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Install Dual-Boot of Windows Vista + 2000 on Windows Vista computer (Vista installed first)
Last reviewed: June 2011
| Updated for EasyBCD version 2.1. Do not use these instructions with earlier versions of EasyBCD.
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Introduction
This guide shows how to safely create a natural dual-boot of Windows Vista and Windows 2000 (2K) on a computer with Windows Vista already installed. You can then run either of those two Windows by selecting one from a Windows menu during bootup. No data loss will occur and a third-party boot utility is not used.
In this procedure you need to shrink the Windows Vista drive to make room for Windows 2K unless you install 2K on a second hard disk. Using a second disk simplifies the procedure but it's not necessary. The example shown here uses a single hard disk.
32 and 64-bit versions of Windows Vista Home Premium & Basic, installed on a single NTFS partition, were used in testing. The operating system added was Windows 2000 Professional SP4. The computers used were (1) a 32-bit Dell Optiplex with Pentium 4 (2.26GHz), 2.0 GB RAM, 160 GB ATA hard disk, and (2) AMD Athlon 64-bit (2.4GHz), 2.0 GB RAM, 1 TB SATA hard disk.
Following these instructions correctly should always succeed. However, any change to your computer should not even be considered unless your have a rescue plan. This guide also contains that rescue plan - just in case!
This procedure is suitable for experienced computer users.
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Important Installation Notes
Full Installation CD/DVDs. The Windows you are adding cannot be installed from Recovery or Repair CDs or DVDs provided by some OEMs. You need the full installation or setup version to install a Windows.
EasyBCD. The highly-acclaimed EasyBCD is a free editing utility that allows any user to easily edit the Windows Vista boot menu (the BCD or Boot Configuration Data). Some settings, not used here, are very advanced. EasyBCD works in Windows Vista, but also in Windows XP if you first install Microsoft's .NET 2.0 Framework (new window).
127 GB Partition Limitation in Windows 2K. Windows 2K setup files must be installed on the hard disk within 127 GB from the start of the disk. This physical limitation cannot be avoided. To play safe, all of the 2K partition should be within 127 GB from the start of the disk.
Shrinking a Windows Vista drive. You should use Shrink in Windows' Disk Management to resize the Windows partition. If the free space achieved is inadequate, you can read Shrink the Windows Vista Partition for instructions on completing this task successfully. Use the free GParted Live CD to gain disk space only if you absolutely must - read the page Use GParted to Resize the Windows Vista Partition to learn how and, before you use GParted, read Repair Windows Vista Startup (below).
Formatting. All partitions should be created before you start installing any operating system (OS). The partition should be Formatted when installing that OS to ensure compatible file system versions. Avoid formatting Windows partitions with GParted or any other third-party partitioning utility.
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Details: Install Windows 2000 when Windows Vista is installed first
Installing other operating systems on your Windows Vista computer may invalidate your warrantee.
It's important to follow the instructions exactly as stated and you should start with a properly working Windows.
Make your preparations
- Backup important data before making any changes to a partition. You can burn files to a CD, clone an image of your hard disk, copy files to a USB flash/pen/thumb drive, or use an USB external drive (a good choice)
- Plan your new partitions carefully before you start.
- Download Neosmart's EasyBCD 2.1 (free - it edits Vista boot loader).
Optional: Download NeoSmart's free Windows Vista System Recovery Disk if your Vista DVD is missing!
- Download any essential device drivers for your older Windows.
- If you intend using a second hard disk, make sure that disk is in place before you start.
- Disconnect all unnecessary external devices before you start.
Make free space and create new partitions
This part is best completed BEFORE you start installing any other operating system.
Remember, you should never alter the starting position of a partition that contains an OS you wish to keep.
The single 160 GB disk usually used in testing initially had: Windows Vista (150 GB, Primary, NTFS). The Windows Vista drive was shrunk leaving about 30 GB Unallocated space at the end of the disk (to the right). After repartitioning it had: Windows Vista (110 GB, Primary, NTFS), 2K (5 GB, Primary, NTFS), Data (35 GB, Logical, NTFS).
