Would this work???? (Multiple HD/OS setup)

[Abos]

Hard drive 1 already has Windows XP Home installed.
I take hard drive 1 out and replace it with hard drive 2.
I install another operating system (Linux, BSD, Solaris, whatever) on hard drive 2.
I take hard drive 2 out, put hard drive 1 back into its original master spot, and hook hard drive 2 up as slave.
Computer boots into hard drive 1, unless I access BIOS on startup and switch the settings.


Two questions:

1) Will this work?
2) Will the second hard drive be visible when I'm booted into Windows (and vice versa)?


Thanks.

 

[EeyoreX]

I am having a little bit of a hard time following the order here. I am a lil old, and it's late 😉 In any event, why not just use some dual-boot solution? Either the free menu that comes with Windows XP or many (all?) Linux distros or a third party application like Boot Magic or the like? Seems easier than swapping hard drives a bunch of times.

\Dan

 

[Kadarin]

Why would you need to swap the drives to do this? Just install your second OS on the other drive.

 

[Abos]

I wouldn't be swapping the hard drives. I'd sorta be using the BIOS as a boot menu.

 

[MDE]

Yes it'll work, in fact I've done it while experimenting with Linux.
As long as the file systems are compatible, there shouldn't be a problem.

 

[Abos]

Originally posted by: MDE

As long as the file systems are compatible, there shouldn't be a problem.

So if I'm using Windows (with NTFS), will I be able to see the other hard drive (assuming it has Linux on it with ext2 file system)?

 

[MDE]

Originally posted by: Abos

Originally posted by: MDE

As long as the file systems are compatible, there shouldn't be a problem.

Not sure what you mean by this.

If Windows can read a Linux partion (doubtful, almost a zero chance) and if your alternative OS can read an NTFS partition, it'll work both ways. Some Linux distros can read an NTFS partition, but not write so YMMV there. If you can, I'd use a CD-RW (or DVD+\-RW) to shuttle files in between each, or a networked PC.

 

[Abos]

Oh, I get it.


Thanks for the replies.

 

[EeyoreX]

Or a small-ish (but large enough) FAT32 partition that both OSes can read.

\Dan