Richard, take a look at my website http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org Click
the Win XP Faq button and take a look at questions 6, 7 and 41.

The dual boot is simple, using the same copy of XP isn't. The EULA allow 1
copy on a single machine, you would be using the same copy twice which would
invalidate the EULA


--
John Barnett MVP
Associate Expert
http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org

The information in this post is supplied "as is". No warranty of any kind,
either expressed or implied, is made in relation to the accuracy,
reliability or content of this post. The Author shall not be liable for any
direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising out of the use
of, or inability to use, information or opinions expressed in this post..



"Richard In Va." <Reply-none@aol.com> wrote in message
news:u24D5rlBGHA.424@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...
> I've been running Win-XP Home for several years now and the time has come
> for a fresh install on a new hard drive. (Hard drive issues).
>
> I bought a new Drive, 160GB as well as WinXP-Pro retail upgrade.
>
> I'd like to setup a multi-boot configuration and would like someone to
> look-over my shoulder and give a little advise.
>
> This is what I think I want to do...
>
> Remove all hardware, PCI and external devices (except video card).
>
> a) Partition the new "Basic" drive as follows via XP-Pro CD...
> Partition #1 = Drive "C" = 25GB and set as "Active" , Label as
> "WinXP-Pro1".
> Install WinXP-Pro (to partition #1).
> Boot-up and cancel all "Found New Hardware" messages.
> Confirm that the page file is sized the way I want.
> Install Chipset Drivers.
> Install Application Accelerator.
> Reboot to let "Found New Hardware" install system (onboard)
> drivers.
> or....
> Open Device Manager and "Scan for hardware changes".
> Install Video Driver (nVidia reference driver).
> Cancel all Windows Activation messages. (till the job is
> successfully complete).
>
> b) Via Windows drive Mgr, create a new Partition.
> Partition #2 = Drive "D" = 25GB and set as "Active" , Label as
> "WinXP-Pro2".
> With WinXP-Pro running, reinsert the XP CD and choose to do a
> "Custom" install.
> Direct the 2nd install towards the 2nd partition.
> This should create a multi-boot configuration.
> Follow the steps as above (a) to bring both installs to the
> same state.
>
> Go To... Start>Settings>Control Panel>System>Advanced>Startup And
> Recovery>Settings>System Startup and select the "edit" button to edit the
> boot.ini file and give each install a unique name to list on the boot
> menu.
>
> Open Disk Mgr. and create a new extended (dos) partition to use the
> remaining 110GB +/-.
> Via Disk Mgr. Create a "Logical" drive "E" = 30GB and label as "Programs".
>
> - Install network card, log-on to each install, install network
> drivers/setup ISP.
> - Install Sound Card, log-on to each install, install drivers and target
> audio software towards the "E" "Programs" logical drive.
> - One-at-a-time, install remaining PCI devices and a printer in each of
> the installs.
> (target all software to install onto the "E" "Programs" logical drive.)
> (each OS install will share the same program files).
> - Log-on to each install and run MS Windows update.
>
> Via Disk Mgr., format the remaining 80GB +/- in the extended partition as
> a new logical drive labeled "Documents".
>
> The idea is that I will have two (2) installs of XP-Pro, one as a "safe
> haven" and the other where I can play "hard-ball", or test new software
> and hardware. In other words, just have fun and not worry about messing
> things up.
>
> I'm certainly open to suggestions, I've never heard of anyone doing this
> but, according to the Microsoft Windows XP Inside Out eBook, it can be
> done.
>
> But doing this leads me to my next set of questions...
>
> 1) Can WinXP be "activated" more than once on the same PC?
> If so, is there a limit to the number of installs?
>
> 2) Can Norton Internet Security 2006 ( product registration and 1
> anti-virus subscription) be installed in both OS Installs?
> I assume I'll need to run "Norton Live Update" from both installs.
>
> Any help and ideas anyone has to offer would be appreciated!
>
> Best regards and Happy Holidays,
>
> Richard in Va.
> ++++++++++++++++++++++++++
>
>
>