[PCWorld]

Post your comments for FAQ: Secrets to Running Multiple Operating Systems here

[PCWizKid]

Its not so scary having multiple OS's. For those wondering about dual booting their Windows PC with Ubuntu, check out
http://pcwizkid.blog...sx-leopard.html

[HeroofAvalon]

I'm liking this section. I've always been afraid to dual-install an OS due to resource requirements. Looking back on it, I suppose those fears have been unfounded.

[backpack]

I installed two different hard-drives onto my computer. Harddrive one has XP Pro while harddrive two has ubuntu linux. When my computer starts up I go into the boot menu and choose which harddrive to boot into. Harddrive one is 40Gs which has XP while the 80Gs has Ubuntu Linux. Yes I know that I could have partitioned the harddrive but I perfer it this way in case the harddrive crashes I still have another one to use. I think it is a personal preferrence as to how one wants to set up a multi-boot system.
The way I look at it as long as it works and the person is happy with it, that's all that matters.

[gundark]

I have a dual-boot XP / Mepis setup. Installing each OS on its own dedicated drive is the best and safest way to go. I went through six or seven different Linux distros before settling on Mepis. Keeping the XP hard drive and "XP ONLY" hard drive, I was able to swap out LInux distros with ease. The only thing I had to do between installs was boot with my XP disc and do a FIXMBR.

BTW, it helps with data sharing between OSs if you create a small FAT32 partitionon the XP drive. One thing I use it for is syncing profiles for Firefox and Thunderbird between Linux and XP.

[Yert]

Multi-Booting is a wonderful idea. The sad thing about it now is that all the Mac-Heads insist on you getting a Mac so you can boot that too. My major problems with that is the horrible hardware lock-in. The reason Windows got so popular is a foundation of hardware without lock-in. Some of us using a "PC" would perfer to keep our freedoms, which is something Mac-Heads don't always get. No OS is worth hardware lock-in to me, and you'll find the same from many users of non-Windows OSes.

[BMB395]

Since you can only load Vista ONCE, I bought a second 350 gig WD harddrive from Tiger Direct, installed it into my second drive slot and loaded Vista. I use either or by cracking the case to change two plugs from Drive A to drive B. Basic and simple.

[mphenterprises]

Hi BMB and welcome to PCWorld. :-)




Well, you have created a Dual-Boot system; however, I believe you are doing more work than you have to do. If you would like, please review this recent Discussions one of our member started regarding your same situation. The hyperlink will take you right to the Discussion.

Personally, I have a Dual-Boot system with Windows XP and Windows Vista. I have an obscene amount of storage space; however, each of my Operating Systems are partitioned on one hard drive. I use Acronis True Image Home to make a backup of the drive.

There are several ways to do a Dual-Boot system without having to open the case each time you want to switch Operating Systems.

[BMB395]

I understand that I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed about puters but I really don't use the drive with xp that often. Thank You for your tips since that's what I like about this website. The free information and techniques are priceless.

[mphenterprises]

:D With pleasure. We all understand that everyone has different ways of getting to the same outcome. As long as your way gives you the flexibility you want, that is all that matters. :D

[bighunk]

BACKUP YOUR PRESENT FILES FIRST
Use Acronis True Image, and create and image of the partition that your present operating system and files are on. Save the image to another HD, or burn it on to DVD disks.

Afterwards with Acronis again = check the image to make sure it is OK. Then using Acronis again, make a CD boot disk so that you can access the image if necessary. With Acronis, all these procedures are rather simple. I consider Acronis miracle software. It's amazing what it can do.
At this point, you can play with your computer, and use what ever operating system you want.
If you don't like the new operating system, or you screw up, you can put your computer back just the way it was originally, by using the boot disk, and the image that you created.
Once you change your operating system, and you are sure that you are satisfied with the new one = DON'T FORGET, make and image of it, then you can simply choose to install what ever operating system you want, anytime you want. About 10-15 minutes is all it takes.
Good Luck
Joseph
Message was edited by: bighunk

[cal67]

If you're interested in Linux, try http://www.puppylinux.com/. You can load and run off the CD, and it's the easiest Linux distribution that I have used. It will work especially well on older systems or those with low RAM. This way you can try it without making any changes to your existing system, and it loads in a fraction of the time Ubuntu takes.

