Can I Format and Re-Install XP with Vista Installed?

Cube623 · Nov 5, 2006, 11:16 AM

my XP has become a mess (to but it lightly) and i want to format XP to get rid of all the junk on there but...

I have Vista 5744 (RC2) installed as well so I have this new bootloader installed as well. If i format XP will it affect the bootloader?

Because what i'm nervous about is that when i format my XP hard drive it will get rid of the option to run an earilier version of windows meaning that i'm stuck with Vista unable to install XP, will that happen?

btw i will format vista as well if it helps the problem as well

Cheers
Cube623

**temeteus82** · Nov 5, 2006, 11:36 AM

No you can't it will F**** up Vista's bootloader ...

[EDIT] Install XP first then Vista ... Basic rule is older OS first

Cube623 · Nov 5, 2006, 12:04 PM

o.k so how do i get rid of the vista bootloader and get the old xp bootloader back? there is a program that can do this but i cannot remember what it is called

**temeteus82** · Nov 5, 2006, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cube623

o.k so how do i get rid of the vista bootloader and get the old xp bootloader back? there is a program that can do this but i cannot remember what it is called

The easiest way to get xp's bootloader is just install it... I haven't seen any programs that can remove vistas bootloader ..

Zardon · Nov 5, 2006, 02:04 PM

yes there is, and ive used it for a year, you can install and delete at will, just make sure you read how first.

http://www.vistabootpro.org/

You can actually just reinstall XP onto the seperate initial partition/drive. then once its set up, install .net framework. install vistabootpro and REinstate vista boot menu, so you are back to square one. works both ways.

**temeteus82** · Nov 5, 2006, 02:37 PM

Thanks Zardon !
Didn't know that that kind of sotware is real. =)
It helps mee with my beta testing

swimtech · Nov 5, 2006, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zardon

yes there is, and ive used it for a year, you can install and delete at will, just make sure you read how first.

http://www.vistabootpro.org/

You can actually just reinstall XP onto the seperate initial partition/drive. then once its set up, install .net framework. install vistabootpro and REinstate vista boot menu, so you are back to square one. works both ways.

Worked well for me too a couple months ago... Stuck for a bit for the link. Thanks again Z!

Cupillac · Mar 27, 2007, 06:08 AM

Wow this might help me run my source games on XP! and hopefully get the old framerates.

Is there any detailed instructions on how to do this?

BlueMak · Jul 15, 2007, 05:09 AM

Would this also work if I want to install Windows 98 after XP and Vista are already installed?

Butch Nackley · May 3, 2009, 08:13 AM

Hi

I need to install XP Pro 32big on my system. I found this link that explains how to do it with Vista already installed.
How to dual boot Vista and XP (with Vista installed first) -- the step-by-step guide with screenshots

It's fairly straight forward and I believe I understand it well enough to do it.

I'm getting the nvlddmkm.sys issue and can't get it cured completely. I only need XP for gaming. But that means I will also want to run fraps and use irfanview sometimes when running in XP. I have no idea how that works, as far as if I need to install them in XP or not. I have never had a dual boot system before.

My current OS is Vista Ultimate x64 SP1.
I'm running all 64bit drivers and software (that is available in 64bit versions).

My single HDD is in 3 partitions. C being the OS partition and where I want to install XP to, using the info from the above link.

I have some questions though.

Now once XP is installed, I'm not sure about the following:

Do I need to install the following into XP using 32bit drivers/software?
Chipset Driver
Audio Driver
Graphics Driver
Do I need to install into XP all Utilities and Programs I may need to use in XP, that are already currently installed into Vista? Such as:
Winrar
irfanview
CD Burner XP
Malwarebytes
Fraps
Or will I still be able to use those already installed now?
I have 8GB of ram. Do I have to remove 4GB or can I leave them there?
Will data on my other two partitions (D and E) be left entirely alone during the XP install into the shrunken C partition?
Will XP be able to access the other two partitions (D and E) and run my games (installed on D)?
Is Deamon Tools Virtual Drive okay to leave installed into Vista? It won't be being used when I am on XP, if that matters.

Most stuff I am sure I will figure out in a little bit once I get XP running, but the questions above I would really like to have a better understanding of before I try this.

Thank you for your time

OldBuzzard · May 3, 2009, 12:50 PM

You will have to treat the XP install as if it's the only install on the system. That means that you WILL have in install all of the chipset, device drivers, applications, games, etc.

As for your memory, you shouldn't have a problem. XP 32 bit won't even know that the extra 4GB exists.

Your data on D: and E: will be untouched and you should be able to acess it. Programs that were installed probably won't be. There may be the rare exception, but you will most likely have to re-install them to C:.

I have been multi-booting for years using an application called HyperOS which allows me to install and boot to as many as 22 Operating systems. The most I've ever had was 10 in a mix of XP, Vista and Win 7 with 32 and 64 bit versions of all of them. Even with two different XP 32 installs, I still can't run most applications from one install that were installed on the other one.

Butch Nackley · May 3, 2009, 04:29 PM

Thank you

Okay, I will try to get XP running and them just go from there as far as getting my games running under XP.

defearian · May 10, 2009, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zardon

yes there is, and ive used it for a year, you can install and delete at will, just make sure you read how first.

VistaBootPRO - Dual Boot Windows XP or Vista with Windows 7

You can actually just reinstall XP onto the seperate initial partition/drive. then once its set up, install .net framework. install vistabootpro and REinstate vista boot menu, so you are back to square one. works both ways.

