Configuring Third-Party Boot Managers 1

[n25]

I'm not sure if this is the right forum to ask this question, as it's not isolated for a particular version of windows.

What is the proper way of preparing a dual-boot system using a third-party boot manager software? Should I allocate a primary partition to each OS or should I just allocate a primary partition for one of the Os's (the rest being in logical drives)? I'm planning of dual-booting Win98 and WinXP using GAG, and I'm worried that the Microsoft dual-boot way would kick in if that's something to worry about.

 

[edfair]

With Partition Magic you allocate the primary for the first and install the boot magic software and an emergency floppy. Then using the config software off either the Hard or Floppy drive you hide the partition and let the second OS do the install.
When done with the second, use the FD config software to reenable the boot manager.

Ed Fair
Give the wrong symptoms, get the wrong solutions.

 

[n25]

Thanks for the tip! I'd assume GAG will use a similar approach. So does that mean I'll be having 2 C: drives in different partitions, even if the other one is just in a logical drive?

 

[edfair]

Yes, you'll have 2 c: drives. Both Physical. One seen, one unseen. The unseen one shows as non-dos under fdisk, but that is a result of the active flag, which is manipulated by the software.

Ed Fair
Give the wrong symptoms, get the wrong solutions.

 

[n25]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't it that you'll be assigning drive letters by the time you create partitions in fdisk? I'm not sure where the double c: convention will kick in, is it during the dual-boot software configuration? I'm really sorry if I'm asking a lot of questions as this is my first time ever to create a dual-boot system using third party tools. Again, thanks a lot for the help!

 

[edfair]

The c: is identified by the active partition. Boot manager tricks it.

Ed Fair
Give the wrong symptoms, get the wrong solutions.

 

[n25]

Thanks a lot Ed! I'll be trying those out when I'll have my new pc :-D

 

[wolluf]

n25 - definitely use primary partitions (only way you can make the operating systems independent). So with 2k & 98, best install 2k first - then use disk management in 2k to create a primary partition for 98. I see GAG says it supports partition hiding. Its a good idea to hide existing partitions containing o/s while installining second/subsequent o/s (haven't lloked in detail, so don't know if GAG supports this - I use

http://www.boot-us.com,

which does).

 

[n25]

So what you mean is that I'll create a primary partition for each OS that I'll install, right? I'm planning of dual-booting with 98 and XP, and I just thought that 1 primary partition is just needed.

 

[edfair]

Yes, a primary partition for each OS, boot controlled by the manager.
Others have created dual boot off one partition. The newest OS goes on last. I've not done it that way ever because of the complications of intermixing.
And if you continue with the dual primary option you might want to start thinking about the limitations of the filesystems and where you can share data.

Ed Fair
Give the wrong symptoms, get the wrong solutions.

 

[n25]

Thanks a lot Ed! You've been a great help for me!

Just another question so I won't post another one as it's somewhat related to this post:

Is it ok, if possible, to assign drive letters not sequentially? In other words, can I do jumbled assignments of letters other than the usual C, D, E, F, etc.?

 

[edfair]

DEpends on operating system. XP has some method for reassigning drives.
Earlier systems locked you into physicals sequentiially then logicals by drive.
You could map them to higher places in the order you want to use them.

Ed Fair
Give the wrong symptoms, get the wrong solutions.

 

[n25]

I guess that would be a problem for me as I'll be planning of using Win98 with XP. Again, thanks for the help!

 

[wolluf]

http://www.v72735.f2s.com/LetAssig/index.html

(to change drive letters in 98).

 

[n25]

Thanks for the link, wolluf! I'll try that one.