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Warning: Do you have the first page? It contains all the essential preparation and safety information you need before you can continue here. If you do not already have that page then you must click the following link and select the correct dual, tripple or multi-boot. You'll find it at http://thpc.info/dual/dual_vista.html (new window)

Now Install Windows XP to Dual-Boot with the installed Windows Vista

When Windows XP is installed on the previously created Primary or Logical partition (w_XP), it creates its own MBR and puts the XP boot loader (NTLDR) in charge. EasyBCD will add Windows XP to the Windows Vista boot loader menu and then reinstall the Windows Vista MBR putting Windows Vista back in control.

1. Bootup from the Windows XP installation CD.
   • Install Windows XP as a New installation (Advanced) on the w_XP partition
     - check both the label and the size to ensure you select the correct partition.
     - the w_XP partition should be Formatted with NTFS during installation (a Quick format is fine).
   • After installation label the Windows XP drive back to w_XP.
   • Install any device drivers required by Windows XP.

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   Next use EasyBCD to add XP to Windows Vista's boot loader menu.

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2. Restart Windows XP
3. Install Microsoft's .NET 2.0 Framework (required by XP to run EastBCD).
   Install and run EasyBCD 2.1 (click Yes for "User Account Control").
   • Select Add New Entry in the left pane.
     Select the Windows tab in the upper right pane.
     • In Type, select Windows NT/2k/XP/2k3 in the drop-down.
     • In Name, enter a name like "Windows XP"
     • In Drive, you'll see it is "Automatically configured". Ignore it for a moment.
     • In Automatically detect correct drive, unticked it (disable it).
     • Back in Drive, select w_XP's drive letter (when viewed in XP) in the drop-down.
     • Click the Add Entry button in the same pane.

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     Still in EasyBCD, now reinstall the Windows Vista MBR to put Windows Vista back in control.

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   • Select the BCD Deployment in the left pane.
     • Under MBR Configuration Options in the lower right pane,
       select Install the Windows Vista/7 bootloader to the MBR.
     • Click the Write MBR button.

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   • Optionally, you can now modify the timeout of the boot loader menu
     - click the Edit Boot Menu (left pane) and set the Boot default OS after to about 5 seconds.
   • Exit EasyBCD.
4. Restart computer. Windows Vista boots and Windows XP has been added to the Windows Vista boot loader menu.
5. You can still execute a Windows XP fix - read "Fix Restore Points Problem in XP" on the first page.