How do i setup a computer to dual boot Win XP and Win 98, what order should I install the operating systems.

First: why would you want to dual boot win98 and XP? if its to run win98 apps XP can do it. go to properties and then click windows 98 in the run in compability mode menu. I would install win98 first and winXP second in my opinion but I don't think it really matters in what order you install them. As long as you do it properly and if you need to have a decent boot manager.

This is just my opinion but one good reason is that some older motherboards are a lot slower to boot with xp than windows 98 I know because I already went through that Another reason is that you can swap motherboards with windows 98 but not with xp
As far as the order. I believe It does matter which one you install first
The order is windows 98 first than xp otherwise windows 98 will overwrite the mbr and you won't be able to boot xp

This is true if you are using the built in boot manager that windows uses. If you have a third party boot manager installed or are planning to install one then this does not matter.


A persons reasons to dual boot is theirs and should not be questioned for validity. It could be as simple as wanting to experience dual booting and W98 is the only other operating system that they have or are able to use!

Note: I just wanted to know what you wanted to do with win98 because a fair amount of new hardware is not recognised by win98 and therefore might need aditional drivers added to the setup.