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    Am I able to dual boot the same copy of Vista?

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by AussieVesti, Jan 5, 2009.

  1. AussieVesti

    AussieVesti Notebook Enthusiast

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    I'm considering formatting my laptop as of this time. I recently formatted unallocated HDD space into a blank NTFS primary partition (w/ appx. 24gb). Am I able to reinstall the same copy of Vista Home Premium onto this partition while keeping the current partition active.

    This is my current plan in chronological order:

    1)Install the same copy of Vista on the blank partition
    2) Transfer data from my current partition to an external hard drive
    3) Format my current partition
    4) Use it as my primary data drive (hence separating my OS and everything else) ​

    Is this plan feasible? Would there be any clash with product keys and such?

    Also, on the Microsoft website it states in the system requirements that Vista Home Premium requires "40 GB hard drive with at least 15 GB of available space" Am I right to presume that all the Vista installation takes up 15gb and as I will have a separate data partition, the 40gb requirement is void?

    I know I'm taking an unorthodox way in formatting my laptop but I find this way the simplest to understand without making any severe mistakes with partitioning.
     
    AussieVesti, Jan 5, 2009
    #1
  2. vinumsv

    vinumsv MobileFreak™

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    Yes its possible and AFAIK you need 24GB Free Space and that you have so i don't see any issues and about the product as long as you use are doing in the same system no problem in that too

    I maybe wrong too :wink:
     
    vinumsv, Jan 5, 2009
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  3. davepermen

    davepermen Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    be aware that the currently active partition may still stay to be the active partition, redirecting then to the second one to boot from. that'll mean if the first partition one day ****s up (or you just delete it, or what ever), you won't be able to boot anymore.

    i'd suggest to make a full disk copy to an external disk, and then do a full, clean reinstall.

    but non-the-less it should work the way you suggest. just be aware of the possible issue.
     
    davepermen, Jan 5, 2009
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  4. Shyster1

    Shyster1 Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    A _Vista installation generally takes up 15GB; however, do not limit your new System partition to just 15GB, because you'll need additional room for things like the paging file, system restoration points (if you use them), updates, file copying, and shadow copies of certain in-use system files.

    With hard drives as cheap as they are today, there really is no reason why you couldn't spare at least 30GB for your new System partition.
     
    Shyster1, Jan 5, 2009
    #4