Quad-boot

I would like to set up up my computer with 4 operating systems:

I have 8GB of RAM and a q6600 PC in an antec 900 case.
I have 5 hard drives in the case and would like to run 1 OS on each drive.
In a perfect world, I would like to have a 2nd installation of XP on the same disk as vista 64 for testing purposes. I need help for a noob. I thought this was going to be easy but it has not been so far.

1.Vista 64
2. XP Pro 32
3. Ubuntu 64
4. Windows 7 beta

I thought I had a handle on multi booting but anything over 2 OS and I can't make it work.

Help...

 

01Tech,

Have you read this?

http://www.goodells.net/multiboot/index.htm

If you like, you could put all your OS on the first HD. I now have 10 boot partitions on my first HD. Including your choices but in 32 bit versions.

 

Hi 01Tech,

As Brian K has mentioned, you don't have to put the OS in different physical HD. You can place all OS in different partitions on the same HD.

I didn't use Ubuntu 64, but for Microsoft OS, always install the oldest OS first, ie, XP, followed by Vista and then Windows 7 finally. This way, Microsoft automatically will create its multi-boot menu something like:

http://images.tweaktown.com/imagebank/w7vistaxp-bootguide-end.png

I am sorry I have no idea on how to install Ubuntu 64 among the Microsoft OS, but I would suggest that you create a separate and small partition Drive C (maybe 5GB) as the active boot partition for placing the boot files and master boot record. That is:

Drive C: Boot partition (Active) for placing the boot files and MBR
Drive D: Windows 7
Drive E: Vista 64
Drive F: XP Pro 32
Drive G: Ubuntu 64

In case you need to backup or restore any Drive (Drive D to G), you can keep the boot partition intact. The advantage of keeping a small and separate 5GB boot partition is that in case you need to restore a partition (Drive D to G) from a backup using Acronis True Image or Paragon Backup etc, and the restoration action hang in the middle, you still can boot the PC to other OS using the Drive C.

I have a bad experience that with my previous computer, my Windows XP is in Drive C where the boot files master boot record are placed. During a restore from backup, Acronis True Image hung in the middle and cannot proceed further. I tried many times but in vain. The restore action hang in the middle at about 40% in all occasions. As a result, Drive C became a corrupt partition permanently. Although I have Windows 2000 in Drive D (dual-boot), I can no longer boot to Windows 2000 because my Drive C is corrupt and cannot be restored. I have lost the MBR in Drive C.

So, in a multiple boot system, assign a separate partition (say, 5GB) for the master boot record and the boot files, just to play safe.

Just my 2 cents.

 

Hi Chubb,

If you avoid using the Microsoft method of multi-booting, you can install the OS in any order you like. eg Win 95 last. The OS are independent and don't require boot files in another partition. Any OS can be removed without affecting the function of the others. As described in the link I posted.

 

Thanks for the info...