[Skybird]

Well, let's figure out how dual boot system work. I understand you install the old Windows first on a small partition, and the newest on the main partition, which also should be the first partition. You install the old Windows first because some booting sequence file gets overwritten by the second installation, and if that second installation is the older Windows you barely use, then the modern Windows you want to use in the main is - does... well, what? Don't i get a selection screen anyway?

I plan separate partitions for the swap file also (to be able to defrag it by simply format that partition), a separate partition for the FS9 (around 40 GB with all my addon stuff), and a small one for chess, because the database can create certain complications with the system restore function if it is not switched of for the partition the chess software is on. And then there is the main partition for data files and all software. Plus first partition with W7, and another one for XP, a small one.

Now, how does each of the two windows interact with installed software, may it be games, may it be internet and antivirus? Do I need to install every game I want to use for the "not dominant" OS (XP in this case) on the same partition that XP is on, so that that software only can be run with XP, and not from W7?

Or is all software installed on a separate partition different from W7 and XP, but both OS are crosslinked and will interact with all software that is installed, so that every program in theory would be accessible from any of the two OS?

What about the updating of the OS, or better: the updating of any software that is coming in different versions depending on the OS you use? Let's think there is software X that is available for PX, and in a different version for Vista, and W7. I want to use it with XP, and installed it in that version. But 90% of the time I operate under W7. How is it getting updates? W7 version? XP version? Only updating when booting XP?

I think it comes down to whether the software pool is fully accessible for any of the two OS, or needs a strict separation for each of the two OS. But what is about a virus-scanner and firewall, then? I run FS9 under XP, for example, and need protection when getting live weather data. Do I need to do two virus scanner installations - one relating to XP,. the other under W7? when I install a game under any of the two OS, will it get recognised and be accessible from any of the two OS? Or is it automatically linked to the OS under which it was installed?

Can both OS use the same swap file partition? If not, can one partition then house two swap files, one for each of the OS?

Sorry, this may sound funny, but I have a hard time to figure this stuff out, via Google I just find that everybody seems to know how it works and thus it does not get explained. I just never had to do with this matter before. Get this dual-boot-novice at my end of the wire enlighted, please.