Hi, I have a new 160 GB HDD. I would like to use 98 + XP dual boot. I understand that I need to install 98 first and then XP. Now, when I use FDISK to partition the HDD, it does not show me the full 160 GB capacity. I understand that this is a limitation with FDISK. Could someone give me steps as to how to proceed? Should I download the patch from Microsoft for FDISK? Will this help me partition the entire 160 GB? And once I partition it, can I proceed with installing 98 in one partition, and XP in another? Thanks in advance for your help.

You don't need to partition the whole drive. I'd make a C: of course for '98, and a second FAT32 storage partition. Make these, and format the drive with your '98 utilities, and install wnhosed98. When you get that running as advertised, boot from a cold start with your X tra P utrid Cd, and install XP in the free space.

Yes, install 98 first and then XP. No, the limit is 137 gig for Win98 - and no workaround for that. Standard 98 Fdisk had a limit at 64 gig, you can get the patched version installer here. Fdisk Does Not Recognize Full Size of Hard Disks Larger than 64 GB Then there was a BIOS limit at 128 gig. The Fdisk.exe utility may not be able to create a hard disk partition that is larger than 128 GB Don't bother partitioning for XP, it should grab it's own of what's not available and/or used for 98 and it will make it a NTFS partition which Fdisk can't do anyway. Then XP will install the typical NT boot manager giving you a choice of which OS to boot with. In other words, what Name said. Lee

So, what I understand is, I should download the 137 GB workaround utility from Microsoft. Then, create a C drive partition using FDISK (updated) and install Win 98 in it. Then, go ahead and use the XP CD and install XP and I can use the entire 160 GB. Thank you so much Name and Lee. I will try this out.

What, a 137 gb limit for 98...bollocks !. I got 190gb from a 200gb hd using the updated fdisk and am satisfied with it. Of course if the BIOS has a limit then you are stuffed. I would [and did] make both 98 and XP as FAT32, you'll have less trouble and a MS-Dos bootdisc will see both systems in case of trouble. I wouldn't have it any other way. Xp works just fine in FAT32 despite what anybody tells you. You can still duel boot the two FAT32 systems I'd also partition as thus, mine is similar with two hd's at 6 drives. I very rarely have a problem. C [98] = 3 gb D [XP] = 5 gb E [personal data] = 10gb F [programs/settings] = 10 gb G [storage/work area for multimedia etc] balance You should never keep personal data on a system drive or have only one large partition, that's inviting disaster as this site can testify to over the years of people stuffing up their system and losing all their personal data. This should be made law in my book.

When you buy a new HDD, it usually comes with a diagnostic/setup CD or floppy...use IT to partition & format the drive, not Microsoft's crap. And if you didn't get a CD, go to the HDD manufacturer's website & download the software. Format all partitions as FAT32 & it may be possible to select the cluster size you wanna use.

follow post-4 for the ost part; makes good sense etc... At the least have a common fat32 area for shared data. Separate OS/apps from data at all times is a wise way to go. Using fat32 for both OS makes sense too - again as indicated in post-4. Few domestic situations really require ntfs... (unless it's a CIA/FBI/MI6/KGB (as was) etc... operative environment; and even then it could be hacked if needs-be...)