When my HD failed in my old computer with a dual core, I immediately went out and bought a new 6 core PC because I needed it for business and had to have an immediate solution.

The old computer was otherwise a good computer. I don't want to spend a $100+ for a new operating system for the old computer because the Windows 7 Professional opperating system for the new computer will only allow one install. So, I decided to look and see if there were any free operating systems and found Ubuntu. I downloaded it and burned a live CD and would like to try it on the old computer.

I found a 200 GB HD I can buy for $30 and the seller will format it any way I want.

There are also other HDs available at a similar price.

What I was thinking I would like to do is buy 2 HDs. Then I can have one formatted for Ubuntu 12.04 and install Windows XP Pro SP1 on the other HD for which I have the original installation CD. Then I would like to have a dual boot option so that when I power up the computer, I can choose whether to use Windows XP or Ubuntu.

Is this possible? If so, how would I do it, that is, arrange it so a dual boot option presents itself on power up.