Installing dual OS

[SNAAAKE]

Ok I did do this before but forgot exactly how.Wanted to make sure.I am tryin to install 98 and XP pro on the same HD(dual boot).Now my question,how do I get around it?First format the HD with xp cd,then make partions(whatever size on each).

Then which should I install first ? XP or 98 ?
Does it even matter ?
Can somebody confirm this,I don't wanna make a mistake first then do it over(its annoying).

Thanks in advance

[Gideon]

When dual-booting, Microsoft recommends first installing non-Windows operating systems, then Windows versions in sequential order.

I've never been told why it matters, though, but I promise that I read this somewhere on the official website.

[cdbrown]

You need to install 98 first, then XP.  During XP install you can then tell it that it is dual boot and XP will install on the second partition and set up a boot menu.  XP will also update certain files on the c: drive which was originally installed by 98.  Going the other way around won't work.

Best way - set 3 partitions (98, XP, Data)
Make sure to have sufficient space on each.  I just used fdisk (off the 98 startup floppy) to do this.  Install 98 and set it up the way you want.  Install XP, making sure to specify it is a dual boot.

[SirPoonga]

When dual-booting, Microsoft recommends first installing non-Windows operating systems, then Windows versions in sequential order.

I've never been told why it matters, though, but I promise that I read this somewhere on the official website.

Because it is m$ and they think their OS is more important.  Luckily snaaake is doing only m$ OSes.

If you were to dual boot XP and linux I highly suggest installing XP first.  As linux's loader will detect XP and setup the boot loader automatically.  XP won't do that.  You will need a boot disk for linux then setup ntloader to load linux.  So in essense you load XP to the ntloader, select linux, XP unloads then linux loads.  kinda crazy.

[kahlid74]

I would install 98 first.  Make sure your drive partitions are the right File system type :
Fat32 for windows Partition
NTFS for Windows xp Partiton
Fat32 for Data partiton

Windows 98 CANNOT read NTFS partitions at all, so if you want to be able to access all partitons from windows 98, you will need to use Fat32.  You will lose a good portion of advancements in windows XP by using Fat32 unfortunatly, and it will create a slight aura of overhead.

Tough to call whether to install Linux or Windows first in that scenario.  Just remember if you have both on the same system, be careful with Linux.  There are few roadblocks to protect you from a simple mistake.  You never forget the day you type rm -rf /  It doesn't even ask you yes or no, just deletes everything.  You will never make the mistake again, but you always remember it.

Which ever way you install the OS's, you need to change the boot loader and file to recognize the other OS.  I have found that GRUB in Linux works better than Windows bootloader.