2 HDs with their own OS..can I dual boot them?

[lukmeg]

Here's what I have:

IDE #1
Primary: 80Gig two partitions (WinXP on C
Slave: 40Gig two partitions (Win98SE on C

IDE #2
Primary: CD-Burner
Slave: DVD-ROM

This is the way I have it set up now. I normally use WinXP so I just leave the power unplugged for the Win98 drive. And when I want to use 98 I unplug the power for the WinXP drive. It's not really that big of a deal but I was wondering if there was a way to have both drives plugged in and have a choice of which OS to load.

Well if this is possible, please help me see the light. Thanks

 

[Lonyo]

I think with the BIOS you can cnahge which drive to boot from first (IDE 0/IDE1) but that would require going into the BIOS every startup to change which drive booted first.

I don't know if there are any freeware boot management programs that might allow you to do it, but try something like "freeware boot management program" on Google and see if it turns up anything that might help, otherwise, changing boot device might work.

 

[skyking]

the bios solution is really not that bad, unless you are switching daily, or hourly.

 

[KlutZ]

HOW TO: Create a Multiple-Boot System in Windows XP

You may not want to do it this way since it might require a fresh install of windows. If not the bios way already mentioned is probably your best bet.

 

[redbeard1]

Partition Magic has Boot Magic that would do what your talking about.

Another option, though figuring out the cryptic nature of it is a nuisance, and improperly done can result in not booting, would be to edit your boot.ini. This controls if the boot menu comes up, and which partition to boot from. This is definitely an advanced technique, so read up on it if you are going to attempt it.

 

[lukmeg]

Thanks for the suggestions. I really don't change often. The BIOS idea seems good but I think it would be faster the way I'm doing it now. I just open the door and plug or unplug the drives. Lucky I got an Antec with the swing out door.

I was wondering if what I want to do could be done by editing the boot.ini file. Will something like this work?

[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Windows XP Professional" /fastdetect
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(1)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Windows 98SE" /fastdetect

don't want to try anything out until i am sure.

 

[lukmeg]

any boot.ini experts out there?

 

[FreakyGuy]

I use http://www.ranish.com/part/

It's a free partitioner and boot manager which is very powerful.

 

[TJN23]

Originally posted by: FreakyGuy
I use http://www.ranish.com/part/

It's a free partitioner and boot manager which is very powerful.

i've been reading all the docs and faqs....looks complicated!!