ABOUT BOOT.INI DEFINITIONS http://support.microsoft.com/kb/102873 My Advice: 1 - INstall all windows in HD separate, but, install 1 hd only! a ) Install HD XP games, install windows ( note ) UNINSTALL HD FROM PC b ) Install HD XP app, install windows ( note ) UNINSTALL HD FROM PC ALL WILL BE DRIVE C (default) c ) install all HD, but, drive C will be hd EMPTY for install VISTA (as drive C) Maybe, this help! For test, experiment use VMWare for simulation install with 3 HD (install only basic system each one) OR, try change parameters from boot.ini of XPs intallation Boot.ini for XP default ; ;Warning: Boot.ini is used on Windows XP and earlier operating systems. ;Warning: Use BCDEDIT.exe to modify Windows Vista boot options. ; [boot loader] timeout=30 default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS [operating systems] multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /FASTDETECT /NoExecute=OptIn + multi(0)disk(1)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /FASTDETECT /NoExecute=OptIn the value = disk in system For SCSI disks [boot loader] timeout=30 Default= scsi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\winnt [operating systems] scsi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\winnt="Windows NT" IF you use multi disk boot (IDE, EIDE, ESDI, SCCI) use MULTI(0) EXAMPLE: [boot loader] timeout=30 default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS [operating systems] multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Windows Server 2003"