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.

 

[Mayuresh]

here's what i did for my 40gig

first installed 98 on my first 2 gb partition
then thru 9..just pop in your 2k cd and when i autoruns say no to upgrade your os. Tell him to install a brand new os...
when he reboots your boot menu will be ready with 98 and 2k.....
just read each screen properly....and you should do fine...

If you install any app on one os it will not modify the other os registry....they are two completly diff os's which don't know that the other exists.....except fot the bootup part....


HTH

regards
Mayuresh

 

[Poof]

If you want to multiboot 98 & ME you might need a 3rd party app like Partition Magic to do that since both want to be on the "active" partition.

 

[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?

Oh, and what about drivers and such, will I have to install them twice (if I do dual boot)? I'de rather not invest in another program .....

 

[Maverick2002]

bump^ come on!

 

[Medea]

If you've decided on dual-booting with WinME and Win2k, then what you're suggesting is fine. Remember: WinME has to be installed first, and your partitions will have to be FAT32 if you're installing a 5th partition with shared files. Those files have nothing to do with apps installed in either OS. Usually, mp3's, etc. would go on that partition.

Yes, you'll have to partition your hd, and you will have to install drivers on each primary partition. The 4in1 drivers are the same. Drivers for other hardware might differ with each OS depending on what hardware you have - check to make sure.

The first two drives (your primary drives with the OS') will be your C drive - one active, one hidden. The next 3 drives will have the next sequential drive letters assigned to them.

I know you said you don't want to spend the money, but Partition Magic is a great program and worth it. Believe me, it'll be a breeze to set up your partitions with PM and it will also map your drives the way you want. Boot Magic is included - make sure you make the recovery disk because, if your boot record goes awry, you'll be able to boot up off of it into either OS.

 

[Shudder]

Mav: Will you have 90 gigs when you're done or just the 60? Either way.. I'd give an extra gig to the 2000 partition since 2 gigs is a little small.

And unless you plan on using other partitions for programs instead of the 2+1 shared, I'd put a little more room for that too.. don't be too stingy, it's not like you've only got a 10 gigger or anything

 

[Medea]

Shudder - he said he was going to install apps partitions for each OS, but I agree with you - even though 2G's for each OS will be okay, I personally would feel more comfortable installing at least 3G's on each OS partition - a comfort zone, if you will.