How can i run multiple OS's

[EthicsGradient]

Hello,

I recently bought a new desktop PC. Unfortunately it came with Windows 7. I just do not like it. I'd much rather have Windows XP and am quite happy to purchase a copy of this OS and install it on my PC.

I have two 500GB harddrives on board so would it be a problem loading XP on to the unused one?

I also thought about just formating the primary and installing XP on it but I have no Windows 7 OS CD incase i need to restore the PC. Why is it we dont get the OS software CD anymore? As I have payed for the license then can i not request one a CD from Microsoft?

 

[taper]

What brand is your pc? Some makers will send you a full install disk for free or a small price if asked, some have instructions on how to create your own. You're right to be upset you didn't get a disk, do some searching online about Microsoft licensing if you really want to get mad. I remember hearing something about XP and Vista not cooperating on a dual boot, but that was quite a awhile ago, there's a good chance it's been resolved, or isn't an issue with Win7. As long as you're looking at installing multiple OS's, just let me know if you're interesting in trying Linux. You'll never have to worry about licensing again if you make the switch.

EDIT: Forgot to mention as long as XP and Win7 play nice you shouldn't have much trouble installing on 2 different drives. There's tons of how-to's online for dual booting. I know Newegg still sells XP discs.

 

[EthicsGradient]

Well I have certainly considered linux in the past but i have never taken the plunge in to a new OS. How is Linux for running old games like Thief? My main problem with windows 7 is its horrible compatibility issues. I was happy at windows 98... but that was a long time ago. If i can run my old games via linux then that might be a better option for me.

 

[Maniacal]

There are a couple of programs for Linux that allow you to run windows games, for a list of games that they can run see these links:
http://appdb.winehq.org/

http://www.cedega.com/

You should certainly keep Windows 7 as it is a vastly superior OS to XP, but if it isn't working for your older games nd you can't find any fixes on the net for them, then having a second drive for XP isn't a bad idea.

 

[bob bobato]

You could use Windows Virtual PC. It's a free program from microsoft that allows you to run OS's on top of your real one (you'll need to get the virtual OS seperately though). I have it running windows 98 for old games, so compatibility is no longer an issue for me.
However, to use the virtual OS you have to load it from the host OS, so if you're looking for something where you wouldn't have to deal with win7 at all, it's not for you.

 

[Souron]

The only problem with Having vista or windows 7 and XP on a dual boot, is that XP will not recognize the later version as an OS when installing, and so will install such that the computer always boots to XP. This can be solved by installing a separate boot loader. Alternatively, I think that repairing the later version of windows after you install XP will make Vista and Windows 7 use the Windows boot loader.

In either case you will need to shrink the current windows partition and add another. You should be able to do this with the windows repair CD.

If you do not have a repair CD, then you can make one from your windows installation.

 

[Rusted Armor]

If you install the operating on two separate hard drives you will have no problems. Although you will have to go into BIOS every time you want to use the other OS.

 

[Ayatollah So]

I have a similar question. I just bought a refurbished HP with Windows 7 and I want to install Linux (SuSe). This will be my first time dealing with Linux. I plan to burn a Linux CD, then partition the hard drive - which I don't yet know how to do - then install Linux from CD on the new partition.

Any advice, warnings, links to good How-to sites, etc., would be appreciated.

 

[GVBN]

Last time I used Suse it had an installer with shiny graphics and max screen resolution and a mouse cursor, and that was like 3-4 years ago

Most noob-friendly distros have an option to automatically partition the drive

 

[Lord Emsworth]

I have a similar question. I just bought a refurbished HP with Windows 7 and I want to install Linux (SuSe). This will be my first time dealing with Linux. I plan to burn a Linux CD, then partition the hard drive - which I don't yet know how to do - then install Linux from CD on the new partition.

Any advice, warnings, links to good How-to sites, etc., would be appreciated.

I found the that especially the SuSe installer makes these things fairly easy. It can resize your Win partition to make room for the Linux partitions. And of course create these partitions, install stuff, and set up your machine so that you can boot either Win or Linux etc.

And since you asked for a how-to site:
http://en.opensuse.org/Installation_help

 

[Genocidicbunny]

Ubuntu has an even better option -- Wubi. It will install linux on a virtual drive thats contained in a file on your hard drive and set up your bootloader to boot to ubuntu for you. The best part is that if you dont like it, its simple to get rid of. It doesn't do any potentially catastrophic resizing and it is kept very up-to-date.