How to create a bootable HD

Hi,
I have installed Win 2k and xp pro numerous times. I came
to the conclusion that I have to have a fast way of
deplying it (no more floppies, CD's or clicks). I have
therefor put Win2k Pro and Win XP Pro on each of 3 systems
at home.
The question is:
When I boot as 2k pro and copy the XP pro to an external
device (a 10 GB 10K rpm drive. How do I test it to see
that I can boot from it (at least on the same laptop that
it is connected to before moving it to another system.
Here is what I tried:
in boot ini I had:
[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINNT
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINNT="Microsoft
Windows 2000 Professional" /fastdetect
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Microsoft
Windows XP Professional" /fastdetect

I then added
multi(2)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft
Windows XP Professional" /fastdetect

where 2 is the number displayed from control-
panel/computer management/disk management (disk2)?

I cannot boot when i choose the third selection!

I Also tried changing the partition number to 0 ..etc
never worked
What Am I missing here?
Thanks
Samy

P.S. Is there a command line utility or exec that can spit
out the numbers on a system like

disk 0 rdisk 0 partition 1 \WINNT
disk 0 rdisk 0 partition 2 \WINDOWS

...etc