I have a dual boot setup with Win2000Pro on D and Win 98SE on C. D is a
separate 30Gb drive, C is a partition on an 80Gb drive.
I wish to replace 98 with XP Home but I know that 2000 had to be
installed after 98 to avoid overwriting the 2000 boot sector and the
2000 startup files.

Would using XP Upgrade software simply replace 98 and maintain the
dual-boot capability?
Is it simpler to format C and install a full version of XP? Could I
then restore the dual boot 2000/XP?

I do not wish to lose any of the info or programs on drive D, nor risk
damaging the data on the other partitions on the 80Gb drive. I can
make images of partitions if necessary (or prudent).

I have searched google groups to attempt to identify possible problems
but could not find the 98/XP swap scenario.

"greypound" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> I have a dual boot setup with Win2000Pro on D and Win 98SE on C. D is a
> separate 30Gb drive, C is a partition on an 80Gb drive.
> I wish to replace 98 with XP Home but I know that 2000 had to be
> installed after 98 to avoid overwriting the 2000 boot sector and the
> 2000 startup files.
>
> Would using XP Upgrade software simply replace 98 and maintain the
> dual-boot capability?
> Is it simpler to format C and install a full version of XP? Could I
> then restore the dual boot 2000/XP?
>
> I do not wish to lose any of the info or programs on drive D, nor risk
> damaging the data on the other partitions on the 80Gb drive. I can
> make images of partitions if necessary (or prudent).
>
> I have searched google groups to attempt to identify possible problems
> but could not find the 98/XP swap scenario.
>

This is quite simple. Since Win2000 is on drive D:, there is no
danger of it getting damaged.

Rather than upgrading your Win98 installation to WinXP, I strongly
recommend that you do a fresh installation of WinXP. You will get
a far more reliable and robust system!

Here is what you should do:
1. Back up your important files - just in case something goes wrong.
Don't forget your EMail files . . .
2. Copy the hidden file c:\boot.ini to D:\.
3. Boot the machine with your WinXP CD.
4. When prompted, select C:\Windows as the destination, and
allow drive C: to be formatted.
5. When WinXP is up and running, do this:
- Click Start / Run / cmd {OK}.
- Type these commands:
notepad c:\boot.ini
notepad d:\boot.ini
6. Copy the Win2000 line from d:\boot.ini to c:\boot.ini.
Save C:\boot.ini.
This will restore your dual boot capability.

"greypound" wrote

>I have a dual boot setup with Win2000Pro on D and Win 98SE on C. D is a
> separate 30Gb drive, C is a partition on an 80Gb drive.
> I wish to replace 98 with XP Home but I know that 2000 had to be
> installed after 98 to avoid overwriting the 2000 boot sector and the
> 2000 startup files.
>
> Would using XP Upgrade software simply replace 98 and maintain the
> dual-boot capability?
> Is it simpler to format C and install a full version of XP? Could I
> then restore the dual boot 2000/XP?
>
> I do not wish to lose any of the info or programs on drive D, nor risk
> damaging the data on the other partitions on the 80Gb drive. I can
> make images of partitions if necessary (or prudent).
>
> I have searched google groups to attempt to identify possible problems
> but could not find the 98/XP swap scenario.

XP is newer than Windows 2000 so by installing XP in place of Win98 you're
following the recommended order of installing the newest OS last. The XP
installation should recognize the dual boot and keep it. But make sure you
have a full and complete backup of all data. Best is to image the drives so
in case something goes haywire you can restore things to their previous
condition.

The upgrade from Win98 to XP usually goes well, but make sure you run the
upgrade advisor first.

