How can I create a partition on my hd?

from WinCustomize Forums
Can anyone advise me on how I can create a partition on my hard drive so that I can have 2 operating systems. Namely: XP Pro and Vista Beta 2.

I have a relatively large hd 160g and heaps of memory and processing power.\

I really like Vista, and want to keep evaluating it, but unfortunately, it doesn't like the music recording software (CoolEdit Pro) I use for making music.

So I want to be able to have both os on the hd so when I want to do music, I can boot into XP.

Can anyone help me with this?

Thanks in advance

Marty
3,931 views 5 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top

http://www.tucows.com/preview/293662 Swissknife ...free app.

http://www.powerquest.com/home_homeoffice/products/system_performance/pm80/index.html

Above one is not free, and whilst I'm definitely not a fan of their A/V programs etc. PartitionMagic is actually quite good. [Or was, last time I used it ~a while back]

Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I use Partition Magic, it works perfectly. It was formerly a Powerquest and not a Symantec product - so that explains why its so good Symantec bought Powerquest.

However, it is recommended Vista, as a dual boot O/S, be installed on a second hard drive rather than a partition to avoid conflicts. The risk is yours, just make sure you have everything backed-up.

Groupy 2 - Organize multiple applications into grouped tabs on your Windows desktop
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I'm dual booting XP and Vista Beta 2.....on a single HD...with no problems. 1st I would copy all you personal files to a CD or DVD because you will have to Zero out your HD, then reinstall XP but in the install setup part divide your HD into 2 partitions. Format 1 of them and install XP. After you have rebooted your PC with XP, install Vista into the other partition on the HD. Then when you boot up a OS screen will give you a choice of OS's to boot from. I will say that it would be easier on you to put a 2nd HD in your PC, then load Vista. Good Luck
Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Hey Marty, better to get yourself another HD...even a cheap 40 gig would do.

Yeah, it'd be much easier in the long run (no reformat, having to backup) and you save yourself the potential for conflicts. Although MS aren't saying so now, I remember reading a while back that they did not recommend installing two Oses on the same physical drive.
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
The first link is for the forums and where you can get help as these guy's specialise in partitioning and OS installs the second link is it's home page in case the first link don't work...lol... just covering my bases ,at the home page look to right and near the top for the link word "forums" ,http://radified.com/cgi-bin/YaBB/YaBB.cgi http://radified.com/index2.html

EDIT:they have a few good write ups on partitioning also and other stuff
Maxtor have a free partitioning tool and there are others that are free tho personally you'd be better off getting partition magic 8.0,it is worth the money you have my personal gaurantee ,now i don't suppose you need any insurance