Questions regarding dual boot + "sticky" menus

Hi guys

I have some questions regarding an XP/Vista dual boot. I like Vista very much, especially for Office applications and internet etc ...
However, I also like playing older games, which are often not compatible with XP.

So I was thinking about a dual boot with Vista (Office, internet, ...) and XP (my older games) installed. Is it possible to have my Word files shared on both the Vista and XP installation, without copying them from, for example, a USB stick? Will I have to install all of my programmes (Office, Ccleaner, Spybot, AVG, drivers, ...) on each OS? What would you advise me? If I want to switch between the different operating systems, do I have to reboot my laptop?

A small "aesthetic" problem I have with xp atm, is that my menus are "sticky" when I move them. I had this with Vista too, but it disappeared when I turned on Aero. What do I have to do to get rid of this?

Gilles

 

I think when you right click on the game exe, then select Properties, you can choose to run it with Compatibility with XP. Maybe this help so you won't have to dual boot.

 

As far as I know, that method doesn't work for each game/programme.
I also want to try out a dual boot, just to learn. I like tweaking my laptop

 

Just know that there is an issue with dual-booting Vista and XP where XP will delete Vista's restore points. It may or may not be an issue for you depending if you use system restore. The work around by Microsoft for it is to hide the Vista partition from XP while Vista can still see XP.

 

Where did u get this info from JwY?....any links?

 

Here's a brief Wiki:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dual_boot#Vista_issue_with_dual_booting_with_XP

More details:
http://windowssecrets.com/2008/02/21/02-Dual-booting-XP-deletes-Vista-restore-points

Microsoft's recommendations:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/926185

I didn't know about this myself until I set it up.

 

It is not 100% the same scenario, but similar. I have Ubuntu in HDD0 and Vista in HDD1. When I'm in Ubuntu I can see the whole vista HDD1, so all the files. But when I'm in Vista, I cannot see HDD0.

One thing I think is common, regardless if you use two HDD's or one HDD and two partitions, the OS's won't work at the same time, so if you install a program using one OS, my feeling is that the other OS won't see this program, the files yes, but not the application, but I could be wrong.

 

Thanks for the info, didn't know that!
I have a question though: if I have the following setup

Partition 1: Windows XP (50GB)
Partition 2: Windows Vista (50GB)
Partition 3: Office files, music files, ...

Can I access partition 3 and open the files using any of the operating systems? Or is it better to have the following setup:

Partition 1: Windows XP + other files (Office, music, ...) (100GB)
Partition 2: Windows Vista + other files (Office, music, ...) (100GB)

Will the drivers (for instance the "matrix storage" driver for the HDD in Vista <-> the one used in XP) interfere with each other?

 

Do it the first way. You'll need to install the programs and drivers separately on each OS, but the data files (office files, music files) can be shared from either partition or from a third partition, it doesn't matter. Both XP and Vista use the same filesystems, so they can each read and write to the other's partition and share any additional partitions.

Drivers are separate for each OS and they won't interfere with each other.

 

Thanks for the info.

If I use XP for my games (that are not compatible with vista), will I have to install them on the xp partition or the media partition?

 

That's not a problem for me, since I don't even use System Restore at all.

No, the drivers between the two OS will not interfere with each other. I've Vista on partition 1, and XP on partition 2. I don't share any actual program files (not talking about personal data files) between them, some people do it to save disk space, but I don't like the idea personally. The only thing I share between the two is the pagefile.sys, just make sure you manually set the pagefile onto the same partition(s) and size.

 

either way is ok since xp/media partitions r separated from the vista partition

cheers ...

 

Hmm yes, but if I use Vista and I want to play a game that isn't compatible with it, then it won't work, right?

I'm a bit confused about the pagefile btw

 

You see, by default, if you have 3 GB of RAM for example, Windows will create a 4 GB pagefile.sys file to start with. Each Windows will create one in its own Windows partition. Basically you will have a duplicated 4 GB file, which is a waste of space. The pagefile.sys file is like a scratch pad for Windows, pointing both OS to use the same pagefile.sys won't mess up anything if this is what you're afraid.

I will show you my pagefile settings for example:

C: Vista
D: XP
E: I created this 5 GB partition just for the pagefile.sys.

In Vista, I set 16-16 MB for C:, that's the minimum to set for error report dump, then I set 3084-4094 MB in E:. Now in XP, I set 2-2 MB for D:, again 2 MB is the minimum for XP log dump, then I set 3084-4094 in E:.

As you can see, both OS are using the same pagefile.sys in E:. You don't really have to create the E: like I did, you can always point the 2nd OS to use the pagefile.sys in C:.

 

Either way should be fine if you don't need restore on that partition. The problem only happens for the partitions where XP sees Vista. If you share that partition, all it means is that XP deletes Vista's restore points for that specific partition. Usually, you won't need restore for that partition -- personally I only keep it for the partitions with an OS on them.

I was thinking about leaving it, but I figured I could always unhide Vista by a registry edit. But like you, I keep program files separate so if one goes, the other still works.

 

thanks for the info JwY...i think imma just keep my Vista notebook with Vista on it alone when i get it...this dual booting thing with XP is too much tweaking...and i'm sure there's alot more issues with doing this that we don't know about. Thanks again....

 

You're welcome. It isn't too bad, but it is more of a hassle than I originally thought.