Dual Boot Ssd

[OnOff]

The current "main" PC in the house needs a good sort out. Currently it has a 1TB HDD split into 3 partitions each with it's own install of XP Pro, Office etc. The original idea was that me, the wife and the boy each had our own drive/install. Set up to have cascading permissions - I could see everything, the wife hers and the boys and the boy just his. First my install died, then hers and it's only usable now via the boys install. So......a real mess, slow, keeps hanging etc.

Now my boy has his own all singing and dancing gaming pc so doesn't touch it. Mainly the wife uses it and me occasionally for AutoCAD. 

Also in there is a 1TB storage drive.

Looking at this cheap SSD:

http://www.aria.co.uk/SuperSpecials/newsletter?productId=55527&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=Kingston+120GB+SSDNow+V300+SATA+3+2.5%22%22+(7mm+height)+w%2fAdapter+(9.5mm)&utm_campaign=newsletter140214

Thinking to dual boot it for Win 7 (probably as opposed to XP again) and Ubuntu (definitely) - the wife doesn't like anything Linux based (not into trying new things sadly  :Blushing  ).

Should end up with a nice fast pc and be able to reformat the old subdivided drive to give more storage shared between the two systems..........I think.

Anyone see any pitfalls with this idea?

Cheers

 

[Sharpend]

Yes far too complicated!!!

Now your boy has flown the PC to his own, and the wifey doesn't like change, just get your own all new singing and dancing pc and put what you want on it???????

Sorry I'll shut up now :coat

 

[OnOff]

SSD in the link above now ordered so should get it tomorrow!

Just realised I may have to consider a triple boot as my AutoCAD package will not run on 7 or Ubuntu...............

 

[NozSpark]

Good luck with getting two different versions of Windows to dual boot

 

[SLIPSHOD & SLAPDASH]

AutoCAD is my brothers programing, he developed it for Alien research originally 

 

[Sharpend]

Jeez, I have trouble getting people to believe I see a UFO, and here's your brother developing software for aliens!

 

[SLIPSHOD & SLAPDASH]

Funny how a spelling error can change things. Try Alias Research. 

 

[OnOff]

AutoCAD is my brothers programing, he developed it for Alien research originally 

I have a much cleverer brother too, he's a barrister.........

Good luck with getting two different versions of Windows to dual boot

Was going to follow this guide:

http://www.bl0g.co.uk/triple-boot-xp-win7-and-ubuntu

 

[NozSpark]

Looks promising

 

[OnOff]

Looks promising

Interesting in the comments that someone reckons they've done a successful quad boot with 3 different Windoze + Ubuntu........key to not upsetting Windoze seems to be removing the boot flag........

SSD not being delivered now until Monday!

 

[NozSpark]

I think we might have another member who will be interested in this !

 

[OnOff]

I think we might have another member who will be interested in this !

Well I'll be asking questions! Never fired up an SSD before let alone triple booted anything!

 

[Steve3948]

So OnOff how did the install of SSD drive, easy or hassle ????

 

[OnOff]

So OnOff how did the install of SSD drive, easy or hassle ????

Not done it yet, had the net go down for a couple of days & in the spare time getting on with some outside projects now the evenings are lighter/drier. Will probably leave to the weekend now but will update ASAP.

Debating actually whether to maybe not bother with XP and just dual boot Win 7 & Ubuntu figure if I go with the 32-bit Win 7 I have I can still use my AutoCAD..........torn as I fancy trying the triple boot just to "see if I can". Guessing I could just remove that partition later?

Cheers.

 

[OnOff]

Just thinking..........if I triple boot this SSD and then decide I want to get rid of the XP install can I then delete that partition and assign the freed up space to one of the other OS on there.or split between the two?

 

[steptoe]

Could you not run XP as a VM,?

Yes, you could re,assign the partition, depending if it's logical or primary, or simply use it as a shared volume.

 

[OnOff]

Could you not run XP as a VM,?

Yes, you could re,assign the partition, depending if it's logical or primary, or simply use it as a shared volume.

Ta. Only experience I have is running Windows XP Mode / Windows Virtual PC within Windows 7 64-bit. BUT it's well slow all round! Did manage to run AutoCAD like that but again oh so slow!

Was considering WINE under Ubuntu but nobody seems to have been too successful running AutoCAD like that.

Think I'll attempt "the triple" but just make the XP Pro 32-bit install as small as I can for the OS & AutoCAD.

 

[steptoe]

run XP in a VM on Ubuntu, should run fairly fast there, especially as you are using SSD.

oh, and Ubuntu can actually use ALL the RAM in 64bit,

remember, Ubuntu actually runs in RAM as much as it can, it will max it out if possible, so the more RAM you have the faster it will run, thus making the VM faster,

Ubuntu will let the VM run in the full 4G of ram it 'can see' , while Ubuntu will run in whatever other ram you have,

therefore not slowing down the VM,

windoze on the other hand has to try and run the VM of the HD, and then whatever OS is in VM has to also run off the HD too,

hence the lag,,,,,,

btw,

WINE is a ***** , its good when it works, but, totally crap at all other times,

I try and avoid it like the plague,,,,,,,,

 

[OnOff]

run XP in a VM on Ubuntu, should run fairly fast there, especially as you are using SSD.

oh, and Ubuntu can actually use ALL the RAM in 64bit,

remember, Ubuntu actually runs in RAM as much as it can, it will max it out if possible, so the more RAM you have the faster it will run, thus making the VM faster,

Ubuntu will let the VM run in the full 4G of ram it 'can see' , while Ubuntu will run in whatever other ram you have,

therefore not slowing down the VM,

windoze on the other hand has to try and run the VM of the HD, and then whatever OS is in VM has to also run off the HD too,

hence the lag,,,,,,

btw,

WINE is a ***** , its good when it works, but, totally crap at all other times,

I try and avoid it like the plague,,,,,,,,

Cheers for that. TBH I'm having problems with WINE right now so am going to stop drinking it...........

 

[Sidewinder]

Steps,

What VM system do you use under Ubuntu?