Hi folks, I'm using a P3 500mhz system, 128MB RAM and a 20 GB hard drive. I would like to make two partitions in my hd so I can install both Windows XP and Win 98. I would also like to use the NTFS file system for the Win XP partition and FAT32 for Win98, is it possible to have FAT32 and NTFS on a single hard drive (e.g. in separate partitions). Also, as I am a novice computer use, I was just wondering if someone can tell me if this is a good idea, i mean are there likely to be any major problems in setting up this sort of dual boot system ? I've also got a copy of PartitionMagic will this make it easier ? please help.

Yes, you can have FAT32 and NTFS on the same HD but in different partition. There won't be "major problems" as long as you set up them correctly. Go to Microsoft web site to get more info on this. Partition Magic will make your life much easier in doing these kind of stuff.

I just recently installed a dual boot XP (I use one partition for learning Oracle 9.) Here's something to know so that you won't have to install twice. If you want to have Windows 98 as the default choice then you need to install Windows Xp first and then Windows 98. If you want Windows XP to be the default choice then install Windows XP last. If you don't have Partition Magic format both partitions as Win32. Then when you go to install Windows XP it will ask you if you would like to use NTFS. It will convert your chosen partition to NTFS for you. Hope this helps.

Thanks for your replies there, guys. I just have two more questions I hope you can answer for me. First of all, I'm thinking about using Windows 98 only temporarily, what I would like to do is say after a few weeks get rid of Win98 and replace it with Linux on the same partition, is this possible to do without the need to re-install or confuigure Windows XP (on the second partition). Secondly I would like to know if setting up a dual boot system is as simple as I think: 1) using FDisk to create two partitions on the HD and formatting both partitions 2) from the dos prompt install Win 98 on C: 3) using a Win 98 boot disk to get to the dos prompt, install WinXP on d: 4) restarting my pc hopefully with some sort of menu option to choose which OS i want to use.

Mahesh Your 4 step plan seems OK except that in step 3 you can start the XP setup from within 98 (it will be faster). It's always best to install the older OS first so that the dual boot will be set up correctly. You can then select the default OS from System Properties-Advanced-Startup and Recovery. Re dumping 98 Make sure you install all your XP programs to D: When done with 98 backup the boot files just in case ntldr ntdetect.com boot.ini bootsect.dos (keep for later W98) you can then get rid of everything deletable on C:\ Inquisitive