Choosing XP install drive

  • Thread starter Thread starter Guest
  • Start date Start date
G

Guest

This might not be possible, but it's what I'm trying to do.
I want to do a fresh install of XP on my system since my C: drive is full,
and dying. I have a new drive that ended up being my K: drive that I want to
do this install on. I inserted my XP Home disk and restarted to start the
install (changed the boot drive order so that my C: drive was not there to
interfere with the install) but when I got the the point where I choose which
volume to install Windows to, it only gives me the options of C: and D:.
I also understand what goes along with a new install and better ways to fix
things, but it comes down to that I want a dual boot of XP on one computer.
Complicated, but oh well. I'm willing to unplug drives and mess with BIOS to
do this because it wouldn't happen very often where I need to switch between
the two OS installs.

Am I going to have to completely unplug those drives to get my K: drive to
show up in that list? And/or what can I do to get this done?
 
How did you change the Boot drive order??
If you already have XP on the C drive the only change you need to make is to
place the CD drive as 1st boot and watch for the message "to boot from CD
push any key"...at which point XP installation will start.
It will detect the C drive and the fact that XP is installed on it.It will
then ask you for type of installation...pick new and pick your "K" drive.If
a different letter pops up check the size to see if it matches the "K"
drive.XP has been known to change drive letters during installation.
XP will create the dual boot during installation by placing certain files on
the C drive.When all is finished and you reboot you will be given a choice
of which XP to start....so be sure to differentiate the XP folder name in
some manner.This also means that the computer will not start if "C" is
removed without doing some changes to "K" beforehand.

If you are aiming to "dual boot" by removing the C or K drive each time from
the boot order.You will need to disconnect the C drive and have the K drive
hooked up in its place.Then do the XP installation.No dual boot choices at
boot up...whichever drive you have hooked up will be the XP starting.
peterk
 
I changed the boot order in the BIOS.
I tried to install XP the way you are describing first, but whenever the
installation begins, it comes up with a message similar to, "The version of
windows on this system is newer than the version you are trying to install.
Installation will not continue." That's why I changed the boot order to
basically hide the C: drive. It did get me farther into install.

It sounds like if I can get that to work, it will accomplish what I am
trying to do, so I will give that a try tonight when I have time.

Thanks and I'll let you know.
 
It seems you have XPSP2 on the System and are trying to install Plain ol XP
..
See here for how to SlipStream SP2 into the original XP and make it bootable
http://www.nu2.nu/bootcd/
Look way down for Bootable Windows XP installation CD-Rom (with SP1)
and then substitute SP2 for SP1

peterk
 
I'm having all sorts of problems getting that to work. I get to step 8, and
I can't get anything to work after that. I've looked all over to figure it
out, and no luck. Is there another way to do this?
 
Update: I did create the boot disk with SP2 slipstreamed.
I still come across the same problem I did before. It gives me the option
to install XP on drive C: D: or on an ipod that was connected (drive J:). I
want to install it on drive K:, which is not an option.
So once again, it seems I need to physically disconnect my drives, except
for my drive K:, to get a second install of XP on there.

I am getting an option now at boot up as to which OS I would like to start.
XP Home or XP Setup. A bit farther along than I was before.
 
Figured it out. The problem is that I needed to install 3rd party SCSI
drivers during the install so that XP could find that drive.
 
Back
Top