[spooky369]

i've read about people installing dual operating systems on their computers. how does this work? will i have a choice as to which one the computer boots? for example...i have an old game that runs on 95. while the game will run on xp but the joystick wont and there is no update for it for xp (they just want you to buy the newer one i guess) can i intall 95 and use it just to run this game and hardware? i'm a newbie...can you tell? any help is appreciated...

[Wolfeymole]

Let me guess Spooky your running XP as we speak yes?
If all you want to do is run a game designed for windows 95 then get a cranky old pc to do so, for example the one I am running on right now.
Specifications:
CPU: 233mhz
Memory: 128mb RAM
Hard Drive 20gb

The cost factor alone will be more than the game and joystick put together.
Consider this ok;
To run a dual boot you will have to either obtain Partition Magic, and I'm not fully up on if PM can do this.
Have you ever been into the BIOS?
Do you know what FDISK can do?
I'm not trying to be funny or sound condecending Spooky but it's not really worth it mate.

If you still want to continue down this avenue then full support and advice shall be given

[brendandonhu]

Yes, you can dual boot 95 and XP.
You will be able to choose which one to boot when you turn your computer on.

[Wolfeymole]

When he tries to install 95 and it all goes pear shaped are you gonna tell him how to sort it Brendon? Not having a pop mate ok.

[brendandonhu]

Why would there be a problem?
Its not that hard to do, and partition magic isn't required. He just needs to make 2 partitions.

[Wolfeymole]

Brendan
I know how to and you do but you can't expect someone who freely admits they are new to computers to know.
All the guy want's to do is run the 95 game and, as I have said, if he want's more info come back.

[brendandonhu]

Ok, so, why can't we help him dual-boot like he asked, instead of telling him to buy a new computer?

If you're already running XP, you can use these instructions to dual boot with 95: http://www.winxpfix.com/page5.htm#howwin982000

And use this instead of Partition Magic: (its free)
http://www.ranish.com/part/

[Wolfeymole]

Brendon
The following section is from your first link although not the entire wording.

"Edit Boot.ini file on the Fat32 partition from:
[Boot Loader]
Timeout=5
Default=C:\$WIN_NT$.~BT\BOOTSECT.DAT
[Operating Systems]
C:\$WIN_NT$.~BT\BOOTSECT.DAT="Microsoft Windows XP Professional Setup"
C:\="Microsoft Windows"

To someone who doesn't know, the above wording is meaningless.

I agree, let us help Spooky if he he feels comfortable, in what you say.

[brendandonhu]

When he doesn't understand something, I'm sure he can ask for help himself

[Wolfeymole]

I was just about to buy you a pint of Lifey water until i saw the Brendon