bool loader (repost)

[Petar Popara]

For testing purposes I have installed many versions of Windows OS (98,
Me, NT4, 2000, XP) on one PC (same disk, but different partitions). The
problem is that when I install some app and finish testing it, I need to
reinstall Windows for new testing. And if I install (for example) Win98 it
seems that it destroys all newer OS's (2000, XP...) installations. I've been
thinking of
buying Norton Ghost or something similar, but just wanted to ask you pros if
there is some better or free Windows boot loader (or solution or article)?

 

[Malke]

For testing purposes I have installed many versions of Windows OS
(98,
Me, NT4, 2000, XP) on one PC (same disk, but different partitions).
The problem is that when I install some app and finish testing it, I
need to reinstall Windows for new testing. And if I install (for
example) Win98 it seems that it destroys all newer OS's (2000, XP...)
installations. I've been thinking of
buying Norton Ghost or something similar, but just wanted to ask you
pros if there is some better or free Windows boot loader (or solution
or article)?

I have a better solution for you: Virtual PC 2004. This application
allows you to create virtual machines on which you can install other
operating systems. For instance, I have a Win2k Pro box with Virtual PC
2004 on it hosting installations of Win98SE and Win95. To remove the
client operating system, all you have to do is delete the virtual
machine from within VPC 2004. There are other virtual machine
applications besides VPC 2004 - VMWare is one - but I've only used VPC
2004 and I was very happy with it. You might also want to get yourself
a second hard drive for more storage purposes.

Malke

 

[Alex Nichol]

For testing purposes I have installed many versions of Windows OS (98,
Me, NT4, 2000, XP) on one PC (same disk, but different partitions). The
problem is that when I install some app and finish testing it, I need to
reinstall Windows for new testing. And if I install (for example) Win98 it
seems that it destroys all newer OS's (2000, XP...) installations. I've been
thinking of
buying Norton Ghost or something similar, but just wanted to ask you pros if
there is some better or free Windows boot loader (or solution or article)?

For that sort of setup you want a proper Boot Manager, installed outside
any system. Boot Magic that comes with Partition Magic is one, I use
BootIT NG, from http://www.BootitNG.com ($35 shareware - 30 day full
functional trial) which is also a comprehensive partition manager