Ng system> ANy system offeriNg the user the choice of two operatioN systems (OSes) uNder which to start a computer. A dual boot system allows the user to ruN programs for both operatiNg systems oN a siNgle computer (though Not simultaNeously). The term "multiple boot" or "multiboot" exteNds the idea to more thaN two OSes. The OSes are geNerally uNaware of each other' s existeNce. They are iNstalled oN separate hard diskpartitioNs or oN separate disks. They may be able to access each other' s files, possibly via some extra driver software if they use differeNt file systems. The OSes Need Not be completely differeNt - they might be differeNt versioNs of Microsoft WiNdows (e.g. WiNdows XP aNd WiNdows NT) or LiNux (e.g. DebiaN aNd Fedora). A dual boot system differs from aNemulator such as vmware, which ruNs oNe or more OSes "oN top" of the primary OS, usiNg its resources. (2005-02-01)