"Rock" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:%23ec%(E-Mail Removed)...
> "greypound" wrote
>
> >I have a dual boot setup with Win2000Pro on D and Win 98SE on C. D is a
> > separate 30Gb drive, C is a partition on an 80Gb drive.
> > I wish to replace 98 with XP Home but I know that 2000 had to be
> > installed after 98 to avoid overwriting the 2000 boot sector and the
> > 2000 startup files.
> >
> > Would using XP Upgrade software simply replace 98 and maintain the
> > dual-boot capability?
> > Is it simpler to format C and install a full version of XP? Could I
> > then restore the dual boot 2000/XP?
> >
> > I do not wish to lose any of the info or programs on drive D, nor risk
> > damaging the data on the other partitions on the 80Gb drive. I can
> > make images of partitions if necessary (or prudent).
> >
> > I have searched google groups to attempt to identify possible problems
> > but could not find the 98/XP swap scenario.
>
> XP is newer than Windows 2000 so by installing XP in place of Win98 you're
> following the recommended order of installing the newest OS last. The XP
> installation should recognize the dual boot and keep it. But make sure
you
> have a full and complete backup of all data. Best is to image the drives
so
> in case something goes haywire you can restore things to their previous
> condition.
>
> The upgrade from Win98 to XP usually goes well, but make sure you run the
> upgrade advisor first.
>

I agree with everything you say except the last statement. Upgrades from
Win98 to WinXP do indeed usually go well but since the two OSs are
radically different, the upgrade involves lots of compromises that sometimes
result in weird and wonderful problems. It's also ca case of attempting to
soup up a worn and battle-scarred system, expecting the new OS to repair
all the damage. This is optimistic thinking [blissful ignorance?] and we see
the results in these newsgroups. To me a Win98 => WinXP upgrade is
the lazy man's method. Given the choice, I will always go for a fresh
installation.

Pegasus (MVP) wrote:

> "Rock" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:%23ec%(E-Mail Removed)...
>
>>"greypound" wrote
>>
>>
>>>I have a dual boot setup with Win2000Pro on D and Win 98SE on C. D is a
>>>separate 30Gb drive, C is a partition on an 80Gb drive.
>>>I wish to replace 98 with XP Home but I know that 2000 had to be
>>>installed after 98 to avoid overwriting the 2000 boot sector and the
>>>2000 startup files.
>>>
>>>Would using XP Upgrade software simply replace 98 and maintain the
>>>dual-boot capability?
>>>Is it simpler to format C and install a full version of XP? Could I
>>>then restore the dual boot 2000/XP?
>>>
>>>I do not wish to lose any of the info or programs on drive D, nor risk
>>>damaging the data on the other partitions on the 80Gb drive. I can
>>>make images of partitions if necessary (or prudent).
>>>
>>>I have searched google groups to attempt to identify possible problems
>>>but could not find the 98/XP swap scenario.
>>
>>XP is newer than Windows 2000 so by installing XP in place of Win98 you're
>>following the recommended order of installing the newest OS last. The XP
>>installation should recognize the dual boot and keep it. But make sure
>
> you
>
>>have a full and complete backup of all data. Best is to image the drives
>
> so
>
>>in case something goes haywire you can restore things to their previous
>>condition.
>>
>>The upgrade from Win98 to XP usually goes well, but make sure you run the
>>upgrade advisor first.
>>
>
>
> I agree with everything you say except the last statement. Upgrades from
> Win98 to WinXP do indeed usually go well but since the two OSs are
> radically different, the upgrade involves lots of compromises that sometimes
> result in weird and wonderful problems. It's also ca case of attempting to
> soup up a worn and battle-scarred system, expecting the new OS to repair
> all the damage. This is optimistic thinking [blissful ignorance?] and we see
> the results in these newsgroups. To me a Win98 => WinXP upgrade is
> the lazy man's method. Given the choice, I will always go for a fresh
> installation.

I see your point. Then again we don't know the health of the underlying
system. If it's running great, then why not try the upgrade? If it
doesn't work go back and do the clean install. Many people do have good
success with the upgrade. It's an interesting issue now with Vista -
upgrade or clean. With that I'm leaning towards clean - or "custom" as
it's called in Vista. I haven't seen that many posts in here about
problems after a Win98 to XP upgrade, but then there aren't that many
posts about it at all.