Awsome post. Thanks Zardon

Nov 5, 2006, 11:16 AM	#1
Cube623 DriverHeaven Addict Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: England Posts: 322 Rep Power: 0	Can I Format and Re-Install XP with Vista Installed? my XP has become a mess (to but it lightly) and i want to format XP to get rid of all the junk on there but... I have Vista 5744 (RC2) installed as well so I have this new bootloader installed as well. If i format XP will it affect the bootloader? Because what i'm nervous about is that when i format my XP hard drive it will get rid of the option to run an earilier version of windows meaning that i'm stuck with Vista unable to install XP, will that happen? btw i will format vista as well if it helps the problem as well Cheers Cube623 __________________

Nov 5, 2006, 12:04 PM	Thread Starter #3
Cube623 DriverHeaven Addict Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: England Posts: 322 Rep Power: 0	o.k so how do i get rid of the vista bootloader and get the old xp bootloader back? there is a program that can do this but i cannot remember what it is called __________________

Mar 27, 2007, 06:08 AM	#8
Cupillac DriverHeaven Lover Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Canada Posts: 156 Rep Power: 0	Wow this might help me run my source games on XP! and hopefully get the old framerates. Is there any detailed instructions on how to do this? __________________ "Once I thought I was wrong, but I was mistaken." -W.Kingdon

Jul 15, 2007, 05:09 AM	#9
BlueMak HH's Asteroids' Dominator Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Hellas->Macedonia->Thessaloniki Posts: 13,244 Rep Power: 326 System Specs	Would this also work if I want to install Windows 98 after XP and Vista are already installed? __________________ The people who are regarded as moral luminaries are those who forego ordinary pleasures themselves and find compensation in interfering with the pleasures of others(Bertrand Russell)"You go into Afghanistan, you got guys who slap women around for five years because they didn't wear a veil,You know, guys like that ain't got no manhood left anyway. So it's a hell of a lot of fun to shoot them." - Lt. Gen. James N. Mattis This is slavery, not to speak one's thought. [Euripides-The Phoenician Women (c.411-409 B.C.)] http://www.macedonia.info/FALLACIESANDFACTS.htm *Sic semper tyrannis.*

May 3, 2009, 08:13 AM	#10
Butch Nackley DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Hickory, NC USA Posts: 22 Rep Power: 0	Re: Can I Format and Re-Install XP with Vista Installed? Hi I need to install XP Pro 32big on my system. I found this link that explains how to do it with Vista already installed. How to dual boot Vista and XP (with Vista installed first) -- the step-by-step guide with screenshots It's fairly straight forward and I believe I understand it well enough to do it. I'm getting the nvlddmkm.sys issue and can't get it cured completely. I only need XP for gaming. But that means I will also want to run fraps and use irfanview sometimes when running in XP. I have no idea how that works, as far as if I need to install them in XP or not. I have never had a dual boot system before. My current OS is Vista Ultimate x64 SP1. I'm running all 64bit drivers and software (that is available in 64bit versions). My single HDD is in 3 partitions. C being the OS partition and where I want to install XP to, using the info from the above link. I have some questions though. Now once XP is installed, I'm not sure about the following: Do I need to install the following into XP using 32bit drivers/software? Chipset Driver Audio Driver Graphics Driver Do I need to install into XP all Utilities and Programs I may need to use in XP, that are already currently installed into Vista? Such as: Winrar irfanview CD Burner XP Malwarebytes Fraps Or will I still be able to use those already installed now? I have 8GB of ram. Do I have to remove 4GB or can I leave them there? Will data on my other two partitions (D and E) be left entirely alone during the XP install into the shrunken C partition? Will XP be able to access the other two partitions (D and E) and run my games (installed on D)? Is Deamon Tools Virtual Drive okay to leave installed into Vista? It won't be being used when I am on XP, if that matters. Most stuff I am sure I will figure out in a little bit once I get XP running, but the questions above I would really like to have a better understanding of before I try this. Thank you for your time __________________ Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro FIA Formula One World Championship

Nov 5, 2006, 02:04 PM	#5
Zardon DriverHeaven Founder Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 32,480 Rep Power: 177	yes there is, and ive used it for a year, you can install and delete at will, just make sure you read how first. http://www.vistabootpro.org/ You can actually just reinstall XP onto the seperate initial partition/drive. then once its set up, install .net framework. install vistabootpro and REinstate vista boot menu, so you are back to square one. works both ways.

May 3, 2009, 12:50 PM	#11
OldBuzzard DH's oldest Geek Join Date: May 2003 Location: Oberlin, OH Posts: 2,781 Rep Power: 141 System Specs	Re: Can I Format and Re-Install XP with Vista Installed? You will have to treat the XP install as if it's the only install on the system. That means that you WILL have in install all of the chipset, device drivers, applications, games, etc. As for your memory, you shouldn't have a problem. XP 32 bit won't even know that the extra 4GB exists. Your data on D: and E: will be untouched and you should be able to acess it. Programs that were installed probably won't be. There may be the rare exception, but you will most likely have to re-install them to C:. I have been multi-booting for years using an application called HyperOS which allows me to install and boot to as many as 22 Operating systems. The most I've ever had was 10 in a mix of XP, Vista and Win 7 with 32 and 64 bit versions of all of them. Even with two different XP 32 installs, I still can't run most applications from one install that were installed on the other one. __________________ When looking for a reason as to why things go wrong, never rule out sheer STUPIDITY

May 3, 2009, 04:29 PM	#12
Butch Nackley DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Hickory, NC USA Posts: 22 Rep Power: 0	Re: Can I Format and Re-Install XP with Vista Installed? Thank you Okay, I will try to get XP running and them just go from there as far as getting my games running under XP. __________________ Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro FIA Formula One World Championship