Multiple Boot System

I was originally considering a triple-boot of XP Pro SP3 (32-bit), Vista Ultimate SP1 (64-bit) and Windows 7 (64-bit). However, my copy of XP is an upgrade copy, and I can't (at the moment) locate my Win 98SE disk so that I can clean install XP. In addition, I haven't any drivers downloaded for XP. In the light of this, and for the reason that I was intending to install XP was so that I could run programs that can only install on a 32-bit system (i.e. have 16-bit installation routines), my question is as follows: As well as the 64-bit version of Vista Ultimate SP1, I have the 32-bit version of it (comes in the same package). This is also the SP1 version. I know that all the disks contain all versions of Vista, so I can install any variant. I also have an older copy of Vista Home Premium 32-bit (all my versions are upgrade versions - more hassle to install, but much, much easier on the pocket) that does not have SP1 integrated. What I want to know is this: Can I install the 32-bit version of Vista from the disk with SP1 pre-integrated (I know that I will have to select Home Premium)and use the product key that came with my copy of Home Premium?

Same post submitted to Vista Forums for greater coverage/response.

Yes, I believe you should be able to install the 32-bit SP1 Home Premium from your 32-bit Ultimate installation DVD using your separate non-SP1 Home Premium product key number. :)

Thanks, Shawn. It will be worth a try. If it doesn't work, I'll just have to resort to the original disk and install SP1 manually (I already have this on a CD, together with Office 2007 SP1), so it's really a bit of a time-saving issue.

Whereas I just dual-booted XP/ Vista on my old PC yesterday and had to update every bloody thing... not a time saver

No problem Dwarf. Let us know how it turns out. :)

So, you're saying you only use serviced discs?

Or that you only service used discs?

Seriously - Smarty, it'll work - been there done that. As long as it is the same type (ultimate retail key for ultimate retail, etc) you're golden.

I got it going alright mate, it was just the check for updates/download/install/repeat that took a lot of time.

(I even have SP1 on disc around somewhere, but do you think I could find it? I'm really going to have to look into this slip-streaming.... )

smarteyeball said:

I got it going alright mate, it was just the check for updates/download/install/repeat that took a lot of time.

(I even have SP1 on disc around somewhere, but do you think I could find it? I'm really going to have to look into this slip-streaming.... )

Hello SE.

This is first on my agenda when the 'final' Vista SP2 is released. Brink has a tutorial on it over at Vista Forums.




Later Ted

What are your suggestions/recommendations on how the HDD should be partitioned for the 3 OSes. I was thinking ~150GB for Vista Home Premium 32-bit, ~350GB for Vista Ultimate 64-bit (both SP1) and ~500GB for Windows 7. Does this sound reasonable to you?