How to set up a box to boot from multiple versions of Windows?

Some easy solution

[Macguru]

Hi,

Quality control for multiple versions of browsers got difficult on a single PC.
Is there any tip to set up a wintel box to boot from multiple versions of windows?

How to set up a PC to do so?

[richlowe]

In my experience, when I've installed Windows nt and 95 it's been pretty automatic. The install routine asks for the root directory, just be sure to specify a different one for each os. Haven't tried this with win2k or xp yet.

It's a good idea to check out technet for articles before trying.

[microsoft.com...]

Use the search function with "dual boot" or something like that.

Richard Lowe

[bird]

If you have lots of RAM, then using a virtual machine might be an option. I am using vmware [webmasterworld.com] myself, although my base system runs Linux (Win on Win works just as well).

You can store a complete installation of any of the supported guest OSes in a file, and store them wherever you like. Virtual disks can be made undoable, so if you're testing something and it goes wrong, just shutdown without committing the changes, and start again from a clean slate. There are many other nice features, check the other thread and their website. If you're really adventurous, you can even use it to check how a Linux user would see your site... ;)

[aspdaddy]

Hi macguru,

>How to set up a PC to do so?

I had Win98/2000 installed on separate partitions, when I booted it asked me which system I wanted to load.

[Macguru]

Hey bird thanks for pointing me to that thread! The product seems great! It seems I can do a lot more than what I need. Just had another severe crash installing a demo. Had to clear the disk once again. A lot of nightmares can be avoided with this thing. Thanks!

But is there other (free) ways?
My current PC has 3 HD and a total of 9 partitions. Lets I want

2 versions of Win95 running IE 3 and 4,
3 versions of Win98 running IE 5, 5.5 and 6,
2 versions of Win 2000 running 5.5 and 6
(2 other partitions for backups 1 unpartitionned external drive and one huge partition)

If I dont mind rebooting, what should I do? Is it possible?

[aspdaddy]

Have you tried browsermaster at all?
[applythis.com...]

[Macguru]

Thanks aspdaddy.

No I never tried it. Does it really do the same job as the real Mc Coy? If so, it seems like a real simple solution.

[txbakers]

It doesn't look like Browsermaster will support multiple versions of IE, so I don't see the attraction in the program.

[SmallTime]

It is possible with a product called System Commander, which I use. It has its adherants and detractors, but I have found it works fine. It will hide partitions from the OS you are installing (necessary for multiple versions of 95,98, and then give you a choice at bootup. I have 98, linux, 2000 on one machine. Read the documentation closely.