[Biker1]

I'm running XP Pro and Vista on a dual boot setup, and want to install WIN 7 on a separate hard drive. Will it become part of a multiple boot system, or will it remain separate and have to be started from the BIOS setup? If the latter, how can I create a tri boot setup? Thanks for any help.

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If you install Win7 after XP is installed, it will automatically configure the dual boot options for you. Make sure that you don't overwrite your XP (by installing Win7 on that drive) and everything will be OK.

As for a tri-boot, that'll depend on what you're installing next.

[usasma]

If you install Win7 after XP is installed, it will automatically configure the dual boot options for you. Make sure that you don't overwrite your XP (by installing Win7 on that drive) and everything will be OK.

As for a tri-boot, that'll depend on what you're installing next.

[Biker1]

You say, "As for a tri-boot, that'll depend on what you're installing next." Afraid I don't understand. I have two hard drives, in my example, one containing XP Pro and Vista Ultimate, in a dual-boot setup. I am contemplating installing WIN 7 on a second hard drive and wondering if a tri-boot setup will result or what procedure I would have to follow to bring up my choice of OS. Thanks.

[usasma]

When installing XP, then Vista, then Win7 the booting will be managed automatically by Windows.
Changing the order of installation (such as installing XP last), will change what's required to make them all play nicely together.

Also, installing Linux before any of the Windows OS's will usually result in a SNAFU also. Linux recognizes Windows boot stuff - but Windows doesn't recognize the Linux stuff.

You can install OS's on any hard drive, you've just got to have different partitions for each one. So the Vista installation can't be on the XP partition - but they can be on the same hard drive. Generally there's a limit of 4 partitions on a hard drive (lot's of exceptions to this tho').

I prefer to keep the OS's on different hard drives, but it's not a requirement. If you put 2 Windows installations on the same partition, you're likely to mess them both up and probably won't be able to boot into either of them.

[Biker1]

John: I conclude then that you are saying if I install WIN 7 on a separate hard drive, with Vista and XP on a second hard drive as they are now, that I will have a tri-boot setup, which would allow me to choose the desired OS on bootup. Is that correct? Thanks.

[usasma]

Yes, that's it!