Isolation of C:\Windows from D:\Windows

[Peahippo]

I've done multibooting before, but never with 2 copies of the same OS in order to keep the kids from messing up Dad's stuff.

What I want to do now is make an 8GB hard disk into two partitions:

1: 2GB C:, Win98SE, FAT16, C:\Windows; Dad's basic surfing and Everquest.

2: 6GB D:, Win98SE, FAT16 or 32, D:\Windows; Mom's and kid's really, really risky surfing, Kazaa, etc.

But how do I use this setup to stop the kids from messing up C:? If they download some spyware and adware, those will tend to mess up C:\Windows and C:\Program Files by default.

 

[kippy13]

You would be much better installing a secure OS such as 2000 and using passwords and profiles with admin and normal rights instead of two harddrives.
Other wise use 2000 and 98 for the kids.
The following urls presume that you are not using a system restore disk as
supplied by some manufacturers ie: that you have the full OS on a disk and
that you do not have any hidden partitions where valuable information maybe
stored ie: drivers etc.

Bootdisk:

http://www.bootdisk.com

or for a universal boot disk go here:

http://www.startdisk.com/Web2/ubd/ubd.htm

Fdisk:

http://fdisk.com/fdisk/

http://www.computerhope.com/sfdisk1.htm

How to Use the Fdisk Tool and the Format Tool to Partition or Repartition a
Hard Disk

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q255/8/67.ASP

Partitiong Harddrive:

http://www.newlogic.co.uk/kbase/fdisk/page1.htm

Clean and Reinstall OS:

http://www.netpathway.com/~kramer/reinstall.html

Clean install using the Win98 Upgrade disk:

http://newlife-win98.server101.com/clean_install.htm

Stolen from 'JJ in Houston' )

"How To Reinstall Windows 98 and Windows 98 Second Edition"

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q250/9/28.asp

"Sometimes I do not know but I try hard"- R.F. Haughty 1923

 

[edfair]

Put the risky stuff as C:. Use partition magic and boot magic that create an emergency boot disk that allow you to recreate the bootmagic stuff on c: when it gets corrupted.
Your stuff on D: should be safe.

Ed Fair
Give the wrong symptoms, get the wrong solutions.

 

[Peahippo]

I realize a "more secure OS" would be called for, but unless that means Linux, it can't be done. I service XP systems at a bank, and I'm still not impressed by how it works, since some sharing of the Windows directory still takes place. Microsoft has been favoring features over security for years. Besides, these kids can break anything.

Well, that criticism aside, we just have Win98SE from the original machine load, and want to continue using it since it's zero material cost and runs fast enough on the equipment. Dad and the kids are comfortable running stuff on Win98, which is a sensible minimum for my re-design effort.

I searched online a bit and came up with rumors of some DOS-based programs called PROTECT.COM and WPHD.COM. The Simtel archive did have wphd.zip, but a later version called wprot2.zip exists. It traps the INT13 (BIOS API) calls, and the assembly language code documentation shows it stops writes to C: (also stopping formats to C: and D. Of course, MSDOS API calls for disk writes have nothing to do with INT13, but I feel confident enough to take my chances with wprot2.

Forgiving Microsoft a bit, if I did have Win2K or WinXP available, I would immediately make use of the FAT/NTFS one-way valve. I would make Dad use the NTFS Os, and the kids use the FAT OS ... which is unable to use NTFS at all, making Dad's precious partition encrypted in practical terms. The NT/2K/XP login process works, which would obsolete the machine's BIOS password scheme, which obviously is a problem under the current setup.

Any thoughts on using an INT13 trapper?

 

[TekTippy4U]

maybe Install your stuff on D:\"MyWin98" instead of "Windows" ,the "default" directory (change at Installation time). And install theirs under C:\Windows first...So that all sub-directories underneath have to go through a diff root

Make sure you use Fat32 for C:, otherwise your fdisk won't see the whole HDD...I think I remember running into a problem in trying to add a Fat32 Extended Partition once you've made C:\ Primary Active Fat16........you would have to convert to Fat32 before you are able to utilize the rest of the disk., or only want to add Fat16 in extended....i forget.....right now it doesn't seem to make sense to me, but i distinctly remember being perplexed at the time.
Also this probably isn't an issue if you use a Drive overlay such as Partition Magic.

TT4U

Notification:
These are just "my" thoughts....and should be carefully measured against other opinions.
Backup All Important Data/Docs..All involved shall be spared the grief.

 

[wolluf]

Reasonably easy - just use a boot manager that hides your partition when it boots the kids (both will appear as C:\windows to themselves). Eg,

http://www.boot-us.com

- free for personal use (obviously they could still boot into yours from boot menu - but you'll have that problem whatever your do).

Also - you'll need to hide the first partition while you're installing the second copy of 98 (so it thinks its on C.

 

[Peahippo]

I just went to the computer last night, and it was the usual nightmare. Every piece of spy- and ad-ware that could be running, was running. I stomped through the disk and registry for 2 hours before I had all those bugs eliminated. The good news that the Win98SE seemed OK and didn't require a re-load.

The idea of not re-loading is very attractive. Here's what I plan to do:

1. Linux is often loaded using some re-partitioning tool (I forget the name) that reliably "shrinks" the existing partition to make room for a Linux part. Since there's only 1 part now, I'll shrink it to 2GB, and then make 2 more partitions; one 2GB will hold the kids' Windows, and the last 4GB will hold the kids' data (which we'll tell them to use, and hopefully they'll listen). (4GB is enough for about 1000 MP3s, or many hundreds of songs with many of Mom's digital pics ... which should hold 'em all for a while.) That'll leave C:, D: and E:.

2. That recommended boot-us loader has a good list of functions. I'll use it to allow selection of Dad's or kids' Windows, and most importantly, it'll hide Dad's part from the kids.

3. I'll load another Win98SE on D:. If (naaah ... WHEN) the kids kill it, we'll just format D: and reinstall Windows on it again. C: and E: will be untouched.

That's the plan.

 

[edfair]

Why don't you put the install stuff on a drive that will be visible from all partitions? Makes the reinstall easier.

Ed Fair
Give the wrong symptoms, get the wrong solutions.