Running multiple operating systems can be fun, extending the usefulness of a system through experimentation with different operating systems, while providing the safety net of what you already have. For this, System Commander 2000 fills the bill. SC2000 perpares a system for new operating system installs, then provides a menu at boot time of operating systems to choose from after installation is complete.

When running multiple Microsoft operating systems, the boot loader provided with NT or W2000 performs basic boot management through a simple to use and simple to configure interface. Operating systems from other vendors can be tricky, if at all possible. The possibility of being able to manage multiple, heterogeneous operating systems prompted me to give System Commander 2000 a look. In large measure, I was not disappointed. Current pricing on gargantuan-capacity hard drives, I suspect, will prompt more people to try alternative operating systems, if they can do it in a relatively risk-free way. Accordingly, a complete backup of data is recommended before making any substantive changes to one's system. This reviewer, who seems to make a habit of installing operating system repeatedly, did not. A measure to be undertaken only after the application's data has been moved to alternate media. Don't do this at home, kids.

Boot Menu

Click the thumbnail for full image. (9K)

The program replaces the master boot record (MBR) of the first hard drive, tranferring control to its own menuing executable on a primary partition on the first drive, typically a Windows 9x system. When a menu choice is made, SC2000 loads the program loader files from hidden files in its installed directory. Once the choice is made and the OS loads, SC2000 requires no memory; it is complete non-resident and transparent.

System Commander 2000 provides support for Windows (all flavors), UNIX, Linux, Free BSD, Netware, OS/2, DOS (of course), and others.

A new operating system is prepared for by running the OS Wizard at the boot menu. The wizard does an analysis of the system , then asks what operating system is to be installed, and provides a suggestion for the size of the partition, which the user can override. Once accepted, the partition is created and formatted and the wizard provides final instructions on installation of the new OS.

When an OS installation attempts to overwrite the master boot record (MBR), SC2000 takes note. When the system is rebooted, a dialog is presented, asking if you want to save the changes to the menu. Following this, the final pieces of the new OS installation proceed. On the next boot, the new OS is listed on the boot menu. Simple.

By default, SC2000 provides no default choice, but a screen saver starts after a configurable delay. The screen saver is also configurable. The user can elect to use a default menu choice and delay.

Although SC2000 largely shields the user from the details of partions and disk management, manual partitioning is also provided, with a graphical interface. Each partition is clearly labelled and color coded. This give a look into the structure of the disk at a glance. Partitions can be resized, copied, or moved. A very handy feature converts NTFS partitions FAT.

A Backstep Wizard provides an undo path for OS Wizard or manual partition operations. It can help you recover from the dreaded "Oops!"

Manual Partitoning

Click the thumbnail for full image. (61K)

A 175 page manual detailing operating the program and backround on partitions and disk management is provided, as well as explaining the nuances of different operating systems and remedies for errors a user may encounter. Sun's Star Office and TurboLinux Workstation are also provided, adding value to the offering. The well written manual and accompanying software help to distinguish this product from others in this category (masterbooter, mstboot, bootmanager, and XOSL).

The package is well laid out and installed without incident. Several OS installations and removals provided no surprises, but the manual could be improved by explaining how drive letter assignments are made, especially in multiple disk systems.

If you have a need to incorporate a new OS in your system, or just want to try out something new, but don't want to abandon your working system, System Commander provides a good solution. Other solutions (Jaz drives, removable drive bays, etc.), may also work, but if you don't want to buy hardware and open up your box for a hardware solution, System Commander 2000 is up to the job and recommended, both for novices and the experienced.

System Commander 2000
V-Communications, Inc.
2290 North First Street, Suite 101
San Jose, CA 95131
$49.95 electronic download
$79.95 shelf price ($25 rebate)