Info on installing Multiple OS's

mattmacfarlane · May 1, 2004

I'm looking to install both Windows 2000 Pro and Windows 98 SE on one single PC (one for multimedia production, one for old games etc).

Any recommendations on a good website with info on the best way to do this? Any pointers or things to watch out for before starting? Thanks!

Major Attitude · May 1, 2004

Its not too hard. If you purchase Partition Magic, which any geek will reccomend, it walks you through the steps even calling it "install an additional operating system" as well as provide boot functionality by allowing a timer to be set to choose what OS or auto boot your default OS. If you search here, or look below for similar threads, you may need more help, but I strongly suggest you start with Partition Magic.

My only advice? Make a image of your drive beforehand and you have nothing to lose and go in like a madman with no fear of losing critical files.

ASUS · May 1, 2004

Agree with Major Attitude post.

I have two dual boot rigs, although both consist of W2K PRO and XP PRO
Very easy to set up.
Partition Magic would be very helpful, but not necessary, depends on how your hdd is set up, do you have a second primary partition already set up?
Is 98 already on HDD?
Basics:
Need at least 2 primary partitions, one for each OS, reccomend other partition for storage
Choose files system your 98 would be Fat 32, W2K can be Fat32 or NTFS, NTFS is more efficiant, although the two are not exactly compatible, I think you can set up being different, if you set your W2K to Fat 32 you can change lattor to NTFS.
You must load the oldest version of windows first ( if you dont the other will not be bootable), on a primary partition, can be either of your two primary partitions, I believe you can have 4 primary partitions.
When dual boot system is set up Its like having two computers, each needing there own identity, also needing thier own drivers, programs, etc.
Both can share additional storage partitions if the file system is able to be read by both, 98 cant read NTFS
Once set up in your case W2K would boot up first by default after about 30 seconds, (in that 30 second time you can choose to boot to your other OS) boot order and time can be set in W2k by going to control pannel click on system icon which get you to system properties click on advanced tab then click on start up and recovery, settings button and adj to suit.

Do google on dual boot pcs youll get lots of links found this in 2 sec.
http://www.aiscl.co.uk/dual_boot_system.html
I'll be glad to help also.

alanc · May 1, 2004

Some reading from MS:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;217210
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;289283

Log in or Sign up

Info on installing Multiple OS's

mattmacfarlane Private E-2

Major Attitude Co-Owner MajorGeeks.Com Staff Member

ASUS MajorGeek

alanc MajorGeek