I want to install the Japanese version of Windows XP on this PC, which already uses the obviously English version of it. Reason? I'm intending to work with the language a lot more, and a Japanese OS may be needed. But before I go and screw over my PC, I want to know if this is possible, and can I do it with only 1 drive?

Yes, you can do it on one drive.

To do this you need two partitions on your harddrive into which to install the Japanese version of XP and the English version respectively. It is called a Dual Boot Setup.

The problem is that, at present, you have only one single partition encompassing your entire harddrive, into which the current English version of XP is installed.

Problem: you did not spec your computer or manufacture. IF you have an older computer, and IF you have an independent Windows XP disk, things are easier. IF you have an newer computer, and you have only a restore disk, or worse yet, a "hidden partition" which houses the restore program for XP, you have a problem, because if you alter the partitions on the disk you will lose your restore partition and your English version of XP and you are up a creek without a paddle.

SO-to do this you need:
> An independent version of Windows XP English;
> An independent version of Windows XP Japanese;

You first wipe your entire harddrive by removing all partitions in the disk formatting screen;
You set two partitions using one of the system disks; you target the first partition, format that partition and install XP into it;
After XP is up and booting and running good, while it is still running, you insert the other language XP disk and it will auto-boot; dial over to the hardddrive formatting screen again, target the second unformatted raw partition, and format and install the other language XP into that second partiton;
XP automatically creates a dual-boot MBR when this is done.

Now, when you boot your computer, you will be given a choice of booting into English XP or Japanese XP; each XP will run totally independent of the other, even though they are installed on the single harddrive.

There are 3rd party programs such as Partition Magic, that will supposedly create an "on the fly" partition for you without wiping your entire harddrive. This in theory will preserve your present installation of XP, and create an alternate partition for you to install Japanese into. However:
* Practice on a different computer first!! I cannot even begin to count the number of folks that have trashed their operating systems attempting this, especially the first time!
* Even in the unlikely event that you succeed, you are only postponing the inevitable. You will still have a "hidden partition" that will (probably) be unusable if you ever have to restore XP in the event of a catastrophe. And if you ever lose your English version, you will still have to purchase a new English standalone version.

Hope this helps. If you have additional questions don't hesitate to post back!

There's no way I could install it on an external HD, could I?

System:

Microsoft Windows XP
Home Edition
Version 2002
Service Pack 2

Hewlett-Packard
Pavilion

Intel®
Celeron® CPU 2.7 GHz
2.69 GHz, 504 MB of RAM

No XP disc came with it, but I have one.
There are 2 Partitions. My main C, and a recovery D.

What do you mean, "Main C and Recovery D"? On your main harddrive or your external? Do you have a standalone XP disk, or a recovery disk?? Need details.

Sorry about that. I meant, I have an internal drive, partitioned into 2 sections. the C, which is where everything is installed and the one I actually use, and the D, which is a recovery partition. Then, I also have an External drive, it's one big partition, called G:.

Okay then this applies:

QUOTE

worse yet, a "hidden partition" which houses the restore program for XP, you have a problem, because if you alter the partitions on the disk you will lose your restore partition and your English version of XP and you are up a creek without a paddle.

That "hidden" partition is D on your main harddrive, and if you hose your drive you will lose that and your only copy of XP. Also, if you risk using a 3rd party disk partitioning utility, same thing. Bottom line, what I told you above holds true.

Far as your External drive is concerned, what you could do and save some money, is to:

Purchase only the Japanese version of XP

>Power down your computer;
>UNplug the power cable only going in to your main, internal harddrive; leave all other cables attached;
>Hook up your external drive;
>Power up and insert the Japanese XP disk in the CD drive;
*** Your computer will detect the external drive and boot from the Japanese XP disk; you may have to set your First Boot Device to CDrom in the BIOS.
>Install Windows Japan. XP;

Okay... now when you want to use your standard English XP, Unplug the Japan. harddrive power cable and plug in the English drive power cable and boot;

When you want to use your Japanese XP system, UNplug the English drive power cable, and plug in the Japanese XP external disk power cable and boot up.

***Do not forget to power down between power cable switches, or you will blow your harddrive if you try to hot-swap!***

Granted, its a little inconvenient, but saves you purchasing another XP disk.

That's good thinking. I may try that.

If that doesn't work, can I just overright my currently installed english one, as long as I don't touch that D partition? I don't really NEED an English copy active, althought the ability to reinstall it would be nice to have.

Yes, in theory you could do that. However, make sure that your CD is registered to you at Microsoft; when you call in to register it, they will not do it if it is not yours. Then you are back to square one again.

Assuming the above is not an issue, you would really be ahead of the game to just hose the harddrive (get rid of D partition altogether) and install your independent disk as XP English. Then if you ever have to make a repair install you can. You cannot repair install with a restore partition.

Isn't big business great? They want their consumers to play by the rules while they legally rip them off. They make us pay for an operating system and then don't give it to us.

XD I'm really thinking the same thing. When I first opened the box to my PC, I noticed there was no Windows disc with it. My idea about this, was "O.o? Wtf? Aren't we... uh, missing something?" then I noticed the Recovery Patition. Supposedly HP will send you a disc if you request one. I already have a disk, but I know my registration number that they do give you.

Also, I have another theory I'm wondering if it will work.

Now, I have 2 PC's at my house. (3 if you count a laptop.) Seeing this, could I overwrite the English XP on the C partition with the Japanese one? I believe that it would then allow me to re-install the English version from the D partition at any time I wanted to, since I didn't touch that partition. This is just a theory , so I'm wondering if it would work.

Hey-y-y-y-y Zero, you catch on quick! Are you after my job?

Yes, that would work just peachy. The only thing I am not sure about is if you are talking about a dual-boot setup: I am not sure if XP would then give you the dual-boot option on cold boot or not; I have never done this exactly. What you suggest would definitely work if you were going to swap power cables as I described. And don't forget-a fresh install (or even a restore install from D) will totally overwrite any data and programs that you installed.

Only thing I suggest is that if you are going to do this, be sure and UNplug the external harddrive so that accidentally you don't overwrite the Japanese OS. Sometimes wierd things happen when mucking around like this.

XD What I described really wasn't a dual boot setup, but if it works, then I really wouldn't need one. In any case thanks for all the help, and if I have any problem, I'll come back and post them here. :3