multiple OS

[gidyeo]

Hi there!

Actually i'm not having any trouble with my current OS. i'm just thinking of using/installing multiple OSs (Win98, WinME, Linux, etc) but wondering
1)how it is done or
2)could it be done?

Currently my PC's OS is Window's ME, and my PC is Compaq Presario 5000 series with 20GB hard-drive.

btw i notice that whenever the computer boot up, it seems that the WinME skips the MS-DOS mode and go straight into Windows (and the booting time is very fast as compared to my last OS - Win95).

Thanx! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif

(Apologise for my poor English http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/tongue.gif )

[Paleo Pete]

Computers can be configured to run multiple Operating Systems, but I don't think I would try it with a Compaq. To do it you have to repartition the drive and install the other OS on a different partition. To do this you would have to bypass the way the Compaq is originally set up and partitioned by the factory, and Compaq stores part of the BIOS on a separate partition on the hard drive. That means you'd probably wipe out that partition and lose part of the BIOS. I wouldn't risk it.

Windows skips the MS DOS mode because it is a stand alone operating system, and doesn't require DOS to be installed. A version of DOS is still basically there, DOS 7, but only the system files are loaded onto the hard drive instead of the full DOS installation. Therefore DOS doesn't load during boot. Just Windows.

------------------
If you had everything...Where would you put it?

Computer Information Links (http://www.geocities.com/paleopete/)

[dumarest]

There was [is still?] a product called DiskCommander that allowed multiple OS's and handled the boot so that you could pick and choose. I previously had a machine with DOS, WIN-NT, WIN-3.1, WIN-95, and Coherent Unix. I can't speak for that solution for a Compaq system though. Try a web search for 'DiskCommander'.

[gidyeo]

Thanx to both of u.

Like what PP said, i think i wont do multiple OSs on my Compaq, but maybe i'll try it on my old PC http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif

i've done a search but couldnt find DiskComander but instead i found something with a similar name and same function called "System Commander Deluxe" at: http://www.v-com.com/product/scd_ind.html

But this thing cost $$, is there any FOC software or method? http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/rolleyes.gif

[Zed]

For Linux, you need to edit the /etc/lilo.conf file to dual boot.

its sort of complicated (not very, i'm lazy) so if you want it drop a reply and i will type it for you http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/cool.gif