Always note the size of each partition and also label each (this guide uses w_2K and vsta).
You can use a second hard disk for Windows 2K - the procedure will be similar to that described here.
- Restart computer correctly (close all programs before you Restart computer).
- Open Disk Management in Windows Vista (right-click Computer, select Manage, click Disk Management).
- Right-click your CD/DVD drive(s), select Change drive letter and paths..., and click Change.
Change the drive letter to K (get it out of the way!).
- Right-click the Windows Vista Volume (probably C:), and select Properties.
In the General tab, enter vsta as the label for the Windows Vista volume, and click Apply.
- In Disk Management in Windows Vista
- Right-click the vsta volume, and click Shrink Volume.
- In Enter the amount of space to shrink in MB: enter enough for 2K
(make sure the 2K partition starts before the 127 GB limit for that OS).
- Click the Shrink button (it may take some time!).
If Shrink does not give you sufficient Unallocated space, read Shrink the Windows Vista Partition for instructions on how to complete this task successfully. Then return here.
- Right-click the Unallocated space and select New Simple Volume.... Click Next.
- In Simple volume size in MB:, enter about 5000 (5 GB for 2K). Click Next.
- In File system, select NTFS in the drop-down.
- In Volume label, enter w_2K.
- Tick to enable the Perform a quick format check box, and click Next.
- Click Finish button.
- If you have a very large hard disk, you can create an extra NTFS partition for data.
(Disk Management will automatically create Logical partitions when those become necessary).
- Restart to Windows Vista two times.
- Open Disk Management and check that the change made is correct.
Use the free GParted Live CD to gain adequate disk space only if you absolutely must - read the page Use GParted to Resize the Windows Vista Partition to learn how, and read Repair Windows Vista Startup (below) before you use GParted.
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Now Install Windows 2000 in this Windows Vista Dual-Boot
The link below shows how to install Windows 2K in this dual-boot and how to use EasyBCD 2.1 with it.
The Windows Vista boot menu will then boot Windows Vista or Windows 2000 when selected.
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Congratulations!
You have created a natural dual-boot of Windows 2000 and Windows Vista when Windows Vista was installed first.
Footnote:
EasyBCD 2.1 creates an NST folder on the root of the Windows Vista partition when it adds an operating system to the Windows Vista boot loader. This NST folder contains file(s) vital to booting added OSs. It must not be deleted.
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Repair Windows Vista Startup
You will not have any problem if you follow the instructions as stated above. However you might encounter some freak occurrence like a power failure during installation. Windows Vista will boot again if you execute the following procedure.
- Bootup a Windows Vista installation DVD or even from NeoSmart's free Windows Vista System Recovery Disk.
It must be a 64-bit version if a 64-bit Windows Vista is installed.
- Press a key when you see Press any key to boot from a CD or DVD.
- Select your Language and then Time....
- Select Repair your computer (bottom left of the Install now screen).
An automatic check of your system will run.
- Click Repair and restart
Windows Vista should boot normally (very likely). If not, continue here.
- Bootup from the Windows Vista installation DVD again
- Select Repair your computer again.
- In System Recovery Options, select Windows Vista, and click Next.
- Click Startup Repair.
- Click Finish when it's complete, and then Restart.
- You must let CheckDisk run if requested.
Windows Vista should boot normally.
If still stuck for a solution, boot again from the installation DVD, select Repair your computer, highlight Windows Vista, get to a Command Prompt, use DIR command (DIR C: or DIR D: etc.) to identify drive letter allocations (sizes and Labels will help), and type in:
bootrec /FixMbr
bootrec /FixBoot
bootrec /RebuildBcd
X:\boot\bootsect.exe /nt60 C:
(where X: is your DVD drive letter, and C: is the installation drive for Windows Vista).
EXIT, and click Restart. Remove the DVD.
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