Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

Resolved Question

Help in installing a 2nd instance of XP in another volume

by Sep 1, 2011 12:42PM PDT

Hello, all;

My C drive (500GB) is my usual boot drive. It has no problems; this is a precautionary measure. I want to use a newly installed 1TB, drive I as my default boot drive, and rebuild C later. My Virtual CD ROM (VCdRom.sys) is mounted with an ISO of XP PRO OEM (my CD-ROM no longer burns). The virtual CD ROM (VCdRom.sys, drive Z) is mounted with an ISO of XP PRO OEM.

Question: What do I need to do to install that version of XP on Drive I? And can I use my registered 25 digit genuine serial number, the one that's on the C drive, or should I just install it as an OEM with the serial I have for it?
Thanks in advance,

Mally Confused

Discussion is locked

MallyMcGinnis has chosen the best answer to their question. View answer
4 Posts
- Collapse + Expand Details

Best Answer

- Collapse -
Should be fun.
by Forum moderator Sep 1, 2011 12:51PM PDT

I've yet to set such work properly. That's why I fix the failed hardware when I need to do this.
Bob

- Collapse -
Any one else with an idea?
by MallyMcGinnis Sep 1, 2011 1:53PM PDT

Drat, that's not what I hoped to hear, but thanks for responding, Bob. I use my computer for work, and there would be too much to do to set up a new drive without loosing business, even if I happened to lose it on a Friday night. I've gone through that nightmare before; never again.

I do have my original SP1 disc. I could boot the new drive and install that version of XP from it, then use the ISO to upgrade to a newish version of SP3. Might that work? Could I do that without tearing into my machine to detach the other two drives (one has two partitions that hold Data and Appy .exe files) again via the CMOS?

Thanks in advance,

Mally

- Collapse -
Re: install
by Kees_B Forum moderator Sep 1, 2011 5:18PM PDT

You can't boot from the ISO to install XP.
So your options are, indeed: (1) burn to disk and install that or (2) install another version for which you have the disk.

But I think it would be much better to clone your current drive to the new one (that's an exact copy). Then go into the case and switch the 2 cables. And there you are: you boot from the new drive and the old drive isn't used at all, so you can safely format it and start using it for other purposes.

Kees

- Collapse -
Thanks, Bob and Kees!
by MallyMcGinnis Sep 1, 2011 10:31PM PDT

I don't want to clone my C drive to the new one; it's several years old, and has errant bits of software and whatnots I don't want to bring onto a new drive. I want to do a clean install of Windows XP and all the software I still use on it. It looks as though I will have some cable swapping to make, but you've both given me a sufficient spring board from which to work, and I thank you.

Peace,

Mally

Back to Windows Legacy OS forum

CNET Forums

Operating Systems
Software
Electronics & Gadgets
Hardware
Tablets & Mobile Devices
General Help
Brand Forums
Roadshow Autos
Off Topic

Other Forums

Forum Info