It came with Windows Vista installed, but I prefer XP. I don't want to delete Vista, however, since I like the new features that it has to offer. But I was wondering if I could have both operating systems installed at the same time, and be able to select which one to use at startup. Please reply to this question.

Answer:
Yes, it's possible. I've done it several times. You are looking for a dual-boot solution. It's not too difficult for an advanced Personal computer user, but if you're an intermediate or newbie you might want to have someone do it for you.

Basically you'll have to partition your hard drive to make room for a second partition for XP. Then install XP on the second partition. Now you can't use the XP bootloader (boot.ini file) to boot Vista so you'll have to reinstate Vista's bootloader to the MBR and configure it to manage both OS's. I use EasyBCD to manage this. Once you do that, you'll have two options at startup.

Here are some step-by-step instructions: http://apcmag.com/how_to_dual_boot_vista…

These aren't my own instructions, just some I found with a Google search, but they look like pretty much what I've done.

Another option is a virtual machine. You'd basically boot up Vista, then run a program like Microsoft's Virtual PC or VMware's Server and boot up XP within that program. Both of those programs are free for the basic version - home use only. They will be a tiny slower though.

Good Luck!

Answer:
Yes, you can have more than 1 OS. It's called dual booting. I'm not sure exactly how it would work in your case, because part of your partition on you hard drive would need to be set for Vista while the other is set for XP.

You'll need to google that one and see how you can get XP installed with Vista.

Answer:
Jeremie I is incorrect - you don't have to have XP installed first. It can be done either way. I've done it both ways. In fact, the link Tex put up tells you how to do it with Vista already installed.
Answer:
In order to do this you’ve to install XP FIRST.

I would recommend that you get something like http://www.virtualbox.org/ and run XP in there when you want it, and it will work on top of the Vista installation.

Answer:
totally.

not only in dell, but any pc or laptop for that matter.

(sick of Vista huh?)

Answer:
Yes it's possible.