Can I run XPH on one disk and Win 98SE on another?

[paulyoung666]

Originally Posted by Flubflow

I meant that if you were to eventually get another PC you'd then be able to have XP on one PC and win98 on the other PC (no need to swap hard drives around anymore) and ther would be no need for re-installs. Obviously there'd be an initial hardware detection when you first install the HD in the 2nd different PC but there'd be no messing about trying to make the dual boot system of drives o/s's back into independent bootable drives and all your data/apps are there ready.
Obviously it all falls down if you are needing to use the same data across both o/s (unless you network the PCs).

point noted

[GeoffW]

Normally the new OS you install sets up the boot.ini on the bootable drive, this gives you a menu to choose the OS you boot from. You can always edit this file too, but its normally hidden, uncheck the hide system files option in Windows Explorer options.

Here's my boot.ini, with a 3 second timeout to choose OS.

[boot loader]
timeout=3
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINNT
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINNT="Microso ft Windows 2000 Professional" /fastdetect
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINNT="Microso ft Windows 2000 Server" /fastdetect
C:\="Microsoft Windows 98"

[Sociable]

Setting up dual boot is very easy.

Win 98/ME both require to be on the C: drive but XP will happily sit on Z99 if you wanted.

You don't even need two HD's to set this up as you can simply repartition the drive so it has more than one partition btw.

To set up "Dual Boot" simply insert the XP cd while running Win 98 and when the install screen gives you the option select not to upgrade.

On the next screen go to the advanced options and confirm you want to nominate which partition is used for the XP install.

Later in the install process you will then be given the option to choose which partition to use and simply select D: or whatever drive you want from the list.

If you want to be able to "see" the data on the XP partition when you are running Win 98 you must remember to also specify that XP should leave the format of the drive unchanged. (ie still using Fat 32 not NTFS as Win98/ME can't read NTFS partitions)

On completion of the install you will see a new boot screen which gives the option of booting to either each time you reboot with the default being selected after 30 seconds.

You can change the default and the time delay for this boot screen in XP by going to the "System Properties" window Advanced tab and clicking on the "system startup system failure and debugging information" settings button.

One advantage of dual boot is that you will then have the ability to get the system running even if 98 or XP have crashed, but an added benefit is that the XP install will be completely "Clean" i.e. not linked to the original settings from the Win 98 registry.

A variation of this install is therefore to choose the "non-upgradeââ‚à ‚¬Ã‚ÂÂ� path, but specify to use the original C: partition for the install. This wont set up dual boot but will completely replace Win98 with a completely "clean" version of XP which IMHO is always the best option for XP.

Hope this has helped and please feel free to PM me if you have any questions or doubts about how to set this up.

[meld51]

Originally Posted by Dave Stones

will the software not run in compatibility mode on xp? or is it one of those stupid ones that refuses to do it like some versions of autocad?

My kids have a load of games that will only run under '98, but also I have an old copy of MATHCAD that is great under '98 but a definite no-no under XP

[meld51]

Originally Posted by Flubflow

You could get slide mounts for your hard drives and bay. Then you can shut down, change hard disk dead easy, then power up again. If the bios HD detection is set to auto then you don't need to do anything else.
The beauty of this is that if you ever get a second PC then you can just shove one of the drives in that and start using the o/s that's on it right away with the minimum of fuss.

OK its not ideal in every circumstance but its an another option.

The options are growing!!