--
Rock
MS MVP Windows - Shell/User

> >>XP is newer than Windows 2000 so by installing XP in place of Win98 you're
> >>following the recommended order of installing the newest OS last. The XP
> >>installation should recognize the dual boot and keep it. But make sure you
> >>have a full and complete backup of all data. Best is to image the drives so
> >>in case something goes haywire you can restore things to their previous
> >>condition.
> >>
> >>The upgrade from Win98 to XP usually goes well, but make sure you run the
> >>upgrade advisor first.

I did that - I have Adaptec SCSI software that is incompatible -
nothing else

> >
> >
> > I agree with everything you say except the last statement. Upgrades from
> > Win98 to WinXP do indeed usually go well but since the two OSs are
> > radically different, the upgrade involves lots of compromises that sometimes
> > result in weird and wonderful problems. It's also a case of attempting to
> > soup up a worn and battle-scarred system, expecting the new OS to repair
> > all the damage. This is optimistic thinking [blissful ignorance?] and we see
> > the results in these newsgroups. To me a Win98 => WinXP upgrade is
> > the lazy man's method. Given the choice, I will always go for a fresh
> > installation.
>
> I see your point. Then again we don't know the health of the underlying
> system. If it's running great, then why not try the upgrade? If it
> doesn't work go back and do the clean install. Many people do have good
> success with the upgrade. It's an interesting issue now with Vista -
> upgrade or clean. With that I'm leaning towards clean - or "custom" as
> it's called in Vista. I haven't seen that many posts in here about
> problems after a Win98 to XP upgrade, but then there aren't that many
> posts about it at all.
>
> --
> Rock
> MS MVP Windows - Shell/User


Thankyou for your advice. The most relevant info was to copy the boot
file across - I was afraid of losing the capability of booting 2000.

Since I haven't bought the XP software yet I will probably go for the
full version since I still have some weird and wonderful 98 files that
I cannot comprehend that could hang over to the new system. I could
also drop my 98 disc/handbook into a charity shop.

Thanks again.

"greypound" wrote

>> >>XP is newer than Windows 2000 so by installing XP in place of Win98
>> >>you're
>> >>following the recommended order of installing the newest OS last. The
>> >>XP
>> >>installation should recognize the dual boot and keep it. But make sure
>> >>you
>> >>have a full and complete backup of all data. Best is to image the
>> >>drives so
>> >>in case something goes haywire you can restore things to their previous
>> >>condition.
>> >>
>> >>The upgrade from Win98 to XP usually goes well, but make sure you run
>> >>the
>> >>upgrade advisor first.
>
> I did that - I have Adaptec SCSI software that is incompatible -
> nothing else

>> >
>> >
>> > I agree with everything you say except the last statement. Upgrades
>> > from
>> > Win98 to WinXP do indeed usually go well but since the two OSs are
>> > radically different, the upgrade involves lots of compromises that
>> > sometimes
>> > result in weird and wonderful problems. It's also a case of attempting
>> > to
>> > soup up a worn and battle-scarred system, expecting the new OS to
>> > repair
>> > all the damage. This is optimistic thinking [blissful ignorance?] and
>> > we see
>> > the results in these newsgroups. To me a Win98 => WinXP upgrade is
>> > the lazy man's method. Given the choice, I will always go for a fresh
>> > installation.
>>
>> I see your point. Then again we don't know the health of the underlying
>> system. If it's running great, then why not try the upgrade? If it
>> doesn't work go back and do the clean install. Many people do have good
>> success with the upgrade. It's an interesting issue now with Vista -
>> upgrade or clean. With that I'm leaning towards clean - or "custom" as
>> it's called in Vista. I haven't seen that many posts in here about
>> problems after a Win98 to XP upgrade, but then there aren't that many
>> posts about it at all.
>>
>> --
>> Rock
>> MS MVP Windows - Shell/User
>
>
> Thankyou for your advice. The most relevant info was to copy the boot
> file across - I was afraid of losing the capability of booting 2000.
>
> Since I haven't bought the XP software yet I will probably go for the
> full version since I still have some weird and wonderful 98 files that
> I cannot comprehend that could hang over to the new system. I could
> also drop my 98 disc/handbook into a charity shop.

You're welcome.

