Dual Boot Windows Xp 64 and Vista 32?

Acer Aspire 5100-5674

Has anyone had success in dual booting these two Operating Systems.

I want the stability of Windows Xp and the old file system back.

I have been thinking of getting rid of vista completely but thought why burn that bridge.

So is it possible to have both? Maxing out the total memory of XP Prof 64 and overloading Vista. Would the excess memory cause problems. I have read that there is a way to have Vista access the 4gb only leaving the total 8 for Xp 64.

Is this a myth? any power hungry (or greedy ) users out there have any suggestions?

 

Yes , You can Dual Boot Vista and XP
Yes , Vista 32bit will see only 4gb , so why not Vista x64 bit ?

 

Thank you for the quick reply.

At this time I only have the 32 bit version of vista. Perhaps in the future I will upgrade to the 64 bit version, " basically when I have some extra money". but for now I would be happy to have Xp as my main OS.. and vista resting in the background "so to speak"...

BTW are you familar with Windows XP pro 64bit? In the past there have been alot of compatibility issues. such as the Sata controller.

Any advice would be helpful.

 

I never installed XP x64 but as you see in my sig i have a Vista Ultimate x64 ... and yes i too heard that there are lots issues with XP x64 bit OS and btw Whats your Spec ? Model ? ....

 

I'd be careful about going back to XP. Microsoft is removing support for XP down the road and to be frank the latest Vista Ultimate Service Pack 1 improves things quite a bit in Vista. I think the issues we had with Vista was the fact that many hardware vendors did not come up with Vista drivers yet - but they have now caught up.

 

To my knowledge, the XP Pro Sp2 (and latest updates) can be very stable.
There are no real issues given the fact drivers for it exist (for the most part).

In any case I do recommend you find the drivers for XP 64bit beforehand, and have them on standby so you can install everything properly.

 

You are forgetting that Vista has this nagging issue of being slower than XP in some aspects such as file transfers, less compatibility with older software and being a far more resource hungry OS in comparison that takes much more space.

I'd personally support the OP's decision of installing XP, use drivers from manufacturers sites, and then switch to Windows 7 when it comes out (no point in wasting money on Vista 64 bit at this point in time because Window 7 64 bit will be better, faster, less resource hungry in comparison, and will come out to the general public in 2009).

 

If I were you, I would install XP Pro 32. I just got done setting up a dual boot with XP Pro 64 and Vista 64. Truth be told, I've caught nothing but hell in getting the XP Pro 64 to function properly. I can't get all of my hardware to run because of the lack of drivers. I have dual graphics cards and can't enable SLi. The whole point of going to XP Pro 64 was to get max performance out of my machine. Just to give you an idea though from the tests I ran:

Vista
PCMark05:7260
3DMark06:14163

XP
PCMark05: 7823
3DMark06: 9707

Considering that I'll be gaming and doing some rendering, the 3DMark score is a bit more important to me. But without SLi enabled you can see the difference in performance by more than 4000 points. I've been fighting with this OS for about a day now, installing reinstalling, trying different drivers for everything, all to no avail. Unfortunately, I'm going to go back to XP Pro 32, we'll see if there's much of a penalty.

It really sucks though, XP Pro 64 would be ideal for me however, I can't take advantage of the power that my computer has so it defeats the purpose of having it.

 

A 32-bit Vista key works (and is legal) for 64-bit Vista as well as long as you try to install the same version (Home Premium, Business, etc). All you need is to get your hands on a 64-bit Vista disk to install Vista x64.

And XP Pro x64 does still have some compatibility issues. I suggest you try to find the drivers before you install it so you know if you're going to run in to trouble or not.

 

And by the way Can the Aspire 5100 support 8GB? I had one and was pretty sure that it could only do 4GB max...

 

Sorry for the lag. Finishing up the X-Mas Season....


The Model of my computer is Acer Aspire 5100 - 5674
AMD Athlon 64 X 2 Mobile Technology TK-153

 

Thank You for a pro - review/response

I have weighed the decision of possibly taking on this OS. Aware of OPs with positive installations with just the amount of time it took to install, and minor problems with drivers. The other side where finding key hardware drivers was difficult.

You have summed up in a few sentences the reason that I first wanted to switch to this OS. "Which I forget sometimes in all the search for information"

What stands out from the advice given by you and the others on this thread, If I continue with my purchase of XP 64 is to make sure that all of the drivers needed for my system are available.

And if this helps any others that might be thinking of installing XP 64,
From what I have read from reviewers that have successfully installed it, is that it is a fast, stable and powerful OS. And its XP ( )

So I have decided to continue with "the plan"...strengthened by the fact that a new OS is on its way, soon (TY Deks).... I am sticking to one little headache at a time..

Thanks to all who have given there time for a "oldies" OP
XP 64 bit it is... I will post my success, or failure.

 

Thank You for a benchmark..

I think it is a crossing my(our) fingers deal. It seems all about the system. The hardware, software, gaming, what my pc is made of...

Truthfully as of now I have no need for such a powerful OP except I just do not like Vista. Xp is like a supportive comfortable shoe . and I have the possibility of "cleaning", up the shoe and it lasting strong for some time.

There is still some hope.. Though it is hard to find Microsoft support for Windows XP 64bit

I came by something

http://support.microsoft.com/windowsxpprox64

I guess they will provide some support to Windows XP (Professional) 32/64 only) ..I think until 2011..?

My hope to you/(us XP'ers), that in the future, as time goes on and you(me/others) want Xp 64. Driver, software compatibility could/may get better..?


Thank you for your info.

 

I think you are right. I am not sure the max that the motherboard can handle. THe 64 bit OS is maxed out at 128GB. I am searching now to make sure ,what the motherboard max is.

Thank You