Hi, Flack.
The "golden rule" of dual-booting is to install the newest OS last. That
is, with WinXP already installed, add the second physical drive, then insert
the Vista DVD and run Setup.exe from inside WinXP, letting it either create
a new partition for itself or use one that you've already created with
WinXP's Disk Management. Setup will automatically create the dual-boot menu
in the process of installing Vista. Since it's too late for you to do that,
you'll need to either install Vista again from scratch, or use its Repair
function in Setup.exe. Or, use a third-party product, like EasyBCD.
From where you are now, your easiest course would be to physically install
both drives, with the Vista drive as the boot device. Then boot into Vista
and run EasyBCD from Neosmart Technologies. Have a look at this page:
http://neosmart.net/wiki/display/EBCD/Windows+XP
Then go here to download the latest version:
http://neosmart.net/software.php
RC
--
R. C. White, CPA
San Marcos, TX
rc@grandecom.net
Microsoft Windows MVP
(Running Windows Live Mail beta in Vista Ultimate x64)
"Flack" <flackc@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:f4mlvm09ih@news4.newsguy.com...
>I have installed Vista on a new SATA hard drive. I retained my XP setup on
>the original hare drvie which I disconnected when I installed Vista.
>
> Bottom line I have a installation of XP on one drive and an installation
> of Visa on another.
>
> I have realized that I still need XP for some things.
>
> What's the best way to set up a dual boot so I don't have to keep swapping
> drives. I'd like to keep the both OS intact rather than reinstalling. Is
> there a way to do this?
>
> Flack