I would suggest you don't need the full version. The upgrade version will
do a clean install or an upgrade. For the clean install it asks for the CD
of the qualifying product to be inserted. Just put in the win98 CD and then
do the clean install. You save quite a bit of money with the upgrade.

Pegasus (MVP) wrote:

>
> Rather than upgrading your Win98 installation to WinXP, I strongly
> recommend that you do a fresh installation of WinXP. You will get
> a far more reliable and robust system!
>
> Here is what you should do:
> 1. Back up your important files - just in case something goes wrong.
> Don't forget your EMail files . . .
> 2. Copy the hidden file c:\boot.ini to D:\.
> 3. Boot the machine with your WinXP CD.
> 4. When prompted, select C:\Windows as the destination, and
> allow drive C: to be formatted.
> 5. When WinXP is up and running, do this:
> - Click Start / Run / cmd {OK}.
"> - Type these commands:
> notepad c:\boot.ini
> notepad d:\boot.ini
> 6. Copy the Win2000 line from d:\boot.ini to c:\boot.ini.
> Save C:\boot.ini.
> This will restore your dual boot capability.

I did the fresh installation of XP on 1 January following the route you
suggested and it appeared to go well.

My boot.ini file (in 2 above) was

[boot loader]
timeout=15
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(1)partition(1)\WINNT
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(1)partition(1)\WINNT="Microsoft Windows 2000
Professional" /fastdetect
C:\="Microsoft Windows"

The revised line(line 6 above) in XP (driveC) was

[boot loader]
timeout=15
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home
Edition" /noexecute=optin /fastdetect
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(1)partition(1)\WINNT="Microsoft Windows 2000
Professional" /fastdetect

On restarting the computer the new splash screen gave me the new dual
boot option and I selected 'Windows 2000 Professional'

Here comes the sob story!! The screen message informed me :

"Windows could not start because the following file is missing or
corrupt
\WINNT\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM
You can attempt to repair this file by starting Windows Setup using the
original set-up CD Rom. Select r at the first screen to start repair"

I followed the routine but after inserting the Emergency Repair Disk I
received an error message suggesting there may be errors in a recent
driver installation etc etc so that way to salvation was blocked.

I checked the missing/corrupt file - it was present but had been
updated at the time of the XP install on 1 January. My 'careful
back-up' was made using the 2000 back-up routine
- the Dsystemstate backup is a .bkf file which I do not know how to
access from XP to extract the CONFIG file.
I know now I should have made a drive image - but I am stuck.

Any pointers, or do I have to re-install 2000?

"greypound" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> Pegasus (MVP) wrote:
>
> >
> > Rather than upgrading your Win98 installation to WinXP, I strongly
> > recommend that you do a fresh installation of WinXP. You will get
> > a far more reliable and robust system!
> >
> > Here is what you should do:
> > 1. Back up your important files - just in case something goes wrong.
> > Don't forget your EMail files . . .
> > 2. Copy the hidden file c:\boot.ini to D:\.
> > 3. Boot the machine with your WinXP CD.
> > 4. When prompted, select C:\Windows as the destination, and
> > allow drive C: to be formatted.
> > 5. When WinXP is up and running, do this:
> > - Click Start / Run / cmd {OK}.
> "> - Type these commands:
> > notepad c:\boot.ini
> > notepad d:\boot.ini
> > 6. Copy the Win2000 line from d:\boot.ini to c:\boot.ini.
> > Save C:\boot.ini.
> > This will restore your dual boot capability.
>
> I did the fresh installation of XP on 1 January following the route you
> suggested and it appeared to go well.
>
> My boot.ini file (in 2 above) was
>
> [boot loader]
> timeout=15
> default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(1)partition(1)\WINNT
> [operating systems]
> multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(1)partition(1)\WINNT="Microsoft Windows 2000
> Professional" /fastdetect
> C:\="Microsoft Windows"
>
> The revised line(line 6 above) in XP (driveC) was
>
> [boot loader]
> timeout=15
> default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
> [operating systems]
> multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home
> Edition" /noexecute=optin /fastdetect
> multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(1)partition(1)\WINNT="Microsoft Windows 2000
> Professional" /fastdetect
>
> On restarting the computer the new splash screen gave me the new dual
> boot option and I selected 'Windows 2000 Professional'
>
> Here comes the sob story!! The screen message informed me :
>
> "Windows could not start because the following file is missing or
> corrupt
> \WINNT\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM
> You can attempt to repair this file by starting Windows Setup using the
> original set-up CD Rom. Select r at the first screen to start repair"
>
> I followed the routine but after inserting the Emergency Repair Disk I
> received an error message suggesting there may be errors in a recent
> driver installation etc etc so that way to salvation was blocked.
>
> I checked the missing/corrupt file - it was present but had been
> updated at the time of the XP install on 1 January. My 'careful
> back-up' was made using the 2000 back-up routine
> - the Dsystemstate backup is a .bkf file which I do not know how to
> access from XP to extract the CONFIG file.
> I know now I should have made a drive image - but I am stuck.
>
> Any pointers, or do I have to re-install 2000?
>

