How to install in multiboot Win XP on a Windows Vista machine hiding partitions between OS and resolving the problem of Win XP Installed on drive D

How to install in multiboot Win XP on a Windows Vista machine (then, installing XP after Vista), hiding partitions and resolving the problem of Windows XP Installed on drive D (tested on an Acer Extensa 5620)

Come installare in multiboot Win XP su una macchina Windows Vista (quindi, installando XP dopo Vista), nascondendo le partizioni e risolvendo il problema di Windows XP installato sul drive D (testato su un Acer Extensa 5620)

0) backup all your valuable data and read all the istructions before starting. if you aren't a braveheart and want something more simple but less useful (i.e. Win XP 'll be installed in the D drive) follow other tutorials as http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/install-windows-xp-on-your-pre-installed-windows-vista-computer/


*) boot Windows Vista

1) Create free space for Windows XP with GParted
1.1) download it from http://gparted.sourceforge.net/download.php
1.2) create a live usb with Tuxboot http://gparted.sourceforge.net/liveusb.php#windows-method-a
1.3) reboot
1.4) run a live usb with GParted
1.5) reduce the space of Vista
1.6) create a partition for XP (10gb are ok)
1.7) format the space for XP as FAT32 (don't worry, the space 'll be reformatted by XP)

*) reboot in Vista

2) remaster a Win XP install disk with nLite adding the required drivers
2.1) download nLite from http://www.nliteos.com/download.html
2.2) download the driver AHCI_Intel_v7.5.0.1017_Vista_XP.zip and Chipset_Intel965_v8.2.0.1012_Vista_XP.zip from ftp://ftp.support.acer-euro.com/notebook/extensa_5620/driver/
2.3) unzip the AHCI driver, and unpack (not install) it with the command line "setup.exe -a -pc:\"
2.4) unzip the Chipset driver, and unpack (not install) it with 7zip
2.5) check what controller you have from System Preferences
2.6) remaster the Win XP cd adding the two drivers, and create with nLive a new cd

3) update with the last BIOS
3.1) download it from http://support.acer-euro.com/drivers/notebook/ex_5620.html
3.2) install running the command "CLB-121.EXE" as administrator
3.3) reboot and check if the hard drive is in AHCI mode (if not, set it)

4) install Plop Boot Manager
4.1) Download Plop from http://download.plop.at/files/bootmngr/plpbt-5.0.13.zip
4.2) install it following the instructions "7. Harddisk install using the Windows boot menu (NT, 2K, XP, VISTA, Win7)" ( http://www.plop.at/en/bootmanager.html#wininst ). Following the instructions, to execute the program "InstallToMBR" as Administrator, open CMD as admin (START > cmd + CTRL + SHIFT + ENTER) and then run the program from the command line.
4.3) reboot
4.4) create in Plop a profile for Windows Vista and XP (hiding Windows XP to Vista and hiding Vista to XP) following the instructions "22. Windows XP and Windows Vista dual boot with hidden (cleared) partitions" ( http://www.plop.at/en/bootmanager.html#ex1 )
4.5) activate in Plop the Win XP profile
4.6) reboot with CTRL + ALT + CANC

5) install Windows XP from cd

6) reboot with Windows Vista CD and restore MBR
6.1) open the command prompt
6.2) launch the command "BOOTREC.EXE /FixMbr"
6.3) launch the command "BOOTREC.EXE /FixBoot"

7) recover hidden Vista partition with TestDisk
7.1) run live Ubuntu ( http://www.ubuntu.com/download/ubuntu/download ) from an usb key
7.2) install the package TestDisk ( http://www.cgsecurity.org/wiki/TestDisk ) : "sudo apt-get install testdisk"
7.3) run TestDisk : "sudo testdisk"
7.4) recover the partition with the sequence : > Create Log > select the disk > partition type INTEL > ANALYSE > QUICK SEARCH > set active partition with LEFT + ENTER to continue > WRITE

*) boot Vista

8) repeat the step 4) from 4.2) to 4.4)

9) End, all right, all installed, no damage (maybe ;-) !!!