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Windows Dual-Boot Question

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by galahad04

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I would like to know if it is possible to set up my computer so that it can dual-boot to either Windows Me or Windows 98 (1st edition). My computer is currently running Windows Me on a FAT32 system with a single partition. I would prefer to keepthe existing single partition and install Windows 98 in a separate directory called Win98 without repartitioning the hard disk into two separate partitions -- is this possible? **Also does Windows 98 1st Ed. support USB 1.1 devices?

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by dmiles

You cannot dual boot with a single partition,being that Win ME is an upgrade to WIN 98,you are using the current setup files of the current system
You will need the full version of Win ME to setup a dual boot.
USB is supported in Win 98
See the Microsoft knowledgebase for Dual Boot

by galahad04

Soulrider: Thank you for your response. If you don't mind though, I have two follow-up questions to your reply. Where you mentioned that a full-version edition of Windows Me would be needed to dual-boot--it was my understanding that, technicallyspeaking, the Windows Me version upgrade (*not* the one that just upgraded Windows 98 for ~$50) is itself a full-edition version. (This is because you can do a clean install of Win Me on an empty hard drive with it-- the only thing it will ask you for as an upgrade is to insert a qualifying previous product (Win 9x) to confirm that you qualify and then you can continue with the install.) Secondly, the version of Windows 98 that I would be installing would not be the Windows 95 CD I used to qualify for the Windows Me upgrade for (on top of a clean install), since I was thinking of buying a brand-new version of the Win98.1 OS. Therefore, since the Win98 CD would be brand new, would the dual-boot still be possible?

by mphoffar

Without getting into the whole liscening issue discussion and trying to be strictly technical...You should be able to dual boot 98 and ME, irreguardless if the ME CD is upgrade version of not. There was a version of system commander that would basically create two setups for you, so that if you're upgrade went south, you had the other to revert back to, however both were two totally separate and functioning installs.

Although MS or anyone that's done it, does not recommend dual booting fromthe same partition, you also should be able to install the two into two different directories...say c:\windows95 and c:\windows98. Now later down ther line, this will probobly be more headaches then it's worth and you'll find that going to road of two partitions would've been a wiser idea.

Good luck to you

Mark

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