Making Multi-Operating-Systems work

Wai_Wai · 12-12-2004, 06:11 PM

Making Multi-Operating-Systems work

I'm a newbie to this sort of ideas.
I would like to setup 2 windows:
- Wins XP Pro (SP1)
- "Wins 98" or "Wins XP Pro (SP1)" again

Purpose of second operating system:
Common purpose:
- I use it to test software, drivers, updates and so on. So even if they crashes my system, I can simply reformat them and start over it again.

Wins 98:
- I might wish to install it because I can play old games
- but you know, Wins 98 is faulty. And the security issues worries me

Wins XP Pro (SP1):
- Just wonder if it's possible - to install the same operating system twice
- It is safer than Wins 98.

Questions:
- Just would like to know more why people set up more than 1 operating system(OS).
- is it possible to get this done:
- 2 OS share the same programs (so the program needed to be installed once)
- but at the same time, 2 OS can install their own programs
- the same questions (ie possibility of sharing some, and not sharing some) are asked for the following files:
... - system settings (eg mouse, keyboard, display)
... - internet settings
... - personal data (eg my documents, pictures etc.)

Thanks a lot.

*SRTDodge05* · 12-12-2004, 06:32 PM

you can do that. if you do 98 and xp both have to be fat32, load 98 then load xp. it will give you a screen for what OS you want to use.

borodar · 12-12-2004, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wai_Wai

Making Multi-Operating-Systems work

is it possible to get this done:
- 2 OS share the same programs (so the program needed to be installed once)
- but at the same time, 2 OS can install their own programs
- the same questions (ie possibility of sharing some, and not sharing some) are asked for the following files:
... - system settings (eg mouse, keyboard, display)
... - internet settings
... - personal data (eg my documents, pictures etc.)

no, each os has its own registry that keeps data on all those things. Cant share registry = cant do any of the things u've listed

wallijonn · 12-12-2004, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wai Wai

Would like to know why people set up more than 1 operating system(OS)

I run W98SE, W2KP, WXPP and Ubuntu on caddies. W98SE and Ubuntu is dual booted. WXPP gets the least amount of use. My W98SE is set up strictly for gaming; I tend to load & play one game at a time on it. W2KP is mostly my "work" OS as I will use it for the more serious stuff. Ubuntu is almost strictly used for surfing the 'net; Firefox looks best on it (way better than WXPP or W2KP). WXPP usually has the latest and greatest and gets all the backups from all my other OSes. It has plenty of games on it but since I am old school I tend to turn off as many apps, utilities and services before gaming on it as I possibly can, going so far as removing the NIC cable when playing. I don't do online gaming. W98SE has no internet connection and no extras - it is minimal (no Windows Media Player, no Office apps, no email, no themes, no screensavers, no phto editors, Windows apps. stripped down to nothing, no IE updates, no anti virus, no security updates, etc. The only thing "extra" is DX9. It's lean and mean.).

My other PC is W2KP and is used strictly for surfing and playing games with max security.

I like caddies because they are more convienent. I can't see quad booting a 300GB HD. I'd rather have two 120s (W2KP, WXP) and a 30GB (W98SE, Ubuntu). My other WXPP is a 40GB. I used to have a 40GB just for Linux distros. Now that I have Ubuntu my days of trying every Linux distro is over.

Wai_Wai · 12-13-2004, 08:39 AM

Then here comes some more technical information

Is it possible to install 2 equal OS (ie WinXP and WinXP)?
Is there any more informat/websites etc. which teach about using multi-OS?
How to make programs/file sharing work?
How to NOT make programs/file sharing work?

Wai_Wai · 12-13-2004, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by borodar

no, each os has its own registry that keeps data on all those things. Cant share registry = cant do any of the things u've listed

So what can I do, what I can't?
I think I can share files, right?
But how about:
- programs
- settings

(PS: Anyway it seems not to me)

rjs735 · 12-13-2004, 11:01 AM

Even with the isolation that has to be, there is a potential for corruption of data on your hd.

No you can't share programs - because seperate registry one registry doesn't know about the other .

You may be able to share data but again there is a potential for corruption.

Settings are in the registry or in ini or cfg file in the repective windows folders and are not really conducieve for share.

