Dual boot

PuterTutor

New Member
Installing most versions of Linux will also install some kind of bootloader, either Grub or Lilo usually. They will automatically set up a boot menu that lets you boot to Linux or Windows then. Also if you have Windows 98 installed, installing 2k or xp will install a bootloader to let you choose between them. What are you trying to do here?
 

Noite Escura

The unpredictable
I have Win2k and wnat to add 98SE. When I installed 2000 it asked if I wanted to make a multiple boot accessment, I said no :buttwall: I just didn't want to reinstall Win2k again...
 

PuterTutor

New Member
mmmm..... That's tougher. Win 98 won't install the bootloader, so if you install 98 after 2k, 2k just goes away, rather, it still takes up the space, but won't give you an option to boot to it. The best way to do it, IMO, is to reformat the hard drive, put two partitions on it, install 98, then install 2k on the different partition. I know, you don't want to just reformat, but that really is the best way to go, especially about putting them on different partitions, you don't want them sharing one.
 

Noite Escura

The unpredictable
I already have two partitions, I was told now that I need a bootload manager program, but I can't find a free one available...
 

PuterTutor

New Member
Only one I've found that's halfway worth it is BootMagic, aside from Grub and Lilo that is, but not too sure about setting them up without Linux. Hang tight on buying anything though, I'll check on something when I get home tonight, may have something for you.
 

Dimurgeon

No artifical fillers added.
Acronis OS Selector is a good option... I've had a great deal of success with it at my old job getting my laptop to dual boot. It installs its own boot loader, allows for quick reconfiguration for later OS installs, and allows for dynamic disk allocation. It's not freeware and the eval version is crippled, but it was definately worth it for me.
 

Fuser Man

blah, blah, blah
if you start fresh, load 98 then 2k. 2k will ask if you want keep the old OS.

I've got both with no extra software needed. When you boot up it asks which one you want to go to.
 

catocom

Machinehead
you may be able to fix it with the win2k install disk,
with a restore, or something. I know xp has a fix option,
but I haven't tried it with 2k. :eh:
 

catocom

Machinehead
Huge said:
Win2k has a repair option as well Cat.

I was kinda thinking it did.

Noite, it won't fix the boot though???
(you need to try to find and delete the "SAM" file to clear the passwords.)
 

Noite Escura

The unpredictable
The boot is OK. It prompts for what OS I want to lauch: 98 or 2K. I think the Win2k boot manager set up things accordingly. Last time I installed it it asked me if I would like to install a multiple boot in this comp and I asked No. Well, 2k crashed last week and I had to reinstall from scratch(forgotten admin password, couldn't repair previous install) but I'm 100% sure it didn't ask for the multiple OS thing this time. I guess it just assumed I wanted it :shrug:
 

Noite Escura

The unpredictable
PuterTutor said:
I know, you don't want to just reformat, but that really is the best way to go, especially about putting them on different partitions, you don't want them sharing one.
I'm wondering now, what's the trouble in having both on the same partition?
 

Noite Escura

The unpredictable
Ah, that is. But is it that much of an advantage if I install it on NTFS and keep all the data on the FAT32 partition?
 

PuterTutor

New Member
The problem I've had is that you have two windows folders, two system folders, but most of all, one Program files folder, in which programs from both win2k and win98 will install software. Try to install software in both without changing folders and you will be trashing one of the installations. It's not impossible, you just have to be very careful with it.
 
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