Win2K and XP dual boot on a RAID set-up ?

[moono]

Hello,
I think it might be time for me to load my copy of XP Pro, which has been sitting on my desk for 3 years.
I built my machine with a striped RAID for Win2K and it's worked faultlessly but some of the newer audio softwares might benefit from running on XP.

I have 220 GB unallocated space and I'm wondering if I can avoid reformatting my drives and losing Win2K and put XP on the unallocated space instead, to dual-boot with Win2K.

Is that possible ?  I have no XP experience whatsoever.

[xavier]

Check out Acronis and norton ghost to see if this is what you are looking for?

[moono]

Thanks, but I don't believe they are.   I just want to know if I can run the XP install and direct it to the unallocated space without damaging my Win2K install.   I'm not looking to image a drive or anything.

[Calum]

You should be able to run the install just fine, but be aware that you may need your RAID drivers on a floppy disk in order for XP to recognize the array.
As always, back up before you start.

[moono]

Cheers chaps.  I'll do a bit of meditation and brace myself for it.   Ta.

[Calum]

You're welcome.
Good luck and let us know how it goes.

[moono]

Still bracing.  Should have enough courage by Sunday .   

[moono]

I'm losing my nerve.   I'm worried that I'm going to break my striped RAID.
How about I just put in another hard-drive and load XP onto that ?  Could I still select which OS I wanted to boot into ?   Also, would all my external audio hardware, currently running on Win2K Pro, be available to the new XP hard-drive ?

[Calum]

I don't think you'll break your RAID array, just back up before you do anything and you can always rebuild it.
You could use another HDD for XP if you like - all the hardware will still work with both OSes assuming drivers are available and the harwdare is compatible (highly likely, if it works on Win2K).

[moono]

That's what I'll do then, and leave WIN2K to have the RAID drives to itself.   I'd like to experiment but it would be a real setback to have rebuild the RAID.  XP can have a HDD of its own.
Cheers, Calum, much appreciated.   I know these things instinctively but reassurance is invaluable.

[Calum]

You're welcome.
Let us know how it goes.