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Thread ID: 40058 2003-11-26 19:48:00 two OS on one HDD? mark c (247) Press F1
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194939 2003-11-26 19:48:00 Hi everybody :D

Is it possible to have two OSs on one HDD without using partitions. I've seen a comp that had an OS one on each drive (and therefore two HDDs) and this screen came up which just said "Which one do you want?" Easy as and was wondering why can't you do a selection between two on one drive?
mark c (247)
194940 2003-11-26 20:17:00 Without partitioning I'd say no.
Linux won't reside on a Drive with Windows on it because they use different filesystems (FAT32/NTFS and Ext2/Ext3), and Linux requires more than one partition anyway.

You probably can't do Windows/Windows installs on the same drive either as programs use commands such as %WINDIR% to find the Windows folder on the main drive, and if there's 2 OS' on the same partition you're going to have one really upset Registry, a hellova lot of problems installing and uninstalling Apps and so forth..
Is there a reason you can't partition?
cyberchuck (173)
194941 2003-11-26 20:31:00 Yes there are such OSs such as Qnx, BeOs and some linux distros that can just use a portion of your existing Hdd without partitioning, just a BIG file if you will -sort of virtual hdd. There's also virtual PC software available at a price to install/run other OSs via MS Windows. mark.p (383)
194942 2003-11-26 20:32:00 > Is there a reason you can't partition?

Just too stingy to pay for a partitioner really.
Thanks for that informed reply though, given me something to think about. I'd like to try a linux OS but looks like I'll have to get a partitioner or wait for a free version. Cheers :)
mark c (247)
194943 2003-11-26 20:34:00 Linux has it's own partition proggy included with the installation of a distro. As far as I'm aware most won't touch the data on your HDD, but I've never done a dualboot installation with Windows/Linux so I'm not too sure. cyberchuck (173)
194944 2003-11-26 20:36:00 Most modern Linux distros will safely partition your hdd for you when you install them. rmcb (164)
194945 2003-11-26 20:36:00 Hmmmmmmm. Well thanks for all that all. Sounds a bit difficult for me at the moment. I'll think about it. :D mark c (247)
194946 2003-11-26 20:42:00 Ms bought Connectx's Vitual PC software so just wait for it to be released at a Comp store near you ;)

-www.eweek.com
mark.p (383)
194947 2003-11-26 20:46:00 Really, does linux not destroy everything in the partition? I will have to test that out on my old computer. mmmm. mejobloggs (264)
194948 2003-11-26 21:00:00 >
> > Is there a reason you can't partition?
>
> Just too stingy to pay for a partitioner really .
> Thanks for that informed reply though, given me
> something to think about . I'd like to try a linux OS
> but looks like I'll have to get a partitioner or wait
> for a free version . Cheers :)
>

Hmmm- . ranish . com/part/" target="_blank">www . ranish . com
mark.p (383)
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