Most people want a path of regression or for apps that don't have support for early migration and are glad to pay the overhead of maintaining 2 seperate OS. Just the facts.

Wai_Wai · 12-13-2004, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rjs735

Even with the isolation that has to be, there is a potential for corruption of data on your hd.

No you can't share programs - because seperate registry one registry doesn't know about the other .

You may be able to share data but again there is a potential for corruption.

Settings are in the registry or in ini or cfg file in the repective windows folders and are not really conducieve for share.

Most people want a path of regression or for apps that don't have support for early migration and are glad to pay the overhead of maintaining 2 seperate OS. Just the facts.

Sorry, what is path of regression?

Lucas_Maximus · 12-13-2004, 11:10 AM

For booting two different versions of windows, say 98/ME and 2000/XP.

You must have two different partitions, a C: and D: and they must be primary partitions.

install windows 98/Me First on the first partition and then install windows 2000/XP on the second partition.

In post 7 what rjs735 is saying is that windows 98 and Me still support DOS stuff and apps that will only work on a 9x kernel, windows 2000 and XP do not support this fully.

Wai_Wai · 12-13-2004, 01:25 PM

Lucas_Maximus:

Although Wins XP provides a complatibility mode, I just find it absolutely useless. Whenver I can't run some old programs/games in Wins XP and try this mode, it never works. Really suspect of its ability.

The best way again is to install the old Windows. It's a fact of life.

borodar · 12-13-2004, 01:30 PM

U can share files.

u CAN NOT share programs nor settings.

wallijonn · 12-13-2004, 01:39 PM

Wai Wai,

I would probably install WXPH and all the apps to a separate partition. I would then boot from a DOS floppy and reset the Active bit. I would then install WXPP and re-install all the same apps. to the apps. partition. You may not be able to ever change certain app. specific settings like normal.dot, the dictionary, etc. without causing a problem on the other OS. You would also need a separate partition just for data (documents, slides, spread sheets, presentations, pictures, etc). The apps. partition would have to be formatted in FAT32 if you are using W9x and WXP.

It would be easier if you had two disk drives, though. You would install WXP(1) and the app. partition on a smaller disk then mirror it to the same partiton size on a larger disk. But you wouldn't mirror it until after you installed W9x on the larger disk (without installing the apps. to the apps. partition).

It may work. But you'll have a few hurdles, to wit, when you first build the first WXP OS you'll need to have the W9x partition created, otherwise the drive letters will not match up when you mirror the drive. You could make this partition for data. It'll be physical "C:" and the WXP will be on physical "D:". When any OS boots up the boot partition becomes logical "C:". The other partition will be seen as logical "D:" or logical "E:". You'll have to go in and change the drive letters later, accordingly.

After the mirror you would then use logical "F:" for your data on the dual boot but you'd blow away the W9x partition on the second drive (the first one you built), rename the partition tag to "data" and assign "F:" to it.

.

Lucas_Maximus · 12-13-2004, 06:22 PM

you can't install XP first anyways because windwos 98/Me will kill the windows XP bootloader. which is always installed on the first 512kb of the hardisk.

windows XP will find windows 98/Me and set Windows XP paritions drive letter to D:\. if you install windows me/98 first.

Also a far simpler way of installing the apps, is that you only installl the apps into windows 98/Me that will not work in windows XP, and install everything else into XP.

Mark_Venture · 12-13-2004, 06:41 PM

How about this...

Use something like XOSL as a boot manager. (freeware formerly from www.xosl.org now at... http://www2.arnes.si/~fkomar/xosl.org/)

Use something like Partition Magic to partition your drive as....
7Meg for XOSL
20gig Primary for Win98.
20gig Primary for WinXP.
Remaining free space as Extended partitions containing logical drives for data as Fat32. (fat32 can be seen by both XP and Win98.).

Each OS will be installed on its own "C" drive (if you use the right install process, which ever you choose from XOSL's menu becomes the C drive, the other becomes another drive letter).

You can redirect My Docs & favorites to the "data partition" so that can be shared.

If one OS crashes, the other still runs.

BUT since each OS is completely independant, you have to install the apps you want on each OS you want them available. SO that means installing some apps twice (once under XP, then again under 98).

That is how I have my system setup except I am running two copies of XP. One for real, every day stuff, the other as a TEST os to try stuff on.

