Some personal computer users, especially gamers and programmers, often use two operating systems on the same computer. A popular pair is Windows XP and Windows 7, with the former for high performance, and the latter with the availability of the latest software and applications.
Necessary
Programs from the Acronis series
Instructions
Step 1
To install two operating systems on one computer, you first need to remove the primary operating system and all the data on the hard drive from the hard drive. To do this, use Acronis Disc Director or Acronis True Image, as well as other programs for working with HHD, running under DOS. All formatting of the hard disk must be done in DOS mode.
After formatting the hard disk in the same program, you need to split the hard drive into several parts, sectors, for example, 2 or 3, for different versions of Windows and, if desired, for files with music, videos, photos, documents, etc.
Step 2
Windows XP requires at least 20 GB of free space on the sector, for Windows 7 - 50 GB. Consider also the volume of programs that you will install in the future on these sectors.
Now choose which system you will make the main and bootable system by default. It must be installed by setting your CD / DVD-ROM as the first boot area in the BIOS. Insert the installation disc with the operating system, for example Windows XP, and install it as usual, but the primary drive (C:).
Step 3
After fully installing and activating Windows XP, move on to Windows 7 if this operating system has been selected by you as an additional one. Also install it from a special disk by including the first boot sector in the BIOS - CD / DVD ROM, but this time on the secondary disk (D:).
After installing the second operating system, restart the computer, and when you turn it on, you will see a black screen on which you will be asked to choose which OS to start - XP or 7. If within 30 seconds after starting the computer, the OS is not selected using the up and down keys on keyboard, by default the system that was installed on the primary disk will boot.
