clean install, dual booting xp and vista

I am about to receive my xps1530 and want to do this:

Clean install Vista to rid the system of the bloat ware, etc. using the OP's guide so that I will have a clean HD and Vista newly installed.

Next, I want to set up a dual booting system with XP and Vista using this guide:

http://www.raymond.cc/blog/archives/...stalled-first/

My question is will both OS's recognize programs like Microsoft Office, Norton, Firefox, etc.? Or will I need to install those programs individually to each OS? What about files such as mp3's, word documents, and games?

If they do both recognize all the programs and files, which OS should I install the programs on? Thank you in advance for any help!

 

If you want to use Office, or any other program, on both XP and Vista, you'll have to install it on both XP and Vista.

 

Yep. Individual installations. But you can access documents, etc. from one separate media partition.

 

What about games?

 

They are programs.

 

haha sorry, just realized how dumb of a question that was. Is there any risk to setting up a dual system like this on a modern computer?

Also, at what point would I be given the option to choose how big I wanted the media partition to be? Thanks.

 

No, the each of the operating systems will mount the other's partition, but will not do anything to it unless you instruct it to do so.

 

Setting up a dual-boot system is actually more secure, IMO.

 

Each OS will be independent from each other. The only risk is with partitioning. Make sure you set up the partitions before starting to dual boot.

Usually on a dual boot scenario i would set up 3 partitions:
1) Vista OS (50gb+)
2) XP OS (50gb+)
3) Storage partition which both XP and Vista can access (100gb+)

 

All that space... wasted on an OS. I rather use it for music.

 

I only have 1.8GB music. I am so deprived.

 

Both XP and Vista will recognize Microsoft Office, Norton and Firefox, however, you'll also need to install all those programs for each install of Windows OS. Make sure you have 2 licenses each for Microsoft Office and Norton.

Microsoft Office generated documents can be shared and edited over each OS install provided that both MSOffice programs are of the same version (both 2007 or both 2003). If they are different version (2003 vs 2007) there might be a slight comatibility problem since Office 2007 created document may not be fully compatible (minor format differences) when editing in an Office 2003 version. One solution i see is to save a document in Office 2003 version if you are using the 2007 if you plan to edit it in the former. lastly, put the file on a common partition for ease of access.

MP3' can be shared by both OSes as long as you put it on a third partition for ease of access. Games should be installed separately again though the game save can be shared.

To each his own. What works for others may not work for you. Needs and wants differ from person to person. I myself has 3 OS installed and another partition for file/data sharing (not the p2p or torrent kind.lol) purposes. I don't worry about storage since i have about 2TB of storage available in which i have barely 1% files stored. Why i have it? Even I don't know. All i know is a friend told me about a good deal and i jumped into it without even thinking if i needed it.

 

Exactly. Applications must be installed separately, but files may be shared.

 

May ask why this is? If you don't mind explaining that is.

 

If one OS crashes and burns, you can boot the other one, access your data, and have a functioning computer.

 

I wouldnt say its secure.. more reliable. I set up dual booting for that exact reason.

My Vista is rock stable but youll never know what could happen. As Murphys Law states... If it can go wrong, It will go wrong.

Theres other alternatives like a Linux Live CD which is pretty handy.

 

Yeah, I also keep a Linux LiveCD, Vista install disk, and GParted CD with my laptop.

But I like the dual-boot setup. I think I'll lock GRUB with a password.