multiple operating systems on one drive?

[Ilikepiedoyou]

Is it possible to have multiple windows installs on one hard drive, and then during boot up, decide which one you would like to use?

 

[Blain]

yes

 

[compactdisc]

yes, but just as a safe measure, when dual booting, it's better to put the os on two seperate partitions to avoid any conflicts or resource mismanagement.

 

[Ilikepiedoyou]

thanks, how does one set this up, and how does one switch during boot up?

 

[Blain]

If you're asking those types of questions, you shouldn't be considering dual or multi-boot setups at this time.

BTW, Different boot OS MUST be installed on different partitions.

This topic should have been posted in the "Operating Systems" forum rather than "General Hardware".

 

[Ilikepiedoyou]

Thanks Blain

 

[FreshPrince]

what is your reason to dual boot? once you figure that out, then see if vmware can help you out.

 

[HOOfan 1]

Originally posted by: Blain
If you're asking those types of questions, you shouldn't be considering dual or multi-boot setups at this time.

BTW, Different boot OS MUST be installed on different partitions.

This topic should have been posted in the "Operating Systems" forum rather than "General Hardware".

IMO that is like telling someone they shouldn't be thinking about building themselves if they ask which slots to stick their memory in. If he doesn't ask the questions, then how will he learn?

 

[hurtstotalktoyou]

Originally posted by: Ilikepiedoyou
Is it possible to have multiple windows installs on one hard drive, and then during boot up, decide which one you would like to use?

Yes...sort of. Multiple Windows installations work, but not very well.

The first question you want to ask yourself is, are you *sure* it's a good idea? Personally, I can't figure out why you would need to do so. Any software which is compatible with Windows 95/98/ME should also be compatible with XP (and presumably Vista). And any software compatible with DOS can probably be run in the free utility DOSbox, which runs inside Windows XP/Vista. When you consider the problems associated with a dual Windows boot--and there are problems--I don't think it's worth the hassle.

Now, like I said, it works, but there are limitations. For example, you can only install one copy of Windows 95, 98 or ME on a single hard disk--and I don't mean one of each, but one out of all. Only Windows 2000, XP, 2003 and Vista can handle more than one installation on a drive. Also, Windows 95/98/ME can only be installed on the C: partition (first physical portion of the drive), not on any other letter. This means your main OS (presumably XP or Vista) will be on the D: partition. This may cause problems and/or annoyances with software which assumes your OS partition is letter C:.

Though it is not strictly necessary, I find it is more convenient to partition and format the drive with a third-party tool. I suggest the Gnome Partition Editor Live CD. You just download and burn a disc image to CD, then boot from it and partition your disk as needed. I suggest making the non-essential Windows partition as small as possible. Also make sure to format both appropriately: FAT32 for Windows 95/98/ME, and NTFS for Windows 2000/XP/2003/Vista.

If you're installing Windows 95/98/ME, you must do so *first*, before installing the additional OS. Installation is pretty normal; just make sure you choose the appropriate partitions when prompted by the wizard.

However, I should reiterate one last time: Two Windows installations on the same drive is almost always a bad idea. I *highly* suggest you find an alternative solution to whatever issue you're facing.

 

[aceO07]

Originally posted by: FreshPrince
what is your reason to dual boot? once you figure that out, then see if vmware can help you out.

I would recommend vmware as a good route too. Your system is fast enough and for the most part, you won't notice slow speed except possibly at times of huge disk access.

If you still want to dual boot, I recommend doing it on another partition. It just makes life less messy. You can just delete or format the partition and not have to worry about too much.

 

[Blain]

Originally posted by: HOOfan 1

Originally posted by: Blain
If you're asking those types of questions, you shouldn't be considering dual or multi-boot setups at this time.

IMO that is like telling someone they shouldn't be thinking about building themselves if they ask which slots to stick their memory in. If he doesn't ask the questions, then how will he learn?

"...at this time"
Meaning, he should read more about multiple boot setups.

 

[Ilikepiedoyou]

Thanks for all the help guys, I was planning on installing two versions of xp. I currently have a version of xp installed which is not as stable as it used to be. It seems once a year I reinstall my operating system and the machine runs quickly an reliably. Currently my computer has started having issues with certain applications freezing, I don't know why. I believe that running certain applications such as limewire is causing the problem.

Whenever I reinstall my operating system there is usually a period that last up to about a month where I will sit down on my machine and realize ohh this particular piece of software I hadn't reinstalled, and it can be quiet a pain. My hope was that I could install a fresh version of xp, and I could switch between the two just incase I really need to do something and I don't have the time to install whatever I am looking for. Does this make any sense?

Also, I have a few extra unused hard drives to good size and speed, would it make things easier to install two versions on two separate hard drives? Could I still retain the ability to switch between them when I turn the machine on?

 

[OdiN]

Originally posted by: Blain
If you're asking those types of questions, you shouldn't be considering dual or multi-boot setups at this time.

BTW, Different boot OS MUST be installed on different partitions.

This topic should have been posted in the "Operating Systems" forum rather than "General Hardware".

They don't HAVE to be on different partitions. Depends on the OS.

You could throw DOS in a directory and boot that as well as some iteration of Windows from the same drive.

I've had Win98 and Win2k on the same partition before without problems, save for the Recycle Bin, which since I never used it was no problem.

 

[MegaVovaN]

Originally posted by: Ilikepiedoyou
Thanks for all the help guys, I was planning on installing two versions of xp. I currently have a version of xp installed which is not as stable as it used to be. It seems once a year I reinstall my operating system and the machine runs quickly an reliably. Currently my computer has started having issues with certain applications freezing, I don't know why. I believe that running certain applications such as limewire is causing the problem.

Whenever I reinstall my operating system there is usually a period that last up to about a month where I will sit down on my machine and realize ohh this particular piece of software I hadn't reinstalled, and it can be quiet a pain. My hope was that I could install a fresh version of xp, and I could switch between the two just incase I really need to do something and I don't have the time to install whatever I am looking for. Does this make any sense?

Also, I have a few extra unused hard drives to good size and speed, would it make things easier to install two versions on two separate hard drives? Could I still retain the ability to switch between them when I turn the machine on?

2 copies of XP on different drives are possible, I've (accidentally) done it before. On 2 drives it should be a cake.

Though what I recommend (but have not tried myself) is this: Install a fresh copy of XP on a clean drive. Invest time installing all the apps, drivers, and updates you need. Then make an image of disc/partition with fresh install. Whenever your system slows down, restore/copy image onto hard drive/partition and you will have fresh system with all the installed programs in short time.
Also, keep the files on sepatate drive so that if you bork up something and wipe entire drive you won't lose anything.