XP, 8.1 and UEFI with grub2?

[coifed48641]

Grub Gurus

Perhaps this is good timing for this
question.  I hope I am asking it in the right place.  I have been
using Ubuntu and XP multiboot for quite some time and using Ubuntu
more and XP less.  With support for XP expiring April 8 I would like
to stop using it while connected to the internet.  My goal is to
multiboot XP, Ubuntu and 8.1 on the same 64 bit new machine.



My question is if XP requires legacy
BIOS and it is available (?) but 8.1 requires UEFI (?) does this
prevent grub2 from accessing the three OSs from a single menu.  Can
Grub2 switch between legacy BIOS and UEFI or does this require a
process like changing BIOS settings?  The (?)s above mean I do not
know if those assumptions are correct.  I suspect Ubuntu is
compatible with both and the only problem is between XP and 8.1.  I
have collected multiboot info from MS on XP and 7 but if I need to
purchase new hardware why install a new OS that is already obsolete.

Any pointers to how the UEFI/legacy
works,  hardware compatibility requirements for this to be possible,
or related issues would be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance,  I always enjoy
reading the messages in this list.

Randy