I want to run FS9 on windows XP and also keep my vista OS. Can I partition half of my hard drive and then install XP on that, then install FS9 and all of its addons?

I want to run FS9 on windows XP and also keep my vista OS. Can I partition half of my hard drive and then install XP on that, then install FS9 and all of its addons?

yes, just reformat, install two partitions and you're all set. I do taht right now. Two XP's one HDD. One xp for fs9 and one for general use.

yes, just reformat, install two partitions and you're all set. I do taht right now. Two XP's one HDD. One xp for fs9 and one for general use.

So how do I go about selecting which one I want to startup?

So how do I go about selecting which one I want to startup?

Whoa hold on!If you install WinXP after Vista or if Vista is already on your system you will kill your ability to boot into Vista! In laymen's terms an installation of XP will re-write the master boot record destroying the boot info for Vista. It won't matter if you have two different partitions. For a dual boot installation you must install XP first and then Vista.There is a way to restore your ability to boot into Vista if you goof up by installing XP after Vista by download and running EasyBCD but if you are not familiar with the program then it may be more trouble than you want to tackle. You can find info and download EasyBCD at http://neosmart.net/dl.php?id=1Todd

Whoa hold on!If you install WinXP after Vista or if Vista is already on your system you will kill your ability to boot into Vista! In laymen's terms an installation of XP will re-write the master boot record destroying the boot info for Vista. It won't matter if you have two different partitions. For a dual boot installation you must install XP first and then Vista.There is a way to restore your ability to boot into Vista if you goof up by installing XP after Vista by download and running EasyBCD but if you are not familiar with the program then it may be more trouble than you want to tackle. You can find info and download EasyBCD at http://neosmart.net/dl.php?id=1Todd

OK so I will erase my hard drive then partition into two. Next I'll install XP and after I'll install Vista. Now my question is how do I select which OS I want to run at a given time? Lets say X-plane is on Vista and FS9 on XP. Do I restart my computer and then press the command to bring up the boot menu thingy?

I'm sure I remember reading there is a way of installing XP into a multi-boot configuration with Vista with Vista already installed - let me rummage around a little and see if I can dig the method out - brb...

OK so I will erase my hard drive then partition into two. Next I'll install XP and after I'll install Vista. Now my question is how do I select which OS I want to run at a given time? Lets say X-plane is on Vista and FS9 on XP. Do I restart my computer and then press the command to bring up the boot menu thingy?

Yes you will have to restart your computer to boot into the other OS. Normally when you install a second OS a boot menu will be added so you can select which OS to boot into. If the boot menu is not added automatically then the program EasyBCD would help with that also. I would suggest you read about and download EasyBCD just in case and it works in both XP and Vista.BTW you said "boot menu thingy" so don't confuse the dual boot menu as meaning the BIOS menu. You shouldn't have to press a key or a command to bring up the dual boot menu.Todd

I'm sure I remember reading there is a way of installing XP into a multi-boot configuration with Vista with Vista already installed - let me rummage around a little and see if I can dig the method out - brb...

waiting.... :(

I'm sure I remember reading there is a way of installing XP into a multi-boot configuration with Vista with Vista already installed - let me rummage around a little and see if I can dig the method out - brb...

If you know another solution then tell me. The only way I know would be to run EasyBCD and re-install the Vista bootloader.Todd

I'm sure I remember reading there is a way of installing XP into a multi-boot configuration with Vista with Vista already installed - let me rummage around a little and see if I can dig the method out - brb...

What I did was use two separate drives in external SATA hard drive enclosures. One has a bootable configuration of XP, the other Vista. I just plug the eSATA cable into the one I want, and never have to worry about some disk utility or install program hosing one or both OSs because it got confused over which one was which.Also, you cannot use an upgrade install of Vista and keep your XP--the Vista upgrade will invalidate your XP serial number so that it can't be used any more. Either use an OEM or full retail version of Vista if you want to keep XP around.RegardsBob ScottColonel, USAF (ret)ATP IMEL Gulfstream II-III-IV-VColorado Springs, CO

waiting.... :(

Look above your post for my reply as you posted at the same time I did.Todd

Found it! See here for details - EasyBCD not necessary. (The instructions are from the free version of Windows Secrets, a newsletter that I subscribe to and recommend for general tips & tricks, and general tech and security news, though it's mainly geared to business.)

Found it! See here for details - EasyBCD not necessary. (The instructions are from the free version of Windows Secrets, a newsletter that I subscribe to and recommend for general tips & tricks, and general tech and security news, though it's mainly geared to business.)

Well...See Step 13 on the page you linked? Notice the 4 bcdedit commands? The program EasyBCD does all that and the steps in Step 10 with one click. So it can be done that way but there is a reason the program I mentioned is called EasyBCD! BTW the BCD stands for "Boot Configuration Data" which is stored in a data file in Vista.Todd

So it can be done that way but there is a reason the program I mentioned is called EasyBCD!

I'm not trying to compete with your method, just sharing this little bit of information that I have come across in my time. IMC should use whichever solution he likes, or another. :shrug:

I'm not trying to compete with your method, just sharing this little bit of information that I have come across in my time. IMC should use whichever solution he likes, or another. :shrug:

No I didn't look at it as competing. What I was trying to say was the steps given in your link is basically the very same thing that must be done regardless of which method chosen. Look at it this way. Vista has a BCD file. That BCD file can be edited with the bcdedit executable included with Vista but to do it that way requires entering commands and is very time consuming and confusing to use. The EasyBCD program is basically just a front end for bcdedit to make BCD changes easier. But yes it's up to IMC to decide which way he does it and if he is going to re-format and install XP first then editing the BCD file becomes a moot point.Todd