Dual boot with 2 XP's

For my degree I need to learn how to use a particular software package that I have just found out requires the NTFS file system under windows XP. I currently use the FAT 32 system (under XP). I have a spare hard drive that is sat in my computer just accumulating junk and backup files. Would it be possible to install XP on this drive with an NTFS file system. In effect having a dual-boot system with two XP's? I realise that it would mean wiping this spare hard drive first.

Thanks

I have had this, but it took me a while to work out that it isn't healthy for XP, you have to decide which to have as the boot drive, and which the slave. But You Can Do It!

split the HDD into three sections, xp on one, xp on another, storage on the third. Say its a 20gig

XP one - 2.5gigs
XP two - 2.5gigs
Third- 15gigs

i've done it, works ok.

Thanks ROD, however I'm a bit clueless as to this sort of thing. I assume you mean creating partitions? How do I do this? I have a windows 98 startup disk, would I need that? Or can I do it in XP?

Then how do I go about ensuring that I install the new XP, the one with NTFS in the new partition and not overwriting the installation I already have?

Thanks, sorry if this is a bit elementary.

For partitioning i reccomend Partition Magic, you can dload it at www.download.com

To install xp, in setup you'll see three partitons, install on the first 2.5gig one, then finish setup.

Run setup again, now pick the second line, finish setup. Make sure all part's are NTFS, all done.

Why don't you just convert your drive to NTFS? Windows XP comes with a utility for doing it.

Oh ok, didn't know this was possible. And does it guarantee no losses whatsoever, just a straight conversion?

The conversion he is referring too is buggy at best. In a test of 25 computers by a common pc mag only one of them made it through with no data loss, but later had problems.

Ok cheers. I can't afford to lose any of my work. I have enough space for a new partition and install so that looks like the safer option.

I would reccomend backing everything to CD's or another HDD before doing anything, just in case because <stuff> does happen.

heh, never knew about it being buggy. I've done it around 10 times (combined) on 3 different computers.. never had a problem. He's right though, if you don't want to risk it just create a new partition.

I've never had it work long-term, and i'll take pcmag's word for it. Always backup, no matter what.