Dual boot with Two instances of Win 2000 server

[BertieBigBollox]

OK. How difficult is this?

I'm trying to do this on a Dell Poweredge server. Trouble is to install
the first OS you need to boot from the Dell CD first (to set up the
RAID stuff) and then it asks for the Windows 2000 CD.

So, I've done this and installed Win2000 server on the first partition.
I've now got a free partition for the second one.

Should I boot from Dell CD or boot from Win 2000 next? Or run Win2000
install from within first win200 instance?

Trouble is I've got a feeling it may not recognise the RAID partitions.
Also, I've got a feeling the Dell boot disk forces the OS onto the
first partition.

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

OK. How difficult is this?

I'm trying to do this on a Dell Poweredge server. Trouble is to install
the first OS you need to boot from the Dell CD first (to set up the
RAID stuff) and then it asks for the Windows 2000 CD.

So, I've done this and installed Win2000 server on the first partition.
I've now got a free partition for the second one.

Should I boot from Dell CD or boot from Win 2000 next? Or run Win2000
install from within first win200 instance?

Trouble is I've got a feeling it may not recognise the RAID partitions.
Also, I've got a feeling the Dell boot disk forces the OS onto the
first partition.

I would do it like this:
1. Create three partitions:
a) One for Win2000-1
b) One for Win2000-2
c) One 10 MByte FAT partition for XOSL.
2. Install Win2000 in Win2000-1
3. Boot into the Recovery Console and run the command
"fixmbr" to erase the current volume information.
4. Use an imaging product (Acronis, Ghost) to copy
Win2000-1 to Win2000-2. Label the two partitions
so that you know which is which.
5. Modify boot.ini on Win2000-2 to reflect the correct partition
number and to label each installation.
6. Install XOSL in its own partition.
7. Add the two OSs to the XOSL menu.
8. Instruct XOSL to hide the two partitions from each other.

You can get XOSL from here: http://www.ranish.com/part/xosl.htm

 

[BertieBigBollox]

I would do it like this:
1. Create three partitions:
a) One for Win2000-1
b) One for Win2000-2
c) One 10 MByte FAT partition for XOSL.
2. Install Win2000 in Win2000-1
3. Boot into the Recovery Console and run the command
"fixmbr" to erase the current volume information.
4. Use an imaging product (Acronis, Ghost) to copy
Win2000-1 to Win2000-2. Label the two partitions
so that you know which is which.
5. Modify boot.ini on Win2000-2 to reflect the correct partition
number and to label each installation.
6. Install XOSL in its own partition.
7. Add the two OSs to the XOSL menu.
8. Instruct XOSL to hide the two partitions from each other.

You can get XOSL from here: http://www.ranish.com/part/xosl.htm

OK. Thanks for the help.

Why do you need to run fixmbr to erase the volume info?

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

OK. Thanks for the help.

Why do you need to run fixmbr to erase the volume info?

If you don't erase the volume info then the second copy
of Windows is likely to use parts or all of the first version,
even though it is hidden, because it is likely to use the
volume information kept in the registry. After erasing the
volume information, Windows will realign its drive letters
with the visible volumes.

 

[dg1261]

Why do you need to run fixmbr to erase the volume info?

I'll second Pegasus' recommendation, except for step 3. "Fixmbr" won't do
what I think he's trying to accomplish. Instead, use the "fdisk /mbr"
command from a Win98 boot floppy--see
www.goodells.net/multiboot/partsigs.htm#method3 for explanation.