Re: Multi-Boot Configuration Setup

Hello Jim,

Thank-you for intercepting my post. And also thank-you for your time and
in-depth discussion as to how using a boot manager would be a solution in
achieving my objectives. I've visited the Bootit NG web site and I like
what I see. But I still have a few concerns and questions.

In response to the hardware issue, Installing the hardware devices
one-at-a-time into each OS install is likely part of my mentality that goes
back to Win98 or Win95 wherein it might be safer to install one thing at a
time between boots. Old habits are hard to break I guess. Also, It's my
understanding that installing devices and drivers in a particular order is
important in optimizing my Intel 850 chipset/Socket 478/P4 based PC. I've
read somewhere on Intel's web site (some time ago) what their recommended
order of installation is, but can't seem to locate it anymore. Which is why
I intend to uninstall all PCI and external devices such that I can install
the chipset driver first. Then Application Accelerator, then (I think)
video, then ATA-100 controller card, then network (LAN) card, then sound
card. I guess from there, it really may not matter for the other items. But
please advise if you (or others listening in) feel differently. All
hardware would be installed in each OS install.

I've never used a boot manager, nor do I know anyone who does. I know
they've been around for some time, I guess a lack of knowledge has kept me
leery of them. But based on your suggestion and explanation in an effort to
help me achieve what I'd like to do. A boot manager sounds like a good
thing. Basically, All I really want is a maintained healthy OS install to
fall back on, along with an install for everyday family use and then maybe
one where I can pull out the stops.

Each install would have internet access. Which leads to my other main
concern. I own Norton Internet Security 2006, Norton System Works 2006 as
well as System Suite 6 Pro by VCOM and System Mechanic 6 Pro by iolo. About
a month ago, my system crashed and refused to boot, so I ran down to
Wal-Mart and bought the VCOM and iolo products because they both claimed I
could boot from their install disk and they would (might) repair my disk
problems. They didn't help much but did advise me to run chkdsk via the
recovery console to repair drive C: . I got everything running again and
then was hit with a virus. Norton (NIS) got corrupted and would not run a
system virus scan. So I uninstalled NIS and installed the VCOM product.
Between VCOM and Spyware Doctor and Ad-Aware, I was able to locate and
remove allot of security threats. Therefore, if I could have more than one
OS install, maybe I could use NIS for everyday use and install the VCOM
product on the other OS installation and be able to use one to clean up the
OS on the other partition. Seems to me that some of these clean-up
utilities would be safer if used on a OS install that was not active or in
use. With the way you've explained using a boot manager and it's ability to
hide the other partition(s) containing an OS. This would not be possible.
It's a shame NIS/NSW won't let you boot from the install CD and use all of
it's built in features, as long as it had access to updated virus definition
and such.

By the way, would you know if VCOM and NIS/NSW will coexist on the same OS
install? VCOM has allot of features that I really like, some of which might
surpass NIS/NSW. Norton won't seem to install if it finds other virus and
firewall applications. VCOM strongly suggest removing other virus/firewall
apps as well. For many years I've been an avid user of NIS/NSW, it's always
seemed to do the job well, but now VCOM has caught my eye. I could
certainly live with both being installed on the same OS and simply disabling
the virus and firewall app I chose not to use.

If using a boot manager is my answer, I assume I would need to run Windows
Security Update as well as the virus definition update from within each OS.
Is receiving multiple updates acceptable?

Best regards and have a safe Holiday,

Richard in Va.

PS: and Jim, you can look over my shoulder anytime...!

Trivia for the day:
When in history did man developed the first knot?
I'm really not sure either, but it likely happened the same day he invented
rope!
For one can not exist without the other...

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

"Jim" <null@xxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:j9sqf.3398$nj1.1427@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> You're making this way, way too complicated. It's much easier to
> accomplish
> what you want than going through all this hassle.
>
> As far as installing hardware AFTER installation, I'm not all that
> convinced
> this is worth the effort UNLESS the component is non-essential. For
> example, I'd keep the sound card, video card, LAN card, etc., all
> installed.
> But I might not install w/ a TV tuner card, wireless adapter, etc. But in
> the end, that's up to you. Personally, I would keep most components
> installed *if* I knew they would always be part of any OS installation.
>


> As far as multiple OS installation, there's no need for all this
> complexity.
> What you do is use a good boot manager. I use BootIt NG, but there are
> others, like XOSL, Boot Magic, etc. These are capable of HIDING
> partitions,
> which is key. The default Windows boot loader cannot, which is what
> complicates your multi-boot installation unnecessarily.
>




