Multiple configurations question

The virtual PC idea - does that need a second machine. I expect to have
everything licensed - and I did not think of two hard drives with a
selection menu at boot up. What I am hoping for is to keep the background
systems reasonable and the registry not bloated - to keep some of the
machine's speed. I expect to use network or usb attached storage drives for
both set ups.

TIA for the suggestions.

"DL" wrote in message

> It depends which avenue you wish to explore and what software/licences are
> available to you.
> To keep everything totally isolated you could use Virtual PC, or you could
> install a seperate hd, disconnect the current hd (C, windows drive)
> install win to this new drive, and the specific software you require.
> Then connect the origonal C drive and use the bios boot options to select
> which drive to boot from.
> You would need, legally, two win licences
>
> "Richard" wrote in message

>> Is anyone familiar with how I can set up my computer with different
>> configurations.
>>
>> What I hope to do is use the same computer but with two different set
>> ups. One will be for work related and home related stuff - for which I
>> have a lot of software installed. I also want to use the computer for
>> graphic - movies etc. Installing that sort of software loads up the
>> background system programs and slows the machine (4gRAM, Dual Core). I
>> was wondering if I could create a boot CD for one of the configurations -
>> so the machine will only load the system support processes needed for
>> that sort of work. I am looking to avoid purchasing another machine for
>> the pictures and videos.
>>
>> Any help, suggestions - or even a "don't bother" will be appreciated.
>>
>
>
>
 >> Stay informed about: Multiple configurations question 

Virtual PC doesnt require a second PC, see link below
[URL="http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=04D26402-3199-48A3-AFA2-2DC0B40A73B6&displaylang=en"]http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=04D26402-3199-48A3-AFA2-2DC0B40A73B6&displaylang=en[/URL]
Both options would mean completely seperate win installations, there would
be no interaction between the two o/s - much the same as if you had two
seperate PC's

NB with seperate HD's its the bios boot menu you access to select the drive
and not a win bootup menu, of the type you would get by eg installing two
versions of win. You would need to check that your mobo bios has a bootable
menu option to select the drive to boot from, most modern ones do.

Its also possible that Vista, or the soon to be available Win7, with its
capacity to utilise more ram than winxp may offer greater usibility with
your software when installed to a single o/s

"Richard" wrote in message

> The virtual PC idea - does that need a second machine. I expect to have
> everything licensed - and I did not think of two hard drives with a
> selection menu at boot up. What I am hoping for is to keep the background
> systems reasonable and the registry not bloated - to keep some of the
> machine's speed. I expect to use network or usb attached storage drives
> for both set ups.
>
> TIA for the suggestions.
>
> "DL" wrote in message

>> It depends which avenue you wish to explore and what software/licences
>> are available to you.
>> To keep everything totally isolated you could use Virtual PC, or you
>> could install a seperate hd, disconnect the current hd (C, windows drive)
>> install win to this new drive, and the specific software you require.
>> Then connect the origonal C drive and use the bios boot options to select
>> which drive to boot from.
>> You would need, legally, two win licences
>>
>> "Richard" wrote in message
>
>>> Is anyone familiar with how I can set up my computer with different
>>> configurations.
>>>
>>> What I hope to do is use the same computer but with two different set
>>> ups. One will be for work related and home related stuff - for which I
>>> have a lot of software installed. I also want to use the computer for
>>> graphic - movies etc. Installing that sort of software loads up the
>>> background system programs and slows the machine (4gRAM, Dual Core). I
>>> was wondering if I could create a boot CD for one of the
>>> configurations - so the machine will only load the system support
>>> processes needed for that sort of work. I am looking to avoid purchasing
>>> another machine for the pictures and videos.
>>>
>>> Any help, suggestions - or even a "don't bother" will be appreciated.
>>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>
 >> Stay informed about: Multiple configurations question 

Thanks for the further information. I guess I will be pushed to Vista if it
will handle the bloat I usually have with my machines. I install many
programs - some I use occasionally, others often. ususlly I can max out a 40
gig frive with software. I have not heard anything about Win 7, but what I
heard about Vista has kept me with XP (thank goodness Dell sells XP
machines). If I can have it all on one machine - that would be good - but
the Vista bad news regarding slowness and bugs has me hesitant to move to
that OS. I have a Dell Vostro w/ 4gRAM, Dual Core processor and it is pretty
fast (although with all of the programs - boots a little slow).

Again, thanks so much for your suggestions.
 >> Stay informed about: Multiple configurations question 

I have a Vostro with Vista Business, it runs fine

wrote in message

> Thanks for the further information. I guess I will be pushed to Vista if
> it
> will handle the bloat I usually have with my machines. I install many
> programs - some I use occasionally, others often. ususlly I can max out a
> 40
> gig frive with software. I have not heard anything about Win 7, but what I
> heard about Vista has kept me with XP (thank goodness Dell sells XP
> machines). If I can have it all on one machine - that would be good - but
> the Vista bad news regarding slowness and bugs has me hesitant to move to
> that OS. I have a Dell Vostro w/ 4gRAM, Dual Core processor and it is
> pretty
> fast (although with all of the programs - boots a little slow).
>
> Again, thanks so much for your suggestions.
 >> Stay informed about: Multiple configurations question