How do I run a dual boot/dual OS on Dell XPS M1330? (on it's own partition)

I cant seem to be able to create a partition on my Dell XPS M1330. Ive tried Vistas partitioning feature and Partition Manager. After some research on this forum, I understand that it already comes with four partitions and I cannot create another one. If this is the case how can I install Windows 2003 Server on a seperate partition so I can dual boot with that and Vista. Using VMware and VPC is not an option, I also do not want to remove any recovery files/MediaDirect files, no reformatting, and it HAS to be on a seperate partition than Vista. I also dont have any external HDs. Since the Dell recovery partition is 10GB with I think 4-6GB free can I install on that? But again I dont want to risk losing that partition. I need to do this for a project and Im completely stuck. Please advise, thank you.

 

You can have have it dual boot Vista/XP.

You have to remove on eof the partitions first. I beleive this is an NTSF limitation on 4 primary partitions.

Due to the way dell partitions the M1330, the most I can get out of the spare partition was about 25gb for WinXP install (i have the smaller 120gb drive).

You can start by shrinking the VIsta Partition then deleting the recovery partition. Merge and partition whatever free space you have and reboot the system with the XP Pro install disk. You WILL need an Up to date WinXP CD with the AHCI SATA drivers or WinXP will not be able to see the drive. I used one that was included with my D630's Vista downgrade option.

I also removed the MediaDirect for additional space.


XP install is the same as posted in this forum.

Once it is done, you will reboot to XP only, follow the following steps as highlighted in the Guide on SysChat . You will need either to use an aftermarket bootloader or the Vista one, once you manage to boot back into Vista.

http://www.syschat.com/dual-boot-vista-xp-vista-already-1946.html


Follow the rest of the discussions and you will find the solution.


My M1330 dual boots just find, and run VMware server on XP. (VMware works on Vista but not the USB support)

 

You can very well remove the Recovery partition completely, create a primary partition in its place and install your new Windows there....

 

I dont want to remove Media Direct or Recovery Partition.

 

Then you are out of luck thats all.... You can very well forget dual booting....

 

Where and how are you trying to create partitions? To create a new partition you need to have unpartitioned space. How many partitions do you have except DELL partitions (recovery, MediaDirect or diagnostic) ?

If you only have 1 (only the Vista partition) then it is going to be a risky operation . Vista supports shrinking partitions, I think this also includes system volume (at least the option is enabled when I checked); if that is the case, then you can start by shrinking your system drive to make space for the new one. However, I strongly advise you to take backups and be prepared to format and install Vista from scratch, because if something goes wrong then you probably wont be able to recovery anything.

I don’t understand why you need to install Server 2003 on a notebook, would be better off with XP Pro if you want something other than Vista. DELL doesn't have any Win 2003 server driver downloads for M1330, therefore you are likely to run into driver problems as well.

 

Windows XP drivers will work flawlessly with Windows Server 2003 as far as I've come across in all the desktops in my office....

 

Then you will not be able to dual boot

 

How about with an external USB hard drive, can I boot into Windows 2003 server using that?

 

What about installing it on the Recovery partition? It has 6.31GB free. Can I install it on that partition without losing the recovery capability? Thanks.

 

You can install on the Recovery partition after formatting it I guess...

 

I have my m1330 dual booting Vista and XP.
There is no way to save the recovery partition if you do a clean install because the Media Direct 3.3 will wipe out everything.
Get the Gnome Partition Editor from sourceforge.net to do the partitioning.
Here are the steps to do a reinstall:
1. Run the Media Direct 3.3. Choose option 2 to not use the entire partition. Choosing option 1 will mess up the install.
2. Install Vista and the Media Direct.
3. Install XP on the remaining partition. Make sure you slipstream the SATA drivers into the Win XP install CD (I used nLiteOS to do it). Install the Media Direct.
4. You can now use the GPartEditor to resize the XP Partition and also create additional partitions.

My 160GB hard drive has these following partitions:
1. Diagnostics
2. Media Direct
3. Vista
4. XP
5. Data

The XP and Data partitions are the extended partitions. These steps are to bypass the limitation of having only 4 primary partitions.

Hope this helps.