How to Plan and Prepare your Windows Xp Hard Disk for a Dual Boot Computer Installation

One of the useful features of Windows XP is itsleast.4-The number of partition is up to you. It can
capability for multibooting. This is the configurationbe any number between 2 and 4, both included. This
that let the computer boot with the choice of ofis because, the basic hard disk can only have 4
different operating systems, one at a time.In theprimary partitions.Any operating system installed
case of a dual boot computer, there are twoshould be on a seperate primary partition. Since you
operating systems residing on the sameneed a dual boot machine, then you need two at
computer.Before you install two operating systems,least, and depending on how big your storage is, you
there are some criteria the computer must meet,may or may not have enough space for a third or
and the is a certain order in which the installationfourth partition.5-The Types of file systems may
should be done.Let me assume that you need tocan't be the same. This is because Windows XP, Win
install two operating systems on one hard disk, and2000 uses NTFS, which are not recognized by older
one of them is windows XP, and the other is an olderversion of Windows. So, depending on what
Windows OS.Beside the criteria that your computeryou need to install with Windows XP, you format
should meet, there are some planning you can do.the partition accordingly.For example, Win 95 used
Here are the criteria and planning you might want toFAT, Win 98 uses FAT32. Both can be read by
consider:1- The recommended Hard disk size shouldWindows XP operating system.6-The order of
be at least 4 Gigs, 2500 MBS for Windows XP, andinstalling the operating systems should be, the older
1500 MBS for the other operating systems.If you useOperating system should be installed first, and new
3 Gigs, depending on your programs, you might runnew versions last. So, if you are installing Windows
low on hard disk space. I tried this myself, and keptXP with Win 95, 98, or 2000, you install one of those
getting a message that the system is running low onoperating systems first. After you are done, you
disk space.2-The Hard disk should be a basic hardinstall Windows XP. So remmber, Win XP is installed
disk, so it can be used by older version of Windowslast.In Summary, going over the 6 elements I
like, win 95, 98.The term basic hard disk is thementioned above, you can
commonly used disk. If the disk is not coverted tohave a system ready to install a dual boot operating
dynamic, then it is basic.The dynamic disk is a featuresystem. But, please remember, you can always add
in Windows XP and Win 2000 that can't be accessedmore depending on your experience.Thanks,
by older version of windows. Also, the dynamic diskGeorge ChamounFinally! A Quick and Easy
can only have one operating system. So, a dynamicinstructional guide For YOU to remove one Operating
disk can't be used for multibooting.3-There are twoSystem from your dual boot windows Xp computer
more hardware recommenation after my experience.without spending outrageous fees for computer
You should need at lease a pentuim III/ 500 MHZtechnical support.
processor, and a RAM memory of 250MBs at