Hyperos 2002 R6

Setting up a multi-boot PC can be useful, allowing you to try a new operating system without destroying your current one.

For example, developers can test websites with a different OS and browser, or family members can each be given a different OS and applications.

However, there's typically a limit of three bootable Windows systems on one PC due to the limitations of Windows and its boot managers.

Hyperos 2002 R6 allows you to run 20 copies of Windows on one PC. Essentially it manages Windows in logical drives in an extended partition.

You need a licence for each type of Windows you run, i.e. one for Windows 2000 not for each copy of 2000. There is no support for Linux, but this is planned for next year.

Installation can be time consuming, but only because of its versatility. Several utilities including Partition Magic 7 and Winrar are provided.

An installed OS can be backed up and duplicated quickly; a typical Windows 98 system copies in 30 seconds depending on PC spec.

Any OS can be run natively on the hard disk, or Windows 9x systems installed to a Fat 16 partition can be run in a Ram 'Hyperdrive' which speeds things up.

As Hyperos depends on native device drivers, it will allow you to continue running an indispensable Windows 95 application on a new PC without a software upgrade, but only while the device drivers for the vital hardware are available for Windows 95.

The closest competitors to Hyperos are products such as VMware Workstation and Connectix VirtualPC.

They provide virtual environments within which you can run any Intel-compatible OS simultaneously windowed on your desktop, but only a subset of devices will be supported.

System requirements: Pentium/AMD K6+; 768MB of Ram; sufficient spare hard disk space for your chosen version of Windows; CD-Rom; Windows 95 (OSR2) or above.

Price: £293 (£249 ex VAT)

Contact: Hyperos Systems 0800 027 2002
www.hyperos2002.com