How to - Dual o/s Vista Ult. + XP Pro

[beancow2]

Hello everyone - Many of the members here are responsible for my recent success of building my first computer, and again I thank you!

My first build has been a great success and I have been using Vista Ultimate exclusively.

I have since acquired a copy of XP Pro w/SP2 - purpose = several games I own and some I want that don't work with Vista - other than that, I'm very happy with Vista!

I've done a lot of research on running dual o/s and I've gotten varying channels to go through, and some problems that I've heard about.

Can everyone please lend a great hand in pointing me to the very best procedure to use?

My info = ASUS P5K - Intel E6600 - 4 GB Corsair 800mhz RAM - 320 GB Seagate 7200 HD
Hauppage TV Tuner Card - EVGA 7900GS 256M Video Card

I've been running Vista Ultimate since I built it and still am.
I'd like to just add XP Pro if I can, simply to reboot my computer when I want to switch over to XP and run a couple games, after which I would reboot and switch back to Vista for all else.

I currently have two partitions on my HD, C: has 70 of 100 GB free, which has Vista and my programs on it and D: has 160 of 200 free which just has pics, videos, and music files.

Thanks very much for all your help!!!

[Negeva]

Sorry that on-one has answered you, shame really. However, I use this guide: LINK (http://apcmag.com/node/5162/) worked successfully for me, but make sure you back up any and all data/settings first and that you've read and understand the instructions - printing them is best.

[EzyStvy]

How to dual boot Vista and XP (with Vista installed first) -- the step-by-step guide
http://apcstart.com/5485/dualbooting_vista_and_xp

[beancow2]

Thanks for the replies all. I did find that apc article and gave it a shot.......was able to get xp installed but unable to boot either O/S, so I attempted to reinstall XP, which didn't work, so I was just going to go back to vista, which was wrecked......since I was at least smart enough to back up everything before beginning this adventure, I decided to wipe the whole HD and start clean.....I installed XP first, added Vista on a seperate partition and had both o/s's humming along within a few minutes, easy as pie. It just seems to work better when xp is on first. now everything works like a charm, thanks!