By Don Patzsch, Tampa PC Users Group
System Commander allows you to install and run any combination of PC compatible operating systems, including Windows 95/98, Windows 3.x, Windows NT, DOS, OS/2, and all of the PC compatible Unixes.
When I tried to install the program I got a message that I should unprotect the installation disk to allow writing to it. I didn't want to do that with the original disk, so I sent an email to V communications, and they said to go ahead and do it! Of course, I made a diskcopy of the installation disk and used that. The System Commander boot installation disk will have the backup files written to it as you progress. These may be useful some day, and of course that's why you have to unprotect the installation disk. I was surprised at how easy it is to install this program.
The next thing I encountered was that I was using BOOT MANAGER, a similar program that comes with OS2 and also with Partition Magic version 3.0. Due to that program, the System Commander did not come up. It was as though I had not installed it. I set up Partition Magic and deleted the BOOT MANAGER primary partition on the hard disk. Then I reinstalled System Commander and all worked as shown in the System Commander manual.
I could switch from Windows95 to Windows NT Server Version 4.0 on startup. Those are the only operating systems on this computer, although I use OS2 Version 4.0 and Linux, as well as P.C.DOS 7.0. I will add each as time permits now that I have the System Commander working. These operating systems are installed on my everyday computer.
The manual says that when you install System Commander, a copy of the various Master Boot Records (MBR) are made. One reason for this is that if you want to uninstall the program it will be possible to do it. Another is that if System Commander detects a MBR virus, a copy of the Master Boot Record is installed automatically, to remove the virus.
The Master Boot Record is the first sector of the first physical hard disk. The MBR consists of a master boot program and a partition table that describes the disk partitions. This area holds data about each of the four primary partitions, such as the size and the starting location of each partition, for each hard disk you have in that computer. The master boot program looks at the partition table to see which primary partition is active. It then starts the boot program from the boot sector of the active partition.
A hidden part of the hard disk is the DISK PARTITION TABLE. This specifies how the hard disk is divided. You may divide your hard disk into one to four primary partitions. System Commander provides both automatic and manual partitioning, and you may even resize the partitions without losing the data on the disk using this program. Extended and Logical partitions are the way to divide a Primary partition. OS2 and WindowsNT can be installed in a Logical partition. The WindowsNT boot program must be in the active primary partition on the first physical drive. DOS must be installed in a Primary partition in order to boot from the hard drive.
What can we do now that we have System Commander Deluxe?
I have read the entire System Commander manual and tried each of the processes suggested in the manual. I also reread the Partition Magic manual to be sure there was agreement between the two manuals and a compatibility between the two programs. Note: In the Partition Magic Version 3 manual, on page 165, an option for the System Commander is given. Instructions tell you how to prevent System Commander from opening multiple visible primary partitions.
I even learned more about DOS by reading those manuals! It makes sense to compare all the variables when you set up a new program. Their URL is http://www.v-com.com/u