Lucas_Maximus · 12-13-2004, 10:28 PM

that just over complicating things, just so each OS has it own C: drive.

12-12-2004, 06:11 PM	#1
Wai_Wai Help people,help yourself Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 202	Making Multi-Operating-Systems work Making Multi-Operating-Systems work I'm a newbie to this sort of ideas. I would like to setup 2 windows: - Wins XP Pro (SP1) - "Wins 98" or "Wins XP Pro (SP1)" again Purpose of second operating system: Common purpose: - I use it to test software, drivers, updates and so on. So even if they crashes my system, I can simply reformat them and start over it again. Wins 98: - I might wish to install it because I can play old games - but you know, Wins 98 is faulty. And the security issues worries me Wins XP Pro (SP1): - Just wonder if it's possible - to install the same operating system twice - It is safer than Wins 98. Questions: - Just would like to know more why people set up more than 1 operating system(OS). - is it possible to get this done: - 2 OS share the same programs (so the program needed to be installed once) - but at the same time, 2 OS can install their own programs - the same questions (ie possibility of sharing some, and not sharing some) are asked for the following files: ... - system settings (eg mouse, keyboard, display) ... - internet settings ... - personal data (eg my documents, pictures etc.) Thanks a lot.
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12-12-2004, 06:32 PM	#2
SRTDodge05 Grab Life By The Balls Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Michigan Posts: 7,830	you can do that. if you do 98 and xp both have to be fat32, load 98 then load xp. it will give you a screen for what OS you want to use.
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12-13-2004, 08:39 AM	#5
Wai_Wai Help people,help yourself Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 202	Then here comes some more technical information Is it possible to install 2 equal OS (ie WinXP and WinXP)? Is there any more informat/websites etc. which teach about using multi-OS? How to make programs/file sharing work? How to NOT make programs/file sharing work? Last edited by Wai_Wai : 12-13-2004 at 11:04 AM.
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12-13-2004, 11:01 AM	#7
rjs735 Virus? What I am not sick Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Central Florida Posts: 1,825	Even with the isolation that has to be, there is a potential for corruption of data on your hd. No you can't share programs - because seperate registry one registry doesn't know about the other . You may be able to share data but again there is a potential for corruption. Settings are in the registry or in ini or cfg file in the repective windows folders and are not really conducieve for share. Most people want a path of regression or for apps that don't have support for early migration and are glad to pay the overhead of maintaining 2 seperate OS. Just the facts. __________________ Asus P4S8x 2.0 Ghz Celeron Ram 512MB WDC 80GB HD SATA WDC 80GB SATA Memorex DUAL DVD/RW Win98SE/XP pro Asus P2b-F Cel 450 Ram 256MB W98 SE Optorite CDRW WD 40GB Asrock P4combo P4 346 Xp Pro Sp 3 SATA HD SATA DVD/RW Foxconn 925EX 550 XP Media SP2 Sata HD Sata DVD/RW Foxconn 925EX 550 Xp SP2 Asrock 775Dual 550 Xp pro SP2 IBM T23 1.3hz RAM 512MB XP pro SP2 All systems are networked Konica Minolta Color Laser Samsung clp-315 Color laser Dlink 655 Dlink G650 Wireless
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12-13-2004, 11:10 AM	#9
Lucas_Maximus Self Terminated Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 3,311	For booting two different versions of windows, say 98/ME and 2000/XP. You must have two different partitions, a C: and D: and they must be primary partitions. install windows 98/Me First on the first partition and then install windows 2000/XP on the second partition. In post 7 what rjs735 is saying is that windows 98 and Me still support DOS stuff and apps that will only work on a 9x kernel, windows 2000 and XP do not support this fully.
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12-13-2004, 01:25 PM	#10
Wai_Wai Help people,help yourself Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 202	Lucas_Maximus: Although Wins XP provides a complatibility mode, I just find it absolutely useless. Whenver I can't run some old programs/games in Wins XP and try this mode, it never works. Really suspect of its ability. The best way again is to install the old Windows. It's a fact of life. Last edited by Wai_Wai : 12-13-2004 at 08:00 PM.
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12-13-2004, 01:30 PM	#11
borodar Resigned Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: CO, Denver Posts: 2,593	U can share files. u CAN NOT share programs nor settings. __________________ P4S8X , PSU , RAID , XP SP2
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12-13-2004, 01:39 PM	#12
wallijonn PHX Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Phoenix Posts: 2,569	Wai Wai, I would probably install WXPH and all the apps to a separate partition. I would then boot from a DOS floppy and reset the Active bit. I would then install WXPP and re-install all the same apps. to the apps. partition. You may not be able to ever change certain app. specific settings like normal.dot, the dictionary, etc. without causing a problem on the other OS. You would also need a separate partition just for data (documents, slides, spread sheets, presentations, pictures, etc). The apps. partition would have to be formatted in FAT32 if you are using W9x and WXP. It would be easier if you had two disk drives, though. You would install WXP(1) and the app. partition on a smaller disk then mirror it to the same partiton size on a larger disk. But you wouldn't mirror it until after you installed W9x on the larger disk (without installing the apps. to the apps. partition). It may work. But you'll have a few hurdles, to wit, when you first build the first WXP OS you'll need to have the W9x partition created, otherwise the drive letters will not match up when you mirror the drive. You could make this partition for data. It'll be physical "C:" and the WXP will be on physical "D:". When any OS boots up the boot partition becomes logical "C:". The other partition will be seen as logical "D:" or logical "E:". You'll have to go in and change the drive letters later, accordingly. After the mirror you would then use logical "F:" for your data on the dual boot but you'd blow away the W9x partition on the second drive (the first one you built), rename the partition tag to "data" and assign "F:" to it. . __________________ D875PBZLK, MAC G4-933 Last edited by wallijonn : 12-13-2004 at 01:48 PM.
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12-13-2004, 06:22 PM	#13
Lucas_Maximus Self Terminated Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 3,311	you can't install XP first anyways because windwos 98/Me will kill the windows XP bootloader. which is always installed on the first 512kb of the hardisk. windows XP will find windows 98/Me and set Windows XP paritions drive letter to D:\. if you install windows me/98 first. Also a far simpler way of installing the apps, is that you only installl the apps into windows 98/Me that will not work in windows XP, and install everything else into XP.
(Offline)

