multiboot set up

[setoguro]

40g wd hdd master on primary ATA100 controller
20g wd hdd master on secondary ATA100 controller

( I'll set them up on the primary ide controller then move them over the to the ATA100 controllers)
I'll use PartitionMagic Pro 7.0 and fdisk for the drive set up.

Ok the plan is to:
1) 1st to set up fat32 10g active primary partition for w98se (why 10gigs? I thought it was a good size to start with.)

2) 2nd for w2k I'll set up a 2g fat primary partition (using PartitionMagic it could be fat16 or 32)

3) Last I'll install mandrake 8.2. I'll let the install cd do the hd set up.

That's as far as I am in planning the setup. I keep changing my mind on how I want to set any logical partitions. If it comes down to it I'll set them up on the fly and change them later when I have a better understanding of what I want. This is my first go at duel and multi boot so any help would be great. I'll be jumping into the deep end of the pool this evening

[rond36]

Here are some links that will help.

How to multi-boot Windows XP (http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/using/howto/gettingstarted/multiboot.asp)
Microsoft Expert Zone Multi-booting made easy (http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/columns/russel/september10.asp)
MSKB How to multi-boot Windows XP (http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;q306559)

They are for Win XP but will work for the same for Win 2K.


I would reconsider the 2GB partition for Win 2K a full install will almost fill the drive. Install it on a FAT32 or NTFS partition. The only reason to install any OS on a FAT16 partition is compatibility with MS DOS, Win NT4, Win 3.1, or Win 95. You are not installing any of these so don't use FAT16 it is inefficient and obsolete.

Operating system Supported file systems
-----------------------------------------

MS-DOS FAT
Windows 3.1 FAT
Windows NT FAT, NTFS
Windows 95 FAT
Windows 95 OSR2 FAT, FAT32
Windows 98 FAT, FAT32
Windows Me FAT, FAT32
Windows 2000 FAT, FAT32, NTFS
Windows XP FAT, FAT32, NTFS

If you install than move the partitions your boot loader will not be able to find the operating system to boot it. Why not install the drives where they are going to be and install the OSs on them. If you are using Partition Magic Pro 7.0 there is no need to use fdisk.

Be sure you install Win98SE to the first HDD first partition. Win 2K will write its boot files to the root of the Win 98SE partition. Install Mandrake Linux to a HDD all by itself if you install it to the same HDD as Win 2K it will write a partition at the start of the drive and Win 2K will not boot until you edit boot.ini to tell NTLDR where to find the win 2K partition

The setup that you are trying to create is very complicated and I doubt it will work without some serious reconfiguration work on your part. If you are new to multi-booting don't even try to set this up. Start with something simple!

My Athlon system is setup like this:
First HDD 40GB
Win ME 20GB
Win XP Pro 20GB

Second HDD 15GB
Mandrake Linux 8.1
500MB swap
3GB root
11.5GB user

I used to have Linux on my P4 system too but removed it because of hardware incompatibilities

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Soyo P4S-Dragon Ultra, Intel P4 2.0GHz(northwood), 768MB Samsung PC2700 DDRSDRAM, 2 WD 100GB HDDs, ATI A-I-W 8500DV 64MB AGP video, SB Audigy MP3 PCI, Plextor 40X12X40 CD-RW, Pioneer slot load DVD-ROM, Multi-boot Win ME, XP Pro, XP Pro striped down for games.

[setoguro]

Ok, so the revised plan is to split the 40gigs between 98se and w2k. On the 2nd hdd goes mandrake. I could probably just set up the hdds on the ata100 controllers doing it this way (on ide controller) was because of problems with ata100 drivers which are now fixed with newer versions. Thanks for the ideas I’m sure you have saved me some headaches. Oh well one day I’ll come out of the woods(being chased by a bear).

[rond36]

That sounds like a plan that will work better.

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Soyo P4S-Dragon Ultra, Intel P4 2.0GHz(northwood), 768MB Samsung PC2700 DDRSDRAM, 2 WD 100GB HDDs, ATI A-I-W 8500DV 64MB AGP video, SB Audigy MP3 PCI, Plextor 40X12X40 CD-RW, Pioneer slot load DVD-ROM, Multi-boot Win ME, XP Pro, XP Pro striped down for games.