Dual OS?

midnilux · Sep 29, 2004, 10:34 AM

Can someone explain to me or link me to a place that explains how to have two OS's on a PC?

I want to have Win2k and Windows XP, I remember I used to have win98 and winNT back in the day and I could choose which to start with when my pc booted, I hope that is still possible to do with today's OS's.

The_Neon_Cowboy · Sep 29, 2004, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by midnilux

Can someone explain to me or link me to a place that explains how to have ?

I want to have Win2k and Windows XP, I remember I used to have win98 and winNT back in the day and I could choose which to start with when my pc booted, I hope that is still possible to do with today's OS's.

easy you need a boot loader

I've used http://www.powerquest.com/partitionmagic/ it a program to allow you to re partition your drive.

It also comes with a program called boot magic you use to have it promt you at start up wich partition you'd like to boot.

1 partition per OS

thats the simplest way or they way i know how

PangingJr · Sep 29, 2004, 01:35 PM

BootMagic program files need to be resided on a FAT/FATxx file system partiton, this partition can be anywhere on your HDD or any HDD on the system.

you can use other boot managers like GAG, OSL2000, etc , that does not require to be installed on the HDD but using a few bytes off the 1st 446 bytes (MBR) of the HDD, this kind of boot managers usually replaces the standard bootstrap code in the MBR (the BootMagic also do the same but it also requires the rest of its files to be installed on the HDD) ,

the GAG won't need any HDD space at all, but your need to boot from a floppy disk at every time you want to select an OS to boot.

Partition Magic would be the best and the easiest for you (if you have it) to use it to prepare you HDD and create a multiple-boot system.
but any others partitioning programs out there can also do the same, if you know and understand how to use it well enough.

OldBuzzard · Sep 29, 2004, 03:55 PM

I've been using a goodie called HyperOS for the last 2 years, and I really like it. I have the older 2002 R6 version that allows up to 20 Windows installations, of ANY of the Windows OS's from 95 to XP. Once I got it up and running, I've NEVER had to re-install Win98 or XP. I have seperate OS's for each family member, and spare partions for holding a clone of any OS I want for testing new drivers and the like. It only takes about 2-5 minutes to clone an OS, so I can play with one, and if it gets borked, my original is still good.

The newer versions also suport LINUX along with Windows. It's a bit on the $$$ side but I feel that it's worth it in the long run. You can get better info on it here: www.hyperos2002.com

classic_leon · Sep 29, 2004, 06:24 PM

You are able to set boot on system\advance\boot and...

Sep 29, 2004, 10:34 AM	#1
midnilux DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 66 Rep Power: 0	Dual OS? Can someone explain to me or link me to a place that explains how to have two OS's on a PC? I want to have Win2k and Windows XP, I remember I used to have win98 and winNT back in the day and I could choose which to start with when my pc booted, I hope that is still possible to do with today's OS's.

Sep 29, 2004, 03:55 PM	#4
OldBuzzard DH's oldest Geek Join Date: May 2003 Location: Oberlin, OH Posts: 2,783 Rep Power: 145 System Specs	I've been using a goodie called HyperOS for the last 2 years, and I really like it. I have the older 2002 R6 version that allows up to 20 Windows installations, of ANY of the Windows OS's from 95 to XP. Once I got it up and running, I've NEVER had to re-install Win98 or XP. I have seperate OS's for each family member, and spare partions for holding a clone of any OS I want for testing new drivers and the like. It only takes about 2-5 minutes to clone an OS, so I can play with one, and if it gets borked, my original is still good. The newer versions also suport LINUX along with Windows. It's a bit on the $$$ side but I feel that it's worth it in the long run. You can get better info on it here: www.hyperos2002.com __________________ When looking for a reason as to why things go wrong, never rule out sheer STUPIDITY

Sep 29, 2004, 06:24 PM	#5
classic_leon HardwareHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Wu Han, Hu Bei, P.R.China Posts: 1,238 Rep Power: 0	You are able to set boot on system\advance\boot and... __________________ Fashion keeps us alive. YouP-PAX Please visit http://www.A-PAX.co.uk to discuss the computer mods. The latest YouP PAX modded drivers are provided on the site.

Sep 29, 2004, 01:35 PM	#3
PangingJr Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 5,989 Rep Power: 71	BootMagic program files need to be resided on a FAT/FATxx file system partiton, this partition can be anywhere on your HDD or any HDD on the system. you can use other boot managers like GAG, OSL2000, etc , that does not require to be installed on the HDD but using a few bytes off the 1st 446 bytes (MBR) of the HDD, this kind of boot managers usually replaces the standard bootstrap code in the MBR (the BootMagic also do the same but it also requires the rest of its files to be installed on the HDD) , the GAG won't need any HDD space at all, but your need to boot from a floppy disk at every time you want to select an OS to boot. Partition Magic would be the best and the easiest for you (if you have it) to use it to prepare you HDD and create a multiple-boot system. but any others partitioning programs out there can also do the same, if you know and understand how to use it well enough.