You're making this way, way too complicated. It's much easier to accomplish
what you want than going through all this hassle.

As far as installing hardware AFTER installation, I'm not all that convinced
this is worth the effort UNLESS the component is non-essential. For
example, I'd keep the sound card, video card, LAN card, etc., all installed.
But I might not install w/ a TV tuner card, wireless adapter, etc. But in
the end, that's up to you. Personally, I would keep most components
installed *if* I knew they would always be part of any OS installation.

As far as multiple OS installation, there's no need for all this complexity.
What you do is use a good boot manager. I use BootIt NG, but there are
others, like XOSL, Boot Magic, etc. These are capable of HIDING partitions,
which is key. The default Windows boot loader cannot, which is what
complicates your multi-boot installation unnecessarily.

If you use BootIt NG (or similar), you simply install WinXP to a partition,
activate it, then image copy it (external HD, DVD/CD, whatever). Again, I
use BootIt NG for this purpose. So now you have a "base image" to which you
always can return. You then CLONE one or more WinXP partition from the base
image (or just COPY from the first partition, depends if you want a pristine
install or not) to new partitions. Using the boot manager, you then hide
all other OS partitions whenever any given OS is booted (using BootIt NG,
this is done automatically, OR, you can setup boot menu items). Since all
other OS partitions are hidden, each can be cloned and booted WITHOUT
REINSTALLING THE OS!!! because each can now be booted as C:!!!

Finally, you create an extended partition w/ one or more volumes for your
DATA. Then add those volumes (if any) to your boot menu items for each OS.

This is the SUPER SIMPLE way to do it. The key to success is avoiding the
Windows default boot loader at all costs. Any decent boot manager will let
you hide partitions, which GREATLY simplifies multi-boot installations.
Esp. in cases where you want essentially CLONES, perhaps for testing, gaming
vs. office apps config, etc. And notice that the base we use for those
clones is AFTER activation! So no more crap in that regard. Every time you
want to start over, create another clone, etc., you simply return to the
base image, restore it to a partition, create a boot menu item, and you're
in business.

Believe me, I've been doing this for a LONG LONG time, using a boot manager
is *the* way to avoid lots of hassles.

As far as the EULA, most every MVP in these forums will give you the
nonsense about being in violation of the EULA. I find the arguments
ludicrous and unconvincing. Technically, using their logic, even a BACKUP
would consitiute an unauthorized copy, even a RAID mirror! They read the
EULA *literally*, without any sense of perspective or the "spirit" in which
it was intended. Personally, I believe that since you can only RUN one
instance at any time (since its on the same hardware), it fits perfectly
within the spirit of the EULA. NOBODY, and I mean NOBODY, including the
MVPs, is going to license each and every instance of XP on one machine. If
they tell you they do, they're full of crap. So just clone your XP
installations as necessary.

Btw, having multiple instances of WinXP w/ activation is NOT a problem, you
still only activate ONCE, just as long as you COPY/CLONE after activation,
of course. It's the same hardware, so it's a non-issue. Btw, this is yet
another reason I say that having multiple instances on the same machine is
perfectly within the spirit of the EULA. If it wasn't, why wouldn't each
instance require a NEW activation!!!

Jim


"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.
> ++++++++++++++++++++++++++
>
>
>