Installing windows is pretty easy if you know what you are doing, but it can be a complete mess if you are still learning. Dual booting can have advantages if you have a game that support one platform or you want to learn to use a different operating system. You can install windows NT(Windows 2000 and Windows XP) as part of a dual boat or multi-boot combination, with windows 9x. It is also possible to run any Microsoft Operating system with Linux. The Requirements for setting up dual-boot system are relatively minimal compared to a single boat. The biggest disadvantage of dual boot is Disk space, and depending on whether you will be dual booting windows 9x with windows NT or Microsoft operating system with Linux, you my have to install a second hard drive or partition the one you are currently using. There are softwares available that you can use if you want to partition your hard drive. The good one is partition magic; it allows you to create a second partition without losing your data. It is possible to install windows 9x and Windows NT on one partition but in different folders, I wouldnt recommend it to anyone who is still learning dual booting. Choosing the right file system for your Windows NT can be advantages to users of windows 9x as this will allow them access to windows NT partition. Windows NT support both Fat32 and NTFS while windows 9x only support Fat32. Which means 9x cant read NTFS partitions, so it is recommended to choose the correct file system carefully, and put under consideration the file system you want to use. When you are ready to install your operating system, it is very important to start with windows 9x then Windows NT. Your primary partition must be formatted with Fat32. If youre dual boot is a combination of Microsoft OS and Linux, then I will recommend you start with Microsoft OS, but make sure you have a second partition as Linux is going to create its own file systems and partitions. Prior to your installation make sure you do backup of your Data for incase something goes wrong. Start windows 98 installation from windows boot CD then follow the instruction on the screen, once installation is complete, insert windows NT or Linux CD and follow instruction on the screen, dont forget to select a different partition, this partition will be D: or F: depending on how many drives you have. You will have to install your software applications on both sides. It is pretty easy to dual boot your operating systems, although I personally dont recommend it, as now days we have virtual pcs that can be used, and you dont have to reboot your pc in order to access the other operating system. The good virtual machine is Microsoft Virtual PC. |
