Dual Boot setup problems

Lizard · 07-01-2009, 8:56 AM

Hi, I was hoping someone could inform me were I was going wrong with try to setup a dual boot system please.

I am currently running XP Pro and would like to dual boot my PC so as i can use Vista Home also. I can split my hard drive with no issue but when i start the install of Vista on my PC and its first install boot happens the PC hangs on the sata check page as it can no longer find the split hard drive, yet lists all the other sata hard dives I have (3 others). A Raid setup is not used.

Does anyone no what is wrong please?

If it makes a difference the split HD is a Western Digital VelociRaptor

CP-PC · 07-01-2009, 6:34 PM

are you installing vista from windows xp of from a cd?? i had 2x 80gb ata drives running raid 0 with xp and vista installed. it booted both no problems

Lizard · 07-01-2009, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CP-PC

are you installing vista from windows xp of from a cd?? i had 2x 80gb ata drives running raid 0 with xp and vista installed. it booted both no problems

I've only tried it from booting up on cd, I'm i therefore right in thinking that i need to instal it whilst in xp?

FireKracker · 08-01-2009, 12:37 AM

You can install Vista from booting via the DVD or from within WinXP (I prefer to boot from the disc, less room for error such as antivirus/firewall problems).

Am I right in thinking that the hard disk you wish to install/dual boot vista from has already been split (partitioned)? If so have you formatted it to NTFS?

There may also be a need a 3rd party driver for your hard disc, thus the error that is occurring during the 'SATA check page'.

Hope that helps!

Lizard · 08-01-2009, 5:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FireKracker

Am I right in thinking that the hard disk you wish to install/dual boot vista from has already been split (partitioned)? If so have you formatted it to NTFS?

There may also be a need a 3rd party driver for your hard disc, thus the error that is occurring during the 'SATA check page'.

Hope that helps!

Yes I've partitioned the HD and formatted it with the NTFS (both slow and quick method tried), and everything works fine until I add vistia.

Western digital do do a software package for the harddrive, but when i have tried to boot install it I got errior messages. Perhaps I need to totally wipe the HD and try a boot install then with the software?

chris_f · 08-01-2009, 10:49 PM

I had this working, used paragon partition manager to create a LOGICAL partition and then when installing vista off of the DVD you select the partition you have created previously. The xp boot record will know that vista is present and allow you to choose your OS.

BEWARE!!!

If, like me you decide you like vista so much you remove xp and take down its partition to make the vista partition the master partition, vista will no longer boot.
You can do a repair with the DVD but in my case it did not work and I had to retype the MBR from scratch, which took hours of googling.

best bet is to format xp off and then install vista or buy another hdd and stick vista on that.

FireKracker · 09-01-2009, 12:40 AM

Just out of interest, why do you want Vista?

Lizard · 09-01-2009, 8:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FireKracker

Just out of interest, why do you want Vista?

For one very simple reason, the playing back of Matroska Files smoothly without judder. As I have never had much joy with Reclock.

FireKracker · 09-01-2009, 9:42 AM

I currently have a dual boot of XP and Vista, however, they are installed on two different HDD's. Setup and installation was done via cold booting from the DVD and installing. Prior to installing, the 2nd drive was formatted a logical partition was created.

I'm assuming that you have backed up all of your important info? If so, it might be wise to as you say format the hard disk thus having a clean drive onto which you can install both OS's, therefore eliminating any more problems (hopefully :0)).