Multi OS on 1 HDD

[Genxcop]

I want win98se, win2k, winme, winxp on the one hdd.
How should i paritition my drives? How many drives do i need? How do i only install a program in one place and use it in all OSs?
WHat is the process? (which do i install first and what next?)
Thanks in advance

[plenderj]

Windows ME will not bode well with XP and 2K.
Though if you really want to do it... well this is how I'd do it.

Install Win98, ME and 2K onto a partition (2K if you don't want to use NTFS). Then install XP onto a new partition or the same one (again if you're not going to use NTFS).

It's gonna be messy, especially with the bootloader stuff.
Our training workstations in here have Windows 98SE, WinNT Workstation and WinNT Server on them...

[Gaffer]

...and get partition Magic...

[Armatendo]

ahh, Gaffer u beat me to it.

I want win98se, win2k, winme, winxp on the one hdd

Haha, how come you want all of them on there?

[alex_read]

That's quite a few questions

I want win98se, win2k, winme, winxp on the one hdd.

• win98se
• winme
• win2k
• winxp

is the right way to do it. You don't need Partition Magic and yes they'll fit onto 1 drive (I've got 6 OS on mine at the moment )

You'll need a win98 boot disk if you can get hold of one (can even download them from the net). Boot into a command prompt & type Fdisk to split your drive into different partitions. Format them & start the installs! (BTW- I'd avoid ME )

As Jamie put, if you want to access the other partitions, keep all the installs on FAT partitions (2000 & xp etc will ask if you want NTFS - choose no or you won't see these drives from 98 & ME)!!!!

[Gaffer]

ah Armatendo, beat me to it

If you DO want to persists with loads of OS's on you drive, I seem to remember that the order that you put them on seems to make things easier... why not try searching on dual-boot on Google?

[Gaffer]

Originally posted by alex_read
You don't need Partition Magic

Nope, but it is a great proram that makes partitioning relatively easy.
And as he is asking questions like "How should I partition my drive" and "how many drives do I need", then we can assuem that he is not too exprienced with partitioning...

[alex_read]

Trust me - the above is the correct order as I fuc... erm, had problems in the past with this & have done it a million times.

[Gaffer]

Originally posted by alex_read
Trust me - the above is the correct order as I fuc... erm, had problems in the past with this & have done it a million times.

LOL! Yeah, mee too. I tried to dualboot 98 on top of 2000, and got into an ALMIGHTY mess...gave up in the end.

[alex_read]

NT & 2000 omegod - recipie for disaster that one & took me about 3 days at work
hmmm, maybe I should start learning linux ...

[plenderj]

heh i guessed the right order. wooo

[alex_read]

I'mma gaining on your post count there Jay, you noticed that one?
I reckon I'll give it a few more days & we'll be equal again !

[plenderj]

pfft. get real. you'll never defeat me !
the forces of good with always defeat the forces of evil.
i am your father.

... and other such sayings ...

[abdul]

How would you be able to resize those partitions using fidsk???
I usually use the partitioning program that comes with Linux Mandrake 8.0. It is working pretty well for me so far. I have also tried Partition Magic 5 or 6, but it does not partition my hard drive correctly and gives me some errors.

[alex_read]

How would you be able to resize those partitions using fidsk???

you won't be able to after it's done, but this is an initial install so he doesn't need to keep his data & can wipe the drive.
I just couldn't manage to get my copy of Mandrake to load so left it in the end - is it any good ?

[abdul]

Linux Mandrake itself? Yes, it 's pretty stable version of Linux. It almost detects and install everything that it finds attached to my system. Nothing wrong except the Internet access. Somehow I can't get it working.