DUAL/TRIPLE OS BOOT: I need some *basic* help.

[Maverick2002]

Ok, I'm piecing together a new system this evening and putting in a 60gb HDD next Wednesday (right now using a 30gb one). I have Windows 98, Windows ME and just got Windows 2000. I wanna do a double/triple boot set up. How do I do it? Got links to guides? And do I need to partition my HDD for the respective OSes? And if I install a program, does the registry of EVERY OS get modified? Sorry, this may sound like a n00b question, but I'm more into hardware.

 

[SilentRunning]

Easiest way is to go out and get partition magic. It even includes a boot manager to allow you to select which OS you want to boot. Or get a free boot manager XOSL here.

Each OS must be installed on a separate primary partition. Only one of which is active at a time, all others must be hidden. This means that each OS will report itself as being on drive C: Installation of programs will only effect the OS that is currently active. Therefore only that OS will have its registry changed. Any data you need available to all OS's should be placed on a separate partition from the operating systems.

Like I said easiet way to do it if you are not sure what to do is use partition magic.

Edit: fixed link

 

[TheOverlord]

you shouldnt have to make a partition for every single one...i've dual booted NT4 and 98 from the same C: drive no problems...since you have 3 OSes tho id recommend something like Boot Magic to help keep it all straight...

when you install sometihng it wont update the registery on the 2 OSes that you arent running...but you can go back and install the same app to the same place on the hdd and get the same effect without double/triple the installed files...

i'd recommend just picking one OS between 98 and ME, personally i hate ME so i would just dual boot 2k and 98 but if you really want all three you can do it.

this isnt very detailed but im sure someone else has done this and can give you more specifics

 

[HappyPuppy]

Get a copy of System Commander and skip all the hassle. It will walk you through the installation of as many operating systems as you want to run.

 

[Maverick2002]

Ok I'll just use ME and Win2k. I will put them on diff. partitions with certain programs for each. I was thinking of making 5 partitions, 2 for each OS, 2 for programs of each OS (makes things easier) and 1 for my shared files (programs that are installed in both registries). Is this a good idea or too much?

 

[SilentRunning]

Sounds good to me except I am not sure about sharing applications between ME and 2K. I was referring to data sharing. Such as downloads, mp3s, Word/Worperfect files, Excel/Quatro files (Notice how I tried to avoid the posturing such as between Partition Magic & System Commander). Basically for data files that you may want to use for each application.

Actually I have WIN98 installed 3 times and ME once. There are good reasons to install more than once. One WIN98 partition is for my important work. One is for browsing the web (to avoid easy access to said first partition). One is for trying out new drivers and software to see what they install and how they screw up the registry :disgust:, And the last ME partition is because Microsoft suckered me into upgrading and I hate to admit I was wrong