Mult-partioning-swapping drive

[rodan]

I want to" multi-partion" one harddrive, into three partitions, and swap it between three systems.
Can I take a hardrive, make three partitions, install hardrive in: Computer A, install Windows 98 on first parttion, remove harddrive, install it in Computer B, install windows 98 on second partition,,remove harddrive, install it into Computer C, install windows 98 on third partion?
My goal is to be able to take the physical harddrive, install it in any of three computer systems, and boot from appropriate partion. Will I need to use software like Partition Magic or
some kinda boot manager like LILO?
(Don't ask why I wanna do this, I do crazy stuff sometimes) http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

[Dave_H]

I think you need a boot manager because I don't think you could have more than one active partition.
Although I had a thought since you want to use use Win-98 on each system. Note that I have never tried this. In device manager go to hardware profiles and add two new ones, naming them A,B, and C. Boot into profile B and remove all the devices in the device manager, if asked to re-boot, choose NO. When everything is removed, re-boot into profile C and do the same, when done, do not re-boot but shutdown. Put the drive in computer "B" and boot to profile B, windows should boot and re-detect all the hardware specific to that computer. Repeat in computer "C" with profile "C".

Remember, I'm guessing here, never tried it.
I have tried 2 profiles on my computer to test stuff while messing around. I could see a problem if you were booting up and picked the wrong profile, once windows starts detecting things, It can't be stopped, been there done that! One advantage would be that you should be able to use the programs in all three systems, without having to load them 3 times and not have all the wasted space.

Good luck Rodan http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif
Dave

[PerryBoy]

Yes you can do it. 3 separate partitions for 3 separate pcs. First create the partitions. Then put it in comp a, install windows and let it detect all hardware. Then put it in comp b, select the right partition and then let it detect all hardware, etc... But you need to be carefull and boot from the right partition on the right pc or else it'll redetect all your pnp devices.

[rodan]

Perrboy:
Would I still need to use a boot manager, like LILO, or something, to select the proper partition, as per system, or, is there some way to change the partion/drive selection during bootup? in CMOS or Windows98?

[Mntsnow]

Rodan, Yes you will have to use a Boot Manger program

Mntsnow