Want to make a dual boot between XP and Windows Server

[z064life]

Hi,

I am currently running XP MCE, and I need to install Windows Server 2003 for work purposes. How exactly do I go about this (of course I will make a partition at first) and what considerations are there which I have to be aware of?

Has anyone here done this? I need to install Rational Rose and SQL Server 2005 Dev Edition, which will only install on Windows Server.

Thanks

Edited by z064life on Sunday 23 July 15:23

[randlemarcus]

Dont bother with dual boot, just stick Virtual PC on, or VMWare workstation, then install a copy of Server onto that as a guest OS. Lots less arsing around, and much better for messing around with, as backups are easier. And they're both free these days..

[puggit]

Agree with RandleMarcus's reply.

However, if you can't get hold of this software - just stick the Win2000 server CD in. You should get a message asking if you want to upgrade or install a new version. Install the new version!

You'll need some free space on the disk (minimum probably 1.5GB) - this means that the Win XP cannot be using it, even as free space in Win XP.

[_Deejay_]

puggit said:

Agree with RandleMarcus's reply.

However, if you can't get hold of this software - just stick the Win2000 server CD in. You should get a message asking if you want to upgrade or install a new version. Install the new version!

You'll need some free space on the disk (minimum probably 1.5GB) - this means that the Win XP cannot be using it, even as free space in Win XP.

If you can't get hold of the software? It's a free download from www.vmware.com isn't it?

[Baconbonce]

_Deejay_ said:

If you can't get hold of the software? It's a free download from www.vmware.com isn't it?

Yep, VMPlayer and now VMServer are completely free...and jolly good they are to!

[z064life]

I've heard of VMWare before, used for the rapid deployment of multiple OS's. However, if I do use VMWare, how risky is it? I've lost the desire to play with the intricate areas of PCs after recent problems.

I will back up my stuff, which brings me to another question - what backup do people recommend that will back all my stuff up to an image file, and then I can restore the image file and my PC would be like how it was before (same plugins in my browser, same folder/file structure, same apps ready to run, etc).

Ta.

[thepassenger]

z064life said:

I've heard of VMWare before, used for the rapid deployment of multiple OS's. However, if I do use VMWare, how risky is it? I've lost the desire to play with the intricate areas of PCs after recent problems.

VMWare is pretty harmless in terms of killing things.
To remove it, just uninstall the application and delete any disk images its left behind (My Documents/My Virtual Machines I belive they go in) and that's it.

z064life said:

I will back up my stuff, which brings me to another question - what backup do people recommend that will back all my stuff up to an image file, and then I can restore the image file and my PC would be like how it was before (same plugins in my browser, same folder/file structure, same apps ready to run, etc).

If this was a few years ago I'd have just said "Ghost" and left it at that. It's good and I belive the newer versions can generate bootable restore CD's for you, however not having used it in a long while I'd wait for the opinion on others just incase it's been made happy and fun... whilst loosing half its functionality.

z064life said:

Ta.

Np.

[z064life]

Looks like that is settled.

Once I install Win Server over VMWare, can I delete my old OS with an image of all my user apps (programming apps, songs, etc), and put them onto Win Server with minimal fuss?

Thanks

[thepassenger]

z064life said:

Looks like that is settled.

Once I install Win Server over VMWare, can I delete my old OS with an image of all my user apps (programming apps, songs, etc), and put them onto Win Server with minimal fuss?

Thanks

Nope.

Vmware is an application that allows you to host other operating systems. However it requires an operating system itself to run. So you could move you development stuff to the vmware image and keep your personal stuff on the 'real' OS side of things.

[_Deejay_]

thepassenger said:

z064life said:

Looks like that is settled.

Once I install Win Server over VMWare, can I delete my old OS with an image of all my user apps (programming apps, songs, etc), and put them onto Win Server with minimal fuss?

Thanks

Nope.

Vmware is an application that allows you to host other operating systems. However it requires an operating system itself to run. So you could move you development stuff to the vmware image and keep your personal stuff on the 'real' OS side of things.

[pedant]Vmware is a company. Vmware Server is an application that runs on an OS. VMware ESX server is virtual environment which runs on bare metal servers. [/pedant

[thepassenger]

[pedant]Vmware is a company. Vmware Server is an application that runs on an OS. VMware ESX server is virtual environment which runs on bare metal servers. [/pedant

Whilst technically correct, I doubt we're talking about running ESX server on a beige box in someones SOHO... So -5 points I feel.

[z064life]

Ok so I need VMWare Workstation.

Also, I should partition my HD anyway to make things more organised on my "system" anyway, shouldn't I? I don't really want to have the directory for Win Server inside Win XP.

thepassenger,

Your response seem to have me confused. My question about transferring files/apps from one OS to another wasn't about whether VMWare could do it but if it could be done generally with any app. I should stick all my work stuff on Win Server and my songs on Win XP MCE (it's only use really). Need an app recommendation for this.

Thanks

Edited by z064life on Saturday 29th July 08:02

[Baconbonce]

You can create VMware images with just the player.

Download the player, then go to [url]www.easyvmx.com[/url] to create yourself the required VMX file as a downloadable file. Unzip the file and open it using the VMware player - make sure you have an OS CD in your drive and it will create an image for you

Edited by Baconbonce on Saturday 29th July 11:00

[z064life]

Baconbonce said:

You can create VMware images with just the player.

Download the player, then go to [url]www.easyvmx.com[/url] to create yourself the required VMX file as a downloadable file. Unzip the file and open it using the VMware player - make sure you have an OS CD in your drive and it will create an image for you

Edited by Baconbonce on Saturday 29th July 11:00

Thanks for that but it looks like I have to make a minimum of 9 DVDs if I am to back up my stuff to do a natural dual boot or run VMWare. I don't really want to get bogged down and spend hours troubleshooting and stuff. I don't want to leave GBs of critical data, even if in a secure zone (Acronis), on the PC because I am going to create a partition and doing this high risk stuff, despite my experience (or rather, my experience from mistakes), puts me off after past incidents out of my control.

Looks like I have to wait for that external HDD...when pigs fly. I'll let my dad do it and if something goes wrong I won't be implicated

[Baconbonce]

Running VMware doesn't require any reconfiguration of your hard disk - it creates a virtual disk (ie. just a bunch of files) which you can mess around with to your hearts content without ball'sing up your actual operating system.

If you have spare space on your current hard disk - give it a try

[z064life]

Baconbonce said:

Running VMware doesn't require any reconfiguration of your hard disk - it creates a virtual disk (ie. just a bunch of files) which you can mess around with to your hearts content without ball'sing up your actual operating system.

If you have spare space on your current hard disk - give it a try

Cool.

Another q (this is getting very repetitive), is do I have to reconfigure my network connection details for either OS?

Sorry for all the questions.

It may seem like I am stalling.

[Baconbonce]

z064life said:

Cool.

Another q (this is getting very repetitive), is do I have to reconfigure my network connection details for either OS?

Sorry for all the questions.

It may seem like I am stalling.

Nope, no rejigging of network settings at all required.