Install multiple operating systems on one PC HDD, using the Windows Multi-Boot manager

Figure out the structure
Clear HDD
Install Windows XP
Install Windows Vista
Install Windows 7
Install Linux (Ubuntu 8.10)
Install BCD so you can edit Windows Vista Boot Manager
Map the My Documents folders
Summary

Figure out the structure

When recording what we have done we assume that whoever reads this has some knowledge of computers.
Install the earliest Windows version you want first. We found that if you install XP after any of the others it insists on taking over and then neither OS works. Ooops.
SATA and IDE HDD in one PC will only allow 3 Primary Partitions and one Extended Partition (Note: not a problem if you only have SATA drives). Normally this is not a problem (one OS, one Primary Partition) but when you want to install 4 it becomes a problem.
Linux installations (at least the Ubuntu 8.10 installation we undertook) requires 3 partitions. One contains the OS itself (we created a partition that is 10GB in size), one is swap space, about equal to the amount of RAM installed (so 2GB for our installation), and another partition for files etc. None of these are required to be Primary partitions.
Our final structure was 3 Primary Partitions. These were 100GB each, containing Windows XP, Vista and 7. These partitions only contain the relevant OS and applications that are installed. We have one Extended Partition containing 4 logical partitions, three for Linux as above plus a partition for Windows data.
This last partition has a single 'My Documents' folder and all three Windows installations map there. This makes document management across the OS significantly easier. It is also visible to the Linux installation.
You will need to know what hardware is installed in your computer before starting your Linux installation. This is so that should any problems arise you will have at least a chance of guessing what to do (or at least what to search on Google for).

Our Hardware:
Motherboard: Asus M2N-MX SE
CPU: AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+
Video: on-board nVidia GeForce 9100
Sound: on-board ALC662 (Intel) HD
LAN: on-board 10/100Mbs
RAM: 2GB DDR 266
HDD: 80GB IDE (not currently in use), 1TB Western Digital SATA (which is recognised as 936GB)
CD/DVD: 52 x AOpen DVD/CD-R

If you are going to install Ubuntu Linux there are a couple of gotchas:
One is that the grub boot manager wants to take over control of the boot management for your PC. If you want that, then there is no problem. There is a way to prevent this (google will lead the way). You just need to be prepared.
You will need to find out if you have APIC management in your PC. If you do, then you will need to disable this in BIOS before installation.
If you have both IDE and SATA HDD then Ubuntu will not install. No matter how hard you try. Very frustrating. We got around this by removing the IDE cable while doing the installation process.

Clear HDD

Before starting you will need to completely empty the Hard Disk Drive. There are a number of ways to do this.
If you are installing only one OS, simply place the installer CD/DVD in, restart the computer and follow the instructions.
But if you are reading this you want to install more than just one OS. So you will need to do one of two things - use the MS-DOS command 'FDISK'. This is available from the windows 95 or 98 CD or from a DOS boot floppy. Boot from the CD (or floppy or Pen Drive), choose the boot to DOS option. Once at the command prompt type 'FDISK c:\". This command removes all record of existing disk partitions.
There are a number of Linux-based disk tools also available. We used the disk partitioning tool that came on the Ubuntu Live DVD. Booting the DVD gives a number of options, GPart is a tool to manage the HDD. Using this tool we removed all partitions.

Install Windows XP

Put the Windows XP installation CD in, restart the PC.
At the prompt, press 'Enter' to set up Windows XP.
Agree to the terms and conditions (lets face it - who actually reads that stuff anyway?).
Wipe the HDD if not already done.
Once done, press 'C' to make a new partition, then choose its size (we made this 100GB, or 102400MB). Press 'Enter'.
Select the new partition and press 'Enter' then Format the partition. Choose the slow way, just to be safe. This will take a while…
Once formatted, the files will be copied in preparation for the installation itself.
Eventually the PC will restart and begin the actual installation process. There will be another prompt (Do you accept the terms and conditions…), just click the 'Accept' button again.
Follow the VERY simple instructions.
Wait some more.
Wait some more.
Wait some more.
Oh - the PC is starting again! It should go immediately into Windows XP.
All Done!
Before we go… choose Start>My Computer then rename Local Disc C:\ 'Windows XP'. This WILL help later.
Remember to eject the CD before closing down the computer.

