One laptop one HDD Dual boot of XP both must be C:

Keith · 26th January 2007, 20:53

One laptop, one HDD, Dual boot of XP, both must be C: How?

That says it all, I want two instances of XP on my laptop to run two (non compatible ) versions of Testbook which will only install to C:\RDS

Laptop is not powerful enough to run virtual PC.

I can do it with Drive magic by going into the boot manager and hiding one or the other partition and making the other active but that is boring

Answers on a postcard?

Rich · 26th January 2007, 20:57

It might be the only way.

If both XP versions use the same C:\ and the software will only install to C:\RDS, then one will overwrite the other?

Rich · 26th January 2007, 20:59

A thought...

Buy two cheap and chearful USB external drives, install one OS on each?

No regedit hacks to fool one install into not using c:\rds?

Failing that, I've got spare laptop hard drives (going for £0.00) if you want, just have one physical drive for each version?

Simon · 26th January 2007, 21:00

I already did the two physical HD scenario.... I ended up getting me coat...

Simon · 26th January 2007, 21:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keith

I can do it with Drive magic by going into the boot manager and hiding one or the other partition and making the other active but that is boring

My Drive Magic wont even work full stop, let alone it being boring when it does work.

Surely this would be the simpliest answer?

Could you perhaps install one of the Testbook's, rename the folder and then install the other. You could then make a DOS Batch file to rename each folder to the correct name and then execute the program. Make this batch a clickable icon on your desktop and you're flying

unless the install program uses other folders which would seriously complicate this...

Rich · 26th January 2007, 21:14

Sounds like a plan, the only problem would be registry differences.

That said, all folder renames and reg settings can all be done via dos batch file so you'd still only have two icons on the desktop, one for each!

Simon · 26th January 2007, 21:19

You could even step up the complexity and perhaps use a more advanced programming language to develop a stand-alone executable that gives you two big fat buttons to click on. Each button executes a set of code that re-writes the registry entries and updates the folder names acordingly. Then you can include error-trapping to stop errors when you try to rename a folder that doesn't exist (which could happen when using DOS batch files)

Or am I now talking

?

empsburna · 26th January 2007, 23:32

I think the best option is just to have a second physical drive.

fingers crossed its in a drive bay and not hidden behind the smallest phillips screws you have ever come across.

Keith · 27th January 2007, 17:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by empsburna

fingers crossed its in a drive bay and not hidden behind the smallest phillips screws you have ever come across.

Worse than that it is under the mouse pad!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simon D

unless the install program uses other folders which would seriously complicate this...

Spot on it is a awful install!
Multiple directories all over the shop, at the Root and under Program Mangler plus DLLs in Windows and Windows System, registry entries everywhere as well not a clean app at all.

I have settled on using Drive magic for now

That just means I need to keep a copy of Hirens boot CD handy to switch from one partition to the other

Simon · 27th January 2007, 17:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keith

That just means I need to keep a copy of Hirens boot CD handy to switch from one partition to the other

I thought Boot Magic allowed you to create a selectable menu upon boot-up? I even thought you could swap over boot drives using the Boot Manager interface in Windows?

Mine does. Except it's broke. But I think that's coz it doesn't like RAID SATA setup

but that's another story... one of which I may start a thread on myself....

26th January 2007, 20:53	#1
Keith This is my second home ZT400 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Ellesmere Posts: 5,948 Thanks: 0 Thanked 43 Times in 29 Posts	One laptop one HDD Dual boot of XP both must be C: One laptop, one HDD, Dual boot of XP, both must be C: How? That says it all, I want two instances of XP on my laptop to run two (non compatible ) versions of Testbook which will only install to C:\RDS Laptop is not powerful enough to run virtual PC. I can do it with Drive magic by going into the boot manager and hiding one or the other partition and making the other active but that is boring Answers on a postcard?

26th January 2007, 20:57	#2
Rich Posted a thing or two http://Roadca.ms - Letting you see what they see! Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Yup Posts: 1,786 Thanks: 0 Thanked 7 Times in 1 Post	It might be the only way. If both XP versions use the same C:\ and the software will only install to C:\RDS, then one will overwrite the other? __________________ https://VehicleGPS.UK http://www.MotorwayCameras.co.uk

26th January 2007, 20:59	#3
Rich Posted a thing or two http://Roadca.ms - Letting you see what they see! Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Yup Posts: 1,786 Thanks: 0 Thanked 7 Times in 1 Post	A thought... Buy two cheap and chearful USB external drives, install one OS on each? No regedit hacks to fool one install into not using c:\rds? Failing that, I've got spare laptop hard drives (going for £0.00) if you want, just have one physical drive for each version? __________________ https://VehicleGPS.UK http://www.MotorwayCameras.co.uk

26th January 2007, 21:14	#6
Rich Posted a thing or two http://Roadca.ms - Letting you see what they see! Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Yup Posts: 1,786 Thanks: 0 Thanked 7 Times in 1 Post	Sounds like a plan, the only problem would be registry differences. That said, all folder renames and reg settings can all be done via dos batch file so you'd still only have two icons on the desktop, one for each! __________________ https://VehicleGPS.UK http://www.MotorwayCameras.co.uk

26th January 2007, 21:00	#4
Simon Banned - Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: - Posts: 10,318 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 3 Posts	I already did the two physical HD scenario.... I ended up getting me coat...

26th January 2007, 21:19	#7
Simon Banned - Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: - Posts: 10,318 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 3 Posts	You could even step up the complexity and perhaps use a more advanced programming language to develop a stand-alone executable that gives you two big fat buttons to click on. Each button executes a set of code that re-writes the registry entries and updates the folder names acordingly. Then you can include error-trapping to stop errors when you try to rename a folder that doesn't exist (which could happen when using DOS batch files) Or am I now talking ?

26th January 2007, 23:32	#8
empsburna Gets stuck in Other Manufacturer Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: The Black Country Posts: 716 Thanks: 0 Thanked 28 Times in 3 Posts	I think the best option is just to have a second physical drive. fingers crossed its in a drive bay and not hidden behind the smallest phillips screws you have ever come across.