Hi.

I've started playing some of my old PC games again such as Discworld 2, Wing Commander 4 etc.. But I'm finding that they don't work under Windows XP with SP2 installed.

Would it be possible therefore, for me to run a dual boot system whereby I could run Windows 98 as an alternate OS for when I want to play older software?

Any helpful responses will be appreciated?

If you use some external software like bootmagic this should be a doddle.

I had an old system that had 98se, 2000 & XP installed.

Just remember for dual boot you ideally need to partition drive 3 ways
1 for each operating system and a common data drive for access from either OS.

Hope this makes sense and helps

:thumbsup:

Yes. Reformat your hard drive using the Windows 98 FDISK utility and create (at least 2) partitions on your primary hard drive. Make sure the primary partition is FAT32 and then install Windows 98 on to it. This will be your C drive. Then install Windows XP on to the secondary partition, which can be either FAT32 or NTFS (recommended). The system will then give you the option of OS each time you reboot. You can set the default and the amount of time it waits for you to choose within XP.

Adding the 3rd partition will enable data to be exchanged as you will not be able to see both the OS partitions at the same time.

I.E i had my email folder on the 3rd partition so no matter which OS i was using i had a common email folder.

Much easier to set up from the outset.

Originally posted by t020
Yes. Reformat your hard drive using the Windows 98 FDISK utility and create (at least 2) partitions on your primary hard drive. Make sure the primary partition is FAT32 and then install Windows 98 on to it. This will be your C drive. Then install Windows XP on to the secondary partition, which can be either FAT32 or NTFS (recommended). The system will then give you the option of OS each time you reboot. You can set the default and the amount of time it waits for you to choose within XP.

I wouldn't use FAT32.

I just went upstairs to dig out last year's folder on instructions on how to use FDISK, but you lot have answered it.

Note: partitions will appear as a new letter.

'C' being 98 and 'D' being 2k or whatever it was.

Originally posted by kentboy119
I wouldn't use FAT32.



You wouldnt have much choice, last time I used it win98 didnt support NTFS.

Originally posted by slh73
You wouldnt have much choice, last time I used it win98 didnt support NTFS.

I was on about XP...

["install Windows XP on to the secondary partition, which can be either FAT32 or NTFS (recommended)."]

But XP doesn't support FAT32, does it?

Originally posted by NUCAD
Adding the 3rd partition will enable data to be exchanged as you will not be able to see both the OS partitions at the same time.

I.E i had my email folder on the 3rd partition so no matter which OS i was using i had a common email folder.

Much easier to set up from the outset.



Yes, but also that 3rd partition should be FAT32 if used as a "middle man" between the other 2 partitions, assuming XP is installed on NTFS. This is because from operating within a FAT32 partition (ie. in Win 98 ), NTFS partitions aren't visible.

Originally posted by kentboy119

But XP doesn't support FAT32, does it?


Yes, albeit slightly less efficiently.

Have you tried compatibility mode under XP? Worth a try?

Very easy to do a dual boot without too much fuss. Simply buy an additional HD and install 98 on it.
When you want to boot 98, change the bootable drive in the bios to the relevant drive.

You could always run Virtual PC in XP. I do that for old games I can't get running with VDMS.

Originally posted by t020
Yes, albeit slightly less efficiently.

I checked in my notes in my section marked 'operating systems' Win 2000 & XP, I found that Windows 2000 and Windows XP are supported by the File Allocation Table (32), NTFS is more beneficial and a much more preferred option to base the OS upon.

*hands t20 my distinction grade paper in OS'*

;)