Dual Boot

[*ChRiS]

Right I have not got a clue what to do here, this is what I have the now and want to do...

I have WinXPProSP1 installed one 1 drive (C:\) which is 40GB, I want to create a 10GB partition and install Windows 98 onto it, that partition being D:\

When the comp is powered on id like it to automatically boot to XP on the C:\ drive after a 10 sec delay when asking what OS to boot. (Xp or 98)

If no button is pressed id like it to go to XP by default.

I have Partition Magic 7 installed, can somebody please give a detailed step by step guide how to do this.

TIA

[ponzan]

the problem is that as far as I know you must have to install Win98 in the first partition of your first HD (ie: C), and any other OS may go wherever else you fancy. Then selecting your default OS and everything else will be no trouble.

I had to do all this some months ago and is not that difficult. Got all the info I needed doing a Google search on "dual-boot".
Anyway, the Partition Magic manual comes with all the information about how to do this. I used PMagic to do the job with no probs (But be sure to read thoroughly the PM manual before messing with your system).

So, save your XP partition with Drive Image or even with just PM, make a 2nd partition for it, and place your win 98 install in C first partition.

It worked fine for me, but I've heard Pokopiko flaming about PartMagic and DriveImage.

To give you an example. I have 2 Hard Drives, on the first I have Win98 just for gaming and the kids, Win2K on a 2nd partition with all programs I use except the programs to deal with Video editing and related stuff which are on a 3rd partition on its own with again Win2K, then I have a 4th partition for all the OS swap files and a 5th partition to storage all my files, downloads, mp3s, etc. On my 2nd HD I place big video files and save backups of all my OS partitions in case of disasters.

[*ChRiS]

I dont really want to interfere with my current C drive and XP installation, is there no way I can just create another partition and put another OS onto it?

[scaz69]

I used system commander to partition my XP Pro, and install Windows ME. Works great, at the start just choose either me or xp to boot up. Beware though, this is a powerfull program and easily missused.