Dual boot on laptop w/ external drive

[antechinus]

Howdy folks. I'm trying to set up a dual boot system with two copies of XP on two separate discs. Since someone is sure to ask why I want to do such an apparently silly thing I might as well explain.

First reason is that I want to be able to run some obsolete browsers on the second OS for website testing purposes, while keeping the current versions of said browsers updated on the first OS. Second reason is that since the external disc is primarily insurance in case the internal goes cactus it makes sense (to me at least) to have it pre-loaded with an OS.

Anyway, assuming that I'm not completely daft we'll proceed. I've run the XP installation disc and the second copy is now comfortably ensconced in the G partition on my external. Problem is that the boot manager thingy doesn't seem to like this. It says the installation is wonky and wont load it.

If it makes any difference the external is the type that runs from two usb ports.
I'm obviously missing something simple here. Anyone got some tips for me? Thanks.

ETA: I should add that on startup I get the dual boot screen offering me the choice of the two installations. That bit is fine.
The problem is that if I select the new installation on the external disc I get an error screen telling me that there's a problem and it's been shut down to prevent damage to my poota. It then advises me to check formatting, viruses, etc none of which are the problem as far as I can tell.

[EzyStvy]

Food for thought: Get one of the free softwares like VirtualPC or VMware that allows you to install a second copy of XP and run it in a window off your main XP install.

[antechinus]

Yes I know about those. Doesn't provide much of a backup if my internal disc curls up and dies.

Also that link in your post just takes me to an advertisement.........................

[EzyStvy]

The links in my post are part of my signature and show up everytime I post.

[antechinus]

I wasn't referring to the links in your sig. I was talking about the link in your post text. Where it says "free software" I see a link, which takes me to an advertisement.

[EzyStvy]

That's built into this site Many "keywords" will cause it.

[antechinus]

Nasty feature. Makes it rather hard to link to relevant information when required.

So overall it seems you're not a fan of dual boot systems. Does anyone have any tips on how to get mine running?