How to Create Multiple Boot System in Windows XP

In this blog post I am going to discuss how to create multiple boot system with windows operating system. Some time we need to create multiple boot system but we not able to create, Here some tips and precaution provided by Microsoft support expert to create multiple boot system.

Before creating the multiple boot system we have to follow some precaution.
• Before attempting to create a multiple-boot system, be sure to back up your current system and all data files.
• Each operating system must be installed on a separate volume. Microsoft does not support installing multiple operating systems on the same volume.
• If you have only one volume on your computer, you have to reformat and repartition your hard disk to contain multiple volumes before you begin creating a multiple-boot configuration, unless you are simply installing another copy of Windows XP.
• Do not install Windows XP on a compressed drive that was not compressed using the NTFS compression utility.
• You have to use a different computer name for each operating system if the computer is on a Windows 2000 or Windows XP secure domain.
• Install the operating systems in the following order:
1. MS-DOS
2. Windows 95, Windows 98 or Windows Me
3. Windows NT
4. Windows 2000
5. Windows XP

Manual Steps to Create Multiple boot system

Follow the steps to create multiple boot system with XP and MS DOS, 95, 98 and windows ME

Note You can only install a single instance of Windows 95, Windows 98, or Windows Me in a multiple-boot configuration. You cannot configure a computer to multiple-boot Windows 95, Windows 98, or Windows Me because each of these platforms use the same boot file. For example, you can use Windows 95, Windows 2000, and Windows XP, but you cannot use Windows 95, Windows 98, and Windows XP.

You have to install Windows XP only after installing MS-DOS, Windows 95, Windows 98, or Windows Me to prevent these operating systems from overwriting the Windows XP boot sector and the Windows XP startup files.

To create a multiple-boot system with Windows XP and MS-DOS, Windows 95, Windows 98 or Windows Me:

1. Ensure that your hard disk is formatted with the correct file system.
2. Install the multiple operating systems into separate volumes, in the following order: MS-DOS; Windows 95, Windows 98, or Windows Me; and then Windows XP.
3. Do one of the following:
o If you want a multiple-boot system with MS-DOS, Windows 95, Windows 98 or Windows Me along with Windows XP, install MS-DOS, Windows 95, Windows 98 or Windows Me, and then install Windows XP.
o If you want a dual-boot system with Windows 95, Windows 98 or Windows Me, along with Windows XP, you should install Windows 95, Windows 98 or Windows Me, and then install Windows XP.
Install each operating system according to the standard installation procedure.
If these steps not help to create multiple boot just contact to windows xp support expert they help you to make this.