Dual OS/HD question

I am running Win XP on my new system but would like the ability to operate in Win 98 in order to fully use some CH gameport controllers. I'll buy some new USB controllers when I get the cash but that will be a few months

I know I could go to a dual boot setup but would like to avoid doing the OS partition thing.

I have a small secondary HD in my old box that I could put in the new system just loaded with Win 98 and gaming files.

The question is, can I configure a floppy disk so that on startup the system just ignores my primary HD and goes to the secondary and runs on the HD in Win 98.

I know I can format a boot or startup disk but it seems to me as if both of those options are for recovering a corrupted system or doing an install of Win 98.

Once again, all I want to be able to do is (with the floppy in the drive) on power up, have the system ignore the primary HD (Win XP) and boot to the secondary HD and run on Win 98 from that drive.

Is this possible and if so can you point me in the right direction to figure out how to format the disk.

Thanks.

 

I don't think what you're asking is possible and that you'd be better served doing a dual boot on one HDD. I belive WinXP supports that, doesn't it?

 

Yes. Windows XP (and W2K) support dual boot and when you boot up it will ask you which OS you want to run. OR, if you wait too long, it will boot into the default OS (usually W2K or XP)

The caveat is that in a dual boot setup Win98 must be installed first.

For more info on dual boot click on the link to Pyritechips' tips and tricks in my sig

The example is W2k and 98 but will work equally well with 98 and XP.

 

Not with the floppy, but it can be done with a third party boot loader.