Easiest way to set up dual (or more) operating systems?

[sdsumike619]

I have a need to run Windows 98 (yeah I know!) and possibly Windows XP and be able to choose which operating system when the computer boots. What is the easiest way to get something like that up and running starting with an empty hard drive?

[jagabo]

I use multiple drives and easy swap drive bays:

www.amazon.com/KingWin-3-5-Inch-Internal-Trayless-KF-1000-BK/dp/B00126U0VA/

Of course, that means you have to have a different drive for each OS. On the other hand, you're guaranteed one OS won't screw up another one.

I also run old operating systems on virtual machines (VMWare and VirtualBox, even DoxBox). That's usually sufficient for software that doesn't run on newer operating systems.

For example: https://forum.videohelp.com/threads/339237-Old-technology-running-on-new-equipment?p=21...=1#post2108691

[hello_hello]

I use the "different drive for each OS" method too. Most computers have a shortcut boot option in the BIOS these days. In my case it's F12, but tapping F12 as the computer boots takes me to the list of bootable drives and I pick the appropriate one.

When I install Windows on each drive I install it with only that drive connected. For instance if I had Windows on one drive and I wanted to install a different flavour on a second drive, I'd disconnect the first drive and reconnect it again after Windows is installed. That way they're totally independant. Windows won't try to set up it's own multi-boot menu as it installs if it can't see the other drives because they're not connected. That way I can use the F12 boot menu method and swap drives around as I like without a Windows dual/multi-boot menu making the process a misery.

[DB83]

Well I do not think you can multi-boot different OS's on the same drive before Win7. Well atleast not the same partition.

If memory serves you install the latest OS first - in your case XP - and Win98 after. Windows should then create the boot menu for you.

[sdsumike619]

I'm reading about this Virtual Box software, never used it before. Can you actually run software in it without problems? For example, if I wanted to run an old version of some audio/MIDI software in Windows 98, within VirtualBox, would that work?

[jagabo]

I'm reading about this Virtual Box software, never used it before. Can you actually run software in it without problems? For example, if I wanted to run an old version of some audio/MIDI software in Windows 98, within VirtualBox, would that work?

Most software works. What often doesn't work is old hardware. For example, if you have an old scanner with some proprietary controller card you probably won't be able to use it. The OS running in the virtual machine does not have direct access to most of the hardware.

Microsoft has a free VM too, Virtual PC. In my experience VMWare (I only use the free version) has the best compatibility. Followed by VirtualBox, then Virtual PC.

[Keyser]

Running Windows XP and Windows 98 on the same drive (separate partitions) is quite possible. In this case, Windows XP should be installed after Windows 98 so that Windows XP can create the multiboot information on "boot.ini".

There's a problem though. Windows 95/98/Me can't be trusted to work well with several primary partitions on the same drive. There's a risk that these operating systems can screw up the data. This can be overcome by installing a boot manager (like PQ boot magic) which will, in a smart way, hide the XP partition when booting 98.

[sdsumike619]

Would this be the free vmware you're referring to?
http://www.vmware.com/products/vsphere-hypervisor

[Keyser]

This is the link to VMware Player

https://my.vmware.com/web/vmware/free#desktop_end_user_computing/vmware_player/7_0

This is the free basic version that allows you to create and run virtual machines. There's a paid alternative (VMware Workstation) with a lot more features.

However, if you need to create snapshots (markers that allow you to undo modifications to the virtual machine, keeping always a clean install), you should consider the use of Oracle VirtualBox (also free), since VMware Player doesn't support snapshots.

[sdsumike619]

Thanks for the help. I'm just going to stick with running Windows 98 in the machine because that's the operating system I determined I need

[Cornucopia]

Understand that Win9x OSes may not work correctly with CURRENT hardware (new UEFI-BIOS firmware, different port types - drivers, GPT partitions, AHCI SATA...). Hence, a benefit of VMs.

Scott

[jman98]

Understand that Win9x OSes may not work correctly with CURRENT hardware (new UEFI-BIOS firmware, different port types - drivers, GPT partitions, AHCI SATA...). Hence, a benefit of VMs.

