HOW Multi-boot: Windows 8 + Windows7 + WindowsXP

Discussion in 'Windows 8' started by YessMann, Jan 25, 2013.

  1. YessMann

    YessMann MDL Member

    Nov 27, 2012
    203
    30
    10
    #1 YessMann, Jan 25, 2013
    Last edited: Jan 25, 2013
    My computer has 2 HDD, one is for OS (160GB) and the other one is for Data
    I have installed
    partition1:
    MBR + WindowsXP OS + Win7boot-loader
    partition2:
    Windows7 OS
    Partition3:
    NIL (ready for win8)

    can i use partition3 to install win8 in the same HDD? How to do?
    because the win7 loader is on partition1...

    thx
     
    Stop hovering to collapse... Click to collapse... Hover to expand... Click to expand...
  2. Ramses09

    Ramses09 MDL Novice

    Sep 26, 2009
    7
    3
    0
    I'd recommend to use grub4dos for this , i.e replace the MBR (which is not in partition 1 by the way) with grub4dos by using grubinstall under windows (admin rights req). You'd have to have a menu.lst and the grldr in the root of one of your partition. The idea is to isolate the various systems that way that grldr is in the mbr and then starts the systems (i.e no windows mbr active any longer).
    Though the author doesn't refer to grub4dos comprehensive information on the boot process, what to pay attenten at when installing XP, Vista and higher etc can be found here multibooters.co.uk
    I'm running W7x64, W7x86, W8, XP, Ubuntu on two harddisk (grub on each MBR) successfully whilst sharing the data partions.
     
  3. YessMann

    YessMann MDL Member

    Nov 27, 2012
    203
    30
    10
    Thank you very much.
     
    Stop hovering to collapse... Click to collapse... Hover to expand... Click to expand...
  4. MrG

    MrG MDL Expert

    May 31, 2010
    1,397
    1,602
    60
    Glad you got it working.
    Me, I'm dual booting win XP, Vista, Win7 & Win8 x2.
    Trick is to install the earliest OS first.