Here is how option c) works. It assumes that you have these disks:
- Old disk (containing your existing OSs)
- New disk (empty)
1. Temporarily install the old disk and the new disk in some
Win2000 PC. Connect them to the secondary controller.
2. Start Win2000.
3. Create the same partitions on the new disk as you had on the old
disk (but choose sizes that suit you).
4. Use xcopy.exe to copy each partition from the old disk to
the corresponding partition on the new disk. Make sure to
use the correct switches in order to copy hidden files and
file/folder ownership.
5. Install the new disk in your PC. Do not connect the old disk.
6. Boot it with a Win98 boot disk (
www.bootdisk.com).
7. Run fdisk.exe and set your first partition to "active".
8. Boot the machine with your Win2000 CD.
9. Select "Repair", then "Command Console".
10. Run fixboot and fixmbr.
Your machine should now boot into the same OSs as before.
The Win2000 boot manager works by examining the lines in
c:\boot.ini, then passing control to whichever item you select.
There are far better ways of managing a multi-boot process
(e.g. with XOSL, which is free), but they require you to
reload the OS that you have on drive F:.
Vic said:
Pegasus,
In reading your tips it looks like I will try item 'C'. Tried using
Norton's 'Ghost' (item 'A') but found it confusing and have
never had success (obviously doing something wrong as many people use
the
program and like it). I've used a program called XXCOPY
http://www.xxcopy.com/index.htm to clone drives. It works great but have
never tried it on the boot drive for W2K. My greatest
concern is having trouble with the dual boot function not working after
the new HD is cloned ... I don't know if the dual boot
feature is FILE related or if something is written in the boot section
of
the HD one cannot see.
I am curious though, you said regarding option 'C':
Copying hidden and system files I know about but what do you mean by
"You will also need to restore your current boot environment"?
Do you mean W2K will need to be copied to drive 'F' once again (which I
know it does), or something else?
to
a
different HD?
(I had a problem with dual boot before [think I had to reinstall OS] am
gun shy now)
2. will W2K 'see' it is installed to a new HD and fail?
(it would still go to 'F:' partition but a new HD - I'm removing the
old
HD)
Any (constructive) comments appreciated.
Any other 'obstacles' to look for doing this proceedure?
TIA,
Vic
You have several ways of cloning your hard disk:
a) Use the cloning program that some disk manufacturers make
available on their home site.
b) Use a commercial partition manipulation program, e.g.
Partition Magic, Ghost, Acronis.
c) Install the old and the new disk temporarily in some other
PC, then copy everything across.
Options a) and b) will preserve your dual boot environment,
provided that you maintain the current drive letter assignment.
In other words, since Win2000 is on drive F:, you must
create drives D:, E: and F:: on the new disk, then copy the
old drive F: to the new drive F:.
After cloning the disk, avoid booting the machine with both
disks connected at the same time. If you ignore this recommendation
then you might end up with neither disk booting properly.
Option c) requires andvanced knowledge about copying
hidden and system files. You will also need to restore your
current boot environment.
If an any time you should lose your dual boot ability then
there is no need to re-install an OS. Dual booting can be
restored in less than five minutes. Post here in case this
should happen to you.
