I have a desktop computer with 4 GB of RAM, 500 GB of Hard Disk, and a Core 2 Duo processor. I have a dual booting with Windows XP Professional, and Windows 7 Enterprise - both 32-bit. Windows XP is the Active Partition. I want to know if it is possible to install Windows Vista, and Windows Server 2008 R2 in addition to the current setup ? Also, does that leave the option with me of installing any variant(s) of Linux in the space left on the hard disk ? If the answer to the above is yes, how should I proceed with the installation - any points to take care of ? Or, just usually ? Also, I know that the above can be done using Virtual Machines, and GPT drives easily, but I want to know the possibility and any problems in the current scenario. Many Thanks Yagyesh

The multi-boot option becomes more difficult to maintain as you add more operating systems. Mutli-boot systems were very popular years ago when virtualization software was not readily available. With virtualization software being free and easy to use, I can't think of one reason why I would recommend the multi-boot configuration. Can it be done, yes. Likely to be successful in the scenario you described...not to sure. Visit: anITKB.com, an IT Knowledge Base.

Hi, If you want to configure a Windows XP/7/Vista/2008 R2 multi-boot system, you’d better install them from old to new. Windows XP -> Vista -> 7 -> 2008 R2. If you would like to also install Linux, I suggest contacting Linux for detailed instructions. Tim Quan

Thanks to both of you, JM and Tim. I am a little unsure on the Partitioning of the Hard Disk. I don't mean the partition sizes; but the types of partitions, and the possibility of the number of Windows & Linux OSes to be installed on 1 Hard Disk ? Could you please throw some light on this, or maybe direct me to any link(s) which clarifies my concepts on my above douts. Many thanks & Kind regards Yagyesh

Hi, Create enough partitions with enough sizes on the hard drive and you can multi-systems on the computer. For example, if you would like to install 5 systems on the computer, you must create at least 5 partitions. Tim Quan

Thanks Tim. But I think if I have to install 5 different OSes of Windows, that is not possible on one hard disk - because of the limitation of maximum of 4 Primary partitions. Kindly illustrate. Regards Yagyesh

Use a third party partition manager.Bill

Hi, It is not necessary for an operating system to be installed on a primary partition. An operating system can be also installed on a logical partition. Tim Quan

Thanks Bill, but I don'tunderstand what would the "third party partition manager" help me with? Could you kindly elaborate ? Regards Yagyesh

Thank you Tim. I want to try the installations this weekend. And shall let you know how it goes ! Regards Yagyesh

Sorry for not being able to get back with my feedback, earlier. As I was having Windows XP, and Windows 7 already installed, I went ahead with the following steps to install Vista and 2008R2:- 1. I created 3 more partitions on the free space on the hard-disk, and formatted two of these. 2. I used a free application called "DriverMax" to backup all the drivers from Windows 7. 3. Then, I installed Windows Vista Business 32bit on one of the partitions. 4. And, I was happy to see that "Vista" had got added in the Boot Manager. 5. Then I went ahead and installed the drivers for Vista; not all could be restored using the driver backup of Windows 7. 6. Then I updatede Vista to Service pack 2, and also installed other updates, to date. 7. Finally, I installed Windows Server 2008 R2 Enterprise Edition (Full) on the 4th partition. 8. This also got added in the Boot Manager. 9. This time "DriverMax" was very useful, as it restored all the drivers here, from the driver backup of Windows 7. 10. All the FOUR Operating Systems are working fine now. I would also like to share that if someone has Vista installed, and wants to install XP, and other Operating Systems after that, would find the following link to be useful: http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/224397-dual-boot-installation-windows-vista-xp.html. I would like to thank Mr. Tim Quan, and others for their help. Thanks & Regards, Yagyesh

Hi, Can anyone suggest How to install windows 7 ultimate & windows server 2008 32 bit OS if i want to make my system dual bootable by partitioning the disk & also which OS needs to be installed first?

I'd recommend that you simply install Windows 7, then use Virtual PC to create a guest 2008 32 bit system. This way, you can even run both operating systems at the same time. Visit: anITKB.com, an IT Knowledge Base.