Triple Boot

[VirusType2]

I have successfully set up a dual boot system using Windows XP and Windows 7 64 Bit. It was done automatically when Windows 7 detected a previous version of windows.

However, I want a triple boot setup. I want Windows XP Pro 32Bit, Windows 7 32Bit, and Windows 7 64Bit (Ultimate versions). I've got a 1 terabyte drive to use.

Anyone done this yet? This is actually my first time creating partitions outside of the OS's installers.


OK, I'm not really sure what I'm asking either. I need help setting up the partitions using XP Pro's Disc management console, or some free partitioning software.

Also, I'm assuming this is possible without boot software. ?

 

[Operational]

It's possible, I suspect you just follow a similar procedure as dual boot.

The bigger question though is why on earth do you want to do this? I mean I have Win98 on a virtual machine because, with Vista64, it can come in handy for old games but XP, Win7-64bit and Win7-32bit, why?

 

[VirusType2]

Several reasons, mostly having to do with hardware and software compatibility, but also performance. It could make a big difference in certain games.

I don't want to rely on virtual OS (like Win7's XP Mode) because emulation hurts performance in a big way.


I'm actually having trouble finding the option to create partitions, even after looking through How-To guides. XP's disc manager is so ****ing shitty.

also, I'm wondering if each OS needs it's own recycler system partition... the little 3GB drive it creates that you can't access?

Because normally you can create only 4 partitions, unless you use extended and logical. And since I've never done any of these things, I'm pretty overwhelmed.

So if each OS creates the recycler drive, then I'll end up exceeding 4 partitions. Help.

 

[Captain M4d]

You should be able to create a new partition using Disk Management on either XP or 7. When you get into Disk Management, you should be able to right click on your one of your drives and hit 'Shrink Drive' to create new unallocated space. Enter how many gigs you want the unallocated space to be and you should be able to format it into a new partition then. After that, just boot the computer from the Windows 7 32Bit disc and you should be able to install it to the new partition.

 

[VirusType2]

Yeah; I just figured it out.

I just came back to say that when you format a drive, it automatically creates a partition using the entire space, so you must delete the partition. ... then you will have the option to create partitions, using whatever size you want.

 

[Operational]

Several reasons, mostly having to do with hardware and software compatibility, but also performance. It could make a big difference in certain games.

Okay old software and pre-vista hardware explains why you would want XP. But I still don't get why you would want both 32 and 64bit versions of Win7.

Sorry but a triple boot with the three OS's you want just boggles my mind - for the past 2 years 99% of the time I've been fine with Vista64 and the other 1% is taken care of with a Win98 virtual machine.

Anyway to your problem, it sounds like you only have XP installed. It's disk manager is pretty limited (compared to Vista's or third party ones like Partition Magic). IIRC XP's disk manager doesn't have the ability to shrink the size of partitions so if you told XP to use your whole drive when you installed your gonna have to create your partitions some other way. During Win7s installation your might have the option of resizing partitions you might want to start installing and see.

 

[VirusType2]

Yeah, my problems are sorted.

I'm using a blank hard drive to set up partitions first, then I'll try to make an exact copy of my current OS onto one of these partitions using a disc utility - like the software that WesternDigital offers.

If that doesn't work, then I'll have to do a clean install on each partition, which I'm not really heart broken about; my XP and Win 7 installations are only about a week old.

Windows 7 will automatically create a boot loader (where you can select which OS to boot into every time you restart your computer) and put itself on a different partition (of your choice) when you install it, if you DO NOT select the option to "UPGRADE".

 

[Krynn72]

I bet you 80 bucks that you'll ultimately use only one OS for everything.

 

[Captain M4d]

When I had 7 RC, I had a dual boot with Xp 32-bit, but I ended up having to switch between the two. When I got 7 Pro, I decided to just use that because I couldn't think of any programs that wouldn't give me problems.

 

[VirusType2]

I bet you 80 bucks that you'll ultimately use only one OS for everything.

Lol, yah.



I just hope it isn't XP.

Would like to take advantage of DX11, and all that ... Ok, I'll admit, I'm in it just for the glossy window dressing.

Spoiler

just kidding

 

[VirusType2]

God damn. I was adamant that the ntldr file would end up on the spare partition and ended up reinstalling XP 6 times before saying, **** it.

Windows just puts that this wherever it wants. It's like wack-a-mole. I'm convinced it picks a random number. Yeah, I'm on to you XP. I put view hidden files on... I see that shit.

Anway, It's done. Would have been easier had XP not had to put the boot drive and system drive on two different ****ing drives - WTF. So then I move a 'blank' drive and it breaks my installation? no thanks.

G:\Windows - no thanks..

etc.

At least I finally am free of those dreaded EIDE drives.

Redid the system, bitches. All set.