12-13-2004, 06:41 PM	#14
Mark_Venture Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Wilmington, DE, USA Posts: 330	How about this... Use something like XOSL as a boot manager. (freeware formerly from www.xosl.org now at... http://www2.arnes.si/~fkomar/xosl.org/) Use something like Partition Magic to partition your drive as.... 7Meg for XOSL 20gig Primary for Win98. 20gig Primary for WinXP. Remaining free space as Extended partitions containing logical drives for data as Fat32. (fat32 can be seen by both XP and Win98.). Each OS will be installed on its own "C" drive (if you use the right install process, which ever you choose from XOSL's menu becomes the C drive, the other becomes another drive letter). You can redirect My Docs & favorites to the "data partition" so that can be shared. If one OS crashes, the other still runs. BUT since each OS is completely independant, you have to install the apps you want on each OS you want them available. SO that means installing some apps twice (once under XP, then again under 98). That is how I have my system setup except I am running two copies of XP. One for real, every day stuff, the other as a TEST os to try stuff on. __________________ PrimaryPC: P4 3.2C \| Asus P4C800-E DLX \| 2x512Mb Kingston HyperX PC3500 DualChan/Perf Mode On \| InWin Q500a w/Antec TruePower 430 \| Gainward Ultra/750-8X GoldenSample (Geforce 4 ti4800se) \| Hauppauge WinTV Theater PCI \| Adaptec 2940U2W LVD pci scsi \| SBLive! Value \| FMI/Mitsumi 3.5 Internal Floppy Drive & 7-In-1 Media Reader (FA404M) \| 120 Gig Maxtor Ultra Series DM9 \| 300 Gig Maxtor Ultra Series DM10 \| Lite-On SOHD-167T DVDrom \| Lite-On SOHW-1693S DVD+/-RW \| Lite-On LTR52327S cdrw \| Fujitsu 3.5"R/W optical \| Seagate LVD 20/40 gig 4MM DDS-4 DAT tape drive Other Systems: Click HERE
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12-13-2004, 10:28 PM	#15
Lucas_Maximus Self Terminated Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 3,311	that just over complicating things, just so each OS has it own C: drive.
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