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Quick (and probably silly) question: Multi-boot Win98SE/ME & Win2000?

A

aa_koch

Senior member
I would like to install Windows 98SE/Millennium Edition (still undecided which version to use) and Windows 2000 on the same computer/hard-drive. Because I've never used Windows 2000 before, there are a few questions I'd like to see answered before I attempt a dual-boot installation:

1. Is it possible to install application software/games for each of these on the same partition? Or is it necessary to create (at least) two seperate partitions for each OS and the software that it will run? Or does the different file system require a fully compatible HD/partition (FAT32 only, or NTFS only)? Also, if I can assign a single partition for W98SE/ME and W2000 software, do I still need two installations of each programme? Or will I need to install a copy under W98SE/ME and one under W2000? (This of course only applies if I can use a single large partition for the software that I install for each OS.)

2. Partition Magic also includes a Boot Management programme, which is why I am interested in buying it. Should I use this if available, or do you suggest an alternative method (or programme) that works better?

Should I have forgot to mention information that is required to make a wise decision, let me know and I'll update this post.
 
First install Win 98/ME. And then, run the setup for Win2K while in Win98/ME. You will not need a boot management program since Win2K will take care of it.

Also, about installing the apps, you must install it twice, once from Win98/Me and then from Win2K (not necessary in that order) if you want both of them to be able to use it. You can choose the same destination for both installs so you won't be wasting any disk space.
 
Wow -- that was fast. 🙂

So you're saying that Windows 2000 will create a boot menu, allowing me to choose between Windows 98SE/ME and Windows 2000?

Damn... I didn't know it was that simple. 😉

Thanks!
 
Yeap.. as long as Win2K is installed second, it handles everything. And the boot menu will be able to be configured within Win2K... Like setting the default OS and the time limit to make a choice. Good luck.

And since I don't do work at work, I lurk around these forums and the web all day long. 🙂

By the way, I've only done this with 2 separate partitions, but I hear that it's no problem if you use the same partition as long as you use different directories. Also, if you DO partition the drives and you choose NTFS for the Win2K partition, you will not be able to read any of its contents while you're running Win98/ME.
 
You can use the same partition for both, but since it sounds like you have a fresh drive do yourself a favor and create a separate partition for 98 and 2k. I'd suggest using ntfs for the 2k partition - you won't be able to access it from 98, but 2k seems more stable on ntfs.
 
Yeah, I've got an IBM Deskstar 30.7GB (ATA/100 & 7,200RPM) that I use. I re-format my HD once every two months or so, and soon I'll be making a couple of changes to my configuration again because I'll be upgrading to ADSL. I think that would be the perfect time to format and partition again... 🙂

Now one more thingy came to mind... I've also got a 10.2GB drive (Western Digital, also an ATA/100 & 7,200RPM unit), which I was planning to install in an older system. Now, because I don't have a second monitor and will probably have to upgrade a few items to make it worth my while (and I don't have the money for it at the moment), I may decide to use it instead in my current PC. Would it make sense to use one drive for each OS (W98SE/ME on the 30.7GB, W2000 on the 10.2GB), or would you still suggest that even then I partition the 30.7GB drive? I am not too worried about cluster size and stuff (I'll "never" use the 30.7GB, because I don't do MP3s or video editing, and there aren't that many programmes I use), but will it improve the overall system speed if I partition, anyway?

I promise this will be my last question... for today. 🙂
 
I don't think it'll make a difference which physical hard drive you install Windows on since you'll only be running one of them at a time. However, if you put the 2 hard drive on separate IDE channels, you'll get a performance boost by splitting the Swap File on to 2 separate drives in Win2K. Kind of like RAID 0...

Also, once you install the bare OS, why don't you make an image of it so you don't have to go through the process of re-installing Windows? With my image file I created with Norton Ghost, it takes me 6 minutes to return to a fresh install of windows.
 
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