1. 1 computer with two hard disk. 1 for winXP, the other for win98se/winME ?

2. 1 computer with 1 hard disk, part of the hard disk is partitioned for winXP and win98se/winME ?

3. Which is better for older games? win98se or winME ? win98se doesn't seem to support USB though.

[ 08-22-2006, 08:37 PM: Message edited by: Kakero ]

1. Yes. Wouldn't recommend it. Especially not with those two.
2. Yes. Again, wouldn't recommend it.
3. WinXP with a bit of doodads like dosbox.

1,2 ~ I have to ask. Why? Any reason that it wouldn't be recommended?

3 ~ WinXp can't play older window based games. Can dosbox do that?

1. Yes. Easy, but can have issues.

2. Yes. Easier, but can have issues.

3. Win98, easy, just need a patch for USB.

It can be hard to install 98 after installing XP, but if you have a program like Partition magic, a monkey could do it ;)

DosBox is a good program, but can be hard to use properly, and its easier to use 98, just not fun setting up.

I've never had a problem running older games, read Baldur's Gate series forward, on XP, just have to set the compatability mode to 98SE, and I don't recall having any problems then. However, I don't know what games you are trying to run.

Install 98SE/ME first (preferably 98SE, but go with what you've got handy) followed by XP. XP will set up a boot loader on install. Seperate drive or seperate partition doesn't really matter, although a seperate drive works better if you want to do away with 98SE/ME down the road.

Windows ME is incredibly unstable so 98SE is the better choice but I don't think MS supports 98SE anymore so you may not be able to find patches or updates (read:stable USB support)

As stated previosuly XP works in 99% of all cases with some tweaking. I recently tested Lords of the Realm (circa 1994) with no issues other than running waaaay to fast. A quick change to 95 mode fixed it nicely.

The only problem I've ever had was Might & Magic 8. It required considerable researching (Google) and tweaking to finally function with sound but it now functions under XP as well.

A quick search of google may help you determine whether you would need to dual boot or not.

Can it be done? Sure. The concept is called dual-booting... you have the option to boot as one system or another. In olden days, I used to have multiple ways to boot on Win95, depending on whether I planned to play games or not.

These days, it's quite common to have a machine dual-boot to Windows or Linux, for example.

I haven't configured one in years, but it shouldn't be too tricky.

You know, I wonder if the XP drivers for USB wouldn't work for 98. I really doubt it, but I suppose anything is possible.

I've been dying to play might and magic 6,7,8 , wizards and warriors or even birthright : gorgon's alliance again. There is a workaround for it to play in XP but it's too much of a hassle for me (download this, copy and paste, rename this file and backup the other etc etc arghhhhhh!!!!!). That's why I'm asking whether dual booting is possible or not.

Well, thanks for the answers.