dual boot 98, xp, and online

[kreja]

I'm currently using 98SE, but I'm building a new system and moving on to XPpro. Since I've a lot of older programs (okay, games 🙂) I plan on going with a dual boot of XP and 98.

The only security measures I'm using with 98 is Norton, Firefox/Thunderbird, and Spybot. I do plan on getting a firewall for the new system.

My question is this: would I be better off if I continued to use 98 for internet access, and just use XP online for updating? Or does it matter when using dual operating systems?

Thanks.

 

[dashiki]

you can run your new programs in compatibility mode. right click and it is under properties I believe. there is also a new program from MS
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/virtualpc/default.mspx not sure if that will help you but it does have a free trial.

 

[thegorx]

the most important thing is not to load too many new programs on 98
new programs can be resource hog and also fill up the registry.

frankly I wouldn't use norton for anything
when they need to come out with a separate utility just to clean up and uninstall norton how good can it be.
in a nutshell norton doesn't uninstall well and adds alot of junk

 

[Wolfshanze]

Compatability mode does NOT work with everything... in fact, I'd say if it doesn't run in XP, compatability mode rarely makes things any better.

I have used Virtual PC myself... it does work to some extent (better then compatability mode), but it's simply not as good as a dual boot.

If you really want 100% compatability with older games/programs and you're willing to create a dual-boot, there is nothing better for compatability then a good dual-boot system (something I have done myself with WinME/XP).

Here's a game that absolutely does NOT run stable with WinXP (compatability mode included) unless you run Virtual PC or a dual-boot:
http://p219.ezboard.com/fthearmorypacgenforumfrm3.showMessage?topicID=255.topic

 

[dderolph]

Originally posted by: kreja
I'm currently using 98SE, but I'm building a new system and moving on to XPpro. Since I've a lot of older programs (okay, games 🙂) I plan on going with a dual boot of XP and 98.

The only security measures I'm using with 98 is Norton, Firefox/Thunderbird, and Spybot. I do plan on getting a firewall for the new system.

My question is this: would I be better off if I continued to use 98 for internet access, and just use XP online for updating? Or does it matter when using dual operating systems?

Thanks.

Sure, it matters. A firewall installed for one 0S provides no protection for the other OS. Each OS is, for all practical purposes, entirely independent. I have a Win 98SE/Win XP PRO dual boot configuration. I learned that I can maintain Outlook Express under either OS by setting the Outlook Express Store Folder (the location where OE stores messages) to the same location under each OS. Thus, if I open OE under one OS and retrieve email and then later open OE under the other OS, I'll see all messages, including the ones retrieved under the other OS. But, I must I have anti-virus software installed under each OS to have virus protection when using that OS.

So, if you want to avoid installing anti-virus under both OS, you might be able to safely do that by always using the same OS (the one that's protected, of course) for email.

 

[JoeCDaMan]

Honestly, I had a dual boot running on one of my machines on and off and I kinda found that the cons out weighed the pros... if you looking to install a post 98 OS as one of the OSs then you'd kinda be foolish not to format the drive as NTFS. The problem with that is that now the 98 OS can't see NT, 2000, XP drive, so you can only share information in one direction. Anyway I would suggest that if you are building a new system that you just dedicate your old one to 98 and have your new one for XP.

As far as the firewall is concerned if you get an external router/firewall in theory you will be protected for either pc, or either boot drive.... not sure about the antivirus though, you probably will need to install norton or something on both drives/computers.

Hope that helps

 

[Wolfshanze]

I don't agree with JoeCDaMan... I really don't see a downside to having a dual-boot system at all. Plus, if you do have a dual-boot on your main system, both OS's get the full benefits of having your most powerful system and monitor in the house, as well as not having to switch computers to use a differant OS.

I have multiple computers in my house AND a dual-boot config on my main system... I mostly use my secondary older system for large internet downloads, while my main dual-boot system is for games, browsing and e-mail... and since it's dual-boot, there is no game old or new that I can't throw at it and have great performance on my big monitor and fast system.