need advice setting up dual boot (98SE and WinXP)

[flexy]

hi,

i want to try out WinXP and want to set up a dual boot system which allows me to choose in which OS to boot (98SE or XP). I dont want to lose my already existing 98SE installation but want to try XP.

Does anyone have recommendations what programs to use or tips in general how i could do that ?

Currently i have 3 partitions C,D,E (3 gig system, 20g data, 15g data)...i guess i would have to use PartitioMnagic to re-partition my system, too ?

Whaw progs can i use for the dual boot then once i have my HD partitioned ?

thanks !

 

[Duvie]

I just did this last week so I have a bit of knowledge under my belt...works like a charm...

1) You need to have win98se installed first, so you are at an advantage there...winxp needs the boot record or something to help it set up the multi-booting procedire...

2) You need to have partitioned primary drive which you already have....

3) I would just put winxp on the d: or the e: drive....


just install winxp disk in cd drive...let it boot it should if in correct partition format find all 3 of the seperate volumes...then you can format the drive with NTFS during that time if you wish, just remember when you boot to win98se that drive will become invisible to you. If it left in fat32 your win98se will see it...NTFS will ofcourse work fine with all fat 32 drives so it will see them all (ie C:,D:, and E

Install winxp and let it run its course throughout...I believe by default it will set winxp...regardless go into control panel...system...advanced...then startup and recovery...At top it will have a pulkl down menu to set default OS...It will also setup time to make decision during computer startup....


Remember both systems need their own drivers setup and programs to be run in both systems need to be installed in both...

 

[flexy]

thank you for your help !!!


so if i got this right...XP already has the feature so i can select in which OS to boot at startup ?

Some questions, tho...

* Does it matter whether i install NTFS or keep with FAT32 ? What advantage does NTFS have with "home/desktop" use on my PC ? I dont plan to use it as a server..whatever....
Is NTFS faster or more robust ?

* I think i WILL create an extra Partition, i always like the idea of having own partitions for the system....for backups, whatever.
I am totally fine with my 3Gigs for 98SE...but how big should a partition be for WinXP ? Any idea ?

* Is it possible to copy the whole XP-CD contents to my HD and install XP from there ? Or does it need the CD physically present ? (I have my 98SE CD on HD....its faster than my ancient 8x CDrom and more convenient)

Thanks !!!!

 

[mee987]

1. You can use either ntfs or fat32, winxp can work on both. Read this FAQ for info on the advantages NTFS can offer.

2. If you like 3GB for win98se, you will want more for XP. A clean install of winxp pro takes up something like 1.1GB (including program files).

3. I think you have to install from CD since you dont initiate the install from DOS like you used to.... you have to either boot from CD or boot from floppies that go directly into the setup process from CD. There is no way to choose where to install from, whatever you do it always looks for a CD.

 

[NzAnE2K]

You can just copy the cd into the hard drive and install it from there. I also have a win98 winxp dual boot. I installed winxp when i was in win98.

 

[flexy]

<< 1. You can use either ntfs or fat32, winxp can work on both. Read this FAQ for info on the advantages NTFS can offer.

2. If you like 3GB for win98se, you will want more for XP. A clean install of winxp pro takes up something like 1.1GB (including program files).

3. I think you have to install from CD since you dont initiate the install from DOS like you used to.... you have to either boot from CD or boot from floppies that go directly into the setup process from CD. There is no way to choose where to install from, whatever you do it always looks for a CD. >>



nice FAQ...thank you !

I'd say....no way that i install NTFS on my home machine. We have enough NT servers at work...and i am dealing daily with "nice" stuff like permission problems whatsoever....... i dont think there's ONE reason why i should use NTFS on my PC at home
Different story for servers of course

I'd probably create a 5gig partition for XP ...should be ok actually...

 

[rpc64]

How do you have to set the partitions in Partition Magic in order for dual boot to work? For example, I have 2 partitions. The first one is Win98 and it is primary and active. How should I set the 2nd(WinXP) partition? Partition Magic says you can't have 2 visible primary partitions, but each OS must be on a primary partition. Will XP work on a logical partition?

 

[flexy]

<< How do you have to set the partitions in Partition Magic in order for dual boot to work? For example, I have 2 partitions. The first one is Win98 and it is primary and active. How should I set the 2nd(WinXP) partition? Partition Magic says you can't have 2 visible primary partitions, but each OS must be on a primary partition. Will XP work on a logical partition? >>



right now i put XP on D:, which is an extended/logical partition. Only my 98/SE C: partition is active (the partition it (initially) boots into) and then you can choose which OS to boot from the boot manager.

I think XP can go on every partition.

 

[Bartokomus]

I run NTFS, and the performance hit it takes is ok by me for the stability it grants

 

[JellyBaby]

For dual booting Win 9x and XP I would stick with FAT32 until such time as you're use Win XP 100% of the time. Then convert over to NTFS. Win 9x can't see NTFS partitions after all.

 

[rpc64]

Cool. I put XP on a logical partition and everything is working fine.