Install Windows Vista

Put the installation DVD in, restart the PC.
After it has loaded you will be prompted for your language.
Click 'Install Now', wait…
Enter the product key (or not if you are doing this at some later time).
'Accept' the terms and conditions.
Click 'Advanced Install'.
Partioning time again. Click on the 'free space' list item, then 'Drive Options' from the menu. Choose 'New', specify the new partition size (we did100GB, or 102400MB), then click the 'Apply' button.
Once the new partition has been created, click on it from the menu, then 'Next'.
We don't need to format this partition, the installation process will do this for you automatically.
Wait until you are asked for username, password, and user avatar (picture). Click 'Next'. Note: if you fail to provide a password, Windows Vista will assume only one user for the PC and automatically log you in each time you use it. Otherwise you will be prompted to provide a password every time.
Give the computer a name and choose the desktop background image you want. Click 'Next'.
Don't use 'Windows Defender' (unless you REALLY want to). Select the date and time, then click 'Next'.
Select 'Home', 'Work' or 'Public'. You're welcome : Click 'Next'.
Wait… until you are either automatically brought to the Windows Vista desktop or asked for your password.
There will be some 'Windows is setting up' housekeeping this first time.
All Done!
We recommend renaming this partition as well. Go to 'Start>My Computer', rename 'Local Disc C:\" as "Windows Vista".
Remember to remove the Windows Vista installation DVD before you shut the PC down.

Install Windows 7

Put the Windows 7 installation DVD in, restart the PC.
After it has loaded you will be prompted for your language.
Click 'Install Now',
Wait…
'Accept' the terms and conditions.
Click 'Custom'.
Partitioning time… Click on the 'unallocated space' from the list, then 'Drive Options' then 'New', specify the new partition size (we did 100GB, or 102400MB), then click the 'Apply' button.
Once the new partition has been created, click on it from the menu, then 'Next'.
We don't need to format this partition; the installation process will do this for you automatically.
You will be asked to remove the installation DVD. The installation process will reboot the PC several times.
Wait until you are asked for username and password. Click 'Next'. Note: if you fail to provide a password, Windows 7 will assume that there is only one user for the PC and automatically log you in each time you use it. Otherwise you will be prompted to provide a password every time.
Enter the activation key when prompted.
Don't use 'Windows Defender' (unless you REALLY want to).
Select the date and time, then click 'Next'.
Select 'Home', 'Work' or 'Public'.
You will be asked if you want set up a 'Home Group'. We didn't, but you can if you want.
You're welcome : Click 'Next'.
Wait… until you are either automatically brought to the Windows 7 desktop or asked for your password.
There will be some 'Windows is setting up' housekeeping this first time.
All Done!
Go to 'Start>My Computer'. If you don't see your Windows 7 partition, press 'Start'. In the search box type 'computer management'. Press 'Enter' or click the program. On the left side, click 'Disk Management'. Right-click 'Windows XP' then choose 'Change Drive Letter and Paths' from the pop-up menu. Click 'Add', then 'OK'. Once done, close the Computer Management window.
We recommend renaming this new partition as well. Choose 'Start>My Computer' and rename 'Local Disc C:\" as "Windows 7".
Remember to remove the Windows 7 installation DVD before you shut the PC down.

Install Linux (Ubuntu 8.10)

Put the installation CD in then restart your PC.
Let it load, choose your language.
You should have a menu of options. We want to 'Install Ubuntu'.
Confirm that you have chosen the correct language then click 'Forward'.
Choose your time zone. Actually this is pretty good because you can find your physical location on a map.
Choose your keyboard layout. Most of us use the US layout.
Partitioning time… Be careful here - it is easy to go wrong!
Click 'Manual', then 'Forward'.
Click on 'Free Space' on the list. Click the 'New Partition' button.
Make a 'Logical' 'EXT3' partition with a '/' mount point. This is like the 'C:\Windows' folder, except for Linux. 8GB, or 8192MB, should do fine.
Make another partition, only this time it is a 'swap area', and should be about the same size as the amount of RAM you have. You did remember to find out how much memory you have in your PC, right? We made this 2GB, or 2048MB. This is used as swap or virtual memory space.
Make another partition, 'EXT3', '/home'. We made this space 100GB or 102400MB in size. This is your Linux storage space, like 'My Documents' in Windows.
Make one more partition. This one is a FAT32 partition, with no mount point. This can be as big as the space you have left on the HDD. This will be used as storage space and can be accessed by all of the OS on your PC.
Take note of the 'Device' of the partition with the mount point '/'. Mine is '/dev/sda5'.
Click 'Forward'. An error will pop up about the FAT32 partition you have just created. That is expected (actually a good thing). Just choose 'Continue'.
Fill in the information as requested. You can 'migrate' documents and settings from other operating systems but since we have done a fresh install there are none. Click Forward'.
This is important. We want to use the Windows Vista boot manager (where we will be installing BCD boot manager), not the Linux one, called 'Grub'. To prevent 'Grub' from being installed, click 'Advanced'. Change '(HD0)' to '/dev/sda5' (or whatever yours is called). Click 'OK'.
Now click 'Install'. Restart when prompted.
Take out the CD and press 'Enter' when prompted.

