Dual Boot PC systems

[BOAC]

Has anyone on here set up and is using a Dual boot PC?

Yes - in fact, a triple boot - paranoia rules

My questions are:

-Will I be able to access and use the data on both hard drives no matter which operating system I'm using.

I'm a 'Vista Virgin' (and keeping my knees firmly together), but I assume so

-Can I make a couple of directories common, for example my documents etc. Maybe even have duplicate directories that both have a copy of each document in it (essentially an automatic document back up system.)

As far as I know, not 'common', and remembering my 'virginity, of course, I would think a constant copy between systems would work, although with Vista................

-If I install software in one system, will I be able to access it with the other system? For example Word is installed on the XP drive, if I operate the system in Vista would Word work or would I need to do two installs?

Not sure about progs like Word - need an expert!

-Is there software out there that allows seamless operation where I can do the above?

-Is all I'm essentially doing is creating two PC's using the same hardware but are essentially two seperate entities?

All done quite sim[ply via a 'boot ini' file on the master boot drive (In 95/98/XP anyway). Have look at Google to understand how it works. Again, Vista may be 'different', but with the other systems I had to install the OS's in Chronological order i e 98/2000 then XP, and the XP CDROM has a function in 'repair' to enable you to build a boot.ini file.

I have found mutiple boot options good, particularly with the earlier OS's which crashed a lot and the option to look at drives etc via a GUI far easier than the old DOS lines!

Good luck.
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