help with partitioning vista /xp

**newbee_4** · 05-03-2008, 04:22 PM

hi there,

I will be getting a new laptop soon, and unfortunately it likely will have Vista (which exact Vista not yet determined - any thoughts on what is better are welcome....)

Question - to avoid Vista as much as possible, I'd like to partition the drive with a partition in XP, then pretty much use XP as much as I can. So - never have partitioned a drive in my life, no idea what all is involved -- can you point me to a guide for the inexperienced?

Thank you!

johnhook · 05-03-2008, 04:34 PM

newbee_4,

Unless you're running some legacy software that is specifically incompatible with Vista, I would ask you to reconsider Vista. YES, Vista's interface is more "Mac-like" and things are in different places - but overall - it's very similar to XP in terms of it's core and underlying functionality.

Setting up a laptop as dual boot with XP and Vista is going to divide your hard drive in half. I would consider just running with Vista. If you decide you completely HATE Vista, you can always switch to XP.

Think about it.

- John

**newbee_4** · 05-05-2008, 10:24 AM

Will I be able to switch to XP (if I buy the full box XP, will I be able to reformat the hard drive and then really switch)?

Also - sorry I have no background in this - is partitioning a drive the same as making it dual-boot?

And last - is there a beginner guide to partitioning, making drives dual-boot etc?

Thanks.

and, umm, I have a *lot* of legacy software at least some of which is likely not compatible. So..... it does really matter to me to be able to run XP.

**sobeit** · 05-05-2008, 10:35 AM

something things to consider,

1. get a laptop with a second harddrive. this would eliminate problems with partitioning.
2. If possible get a laptop with xp. If unable to, get one that has all xp drivers available at the manufacturers support site. Oterwise its going to be a major headache finding alll the drivers you need.
3. Get vista business or ultimate, you can legally downgrade using oem xp. You will save money doing this. In fact some manufacturers already have xp recovery disks available for downgrades for certain models.

05-03-2008, 04:22 PM	#1 (permalink)
newbee_4 I helped the forums. Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 183 OS: win xp	help with partitioning vista /xp hi there, I will be getting a new laptop soon, and unfortunately it likely will have Vista (which exact Vista not yet determined - any thoughts on what is better are welcome....) Question - to avoid Vista as much as possible, I'd like to partition the drive with a partition in XP, then pretty much use XP as much as I can. So - never have partitioned a drive in my life, no idea what all is involved -- can you point me to a guide for the inexperienced? Thank you!

05-03-2008, 04:34 PM	#2 (permalink)
johnhook Tech Hardware Team Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 810 OS: MS SBS 2003 SP2	Re: help with partitioning vista /xp newbee_4, Unless you're running some legacy software that is specifically incompatible with Vista, I would ask you to reconsider Vista. YES, Vista's interface is more "Mac-like" and things are in different places - but overall - it's very similar to XP in terms of it's core and underlying functionality. Setting up a laptop as dual boot with XP and Vista is going to divide your hard drive in half. I would consider just running with Vista. If you decide you completely HATE Vista, you can always switch to XP. Think about it. - John

05-05-2008, 10:24 AM	#3 (permalink)
newbee_4 I helped the forums. Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 183 OS: win xp	Re: help with partitioning vista /xp Will I be able to switch to XP (if I buy the full box XP, will I be able to reformat the hard drive and then really switch)? Also - sorry I have no background in this - is partitioning a drive the same as making it dual-boot? And last - is there a beginner guide to partitioning, making drives dual-boot etc? Thanks. and, umm, I have a lot of legacy software at least some of which is likely not compatible. So..... it does really matter to me to be able to run XP. Last edited by newbee_4; 05-05-2008 at 10:25 AM.

05-05-2008, 10:35 AM	#4 (permalink)
sobeit TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: NEAR Posts: 7,433 OS: windows/linux	Re: help with partitioning vista /xp something things to consider, 1. get a laptop with a second harddrive. this would eliminate problems with partitioning. 2. If possible get a laptop with xp. If unable to, get one that has all xp drivers available at the manufacturers support site. Oterwise its going to be a major headache finding alll the drivers you need. 3. Get vista business or ultimate, you can legally downgrade using oem xp. You will save money doing this. In fact some manufacturers already have xp recovery disks available for downgrades for certain models. __________________ there's been global warming since the ice age