XP dual boot? Mom vs. kids

[Ocean]

I have 2 hardrives - one is XP (c:\), the other is 2000
(d:\) - set to dual boot. Over a year ago something
corrupted in my 2000 OS so can only boot into XP but I
can still get at my files on d:\ What I would like to do
is ..
C:\ = me
D:\ = kids
I would like to set up dual boot or security so that my
kids log ONLY into D:\ - personalize, install,
music/media, cheats, saved games, patches, surf, save
stuff AND me to track their usage and restrict the amount
of time on the pc. I do not want d:\ to even know c:\ is
around. (my pc is so messed up with ad trackers -
scumware - trojans, etc.). I don't want my registry
touched by anything they do. I use a cable modem. I
have Zone Alarm, (currently switching to DSL), various
apps i.e. adware, pop-up blockers, virus apps. Scumware
business is changing and increasing so fast and my kids
don't understand scumware. When something pops up and
says 'SECURITY WARNING' - by instinct they will
say "OK". I want them to be informed but at the same
time to just play and have fun and not mess up my
stuff/pc in general. Because the system is so messed up,
I have everything basically backed up and want to wipe
out both drives. Do I make a dual boot (formatting c:\
with NTFS and d:\FAT?). Set up NTSF first?

Could someone please tell me how this would work or how
to set up or if there is a better way all together?

Thanks for any guidance/suggestions!! ... Ocean

 

[Timothy Daniels]

I have 2 hardrives - one is XP (c:\), the other is 2000
(d:\) - set to dual boot. Over a year ago something
corrupted in my 2000 OS so can only boot into XP but I
can still get at my files on d:\ What I would like to do
is ..
C:\ = me
D:\ = kids
I would like to set up dual boot or security so that my
kids log ONLY into D:\ - personalize, install,
music/media, cheats, saved games, patches, surf, save
stuff AND me to track their usage and restrict the amount
of time on the pc. I do not want d:\ to even know c:\ is
around. (my pc is so messed up with ad trackers -
scumware - trojans, etc.). I don't want my registry
touched by anything they do. I use a cable modem. I
have Zone Alarm, (currently switching to DSL), various
apps i.e. adware, pop-up blockers, virus apps. Scumware
business is changing and increasing so fast and my kids
don't understand scumware. When something pops up and
says 'SECURITY WARNING' - by instinct they will
say "OK". I want them to be informed but at the same
time to just play and have fun and not mess up my
stuff/pc in general. Because the system is so messed up,
I have everything basically backed up and want to wipe
out both drives. Do I make a dual boot (formatting c:\
with NTFS and d:\FAT?). Set up NTSF first?

Could someone please tell me how this would work or how
to set up or if there is a better way all together?

Thanks for any guidance/suggestions!! ... Ocean

How about a Romtec Trios? It lets you designate which
of 3 to 8 hard drives will be available to the system to see.
Check Google.com for many reviews. Start at the Romtec
USA website: http://RomtecUSA.com/index.html . Click on
"Product" for info.

Another way, not using electrical switching, is to just use
a physical hard drive caddy/tray/carrier. These are available
from more than a dozen importers and scores of retailers, and
they enable physically removing and replacing hard drives
by use of a tray that slides into a receptacle that occupies a
5 1/4 in. drive expansion slot. These are especially useful
in academic situations so that each student can have a hard
drive dedicated for his/her use/misuse. In your situation, you
could have one hard drive/caddy for you, one for mom, one
for kids, etc. If you go this route, I suggest that you get a caddy
made of metal (as opposed to plastic) and that it have a key
switch to lock it in place. One or two built-in fans might be
advisable for cooling if the hard drive's speed is greater than
5400 rpm. A search at Google on "hard drive caddy",
"removeable hard drive tray carrier drawer" will yield dozens
of hits.

*TimDaniels*

 

[Timothy Daniels]

"Timothy Daniels" replied:

How about a Romtec Trios? It lets you designate which
of 3 to 8 hard drives will be available to the system to see.
Check Google.com for many reviews. Start at the Romtec
USA website: http://RomtecUSA.com/index.html . Click on
"Product" for info.

Another way, not using electrical switching, is to just use
a physical hard drive caddy/tray/carrier. These are available
from more than a dozen importers and scores of retailers, and
they enable physically removing and replacing hard drives
by use of a tray that slides into a receptacle that occupies a
5 1/4 in. drive expansion slot. These are especially useful
in academic situations so that each student can have a hard
drive dedicated for his/her use/misuse. In your situation, you
could have one hard drive/caddy for you, one for mom, one
for kids, etc. If you go this route, I suggest that you get a caddy
made of metal (as opposed to plastic) and that it have a key
switch to lock it in place. One or two built-in fans might be
advisable for cooling if the hard drive's speed is greater than
5400 rpm. A search at Google on "hard drive caddy",
"removeable hard drive tray carrier drawer" will yield dozens
of hits.

Here are a couple more dual- and multi-boot hardware
switch options:

NickLock - a dual-boot switch for switching between 2 HDs
that are on the same IDE channel.

Indus Technologies - switch between 2, 4, or 12 HDs.


*TimDaniels*

 

[Timothy Daniels]

Here are the URLs:

http://www.NickLock.com/

http://www.IndusTechnologies.com/prod.html


*TimDaniels*