How to Install a Second Operating System With XP

Create a Partition for the Second Operating System
1. Backup all of the files and applications that are stored onto your computer on an external hard drive, or burn the files and program to CD or DVD. In order to install the new operating system, you must make some changes to the hard drive, which may erase your data.
2. Change the boot order in your computer’s BIOS to boot from the CD drive first. Restart the computer, and as the computer is booting up, the boot screen lists a key that accesses the setup. This key is generally “Delete” or “Enter.” Press the key to go into the computer’s BIOS. Go to the “Boot” section of the BIOS and click on “Boot Device Priority.” Change the “1st Boot Device” to “CDROM” and the 2nd device to “Hard Drive.”
3. Insert the Windows XP installation disc into the computer’s CD drive and restart the computer. As the computer boots, a message asks if you want to boot to the disc. Press the key that the message indicates to boot to the installation disc.
4. Go to the “Start” menu, right-click on “My Computer” and choose “Manage.” Click “Disk Management” in the left pane of the window that appears, and the partitions on the computer’s hard drive display, along with a new unnamed drive.
5. Right-click the new drive and choose “New Partition” from the list of options. When prompted to enter the amount of space you want to allot to the partition, enter at least 4GB, which is enough memory for nearly any operating system. Follow the partition wizard through the rest of the process and reboot your system for the partitions to be usable.
Install the Second Operating System
6. Insert the installation CD or DVD for the second OS into the CD or DVD drive of the computer. Restart the computer, which should still be set up to boot from CDROM first and should boot from the installation disc.
7. Select the partition that you created for the second operating system when prompted. The installation wizard for the operating system automatically recognizes the OS on the first partition and gives you the option of installing the second OS on the other drive.
8. Follow the installation instructions provided on the screen to install the new OS to the computer. When the installation is finished, restart the computer. As the computer boots back up, you will be able to select which operating system you want to use.