How to Be Sure It Will Be Possible to Revert to Previous OS Boot?

[jeanpave]

Hi.

I have a computer that's running Windows 2000 only, right now.
I am quite sure it should be capable of running Vista, too.
What I'd like to do is dual-boot 2000 with Vista.

The question, now, is, if I'm unsuccessful in getting Vista to run like I would expect, then I would like to take out / format the hard-drive that had the now-unwanted Vista partition, and go back to just booting into Windows 2000. So, how can that be accomplished?
Should I just copy the current boot.ini file, or something, first, and then put it back if I decide to take out Vista?

I understand that, if I install Vista, the new boot information would be on the Vista partition, and the current Windows-2000-only boot information would be overwritten and lost. That's why I'm asking, you know, because I'm not sure what to keep, in case I have to go back to just one OS.

Thank you very much.

[deadrats]

if i understand you correctly, you have more than one hard drive and plan on installing vista on the second hard drive in a dual boot configuration, correct?

if so, i would suggest doing what i like to refer to as a "half assed" dual boot: basically change the boot order in the bios to make the other hdd the primary hdd, install vista on that so that there is now a separate mbr on each hard drive and simply change the boot order in the bios any time you wish to boot into the other OS; this way if you find that either vista isn't to your liking or you want to switch to vista over win 2k then you won't have any issues, you simply keep that hard drive as your primary hdd and delete the windows installation on the other hdd.

i have to say however, that if you are currently running win 2k on your pc chances are that you are using older hardware, i think you will find vista to be a dog on win 25 era hardware.

[dragonkeeper]

[QUOTE=deadrats;2115927
i have to say however, that if you are currently running win 2k on your pc chances are that you are using older hardware, i think you will find vista to be a dog on win 25 era hardware.[/QUOTE]

deadrats is correct, an easier option would be to install Vista to a virtual system using vmware or something similar. This method doesn't require any changes to your system other than the installation of the app.

[jeanpave]

if so, i would suggest doing what i like to refer to as a "half assed" dual boot: basically change the boot order in the bios to make the other hdd the primary hdd, install vista on that so that there is now a separate mbr on each hard drive and simply change the boot order in the bios any time you wish to boot into the other OS; this way if you find that either vista isn't to your liking or you want to switch to vista over win 2k then you won't have any issues, you simply keep that hard drive as your primary hdd and delete the windows installation on the other hdd.

Wow, that's really smart. I'll try that.

But, if I'm lucky to get you to do a follow-up, would you also be kind enough to tell me this: If I'm happy with the "half assed" Vista, is there any way to manufacture that screen that allows you to pick the OS, as well, or am I forever stuck with going into the BIOS?

Thank you very much, Deadrats.


P.S. <to everybody> Please don't worry about Vista not installing. That's my problem. It's nice of you to be concerned, however.

[deadrats]

But, if I'm lucky to get you to do a follow-up, would you also be kind enough to tell me this: If I'm happy with the "half assed" Vista, is there any way to manufacture that screen that allows you to pick the OS, as well, or am I forever stuck with going into the BIOS?

sorry it took so long to get back to you; you won't need to "manufacture" anything, if you're happy with Vista and decide to stick with that as your primary OS, then when that hard drive is set as your primary hard drive the only option will be Vista, you can go ahead and delete the windows folder on the other hard drive. if you're asking if it's possible to keep Vista as your primary OS but during boot up from that hard drive have the option to boot into the 2k install residing on the other hard drive, the answer is yes it's possible but difficult and there are reports of screwing up the mbr and leaving the system unbootable.

as such i suggest you do a google search and you will find about a half dozen different ways to do it but again, i would recommend against trying.