Multiple booting question

[Salvador]

Hi,

I'm thinking about putting Win98SE, Win2K Pro, WinXP Pro and Linux Mandrake all on the same drive. Can this be done?

If so, how do I go about doing this? Do I need 4 partitions? If so, how big do I need to make the partitions? Do I make a separate partition for other files and software (total of 5 partitions)?

BTW.. I have a 40 gb hdd and I do have Partition Magic, but I've never used it.

Could someone please help me set this up?

Sal

 

[Salvador]

Damn.. I meant to put this on the OS forum.

Sal

 

[Pederv]

Instalation order:
Win98
Linux
Win2K
WinXP

Yes a partition for each. For the data partition choose a partition format that all 4 can see, FAT16?
Size of the partitions depends on what apps you plan on using for each OS.

 

[bocamojo]

Perhaps you should get a program like SystemCommander. It allows for up to 100 OSes in a multi-booting environment... I have a dual boot config, which is the easiest way to go. All you have to do is create a partition for each OS you're going to install, then install win9x first. After it's installed, run setup for win2k or xp on the next partition. The catch is that win2k/xp have a boot manager, which you'll see at startup from then on, so you have to choose which os/partition to boot to at startup. This file can be manually edited... However, if you're new to this type of setup, it may be easier to go with SystemCommander, or a similar program.

 

[Salvador]

So.. I can't just put apps on one partition and use the apps with all the OS'?

Yes.. I'm very new to this.

This is what I'd like to do..

I'd like to have each of the 4 OS on their own partition, then I'd like to have all the apps and personal files on another partition. Maybe even have a separate partition for my personal files.. I don't think I'd have much of anything besides the OS on each partition that the OS is on.

Now.. If I install the apps to one OS and not the other, will I be able to get the applications to work with the other OS?

Or.. Is it just like having 4 different computers by having an OS on each partition? When I boot into, let's say WinXP, is it just like I'm in a computer that has WinXP installed?

I'm just trying to get my mind around what would happen here.

BTW.. Who makes System Commander? Is it like Partition Magic?

Sal

 

[Pederv]

It's like having 4 different computers. WinXP and Win2K should see each others drive and Win98's drive and the fat16 if you do it. Win98 will only see the fat16. If you have software that will do a network install, you can have a central application, but I thought those disappeared for the desktop with DOS.

 

[Salvador]

If I put my personal data onto a separate partition, can't I just use FAT32? Won't all of the OS see FAT32? Well.. I don't know about Linux.

So.. I should divvy up my hdd as if I were installing each OS on a small hdd? Each app needs to be reinstalled while I'm operating in each OS? So.. If I have a cd burning software, I will have to install this software 4 times, each while I'm in each OS?

I'd probably want to allow the most space for my personal files, considering that's what eats up my hdd the most (mp3's, etc..)

What are some guidlines for how large to make each partition? I'd probably put the minimal amount of apps in Win98. I think all that I'd have installed on that OS would be games.

I think I'd do the majority of the work in Win2K. I'd probably mess around with Linux and WinXP at this point.

I guess I'm looking for some guidlines on how large to make each partition on a 40 gb drive.

Thanks again!

Sal

 

[Raincity]

Sure it could be done but the question is why ?. You would be better of choosing between Win2K or XP Pro and a Linux distro that interests you and just dual boot. You need to format in FAT32 if you want all the OS to be able read all the partitions. Linux does support NTFS now but its still on the flakey side. You dont need Partition Magic or System Commander to do this. All the tools you need are in Win2K/ XP and Mandrake 8.0

Rain

 

[Salvador]

How big should I make each partition?

I'm basically wanting to quad boot, so I can play around with the different OS. What I'll eventually end up doing though is going with WinXP and 98 (for games).

How much space on the 40 gb drive should I allow for each OS partition? I was thinking 4 gb's. Too much? Too little? I'm literally formatting my drive right now, so the quicker the answer, the better.

Thanks,

Sal

 

[Raincity]

Make them as little or as big as you want. Win98 is the only OS bound by the 1024 cylinder issue. So it needs to be installed first and on the first partition.

Rain