UBUNTU Installation Problems

Pretty much everyone has some problem installing UBUNTU the first time. We had 2 problems in this PC, both solved by making a small change when starting the installation process.
We had the installation process get partway through then spit out to a BASH shell (like a command prompt for Linux installations, but with a limited number of commands available). The first problem was that we had no way of knowing what was causing the installation to abort.
It is possible to alter the installation start command so we can see what the installer is actually doing. When you first start up to the installation DVD (when you reboot) you choose a language then you have the installation options screen. Press the 'F6' key. You will see a line of text near the bottom of the screen. So you can see the installation messages, remove the words 'quiet splash'.
Watch as the installer goes about its work and take note of problems as they arise.
The first problem that caused our install to fail was that the installer did not like having a SATA and IDE HDD at the same time. Our solution was to disconnect the IDE HDD.
The next problem was with the APIC management. We first disabled APIC in the BIOS, but that did not prevent the errors and eventual installation failure. Our solution was to type the word 'noapic' where 'quiet splash' had been. Be careful to add this before the double hyphen '- -' characters. Also be sure there is one space and one space only before and after the added text.
Finally, there was some video driver confusion during the install process, but not every time. Our solution was to allow the install to land at the bash shell, wait 30 seconds to a minute then press the 'CTRL D' key combination. This forces the installation process to continue despite of the confusion. When UBUNTU was installed we could explicitly set the video drivers to be used and the settings to be used by the monitor. The driver command to use and so on is better described elsewhere on the net.

Install BCD so you can edit Windows Vista Boot Manager

Boot into Windows Vista.
Download and install Easy BCD. Assuming you are not in a commercial environment, it is safe to use the free version (scroll down to the bottom of their web page). It's only 740kb-ish.
Once installed, run the program.
Go to 'Change Settings' and change names and settings as you see fit.
Now go to 'Add/Remove Entries'.
Under 'Add an Entry' choose 'Linux'.
Fill in the boxes. Hint: where it says 'Drive' choose the '/' one.
Choose 'Add Entry'.
Move the order of OS's if you want.
Exit the BCD program.

All done!
Now, when you reboot the computer, you should have a list of OS to choose from, including Linux. If you choose Linux you are likely to get an additional choice being which install to use (the normal version or safe version).

Map the My Documents folders

With all these operating systems, it useful to have all your documents in one place rather than scattered around.
Having all in one place makes backing up much simpler too, but that is a discussion for another day ;)

I suggest that you begin this process in the oldest Windows OS you have installed. Whichever drive format this will use will be what is used for all OS.

Go to 'Start', then in the search bar, type 'Computer Management'.
Press 'Enter' or click the program.
Choose 'Disk Management'.
Identify the location of the Drive we made for Documents. Right Click and choose 'Format' from the pop-up menu.
Create a folder called 'My Documents' (so you know what it is). You could copy the contents of one of your existing 'My Documents' folders so you have a standardised start point.

Start>My Computer. In the left panel you should see 'My Documents'. If the 'My Documents' folder is not listed, you may need to click the 'Folders' icon on the taskbar.
Right-Click the 'My Documents' folder item in the left pane. Choose 'Properties' from the pop-up list.
You should get a new pop-up box with three tabs. The first tab is 'Target' which shows where your data is located. Click the 'Find Target' button. This will open a standard Windows Explorer navigation pane that you can use to find the newly created folder. Once it has been chosen and highlighted, copy the location from the 'Address Bar' and paste in the 'target' text box.
Choose 'OK' to accept the new location. Close all windows.
Test that this has worked correctly by opening 'My Documents' whichever way you would normally. In theory you will be directed to the new location :)

Start>My Computer. In the left panel you should see 'My Documents'. If the 'My Documents' folder is not listed, you may need to click the 'Folders' icon on the taskbar.
Right-Click the 'My Documents' folder item in the left pane. Choose 'Properties' from the pop-up list.
There should be a new Pop-Up window with a single tab labelled 'Library'. This will have some suggested locations for your 'My Documents' location. Click the 'Include a Folder' button, then navigate to the newly created folder. Once in the correct location, click the 'Include Folder' button.
The new location will now be in the list. Choose the new location (it should be highlighted) and the 'Set Save Location' button should now be available. Click the 'Set Save Location' button.
Close all the windows and check that this has worked :)

Other versions of Windows will have a similar process.

Ubuntu, and other versions of Linux will be a bit different. I suggest doing a little internet searching for your specific linux flavour. The simplest description I have seen is that found at HowToGeek. So simple even I can do it!

Other OS are similar, and there are plenty of internet resource to help you with this :)

Summary

Having multiple OS on one PC is not that big a deal to accomplish. The hardest thing is to determine which order to do the install. The process above is pretty much the same irrespective of the OS.
Good luck with your attempt!