Installing Vista

[hans030390]

I'm going to test out Vista on my computer, but its the only computer I have...and I want to know how I could easily install Vista and then easily go back to XP if needed. Do I just install it over XP and will it give me an option? Or could I install it onto a separate partition of my hard drive and just boot it from there (leaving the XP installation untouched)?

I'm sorry if this has been asked before, but i just thought i'd ask before diving into installing it.

 

[bruceb]

Microsoft says once it's in ... that's it for the old OS
So, if you think you want to go back, get a second
Hard Drive for Vista 40-80GB or so under $100

See this page from Microsoft about Uninstalling it:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/getready/preview.mspx

Look under Installation Limtations, about 1/2 down the page

Also, make an Image of your existing installation using
Ghost or Acronis Tru Image ... be sure to bakup personal
files also

 

[Shankster]

Don't know for sure if this is correct, but when I reinstalled Vista a second time (tried using some REALLY wrong drivers), after booting from the DVD, I used advanced options to delete the partion. Seems as if you could do this and then exit the install. Comments invited 'cause I may be wrong.

 

[Shankster]

I sure hope you are installing on different partition OR a second drive as bruceb suggests!

 

[hans030390]

Right, I have my hard drive partitioned. One partition has the windows xp os on it, so could I put vista on the other and uninstall it easily and go back to xp if needed?

 

[GrantMeThePower]

Whoa, i'm a bit confused...couldn't you just reformat the disk if you want to go back to XP ??

EDIT- yes, of course you can. Here is the quote from MS:

In addition, once you install Windows Vista Beta 2 (or RC1) you cannot roll back to the previous operating system installation?you will either have to acquire and install the final released edition of Windows Vista or reinstall a previous edition of Windows. Before installing Windows Vista Beta 2 on any computer, please remember to back up all your files.

Bottom line is you have to completly reinstall XP. You can't just 'uninstall' vista, but i suppose i never thought I could. I assumed it would have to be a reformat/reinstall.

 

[hans030390]

well, windows xp will be completely untouched on my other partition, so couldnt I just dual boot to XP if needed?

 

[Shankster]

I used 2 HDD's with XP on one and Vista on the other. On bootup you get a screen allowing you to select "Microsoft Windows"(Vista) or "Earlier Version Of Microsoft Windows"(XP). You have to restart to get the dual boot menu to change from one to the other, but haven't had any problems. I still think if you delete the partion w/ Vista on it (to remove it), you won't lose your XP installation.

 

[Shankster]

Originally posted by: Shankster
I used 2 HDD's with XP on one and Vista on the other. On bootup you get a screen allowing you to select "Microsoft Windows"(Vista) or "Earlier Version Of Microsoft Windows"(XP). You have to restart to get the dual boot menu to change from one to the other, but haven't had any problems. I still think if you delete the partion w/ Vista on it (to remove it), you won't lose your XP installation.

After you install Vista (Vista will install a dual boot menu). Trying to make it clearer.

 

[DetroitSportsFan]

Regardless of how you install it ... whether it be an "upgrade" install, clean install, or dual boot install ... its always a good idea to have your "perfectly tweaked, already moved into installation of win XP imaged for easy replacement in the case you run into troubles.

I use Acronis, but many like Ghost. Use what you're comfortable with. Regardless, its always a good idea to have an image you can use to reinstall your windows. It sure beats starting from scratch every time your beta blows a gasket and kills your install.

 

[Extelleron]

Well, what I did is just installed Vista on another partition.

I have my XP on the large partition, put Vista on a smaller partition I had created. Nothing fancy. When I boot up, I'm given the option to go to "MS Windows" or "Earlier version of Windows."

Pretty straight forward.

 

[DetroitSportsFan]

Originally posted by: Extelleron
Well, what I did is just installed Vista on another partition.

I have my XP on the large partition, put Vista on a smaller partition I had created. Nothing fancy. When I boot up, I'm given the option to go to "MS Windows" or "Earlier version of Windows."

Pretty straight forward.

Until it breaks ... Will it? Who knows ... its a beta.

There's a reason why its not recommended to install it on your main rig. You're taking chances. So far, you've gotten away with it. Hopefully you have no problems what so ever. But if you do ... I hope you have an image to revert back to.

A little precaution now can prevent major problems in the future. Make the image. If it ends up that you didn't need it, fine. There will come a day when you wished you had one. Its a good habit to get into.

 

[Extelleron]

Originally posted by: DetroitSportsFan

Originally posted by: Extelleron
Well, what I did is just installed Vista on another partition.

I have my XP on the large partition, put Vista on a smaller partition I had created. Nothing fancy. When I boot up, I'm given the option to go to "MS Windows" or "Earlier version of Windows."

Pretty straight forward.

Until it breaks ... Will it? Who knows ... its a beta.

There's a reason why its not recommended to install it on your main rig. You're taking chances. So far, you've gotten away with it. Hopefully you have no problems what so ever. But if you do ... I hope you have an image to revert back to.

A little precaution now can prevent major problems in the future. Make the image. If it ends up that you didn't need it, fine. There will come a day when you wished you had one. Its a good habit to get into.

What could really happen? It's on a different partition.

And even if something did, I've got nothing important on here.

Originally I was going to install it on a seperate HDD, but it was too small (20GB.)

 

[wiin]

Originally posted by: Shankster
I used 2 HDD's with XP on one and Vista on the other. On bootup you get a screen allowing you to select "Microsoft Windows"(Vista) or "Earlier Version Of Microsoft Windows"(XP). You have to restart to get the dual boot menu to change from one to the other, but haven't had any problems. I still think if you delete the partion w/ Vista on it (to remove it), you won't lose your XP installation.

How did you get this to work? I have two HDDs - one XP and the other, Vista - but i am not getting the screen allowing me to boot from one or the other.

 

[stash]

You can also boot to the XP recovery option and run fixboot and fixmbr. That will restore XP's bootloader.