Page 27 - 500

also true if you install on different partitions, but in that case, you
aren't installing each copy to the same location, which can cause
problems such as these:
• Programs that have different versions for Windows 9x and
Windows 2000 (or Windows NT) might not work because the
installation from one operating system overwrites files that are
needed to run the program in the other operating system.
• Preferences, options, and settings you've chosen in one
operating system don't show up when you use the other
operating system because each stores its own registry entries.
• If you uninstall an application, its entries still show up on the
Start menu, on the Add/Remove Programs list, and throughout
the registry of the other operating system - yet the program files
are gone.
You might encounter still other problems with multiple operating
systems on a single partition. If you're thinking about calling
Microsoft Product Support Services for help with such problems,
don't get your hopes up. Microsoft does not support such
installations. That alone should be a clear indication that it's not a
good idea!
One final argument in favor of separate partitions: if you decide to
delete an operating system from your dual boot system - whether
it's Windows 2000 or another operating system - you'll find that
it's much easier if each one is on a separate partition.
Although we recommend that you use separate partitions for each
operating system, there's no reason you can't share data on a
common drive that's available to all operating systems. In fact, you
might want to change the target folder location of your My
Documents folder in each operating system so that it points to the
same folder.

Working Around the Limitations

If you're trying to adapt a system that already has one or more
operating systems installed, it might not be feasible to change its
partition layout or file systems. But if it's at all possible, here's the
best way to set up a system for dual booting:
1. Set up enough drives (or partitions) so that you have one for
each operating system you want to be able to boot. From MS-