How To Have Two (Multiple) Copies Of Windows


Having two operating systems is not as difficult as many of us consider. It just requires little hard work and some good equipment. By equipments I mean good hard disk space and good RAM sometimes, depending upon which operating systems you are going to install.

So your first step is to choose which operating systems you are going to install on your computer. I would recommend you to choose them wisely because it could have some negative effects on the performance of your systems. If you have good processor, Pentium 4, and good RAM, at least 256MB, then you do not need to worry about the selection process. There are still millions of people who are using P II and P III processors. When I had Pentium III, I was used to choose windows XP with Windows ME and that was very nice pair of operating systems.

Now let's turn to their installation procedure. This step is considered as a very critical step. Many people, with less knowledge, corrupt their data or operating system file by using wrong method to install both operating systems.

Let me make clear now that I will not be telling in this article about how to install windows 98 and Me together. You will learn only how to install Windows XP or Windows 2000 with Windows 98 or Windows Me. I hope you got it.

Your First step is to install first Windows 98 or Windows Me on your blank hard disk. If you have already installed windows 98 or Me then you do not need to consider this step. But still if you want the fresh copies of both operating systems then you may consider formatting your PC and then installing Windows 98 or Me first. To get help on formatting your PC or installing windows from DOS mode you may consider http://winguide.info .

After you have installed your first operating system, I mean windows 98 or Me, you have partially completed your objective. Now you can install your device drivers, programs or anything on your Windows 98 or Me, even you can install them later. Now you are ready to use your first operating system.

Your next turn is to get Windows XP CD or Windows 2000 Setup Disk. Insert them in your computer and as setup starts, just in the beginning you have to choose the option describing Install New Copy. I mean you should not select UPGRADE option. Just that's it! You have to tell setup on which drive or folder you want to copy your windows files. It is best to use different partition other than where your Windows 98 or Me is installed. If you install both windows in same partition then you may corrupt your both copy of windows. For example, if you have installed windows 98 on partition C:/ then you should install Windows XP or 2000 on partition D:/ or E:/ whatever other partitions you have. If you have only one partition then you may consider repartitioning your hard disk to get more than one partition. I hope you would get most help from Windows Setup Guide which will teach you about how to partition your hard disk with pictures.

Then let your Windows setup proceed and let it to be finished. Remember, if your windows XP or Windows 2000 CD is bootable then please do not boot from CD Rom when computer restarts during Windows 2000 or Windows XP setup. Otherwise you may go on risk of installing multiple corrupted copies of windows.

I hope you may install two windows easily. Still if you are scared then May God helps you. Ok, my last advice, try to move your important data to different PC or any storage device before proceeding, because if you fail, it would not hurt you.

Alan Malik, being well experienced in computer maintenance, describes most of his skills on installing windows in his website Windows Installation Tutorial