How to install Windows XP when Vista and Win 7 are both installed on the computer already?

How to install Windows XP when Vista and Win 7 are both installed on the computer already? Is it said that if you have Vista and/or Win 7 already installed on the computer, you can't install Windows XP, or else it will affect the Vista and Win 7 installation?
Asked by: Guest \| Views: 386

Total answers/comments: 2

Comments display order:

bert [Entry]

"If you have Windows 7 installed you should look at Virtual PC. This will also have the effect of sandboxing your XP installation in case it gets a virus.

There are limitations, but they are detailed on the page."

bert [Entry]

"You should be able to use gparted to change the partition type into some non-windows-readable format and turn it back to NTFS after the installation. Just don't let gparted or the windows installation do any formatting so maybe don't choose and extfs or swap to avoid accidentally doing so! Then use the Win7 cd to reinstall the new MBR, I don't know though if it automatically adds Win XP to the boot menu or if that involves further steps.

Also, to prevent drive assignment issues, I suggest you add a 1MB partition temporarilly: Say you have Win 7 on C: and want Win XP on D:, then split the D: partition into a 1MB FAT partition (so that C: will be taken by that) and the NTFS partition for XP. After the installation you gparted to merge the temporal partition into the XP one. (I don't know if this is actually necessary, maybe XP already assigns it's intallation partition to C: no matter what?)"