Scott

Not to mention that if you run any unprotected Win9x/ME PC directly connected to the internet, it will be hacked within minutes at most whether you realize it or not. It's my opinion that it's only safe to run pre-Windows 2000 systems as part of a VM. If you must run Win98 outside of a VM then do not connect the PC to the internet while you run it unless you are really experienced with firewall configurations and are sure you can protect the box that way.

[sdsumike619]

Hacked within minutes? How so, and by who? The only reason I'd connect it to the internet is to download drivers, as well as to connect to a network drive for saving files..

[hello_hello]

I think "directly" (to the internet) is the key word there. If you connect directly it's quite possible, but if you're behind a router you should be okay to download drivers. A router is effectively a hardware firewall. These days, most PCs are probably connected to the internet via a router (or a modem/router) but that wasn't always the case. Connecting a PC to a modem was very common years ago.

Unprotected PCs can be hijacked in minutes
"Each PC was connected to the Internet via a broadband DSL connection and monitored for two weeks in September. Break-in attempts began immediately and continued at a constant and high level: an average of 341 per hour against the Windows XP machine with no firewall or recent security patches, 339 per hour against the Apple Macintosh and 61 per hour against the Windows Small Business Server. Each was sold without an activated firewall."

[zzyzzx]

I also use multiple hard drives with one OS on a hard drive. Currently I use Windows XP only when i need to and Fedora 20 most of the time.

[TreeTops]

Do it soon as win 10 may not allow dual boot of a different OS.

With the new OS, Microsoft will no longer prevent OEM's from permanently enabling "Secure Boot" on their personal computers, which could potentially mean that a lot of new laptops and even some OEM desktop builds might not allow users to install anything but the Windows 10, supplied by the manufacturer. This, of course means no dual booting, no Linux, no Hackintosh, basically no actual freedom to exploit the hardware you own and have paid for.

[newpball]

Do it soon as win 10 may not allow dual boot of a different OS.

With the new OS, Microsoft will no longer prevent OEM's from permanently enabling "Secure Boot" on their personal computers, which could potentially mean that a lot of new laptops and even some OEM desktop builds might not allow users to install anything but the Windows 10, supplied by the manufacturer. This, of course means no dual booting, no Linux, no Hackintosh, basically no actual freedom to exploit the hardware you own and have paid for.

Not really, just put the Windows 10 OS disk offline and the other OS disk online when you reboot.

But having said that since Windows 7 Microsoft is not a good OS citizen when it comes to boot drives.

But then again they have never been a good OS citizen!

[drjtech]

Not really, just put the Windows 10 OS disk offline and the other OS disk online when you reboot.

I think you misunderstand Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) "secure boot". It is designed to block booting of any "non certified" operating system.

Here's Microsoft's description.
https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/hh824987.aspx

As of Windows 8.1 Microsoft asked manufacturer's to provide a way to bypass UEFI to boot other operating systems, like Linux, Linux Live CD and older versions of Windows. With the advent of Windows 10 Microsoft is no longer requiring a bypass. That means you could buy a new system that boots only Windows 10. Windows 8.1, Linux, etc. would simply not boot.

Hopefully no manufacturer will be foolish enough to actually implement this, but some may succumb to pressure to do just that.

[hogger129]

Use the newest OS as the main OS. Then put the other one in a Virtualbox and just start it up when needed.

[hogger129]

Do it soon as win 10 may not allow dual boot of a different OS.

With the new OS, Microsoft will no longer prevent OEM's from permanently enabling "Secure Boot" on their personal computers, which could potentially mean that a lot of new laptops and even some OEM desktop builds might not allow users to install anything but the Windows 10, supplied by the manufacturer. This, of course means no dual booting, no Linux, no Hackintosh, basically no actual freedom to exploit the hardware you own and have paid for.

Another reason to build your own PC that will allow it.

I also use multiple hard drives with one OS on a hard drive. Currently I use Windows XP only when i need to and Fedora 20 most of the time.

XP was a great operating system, but I would move to 7 or 8.1 now.
http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2014/04/xpocalypse-now-windows-xp-support-has-ended/