[kgingeri]

A far better way is to run different OS's as virtual machines, sharing the hosts hardware resources etc. This means multi OS's AT THE SAME TIME. There are free servers/players available and very easy to configure for the three main platforms - Win/Mac/Linux. Paid products allow you to run an individual OS application in a 'native' host window, on some platforms at least. Check out VMWares free server for starters.

[cherlimer]

we have an old program that is DOS based (!) that we still use; latest program that it can use is W98. Can we dual boot something that old with this kind of system?

[Evildave]

I use Ubuntu dual booted on a Vista machine and an older XP tablet PC. I run Windows 2000 and Vista in VMWare to run the more problematic compatible programs (and to test Windows software as I build it). I used to run Linux in VMWare under Windows, but Vista finally pushed me over the edge and got me to adopt Linux full-time. Only the Windows partition has a Windows file system. Everything else is ext3, now.

I've also discovered that if you're not afraid of a little tinkering, Linux will run Windows games in WINE (including games that don't run under Vista).

The ONLY scary part of making a 'dual boot' machine is re-partitioning the drive to make room for it. You definitely don't want it to get halfway through resizing an OS partition and then have a blackout. Back up the OS before you 'resize' it, and use a UPS.

VMware (or any other virtual machine software) is also nice for previewing an OS. Virtually all of the Linux distros work under VMware with no problems, and many of them even come with VMware drivers now. So you can at least see it as it 'should look', even if your particular machine has some driver issues. A nice way to run and preview open source software, too, since most of it works best in the environment it was originally developed for.

[mnnavigator]

Hi Guys,
for what's it worth, here's what I reckon it would probably be a lot easier (& painless)
If you're not too sure whether or not Vista is really worth anything to you, give VMware a go. Having said that, it supports pretty much all Linux versions. It's cheaper than buying a whole new OS and SAFER. What do I mean? The whole OS is just a file and you won't have to muck around with partitions, etc, etc. and the pain of reconstructing partitions (you can even put it on a "network"; virtual, mind you)
Of course, I should say I've got 4 Gb of RAM and a rubbish GFX card... but it's enough for me to decide whether spending on MS' new OS is worth the trouble.

[Shasta]

I agree on the multiple hard drive system of running multiple operating systems since it keeps you from screwing with an OS partition. BUT I have had much better success with having a electronic 12 volt micro switch to turn off my XP hard drive prior to the boot sequence. This eliminates having to go into the BIOS every time I want to boot into the alternate OS. I have my BIOS set to boot first from DVD/ CD ROM, then Hard Disk. I have my Hard Disk order set at first hard disk to boot Win XP, second hard disk to boot, Linux (Ubuntu). When I want Ubuntu I just hit the switch in the back of my PC to turn off the first hard drive and since there is no power to it the BIOS picks the second hard drive to boot from. The only disadvantage to this system is that the XP system clock must be reset since without power it loses it's time setting. But this sure beats having to hit F2, then going into the BIOS screen, selecting which hard driver to boot from, exiting with changes and then waiting for the boot.

[Evildave]

Virtualbox works as well as VMware, and it's free.

I did a whole write-up on virtualizing for fun and profit.

http://forums.pcworl...m/docs/DOC-1834

[oregonnerd]

On a Dell Inspiron 530S I kept coming up with a hex error. I was frankly positive that I could have done it on a build-your-own. And no, I wasn't smart enough to do a screen capture. However, I probably will check with Dell (whose page simply referred to Linux, even though I was looking specifically for Ubuntu...)
--Glenn
Good, informative, well-written article. I also appreciate the careful proof-reading.