Run XP and 98 on the same system?

[aliss090]

hi can someone tell me how i can run windows xp (professional) and windows 98 on the same pc? i have two 40GB hard drives and i really want xp on one and 98 on the other so i can use some of my older games on the same pc. thanks for any help!

[LooseChippings]

Easiest and simplest way is to start from the very beginning ...

Backup all your important files and data.

Download the latest Win 98 and XP drivers for all your hardware and cut them to CD.

Format both HDDs.

Install Windows 98 and make it into a fully functioning OS.

Install Win XP onto the other HDD, the install will give you all the options you need.

[aliss090]

thanks! is there any way of doing it without formatting the disks? i have xp pro on my c drive, so can i not install win98 on my other drive straight off?

[LooseChippings]

Tis difficult, the way it works is that the later OS needs to be installed last.

If I was doing this I would use the opportunity to have a grand clearout and get all the latest SPs and critical updates loaded onto clean OSs when there is least chance of anything going wrong.

Maybe PTO, Snowmonkey or Miz have got a way round it.

[aliss090]

its ok your way is fine! i have a few viruses i cant get rid of so formatting the disks would be a good idea anyway! thanks for the help

[aliss090]

sorry to be a pain...but my c drive wont format! i keep getting an error message telling me to quit any disk utilities, programs using the drive and make sure there is no window displaying any details of the drive. i have ended all tasks i can (using task manager) but the message keeps coming up! do you know whats wrong? i dont think i have a partition on the disk but i dont know how to check. if i do, how do i get rid of it? thanks

[LooseChippings]

You cannot format a system drive that is in use.

Get youself a boot disk and boot from floppy, you will then be able to format your HDD.

[aliss090]

thanks loads! i did everything you advised and it worked great! thanks again