Dual Boot XP + Vista from Asus Vista Recovery Disc

***Warning: This destroys all data on an existing drive, including the recovery partition but results in a clean install of XP and Vista***

Most guides I've seen require the use of Vista's recovery ability from an install disc to recovery the loader but you can't do that with the Asus recovery disc. And most want you to install XP first.

I didn't see a good thread on this but after 2 attempts, here are a few easy steps to dual boot with XP and Vista if you only have the Asus recovery disc.

You will need the following:
1. Asus Vista Recovery Disc
2. Asus Driver Disc for Vista
3. Windows XP full install disc(I recommend you slipstream and patch it). I used the tools at: http://www.ryanvm.net/msfn/
4. Windows XP driver disc for your Laptop. I downloaded it all from support.asus.com(slow). You'll also need the dot Net 2.0 runtime files and EasyBCD.
5. Optionally a partition program, like Gparted or the Ultimate Boot CD
====================================
#1) Clean, Partition and Format your drive, with at least 2 partitions. I chose one for Vista (C: 25Gigs), one for XP (D: 15 gigs), a third for Data (E: 80 Gigs). You can do this with the XP install disc or Gparted or the Ultimate Boot CD.

#2) Boot from the Asus Vista recovery disc and chose option 1, install to first partition. It will load the OS files and ask you for the driver disc. This takes a while, especially the driver installation.

At this point you have a full working version of the default Vista installation and your chosen partitions.

#3) Boot from the Windows XP install disc and install to the D: partition.

This will wipe the Vista bootloader and you'll only be able to access XP.

#4) Boot into XP, install the .NET 2.0 runtime files and then EasyBCD. EasyBCD should detect both Vista and XP. Then use it to restore Vista's loader to the MBR.

You should now be able to dual boot to Vista and Windows XP.

#5)Continue to install all the drivers to Windows XP and any updates to Vista and XP.

#6) Enjoy your new dual boot capabilities.



References:
An old-timer's guide to installing Windows XP:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=81741

 

NET 2.0 runtime files and then EasyBCD. EasyBCD should detect both Vista

what is this and how do you do it

 

Easy BCD allows you to dual boot Vista and XP. It also allows you to recover Vista's Bootloader after XP trashes it.

It's here: http://neosmart.net/dl.php?id=1

But it need Microsofts dot Net 2.0 runtime files:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...CB-4362-4B0D-8EDD-AAB15C5E04F5&displaylang=en

 

what does 'slipstreasm and patch' mean? thanks.

is it possible to have vista on d: and xp on c: instead?

 

Slipstream means to add service pack 2 onto the win xp install disk. Patch means to add all the windows updates to the install disc so you don't have to connect to download all the updates. See the link in my first post or www.autopatcher.com

I don't know if it's possible to put Vista on D: with the Recovery Disc. I don't think it is, but I might be wrong.

 

ok..im kinda clueless... please help me a bit i'm lost... i downloaded the from ryanvm, and it unrars into a whole lot bunch of files... what do i do next?

 

Here's a step by step guide:
http://integrator.siginetsoftware.com/index.php?manual

 

Thanks! You're an angel!

 

another question...is there any way to skip 'installing drivers' after using the recovery cd to install vista? i try to click cancel and close the window and press esc but it insists me to insert the drivers disc..

 

For those people who only have the OEM Asus XP and Asus Vista CDs that come with their laptops can this be done?

Or do you need a retail copy of XP?

I have installed vista but the Asus XP CD will only recover to the primary partition, the only way I can think of gettting it to work is by partitioning the drive, installing XP on the primary partition, then clone that XP intall to external HDD, then install vista on the primary partition and then clone XP back onto the second partition then load the bootloader, what do you think will it work?

 

Ok bit of a problem, I got a XP full CD, did as mentioned worked fine but when I boot into vista then restart to boot back into vista it must do somemrthing to the boot file, becaus ehwn I try and boot back into XP it tells me that the file NTLDR is missing or corrupt. If I do a repair I can log in and out of XP but as soon as a boot into Vista and restart and try and goback onto XP the NTLDR error comes up and the only way I can get back into XP is to repair the install that takes ages.

Anyone else had this problem?

PS: by the way the Asus Vista CD allows you to choose which partition you want to install on where the Asus XP CD only lets you install on the first partition, If I had time it would be nice to see if I could install xp first then vista and get it working without the need to buy a new XP cd, but I just dont have time.

 

Yes, this order of installation will probably be more reliable.

 

Well it was bugging the hell out of me…. even though I brought a new XP CD I hadn’t authorized it, and was sure it could be done without having to buy a full retail copy of XP.

So I re-did the install AGAIN and I can tell you, this works this with just the Asus XP and Vista recovery CDs NO NEED TO BUY ANYTHING!

As the Asus XP recovery CD will not allow you to choose what drive to install on you need to.

Set up 3 partitions, I used 15 for C XP), 30 for D Vista) and remaining on E docs)

Then simply install XP using Asus recovery CD on the first partition only C: then install Vista on D: (the Asus Vista CD would not boot on start up, so I had to boot into XP and initiate the install while I was logged in to XP, and you could choose any of the remaining drives to install vista on) but after it installed I could boot into both XP or Vista, then I installed .netfx and easyBCD to tidy up the boot loader and all is good just going through and reloading software and settings under each OS now.

Also helpful hint, use the vista easy transfer to copy files and settings, you can install on XP before you delete and copy your XP files and settings and save on a HDD and load it on your vista installation.
http://www.majorgeeks.com/Windows_Easy_Transfer__d5510.html

Anyone want an XP Professional CD? never been authorised! PM me

 

What do you mean "authorized"?