Install Win98 after XP install?
 

I bought a new Dell last Feb. and it came with Win XP. No complaints, so far it's worked like a dream. I have some old programs, ok they're games, and they will not even install under an NT kernel. Am I asking for serious headaches if I try to install Win98 (to get a dual boot) at this time? I don't have a spare partition, but I can throw in a spare small (6 Gb) hard drive that will be enough to hold Win98 and the few games I want to play. Any thoughts?

Yes, this is a headache. Best bet is to copy the CD to a location on your hard drive, then set the compatibility mode on the setup files to Win98.

To set compatibility, right click on the .exe file and click properties. Click on the Compatibility tab. Check the box and select the OS. You should be on your way.

Kudos to you, hrdwareguy. Bent, don't do what I did AND TOSS THE SOFTWARE IN THE DUSTBIN!!! (Course, I didn't know that then...BUT IT WAS GOOD SOFTWARE!)

Dammit!!

You might try a dual boot system using <a href="http://www.powerquest.com/partitionmagic/">partioning software</a> that allows such for different OS. After a prompt, you can boot to your choice. Not really that tough. BTW, the only problem would be starting (booting) to a system your game would not understand.

BTW, your Dell will understand dual boot with 98, 2000, and XP. Congrats on the Dell! Other than an IBM, the Dell is the way to go.

If you will look at my message, you will see there is a link to a product that allows for dual boot from 98 and the other nt kernal stuff.

Always install the newest OS last.

You should be able to use your 98 programs within XP.
Either it will do it automatically,
or you can manually set it to 98, it will create a shell for it.

There's no need to do two Microsoft OSs, XP is backwards compatible.