Win 2k/XP dual install

[Dr. X]

'lo again folks,

I'm wanting ot do a dual install of XP Pro as well as my existing 2000 Pro but haven't had much experience with this so thought I'd ask you good folks for some input before I start.

I'd have though that it's easy enough to install XP and 2K on the same partition (C:\) without messing up my existing files/apps for the 2K install. I'm aware that none/not many of the already installed apps will run on XP fine, but I just wanted a play with XP before deciding whether to go XP or stay 2K.

Is this the case though? Is the XP installer going to want to do only a fresh install (on a new partition) or to upgrade 2K to XP? I can't do either of these, I need a dual boot install with both OS's on the same partition.

Anything else I should look out for?

p.s. Audioslave

[Moby-Dick]

you cou7ld try using something like bootmagic ( part of partition magic ) to create a dual boot system when it effectivly swaps the C: drives over between partitions.

[Enverex]

It should work. You need to initiate the install from DOS. It will complain that there is already a Windows install present, just tell it to continue. If the folder it wants to use already exists, it will either let you delete the other install, or call the new Windows install folder something else.

So you should just have both OSes on the same drive, sharing the Program Files folder and the root files such as pagefile.sys and ntloader, but both having a different folder name.
Worked for me.

NS

[Dr. X]

So leaving 2000 in c:\winnt and installing xp to say c:\winxp should work?

Lubberly.

Time for a backup first though.

Cheers.

[Anders]

Alternatively, I would recommend you resize your 2000 partition using Partition Magic (or another piece of s/w that will resize partitions non-destructively). Then create another partition in the freed space and install XP in that. This way it is less likely to mess up your W2K install.

I had always believed that installing two OSs on the same partition would not work or at least would be a bad idea. If others have done it successfully then maybe things have changed.

Looking around briefly in Google I found a couple of articles you might want to read.

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Microsoft doesn't support using the same partition for Win2K and another OS. Partitions need to be separate because Microsoft doesn't put all OS elements in one directory structure. Directories exist for shared programs, as well as for documents and settings.
http://www.winnetmag.com/Articles/In...ArticleID=8312
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If you have already installed Windows, and you have only one partition, you must reformat and partition your hard drive before you can multiboot.

You can divide your hard disk into multiple partitions, and each partition can function as a separate logical drive. For example, logical drives C: and D: can both exist on the same hard disk, but function as separate disks. You should install each operating system on a different partition. http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/p.../multiboot.asp
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[directhex]

i can't stress enough how much you want 1 partition per OS.

[Dr. X]

okay Jo, I'll go save some pennies for PM. My system is partitioned up to the teeth so another dedicated one for a 2nd OS wouldn't hurt.

[skly77]

I have win2k already and want to install win98 also in different partition. The reason I want to install win98 is becoz my tv card doesn't have win2k or xp driver. Can I install 98?

[Anders]

Originally posted by skly77
I have win2k already and want to install win98 also in different partition. The reason I want to install win98 is becoz my tv card doesn't have win2k or xp driver. Can I install 98?

I believe you can, so long as your primary partition, which is normally labelled C:\ under Windows, use a file system that Windows 98 can read and write to, i.e. FAT 32 or FAT 16. You cannot install Windows 98 on a HDD where the primary partition file system is NTFS.

[directhex]

DOS will only boot from the FIRST primary partition in a system, and will erase any boot menus it finds i.e. you need to install 98 FIRST then 2K AFTERWARDS

out of interest, which tv card? BT878 cards work great under NT5.x

--jo

[skly77]

thanks anders.. I can have win98 and win2k now.

[Anders]

You might want take note of what directhex said as I have not tried this method but read about it. Search around in Google to confirm this will work before doing it.

--Edit--
These two links might be of some help, one concerns installing 98 after XP but I should think the same principles apply.
http://www.petri.co.il/install_win98_after_xp.htm
http://www.ficorp.com/multiboot_win2000.html

[Nox]

c:\documents & settings, along with c:\program files are two REALLY good reasons to install to a seperate partition... if you can.

Nox

[skly77]

first install win98 /win 95 in FAT32/16

then install winXP or win2000 in different partitions or HD.

easy!!

[Nox]

you shouldn't need win 95/98 installed. when i did a 2000/xp machine a while back i just chucked the cd in when i had loaded up 2000, it autoran, and i selected install to another partition - off it went.

c:\program files WILL get messy, and c:\documents and setting will probably get a lot of user folders with .000 extensions

Nox