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First Time Builder

fatpirate

n00b
Joined
Dec 22, 2006
Messages
34
Any suggestions on good guides for a first time builder?
I have googled but many guides seem out of date....

I especially have concerns about installing XP or Vista off of a SATA DVD RW
(have a crappy IDE in reserve) and how to set up a dual boot with both XP Pro, which I will be installing tomorrow when the rest of my components come and Vista Ultimate when I can buy it next paycheck.
 
how to set up a dual boot with both XP Pro, which I will be installing tomorrow when the rest of my components come and Vista Ultimate when I can buy it next paycheck.

When you install XP, just make two partitions, and install XP on the first. Once you get Vista install it on the second. During the setup, Vista will configure your bootloader for you, and your done. It's a pretty easy setup with a new drive.
 
I'd say install what will be your predominately used OS on the first partition. If you install XP first and plan to use Vista more, put XP on the second partition even if it's the only OS you may currently have on the drive. FYI: Vista will change your XP install drive letter from C: to D: when installed after XP.
 
I'd say install your predominate OS on the first partition. If you install XP first and plan to use Vista more, put XP on the second partition even if it's the only OS you may currently have on the drive. Vista will change your XP install drive letter from C: to D: when installed after XP.

Wrong, wrong, wrong.

The legacy (oldest) OS must be installed on the first partition, it's not an option. You'll have nothing but problems otherwise, the least of which is a bootloader that won't work.
 
Ok...making two partitions seems reasonably easy. What size should I make each partition. I bought a raptor for the OSs and I know Vista takes up more space so would I devote more space to it?

Also will I have to install my programs on both Vista and XP or will installing a program on one make it usable on both?
 
What size should I make each partition.

At least 250g a piece:D

I'm jokin....... how big is your drive? For an OS, I would go at least 30g each.

And programs, such as games, media players and such will have to be installed on both..
 
What about if games and other apps are installed on a completely different hard drive?

Sorry to intervene, but i am planning a similar setup.
 
I have the 150g raptor. So would I make two partitions of ~30 for each OS and install programs on the remaining section of the drive or should I leave enough space on each partition to install the programs?

I am going to install about 10 games (Steam, BF2, BF 2142, Warhammer, Civ 4), Photoshop, Office, and a few misc utilities. I also plan on installing Crysis, the new Command and Conquer, maybe Supreme Commander so I expect I will need more space to grow on the Vista side of things but not necessarily the XP.


I have a 500g Seagate 7200.10 that I was planning on using for storage should I install games and apps there?
 
I would make two equal partitions (75g) on you system drive, and use the 500g for storage and data. Your programs and games really need to stay on the OS drive. If you do go ahead with the dual boot, I would recommend putting your games with XP, until DX10 titles are available, and obviously keep those with Vista.
 
And keep your Vista install?

Deleting the XP partition is easy with a partition tool like GParted or Partition Magic, and moving, or increasing the size of your Vista install is possible, but you always run the risk of fucking something up when messing around with partitions.

My advice would be to back up everything important, and do a clean Vista install when the time comes that you no longer want to share the drive with XP. A clean install is always your best option.
 
OK I have everything connected and powered up but when I turn the computer on -- nothing! Well not on my monitor anyway..fans go dvd drive works etc...what should I be checking?

I am going to recheck all the connections while waiting for a reply...

I have onboard graphics and a GTS installed...should I have waited to install the GTS? Neither the GTS nor the onboard graphics make anything appear.


Intel Board DG956WH
150G RAPTOR
2x 1gig Mushkin DDR 800
Samsung SATA DVDRW
EVGA 88000GTS
ANTEC 900
CORSAIR 620W PSU
 
Hooray got to my BIOS but when I go to install windows XP 2 I get Intel Boot Agent telling me Media Test Failure Check cable...which I have!

Do i need a floppy or something...or an IDE DVD Drive?
 
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