (Lenovo) has the recovery sytem built into the hard drive so no OS disc supplied. Can I reinstall from scratch, repartition my drive (500gb to 2x 250gb) then clone the first partition to the second and if so how will I select which one boots on startup. Hope I am making myself clear, I've seen lots of advise on dual boot XP/Vista/Win7 systems but none on what I want to do. Any advise gratefully received as uaual. Many thanks, Bob.

[KenB]

Hi Bob,

 

I have never done what you are suggesting - but it is possible.

Have you given any thought as to how you will know which OS you are working with once booted up .....or are you keeping the second option "just in case"?

 

You could always clone the HDD to a second disk.

That way - if the Hard Disk dies - you can just pop in the spare.

 

Do you have the software to clone the primary partition?

 

how will I select which one boots on startup

The BIOS may sort it automatically and give you the option.

Usually the screen will wait for a response and if there is none - it will load the OS on the primary partition.

 

You may need to alter the Boot.ini file if the second OS is not detected.

 

It would look something like this when you add the second OS:

 

[boot loader]

timeout=30

default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS

[operating systems]

multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional in Partition 1" /fastdetect

multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional in Partition 2" /fastdetect

[pilotbob]

Hi Ken, Thanks for your reply, I do have the partitioning and clone software having upgraded the original 160Gb drive to 500Gb without re-installing everything. I also have a spare drive with the complete system cloned as a backup. I think you've answered my question as to how I will select which OS to use with your Boot.ini suggestion. I'll give it a go and see what happens. Cheers, Bob.

[KenB]

Let us know how you get on.

 

The Boot.ini above is NOT to replace your own.

You must take a look at what is there already and add the second partition in the same manner as the first.

Use the one above as a guide only.