Dual
booting Windows 9x/ME with Windows NT/2000/XP
When
setting up a dual boot system with Windows 9x & NT,
it is always preferable to have 9x installed first, however
you can still do it if you have NT installed first.
First
you'll need at least 2 partitions on your Hard Disk, 1
for 9x the other for NT. I recommend that you create 3
partitions, leaving the third available to store all of
your programs & documents on. To create the partitions
use FDISK, which can be found on a Windows start-up disk
or on the Windows CD-Rom. Note: If you are planning to
install Windows NT 4 or below, you must not make the partitions
on your hard disk FAT32, so choose no when asked to enable
large disk support.
Install
Windows 9x onto the first partition (primary). Once this
has been set-up and configured, install Windows NT to
the second partition. You will be asked if you want to
convert to NTFS. Personally I would say no to this, however
it is entirely up to you. Note: Windows 9x cannot see
NTFS partitions, so any partitions you make NTFS cannot
be used by Windows 9x.
After
you have installed Windows NT you should notice a boot
menu with Windows NT & Windows 9x listed (note the
actual wording displayed can be changed by editing the
boot.ini file in Notepad. The file can be found in C:\)
Installing
Windows 9x/ME after Windows NT/2000/XP
If
you already have the partitions created then just go ahead
and install Windows 9x to the second partition. If you
don't already have the partitions created I recommend
a program called Partition Magic.
You'll then need to edit the C:\boot.ini file in Notepad
(doesn't matter what OS you are in, when you edit this
file)
Open
the boot.ini file and add the following line to the bottom
(if it isn't already there):
C:\="Microsoft Windows 9x"
Next change the timeout to whatever you wish, this controls
how long you will get to make a choice of which OS to
boot at start up.
If
after editing the boot.ini file, you cannot get into NT,
only 9x, then do the following:
Boot
up your system with the NT setup floppies or from the
NT CD-Rom. Note: For NT 4 you'll need to create the setup
floppies.
When
you get to the NT setup go to the Recovery console and
type fixboot, then press enter. Reboot and you should
be able to choose between NT & 9x.
Dual
Booting Windows NT/2000/XP with Windows NT/2000/XP
The
preferable way to do this would be to install the oldest
NT OS first eg. NT then 2000 then XP.
Just install the 2 NT OS to separate partitions, the dual
boot menu will be automatically created.
If
however you want to install, for example, 2000 after XP,
then just go ahead and install 2000 onto its own partition,
then you'll need to boot your system with the XP setup
floppies or the XP CD-ROM. Go into Recovery console*
and type fixboot, then press enter. Reboot and both XP
& 2000 should now work.
*If
it is NT 4 that you are installing after 2000/XP you'll
need to install
the latest Service Pack before performing the recovery
console part.
Dual
Booting Windows 9x/ME with Windows 9x/ME
For
this task I recommend you use Partition Magic & Boot
Magic.
Note: do not install Boot Magic just yet.
You'll
need to create a new partition with Partition Magic, for
the second Windows 9x OS, set this partition Active.
Reboot
with a Windows start up disk and/or Windows CD-Rom. Install
Windows 9x to the new partition, which should be C:
Once
you have installed Windows 9x, install Bootmagic and reboot.
Dual
Booting Windows (any) with Linux
You'll
need to create at least 2 partitions for Linux, one for
the OS & programs etc. (Linux Native) and one for
the Linux Swap space. I usually make the Linux swap partition
around 200-300mb.
Install
Linux. When asked to install the Linux boot manager (probably
Lilo or Grub) install this to the Linux Native / (root).
Then reboot into Windows and install Boot Magic, it is
much easier to use & less hassle to configure.
Thanks
to David Williams for this FAQ.
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