> If you use BootIt NG (or similar), you simply install WinXP to a
> partition,
> activate it, then image copy it (external HD, DVD/CD, whatever). Again, I
> use BootIt NG for this purpose. So now you have a "base image" to which
> you
> always can return. You then CLONE one or more WinXP partition from the
> base
> image (or just COPY from the first partition, depends if you want a
> pristine
> install or not) to new partitions. Using the boot manager, you then hide
> all other OS partitions whenever any given OS is booted (using BootIt NG,
> this is done automatically, OR, you can setup boot menu items). Since all
> other OS partitions are hidden, each can be cloned and booted WITHOUT
> REINSTALLING THE OS!!! because each can now be booted as C:!!!
>
> Finally, you create an extended partition w/ one or more volumes for your
> DATA. Then add those volumes (if any) to your boot menu items for each
> OS.
>
> This is the SUPER SIMPLE way to do it. The key to success is avoiding the
> Windows default boot loader at all costs. Any decent boot manager will
> let
> you hide partitions, which GREATLY simplifies multi-boot installations.
> Esp. in cases where you want essentially CLONES, perhaps for testing,
> gaming
> vs. office apps config, etc. And notice that the base we use for those
> clones is AFTER activation! So no more crap in that regard. Every time
> you
> want to start over, create another clone, etc., you simply return to the
> base image, restore it to a partition, create a boot menu item, and you're
> in business.
>
> Believe me, I've been doing this for a LONG LONG time, using a boot
> manager
> is *the* way to avoid lots of hassles.
>
> As far as the EULA, most every MVP in these forums will give you the
> nonsense about being in violation of the EULA. I find the arguments
> ludicrous and unconvincing. Technically, using their logic, even a BACKUP
> would consitiute an unauthorized copy, even a RAID mirror! They read the
> EULA *literally*, without any sense of perspective or the "spirit" in
> which
> it was intended. Personally, I believe that since you can only RUN one
> instance at any time (since its on the same hardware), it fits perfectly
> within the spirit of the EULA. NOBODY, and I mean NOBODY, including the
> MVPs, is going to license each and every instance of XP on one machine.
> If
> they tell you they do, they're full of crap. So just clone your XP
> installations as necessary.
>
> Btw, having multiple instances of WinXP w/ activation is NOT a problem,
> you
> still only activate ONCE, just as long as you COPY/CLONE after activation,
> of course. It's the same hardware, so it's a non-issue. Btw, this is yet
> another reason I say that having multiple instances on the same machine is
> perfectly within the spirit of the EULA. If it wasn't, why wouldn't each
> instance require a NEW activation!!!
>
> Jim
>
>
> "Richard In Va." <Reply-none@xxxxxxx> wrote in message
> news:u24D5rlBGHA.424@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>> I've been running Win-XP Home for several years now and the time has come
>> for a fresh install on a new hard drive. (Hard drive issues).
>>
>> I bought a new Drive, 160GB as well as WinXP-Pro retail upgrade.
>>
>> I'd like to setup a multi-boot configuration and would like someone to
>> look-over my shoulder and give a little advise.
>>
>> This is what I think I want to do...
>>
>> Remove all hardware, PCI and external devices (except video card).
>>
>> a) Partition the new "Basic" drive as follows via XP-Pro CD...
>> Partition #1 = Drive "C" = 25GB and set as "Active" , Label as
>> "WinXP-Pro1".
>> Install WinXP-Pro (to partition #1).
>> Boot-up and cancel all "Found New Hardware" messages.
>> Confirm that the page file is sized the way I want.
>> Install Chipset Drivers.
>> Install Application Accelerator.
>> Reboot to let "Found New Hardware" install system (onboard)
>> drivers.
>> or....
>> Open Device Manager and "Scan for hardware changes".
>> Install Video Driver (nVidia reference driver).
>> Cancel all Windows Activation messages. (till the job is
>> successfully complete).
>>
>> b) Via Windows drive Mgr, create a new Partition.
>> Partition #2 = Drive "D" = 25GB and set as "Active" , Label as
>> "WinXP-Pro2".
>> With WinXP-Pro running, reinsert the XP CD and choose to do
>> a
>> "Custom" install.
>> Direct the 2nd install towards the 2nd partition.
>> This should create a multi-boot configuration.
>> Follow the steps as above (a) to bring both installs to the
>> same state.
>>
>> Go To... Start>Settings>Control Panel>System>Advanced>Startup And
>> Recovery>Settings>System Startup and select the "edit" button to edit the
>> boot.ini file and give each install a unique name to list on the boot
> menu.
>>
>> Open Disk Mgr. and create a new extended (dos) partition to use the
>> remaining 110GB +/-.
>> Via Disk Mgr. Create a "Logical" drive "E" = 30GB and label as
>> "Programs".
>>
>> - Install network card, log-on to each install, install network
>> drivers/setup ISP.
>> - Install Sound Card, log-on to each install, install drivers and target
>> audio software towards the "E" "Programs" logical drive.
>> - One-at-a-time, install remaining PCI devices and a printer in each of
> the
>> installs.
>> (target all software to install onto the "E" "Programs" logical
> drive.)
>> (each OS install will share the same program files).
>> - Log-on to each install and run MS Windows update.
>>
>> Via Disk Mgr., format the remaining 80GB +/- in the extended partition as
> a
>> new logical drive labeled "Documents".
>>
>> The idea is that I will have two (2) installs of XP-Pro, one as a "safe
>> haven" and the other where I can play "hard-ball", or test new software
> and
>> hardware. In other words, just have fun and not worry about messing
>> things
>> up.
>>
>> I'm certainly open to suggestions, I've never heard of anyone doing this
>> but, according to the Microsoft Windows XP Inside Out eBook, it can be
> done.
>>
>> But doing this leads me to my next set of questions...
>>
>> 1) Can WinXP be "activated" more than once on the same PC?
>> If so, is there a limit to the number of installs?
>>
>> 2) Can Norton Internet Security 2006 ( product registration and 1
>> anti-virus subscription) be installed in both OS Installs?
>> I assume I'll need to run "Norton Live Update" from both installs.
>>
>> Any help and ideas anyone has to offer would be appreciated!
>>
>> Best regards and Happy Holidays,
>>
>> Richard in Va.
>> ++++++++++++++++++++++++++
>>
>>
>>
>
>


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