There are of course other ways but this method has distinct advantages over those alternatives.
For this procedure you will need
1. A Second Hard Drive
2. A Set up Disc for your alternative Operating system such as Windows XP
3. A screwdriver - to remove the computer case and to fasten the second hard drive into your computer.
4. Your set up discs for the various programs you wish to install such as all of your Ulead stuff, Microsoft Office, Anti virus software, your various passwords and serial numbers, your driver discs.
I will assume you currently have a single hard drive and your computer is already set up and running - perhaps you are using it to read this!
Step 1.
Shut down and turn OFF your computer, remove the plug from the wall.
Step 2
Remove the computer panel(s) to enable you to gain access to what's inside. Install your new hard drive. - Either use a separate IDE cable or if you are using the same one as the existing IDE cable make sure you set the master/slave jumpers of your two hard drives.
Step 3.
Remove the power lead to your existing hard drive
Item B in this picture:
Step 4
Restart you computer and install your new operating system (Windows XP)
Step 5
Install all of your other programs that you wish to use with this operating system, set up your internet if required. In a nutshell get the computer working they way you would like.
Step 6.
Shut down and turn OFF your computer, remove the plug from the wall.
Step 7.
Restore the power lead to your original hard drive
Item B in this picture:
When you now start your computer your original operating system will start and that will take the drive letter C. all of your programs and DATA will be intact just as it all was before we did anything above.
To activate the other operating system, restart your computer.
When the computer start up you will see a message something like
press (This key) to enter setup. this will bring up your system BIOS.
you can alter the Boot Sequence so that your computer boots from the second hard drive.
This now starts your new operating system which will take on the drive letter C and all of your programs and DATA for that operating system will be intact.
Advantages over traditional methods.
Traditional dual boot systems rely upon on a boot menu where you select which operating system to start. That boot menu is kept on one of your hard drives (The primary one) and so if that hard drive packs up, you cannot access the boot menu and you cannot access your alternative operating system.
With the Steve Jones method the operating systems are completely independent of each other and you could if you wish remove one of the hard drives and still be able to use your computer.
With the traditional dual boot method if a hard drive packs up you cannot access anything on either drive. Using the Steve Jones method you simply start the other operating system. You will also be able to use/view the other hard drive and so may in fact be able to carry out a repair.
A Dual boot system can be beneficial when trying out new software or software patches. You can use one hard drive as a testing system and only install it on your normal day to day system when you are happy it does not cause you any problems.
