Dr Klovernutz Posted June 28, 2008 Share Posted June 28, 2008 How to create a Tri Boot System Items needed: Acronis Disc Director Server (or Suite) Windows XP (any Flavor) Windows Vista (any flavor) OSX x86 (any flavor/ just make sure it works on your system before you try this; it'll save headaches later) computer ----------------------------- ok, I spent a lot of time trying different things so I will tell what worked for me; you may need to modify based on your needs or hardware configurations. I am using a: {originall a Compaq Presario SR1218NX/ replaced mobo non-OEM} Gigabyte GA-8S661FxMP SiS 661FX/GX Intel Celeron D 330 2.66GHz 1.25 GB DDR RAM (1 X 1GB/ 1 X 256MB) PC3200 533MHz FSB Realtek ALC655 @ Sis 7012 Audio Device Nvidia GeForce 5200FX 128MB 160GB HDD IDE 8MB 7200RPM 80GB HDD IDE 2MB 7200RPM NEC Optiarc AD-7200A RPC1 v.1.06 LG DVD-ROM GDR8162B v.033 250W PSU USB 2.0 Multi-Card reader I have Acronis Disk director Server v 10.0.2169 ((however OSS selector is still v 10.0.2117)) IMPORTANT Acronis TrueImage 11 v 8027 I am using a 160 GB HDD and I DISCONNECTED THE SECOND HARD DRIVE for the tri boot setup (( for some reason during the partitioning the 2nd HDD was a problem; Acronis kept tring to partitions there) For my OS I am using the following: Windows Vista Ultimate OEM LastXP 20.1.1 MAC OS 10.4.10 (turbogirl)* *i went through 5 different OSX before I found one that would work....) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- IMPORTANT: Make sure you set the BIOS to boot from CD 1st (it'll save u a headache...) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- IMPORTANT: Create a boot CD with acronis with BOTH Disk Director (DD) AND True Image (TI); it will be needed. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- STEP 1 WIPE the HDD with zeros/ or whatever; just do a CLEAN and total Wipe. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- STEP 2 Using the Boot CD created with Acronis DD and TI; Partiton the HDD. here is what i did: Create Partitons: 1 VISTA 40.59GB Primary ACIVE 2. XP 60.09GB Primary 3. MAC 38.84GB FAT32 Primary 4. Acronis OSS 100MB Primary `````9.43 unallocated* save settings. (*I left 9.43GB Unallocated because my original intentions were for a QUAD boot system) however after sucessfully (FINALLY) creating a TriBoot system decided to write this tutrial. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- STEP 3 Install Vista on the FIRST Partition. No formatting should be needed. Make sure all installed and it boots. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- STEP 4 Now using the Acronis DD CD, HIDE ALL Partitions but the FAT32 partition. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- STEP 5 Boot the OSX x86 DVD and install mac; when OSX boots go > disk utility > Erase > select MAC HDD > I used MAc OS Extended journaled format. then close disk utility/ and the new HDD should appear; install OSX there. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- STEP 6 Use Acronis DD TI disk to boot and install OSS (operating System Selector) IMPORTANT: chose custom installation and install on the OSS on the Acronis OSS partition. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- STEP 7 boot using Acronis DD TI CD; Hide all partitions Except the XP partition ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- STEP 8 Re-Boot Using th XP CD; Instal XP (format quick) to the XP partition ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- STEP 9 After XP installation in complete you will have to reboot the Acronis CD, Re-Activate the OSS. Now There should be 2 OSS showing (Windows XP and Unknown OS) the unknown OS is OSX. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- STEP 10 Reboot to Acronis DD CD. Now unhide all partitions; and Make the Vista Partition Active. Also you may Change the labe for the Vista PArtition and the XP Partition with no problems. Don't try to rename the MAC Partition. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- STEP 11 Reboot and allow the oss to start. I renamed the 2 OS as "LastXP 20.1.1" and "OSX 10.4.10". Select one and make sure it boots. If yes reboot and select the other and test. If goos then continue. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- STEP 12 Reboot and select the xp OS. Then select show hidden files and show hidden / protected files and folders. Copy the 3 files from the Root of the XP drive (IE> typically the C drive) files: boot.ini - ntdetect.com - ntldr now place those files on the HDD (under My computer) that represents the Vista Partition. IMPORTANT: you have to now edit the boot.ini with notepad to got to the correct partition. if you did what u i did then simply change partition (2) to partition (1) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- STEP 13 Reboot and now 3 OS should show in the OSS. The new Windows XP is actually vista. Rename it. Test it. DONE!!!! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ STEP 14 I rehooked up the second HDD; made 2 partitions formatting one as NTFS (for Win) and the other as FAT32 (for Win and MAC to write to) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ IMPORTANT ADDITIONAL INFO/ NOTES : Becasue of the Hidding during the installations; when in Vista the C: drive is the Vista Partition; When in XP the C: drive is XP Since adding the 3 files made the Vista appear; possible adding the 3 files (boot.ini - ntdetect.com - ntldr) to any partition that is bootable but unrecognizable by acronis will direct acronis to the partition and then allow the "regular" files to take over. IE> use the 3 files simply as a marker for acronis?? Whenever you install an OS or modify its Boot via DVD (ie> Vista) HIDE the other partitions Now that Vista is the Active Partition; if you select F6 (bypass acronis) then Vista will auto boot; however it stays on the boot manager until you select vista When you select OSX the boot screen has a countdown to select options/ the options are the other OS, and they all work!! the boot.ini that is added to the vista partition must be edited to match the partition # of the vista install Vista in the end should be the active partition This setup has also been tested to see if individual partitions could be erased and re-installed without wrecking the entire setup YES they can! MAKE SURE TO HIDE OTHER OS WHEN installing an different partition or modifying a boot. Also if the OSS gets all screwed up simply delete the partition and reinstall it. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Cloning/ Backing up this creation. I sucessfully used Acronis True Image to clone the entire Hard drive (all partitions). NOTE: Acronis doesn't identify the OSX partition so it renders a sector by sector clone; meaning that the OSX partition MUST be the same size as the originalthis results in the other partitions being SHRUNK when going to a smaller drive/ ort increased when going to a larger drive/ but the OSX partition will not change. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/112957-sucessful-tri-boot-instructions/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
indian Posted June 29, 2008 Share Posted June 29, 2008 nice guide bro this will help those new folks! Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/112957-sucessful-tri-boot-instructions/#findComment-800443 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Klovernutz Posted July 10, 2008 Author Share Posted July 10, 2008 2008-07-08_Updated written as performed. The first tutorial was written from memory plus I wasn't able to successfully reload XP without destroying the HFS+ Partition The above issues have been fixed in this tutorial. _____________________________________________________ How to create a Tri Boot System Items needed: Acronis Disc Director Server (or Suite) Windows XP (any Flavor) Windows Vista (any flavor) OSX x86 (any flavor/ just make sure it works on your system before you try this; it'll save headaches later) Computer that meets the system requirements of the above OS's A decent ability to troubleshoot and some skills with partitions/ Acronis tools. ----------------------------- ok, I spent a lot of time trying different things so I will tell what worked for me; you may need to modify based on your needs or hardware configurations. I am using a: {original a Compaq Presario SR1218NX/ replaced mobo non-OEM} Gigabyte GA-8S661FxMP SiS 661FX/GX Intel Celeron D 330 2.66GHz 2GB DDR RAM (2 x 1GB) PC3200 533MHz FSB Realtek ALC655 @ Sis 7012 Audio Device Nvidia GeForce 5200FX 128MB 160GB HDD IDE 8MB 7200RPM 80GB HDD IDE 2MB 7200RPM NEC Optiarc AD-7200A RPC1 v.1.06 LG DVD-ROM GDR8162B v.033 250W PSU USB 2.0 Multi-Card reader I have Acronis Disk director Server v 10.0.2169 ((however OSS selector is still v 10.0.2117)) IMPORTANT Acronis TrueImage 11 v 8027 I am using a 160 GB HDD and I DISCONNECTED THE SECOND HARD DRIVE for the tri boot setup (( for some reason during the partitioning the 2nd HDD was a problem; Acronis kept trying to put partitions there) For my OS I am using the following: Windows Vista Ultimate OEM LastXP 20.1.1 MAC OS 10.4.10 Tiger _(turbogirl)* *i went through 5 different OSX before I found one that would work.... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- IMPORTANT: Make sure you set the BIOS to boot from CD 1st (it'll save u a headache...) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- IMPORTANT: Create a boot CD with Acronis with BOTH Disk Director (DD) AND True Image (TI); it will be needed. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- STEP 1 WIPE the HDD with zeros/ or whatever; just do a CLEAN and total Wipe. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- STEP 2 Using the Boot CD created with Acronis DD and TI; Partition the HDD. here is what i did: Create Partitions: 1 VISTA 45 GB NTFS Primary ACIVE 2. XP 55 GB NTFS Primary 3. MAC 38 GB FAT32 Primary 4. Acronis OSS 102 MB NTFS Primary `````10.94 unallocated* ------------------------------------ THROUGHOUT THE TUTURIAL: BESURE AFTER EVER ACTION WITH ACRONIS DD YOU APPLY ACTION BEFORE SETTING UP A NEW ACTION i.e.> after each partition execute the program before setting up the next partition. ------------------------------------ save settings. (*I left 10.94 GB Unallocated for a Linux install to take place in the future; thus creating a quad boot.) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- STEP 3 Reinstallation of Vista Partition Only Pre-Steps: 1. using Acronis DD Format Vista Partition Primary and set as Active 2. Hide the XP Partition 3. If OSX is already installed DO NOT Hide that partition Install VISTA Eject Acronis DD Put Vista DVD in and Reboot Load vista on the Vista Partition DO NOT FORMAT AGAIN. When Finished go to Computer should See: C: Vista D: XP E: MAC F: Acronis OSS (note MAC partition will not be visible if this is a reinstall and OSX is already installed) Now place the 3 following files on the Vista C: drive Boot.ini ntdetect.com ntldr be sure boot.ini contains the following script [boot loader] timeout=30 default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS [operating systems] multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /noexecute=optin /fastdetect (what this does; is place a marker for the Acronis OSS to find Vista) since we placed Vista on the first Partition; thus the (1)s ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- STEP 4 Install Acronis OSS place Acronis DD in the CD drive and Reboot select OSS Setup SELECT CUSTOM Choose the Acronis OSS Partition. eject Disk and Reboot 2 OS should appear: Windows XP Professional and Boot from Floppy Rename the Windows XP Professional to Vista (or whatever...) This computer has no floppy drive so I will delete that entry. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- STEP 5 Install XP Reboot Using the Acronis DD disk. Hide the Vista Partition. (if OSX is already installed DO NOT hide that partition it will yield a HFS+ Partition error) Hide the XP Partition Unhide the XP Partition (it should now be C: not D: anymore) Set the XP Partition as Active Boot The XP Disk Install on the XP Partition DO NOT FORMAT (Leave File System Intact) When Finished go to My Computer should See: C: XP H: MAC I: Acronis OSS (note the drive letters are all f'ed up/ this computer has 2 CD and a bunch of flash drives/ during the XP install it randomly assigns the drive letters) these can be changes in: Control Panel > Administrative tools > computer management. (I personally match all the drive letters in Vista and XP (except C: / C: is Vista in vista and C: is XP in XP; I use the D: for the Vista in XP and I use the D: for XP in vista) now insert the Acronis DD disk and reboot Run Disk Director Unhide Vista Partition reboot using disk again activate OSS now there should be the Windows Vista and a New Windows XP Professional this is the new installation.(this is LastXP in this example) Rename the OS in Acronis OSS. boot both to be sure they work. ________________________________________________________________________________ _________________ NOTE: Which Ever Partition you set as active will be the boot partition if you press F6 or deactivate the OSS. XP > Normal boot to XP Vista > Will stop indefinitely at the Windows Boot Manager (allowing easy F8 if needed) OSX > Normal boot to OSX ________________________________________________________________________________ _________________ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- STEP 6 Reinstallation of OSX Partition Only Pre-Steps: 1. using Acronis DD Format MAC Partition Primary FAT32 Install OSX (in this tutorial it will be OSX 10.4.10 Tiger) ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ Important to OSX 10.4.10 (Tiger) install Possibly ALL OSX installations This computer has PS/2 ports for keyboard and mouse. This computer BIOS has option to turn on USB Mouse and keyboard. The Bios MUST MATCH what ever you are using. EX> I had BIOS USB on. As soon as I touched the PS/2 keyboard the install system FROZE. and vice versa. SO I turned off the USB support for mouse and keyboard in BIOS and used PS/2 mouse and keyboard. And NO FREEZE!!!!! (this took 1.5 hours to figure out.... I didn't give up ONLY because I knew that this OSX installs on this system) _________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________ Insert OSX install DVD boot to disk when desktop appears and it asks for a go Utility > Disk Utility > select Mac Partition > Erase Disk volume format (Mac OS Journaled Extended) > Erase close Disk Utility now a Hard Drive matching the name you just gave when you erased the disk should appear. select this drive INSTALL when installation is complete Insert Acronis DD and Activate OSS A new OS shows as unknown OS rename this to OSX (i did OSX 10.4.10 tiger) Test all boot paths If Vista is screwed up: first make sure the vista partition is the Active Partition (in Acronis DD) Insert Vista install DVD select repair computer Vista install should show up repair and restart System should reboot into the OSS Test all 3 boot paths under the XP and Vista Boots the Mac Partition/ Hard Drive will now be missing. If you want to rename the drives now is the time to do it. Personally I match up all the drives between XP and Vista (except Vista is C: in Vista and XP is C: in XP) Turn off computer Hook up Second Hard Drive boot up using the Acronis DD CD split the second Hard drive into 2 partitions: one NTFS and one FAT32 make sure the 2 new partitions have the same drive letters in XP and Vista DONE!!! now keep in mind that each partition CAN be individually swapped out and reloaded. Just read the tutorial carefully. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Cloning/ Backing up this creation. I successfully used Acronis True Image to clone the entire Hard drive (all partitions). NOTE: Acronis doesn't identify the OSX partition so it renders a sector by sector clone; meaning that the OSX partition MUST be the same size as the original; this results in the other partitions being SHRUNK when going to a smaller drive/ or increased when going to a larger drive/ but the OSX partition will not change. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/112957-sucessful-tri-boot-instructions/#findComment-814844 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Klovernutz Posted August 3, 2008 Author Share Posted August 3, 2008 I shared this.... Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/112957-sucessful-tri-boot-instructions/#findComment-843865 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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