Hello,
I am attempting to create a dual/multiboot system.
I have previously performed this task with success on several occasion.
However, this time I am looking to see how to isolate the partitions
from "seeing" each other.
In other words, I want each os to see itself as the C: drive and not be
able to read the other partitions. I am already aware of file formats,
however an NTFS format is still able to read a FAT32 format, so that
doesn't help me. I've been doing quite a bit of searching on this and
can't seem to find the results that I am looking for. If anyone can
help out, I would appreciate it. Now I have 2 400GB drives which are
currently setup in a RAID1 setup. But I am going to backup my info,
break the array, so that I now have 2 seperate drives to create my dual
boot system.
Thanks in advance.
rhazhan:
I don't know if the following is practical in your particular situation but
let me offer it for your consideration...
Assuming that the PC involved is a desktop PC which I assume it is since
you're working with two large-capacity HDDs - you might you consider
equipping your PC with one or two removable HDDs. By so doing, this hardware
arrangement will meet your basic objective of easily booting to either HDD
and at the same time isolating each HDD from the other (both physically &
electronically).
In order to so equip your desktop PC with this arrangement you will need at
least one vacant 5 1/4" bay on your computer case in which to install the
removable HDD. If you have two such vacant bays available then, of course,
you could install two removable HDDs. So if you do not have at least one
such bay available, read no further.
But if you do...
These removable HDDs of which I speak are contained in so-called mobile
racks. The mobile rack is a two-piece affair - the rack itself which is
more-or-less permanently affixed to the computer case's 5 1/4" bay and an
inner tray or caddy in which the hard drive resides and which slides in &
out of the rack.
The installation of these devices is simplicity itself - no more difficult
than installing an optical drive. After they're installed you just plop the
hard drive into the removable tray (caddy), make two simple connections
(power & data cable), and slide the tray into the mobile rack. Note that the
removable hard drive mobile racks we are discussing are
designed to be installed in desktop computers and not laptop or notebook
computers. The size, weight, and design considerations of laptops/notebooks
do not allow for this hardware configuration.
These removable hard drives in their mobile racks are nearly always equipped
with a ON-OFF keylock, so a simple turn of the key, in effect, activates the
HD. For added security you can push or pull the removable tray in or out
using the tray's handle and thus electrically/physically connect or
disconnect the HD from the system. No more difficult than opening or closing
a small desk drawer.
Do you see the enormous advantages of this type of hardware configuration
for your desktop computer? You can boot to either HDD without the need to
enter the BIOS. There is no need for a third-party "boot manager". There is
no need to add, delete, or modify any system files. Each HDD is effectively
isolated from each other, but if for any reason you want both drives
connected during bootup, you can achieve that configuration as well. It's an
ideal system for computing with different operating systems. It's also an
ideal system for families where each family member has his/own HDD which can
be used in the same PC yet are completely isolated from the systems of the
other family members.
Still another significant advantage is that now you can have an *unlimited*
number of HDDs at your disposal by simply using additional removable trays
to house the drives. Note how this hardware configuration lends itself to
creating "clones" of your working HDDs because of the unlimited number of
HDDs supported by this hardware configuration.
These removable HDD mobile racks come in all-aluminum models or a
combination of
aluminum-plastic ranging in price from about $15 to $50. They come in
various versions, depending upon whether the hard drive to be housed is an
IDE/ATA, SATA, or SCSI device. A Google search for "removable hard drive
mobile racks" will result in a wealth of information on these products and
their vendors.
Our preference is to work (whenever possible) with two removable HDDs since
this hardware configuration results in enormous flexibility. But working
with one removable HDD is fine also. We've worked with these removable hard
drive affairs for more than five years now and we find this hardware
arrangement a most desirable configuration for many users. We've encountered
no negative performance issues using these devices in comparison with
internally-installed HDs and find the flexibility and peace of mind you gain
from this configuration an enormous advantage.
So if your present computer case is supportive of this hardware arrangement
as mentioned above, do give it some thought.
Anna
