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Multiple Win2k installs on 1 machine

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by lncyr

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I am thinking of setting up 2 windows 2000 installation on the same machine, and i am wondering if it is possible to keep what each install sees seperate. I would like to have a work only install, and a fun only install instead of the current mixedup setup I have right now.
I have 2 80GB HD's, is it possible to lock partitions from being access from within Win2000 or do I need 3rd party software to do that ?

Any insight is appreciated.

Thanks,

Luc

6 replies

by leeicr

Yes it is possible, and some would say "a very good idea" from a troubleshooting and future repairability (yea I made up that word) point of view.

Having a second installation on any NT class operating system machine will allow you to boot to the"other" instance if and when you damage the first instance and work out your repair strategy from there, or just continue your critical work there while you muse over the wrong doings in the first installation :-)

see MS's thoughts here;
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=266465

by lncyr

I see what you mean, that article will help in the actual implementation, but I mean, Is it possible to install them to be 100% independent from each other? is it possible to have the 2nd install not see any of the files that the other install uses? Meaning, while in work, I cant see the games files, while in games, cant see the work files???

by leeicr

Oops, misread you question, I see you already have dual boot going on, well in Windows2000 without the help of 3rd party apps, both installations need to be able to read the system partition (normally the C: drive, boot.ini, NTdetect, and NTldr are all stored there) so if that is also where one of the installs IS, then to truly get what you need you'll have to have both of your installs on different partitions, so you'll have to have the at a minimum three partitions as the 2 boot partitions (where the OS is installed) both need to access the system partition (where the hardware specific files are). but there are no provisions I know of to hide completely one of those installs, they would just be segregated in their own partitions.

A product like PowerQuest's Partition Magic can do that for you, it comes with a applet call Boot Magic which can help with your hide/unhide wishes as you boot to each. So it could Hide the first installation completely and make active another partitionwith it's own boot menu.

http://www.powerquest.com/partitionmagic/

Lee

by lncyr

The reason why I want both installs to be completely separate is i'm afraid of potential viruses that could corrupt the work partition while i'm in the game partition, the game partition really doesnt bother me a whole lot to install. But the work partition I dont want to lose if a virus does end up hitting the machine.

by ann777

You already have two hdds...

If I were you I'd purchase two drawers (one with frame (like $25 at Fry's) and one without ($10) and install the frame. Install the drive and drawer into the computer and setup your OS.

Place the second hdd in the second drawer and install it with your OS and just insert it before powering up the computer.

A nice simple way for family members to have their own computer applications/homework etc. private and not worry about other siblings getting into their "stuff."

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What you need should also work because Win2000 has file level security. Some OS operations will be shared however. If you want totally 100% separateness, then you need a hardware solution to the problem (one way of which I described above).

by lncyr

Yeah I had considered a hardware solution, unfortunately all the external bays on my pc are taken. I need a software solution, if it exists.

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