The error message you observe is in most cases the result
of an incorrect line in c:\boot.ini. It is easily fixed by trial
and error. Boot into WinXP, save the original boot.ini file,
then make it look like so:
[boot loader]
timeout=5
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home
Edition" /noexecute=optin /fastdetect
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINNT="1 Microsoft Windows 2000
Professional" /fastdetect
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINNT="2 Microsoft Windows 2000
Professional" /fastdetect
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(3)\WINNT="3 Microsoft Windows 2000
Professional" /fastdetect
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(1)partition(1)\WINNT="4 Microsoft Windows 2000
Professional" /fastdetect
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(1)partition(2)\WINNT="5 Microsoft Windows 2000
Professional" /fastdetect
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(1)partition(3)\WINNT="6 Microsoft Windows 2000
Professional" /fastdetect
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(2)partition(1)\WINNT="7 Microsoft Windows 2000
Professional" /fastdetect
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(2)partition(2)\WINNT="8 Microsoft Windows 2000
Professional" /fastdetect
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(2)partition(3)\WINNT="9 Microsoft Windows 2000
Professional" /fastdetect

Now boot the machine into one Win2000 option after
the other. I am confident that one of the 9 options will
work. When finished, remove all but the correct option.

Pegasus (MVP) wrote:

> The error message you observe is in most cases the result
> of an incorrect line in c:\boot.ini. It is easily fixed by trial
> and error. Boot into WinXP, save the original boot.ini file,
> then make it look like so:
> [boot loader]
> timeout=5
> default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
> [operating systems]
> multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home
> Edition" /noexecute=optin /fastdetect
> multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINNT="1 Microsoft Windows 2000
> Professional" /fastdetect
> multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINNT="2 Microsoft Windows 2000
> Professional" /fastdetect
> multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(3)\WINNT="3 Microsoft Windows 2000
> Professional" /fastdetect
> multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(1)partition(1)\WINNT="4 Microsoft Windows 2000
> Professional" /fastdetect
> multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(1)partition(2)\WINNT="5 Microsoft Windows 2000
> Professional" /fastdetect
> multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(1)partition(3)\WINNT="6 Microsoft Windows 2000
> Professional" /fastdetect
> multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(2)partition(1)\WINNT="7 Microsoft Windows 2000
> Professional" /fastdetect
> multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(2)partition(2)\WINNT="8 Microsoft Windows 2000
> Professional" /fastdetect
> multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(2)partition(3)\WINNT="9 Microsoft Windows 2000
> Professional" /fastdetect
>
> Now boot the machine into one Win2000 option after
> the other. I am confident that one of the 9 options will
> work. When finished, remove all but the correct option.

Thanks for the speedy reply last night.
I did as you advised but 2000 did not attempt to load although I could
hear drive activity before it rebooted itself.
I reinstated the original XP boot.ini and the system attempted to load
but reverted to the message I quoted above. It appears as if the disk
and partition numbers are correct.
Is there any chance of recovering the original SYSTEM file to attempt a
repair.

Thanks again