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Windows 98 and XP dual booting and Activation questions

F

firestorm225

Senior member
1) I plan to format my computer soon. How do I go about dual booting? If I install Windows 98 first, can I just put in XP and it will auto install as a second OS?

2) How does activation work when switching a computer? Say I put it on one computer, register it, then I want to put it on another computer. Do I have to unregister first? Or do I have to put the disc in the other computer, and when I install it it will unregister my first one automatically?

Thanks.
 
1.) Yes, install any Win9x OSes first because they mess with the FAT tables and stuff. Then when you install XP it'll recognize the Win9x installation and do the dual boot (atleast that's how NT worked).

2.) I'm curious about this too. I don't think once a computer is activated, it ever talks to Microsoft again. So I don't understand why people can't just install on multiple systems claiming they're just upgrading one system.
 
I would run FDISK or a program like Partition Magic, Create multi-partitions on your HDD, Then load WIN 98. After it is installed load XP and direct it to load on the other partition, BADA BING your done.
 
I don't believe you can deactivate XP. To move it to another system you must call M$ and get permission. Or buy another license.
 
So you basically have to call them saying you want to deactivate it on your system, and then you can install it on another one?
 
Well when you use your product ID on that new rig and then try to activiate, I think a message comes back saying the ID is already in use. So you have to call and explain the situation to your kindly MS IP cop and hope they award you a new activation.
 
Ok, a few more questions. I have a few game demos that I don't want to download again. Lets say I use Partition Magic. Can I make a partition, put the game demos on, then erase my operating system, then install it again, will my files be still there? Basically, can the files still exist on a partition if theres no operating system on the hard drive?


Also, after a while I know that computers gain a lot of crap in the registry and stuff. Now if I have a dual boot and use Windows XP most o the time, will windows 98 also gain all that registry junk and spyware? Does it matter if its on the same drive or a different one? Or do I have to reinstall both when it comes time to reinstall?

Thanks.

 
Yep, files can exist on any partition without Windows needing to be installed on that partition. I dual boot 98 and XP. My 98 partition is 2 GB, the XP one is 6 GB. The third partition holds data and proggies. When I reinstall I'll just scrap the OS partitions and begin anew.

Spyware and registry garbage only accumulates through program installation and usage. So if you use XP 95% of the time only it will degrade over time. Being careful of what you install and setting your browser preferences to be more secure almost guarantees you won't have any trouble in that dept.
 
Ok, I just want to make sure because Im going to format soon:

I make a 5gb partition and put some files there, then completely erase my operating system, and then install it again, those files in the 5gb partition will still be there, right?Ok, Im going to format soon and I just want to make sure: if I make a 5gb partition and put some files there, then completely erase my operating system, and then install it again, those files in the 5gb partition will still be there, right? If there is no Windows at all on the hard drive, those files will still survive?
 
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