Dual boot Win.98se and Win XP Home.  FAT32 throughout.

The default STARTUP OS is XP - can this be changed to Win 98 :-?

Do programs have to be installed in both OS's or can programs be started successfully across partitions/OS's :-?

Thanks..Do you have windows 98SE installed on the computer.

I havent figure out how to install an Old OS on top of a new OS. It only works the otherway around. When you install the new OS you slect clean install.

If you have windows 98SE and XP installed on the computer allready.
RIGHT click my computer->Properties->Advanced(Startup and Recovery)->Settings=> There you can select your default OS and how long to show it before it will automatically selectone.Win98 - thanks for response.

Yes, I use Win.98se and Win.XP, both installed, but I installed Win.98 first.

There's a heap of info on the WWW about how to install an older OS over XP.  As you will know the older OS will overwrite the XP Master Boot Record which has to be recreated by doing a Repair Install or by using FIXMBR from the the Recovery Console.  But beware, if you want to use the Recovery Console there is the chance that you will get into an endless loop being asked to enter your password, EVEN if no password exists, when setting up the RC.  There is a Registry Edit to sort this out which should be applied before attempting to start the RC.

Here's a little from the WWW.

I have never retro installed an OS and my best advice is to backup, backup and backup again before trying it.

Anyone care to comment on my query about installing programs please :-?You would have to install the programs on both operating systems to properly place info in the registry, needed files in the Windows FOLDER, etc.

There is a definitive answer for you.  

No doubt in your reading you found that the BEST way to do this is to load the oldest version of Windows first and keep the different operating systems on different partitions (or drives).

There is another definitive answer.Thanks GX1.  Two definitives in one response, the generosity of CH genii has to be SEEN to be believed And in the wee hours of the morning.  We all know you only sleep 1 1/2 hours a day....

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You would have to install the programs on both operating systems to properly place info in the registry, needed files in the Windows folder, etc.