2 OS's -> 1 Ignored

[Suchy]

If I have 2 windows on 2 partitions, ex. XP + Vista and I keep one up to date, and ignore the other one can that cause problems.

ex. in Vista if I do all the windows updates, antivirus updats, antispyware updates... , scan the whole disk (including XP partition) every couple of days. Then if I get couple of trojans, viruses ... through the unportected XP.(no antivirus, no updates ... nothing ) will all the scans on the other side detect and fix the problems ?

Same question for the oposite side (XP protected, Vista not)

[Rick]

In most cases the scan will find the stuff
IF it is attached or embedded into a file

BUT you must do a full scan including compressed files and exe's

What it won't find is registry embedded items in the other OS registry

[BartusCompater]

I think that you'll be relatively safe as long as you keep automatic updates on for both OS's. That way you'll be protected as soon as you log on. Otherwise, you'll be perfectly safe if you only end up using one partition. If you only use Vista for a year and keep yourself protected, an unused XP partition won't be like a hole in your wall.

[Paul Komski]

through the unportected XP.(no antivirus, no updates ... nothing ) will all the scans on the other side detect and fix the problemsDaft to run it without its native firewall turned on. If you are careful you can probably avoid viruses and viruses should also be detectable if scanning the drive from Vista. Spyware is another matter and generally needs to be scanned for from within the OS that it is affecting because of the registry entries and so forth involved. Spyware from XP shouldn't affect Vista - but viruses can affect the whole system including the MBR for example. A lot depends on how carefull you are with your surfing and sharing habits - but I would never go on-line with an NT-based Operating System without at least the most basic firewall protection.

If you want to have an always clean "spare tyre" then make an image file of the XP partition and you can always restore it, pristine, at any moment of your choosing.

That way you'll be protected as soon as you log on.
Not without a firewall.