Problems installing a dual-boot Vista XP system
 

Hi:

Following information I found in various chats, I first installed Vista Ultimate on a brand new system I have just assembled. Next, I wanted to install XP to dual-boot the system when needed. And this is where I ran into some serious issues. I am using the built-in Intel ICHR9 RAID Controller, and have two 500GB SATA-II drives set up in a RAID 0 array. It works real well and is fast under Vista. However, I can't get XP to start installing on that configuration, even using a third 500GB drive. The installation CD loads the correct drivers, but I get a blue screen when it is time to start the XP installation. Sorry, I didn't make a note of the error, only that the system has been halted to prevent damage to it.

Do you have any suggestions?

Win XP always has to be installed first on a dual boot...

Thanks Wombat. This jives with the information I found in Microsoft TechNet. But then I saw the thread started by William_Wilson. See link below. Is there something I'm missing? The info I gathered so far, is that XP will replace the Vista boot loader, which will need to be repaired once the XP installation has completed. XP will also find itself on a E: drive, which is not a problem for it, except for some applications hard-coded to install on a C: drive. This does not affect me, as I only want to keep XP as a reference tool for my tech support work. If there is no other choice, I will install XP on the spare drive I have, but this will require that I disconnect the drive when not in use, something I would have preferred to avoid.

That should read Win XP must be installed first to the C: drive / partition, then install Vista.

Use a bootloader if all else fails, Lurkswithin has recommended GAG to a lot of users who are having the same problem with dual booting XP and Vista...

I usually shy away from those, but this may be the only alternative I have left, since I want to keep Vista on C: and certainly don't want t reinstall everything I have already loaded onto that system so far. How safe is GAG to use? For one, I will ghost the system before installing it.

If you mean is GAG free of malware and / or virus's, it's safe to install software. Lurkswithin will not recommend software if it's suspect in any way...

THANKS !

Actually I have been running "BootIt NG " from

TeraByte Unlimited :: Boot Manager :: Partition Manager :: Drive Image :: Disk Copy :: Drive Wipe :: Hard Drive Utilities

for many years on my dual boots. They are one of the better ones around but is not free....I just love the ease of installing the multi boot platforms and have never had the issues that are read about in the forums....and plus it has a very easy image program for back ups and very easy to swap drives and restore your system...

GAG is a freebie and I have been running it on three different systems for the past 6 months or so and again without any issues. The program works great and is totally free from anykind of malware/spyware issues....Other than cost and the 9 operating system limit...GAG works very much like BootIt NG but is in fact easier to use...

GAG, the Graphical Boot Manager

Hi Lurkswithin: I think I am running into another stumbling block. I checked the GAG batch file, and it requires a diskette drive (a: or b:), of which there is none on this new system. I could certainly hook one up temporarily, but it may not be enough to get things working. My C: is a RAID 0, which uses the Asus board built-in ICHR9 controller. In other words, the RAID drivers need to load in order to access that volume. To complicate matters even more, my secondary drive is a SATA-II running on the same controller, but not a member of the RAID. Even though there are several SATA connectors available on that board, they are all running on the same controller. There are no options to set this controller differently when using RAID. There are a few additional SATA connectors running on a different controller, but these are dedicated to eSATA. Any suggestions?

download the file and unzip it. open the folder and you will find an "I" folder. This is the iso for burning to a CD. use bero and it will create the bootable cd with the installer package on it.

It doesn't matter what configuration that you use.It works fine with RAID arrays as well because the program is installed on the 8mb leadin that sits on all harddrives. The only difference is that you must install it on the main drive and not the mirrored drive. Make sure that this is possible...once installed it will boot to whatever system that you want to use.

I must be missing something. The download is v4.9, but there is no folder "I", only "devel", "docs" and "linux". Unless I downloaded the wrong file!

Should be there right beside those three. Same version.


Folder with a Big blue/white "I" on it! named the CDROM file and noted as an ISO archive

OK. Couldn't see under Vista: white icon (should have looked at the extension). I use Roxio on my XP system and saw right away. My anti-virus says one of the files in the devel folder is infected. Extracted only the ISO and burned it to CD. Installed GAG on the new Vista system, and even got it to work with the timer. The RAID 0 array (striping) does not seem to affect it. Now, the real question: how do I proceed to install XP using GAG? I didn't see any options other than to "add" an operating system once it's installed. So, I am back to square one looking for a way to install XP either on the RAID array, or on the secondary SATA-II drive running off one of the connectors managed by the on-board RAID controller.

well you got it....install new operating system is the one to go with. The best way for this is all ways keep them in their own partitions. Doesn't matter where the partition is located. Just follow the prompts and it will lead you through it!

Also there is a few FAQ amswers that will help you decide plus some read me files in the different folders!

Without trying it, I am not sure I fully understand the procedure. I will give it a try once I return from my trip in a few weeks. I am leaving for Calgary, AB early Friday morning. I doubt I will find any time to play with this on Thursday, but if I do, I'll let you know how I fared. Thanks