How do I replace 98 with XP in a 2000/98 dual-boot setup.

G

greypound

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.
 
P

Pegasus \(MVP\)

greypound said:
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.
 
R

Rock

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.
 
P

Pegasus \(MVP\)

Rock said:
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.
 
R

Rock

Pegasus said:
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.
 
G

greypound

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.


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.
 
R

Rock

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.


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.
 
G

greypound

Pegasus said:
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?
 
P

Pegasus \(MVP\)

greypound said:
Pegasus said:
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.
 
G

greypound

Pegasus said:
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
 
G

greypound

greypound said:
Is there any chance of recovering the original SYSTEM file to attempt a
repair.

Thanks again

STOP PRESS

I discovered a six month old DVD image of my WINNT folder, replaced the
SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM file and regained access to 2000.
This allowed me access to the System restore backup.
I have restored the 31/12/06 system settings and my 2000 appears OK.
However - I have lost access to XP - I will try a few workarounds and
get back if necessary!!
 
P

Pegasus \(MVP\)

greypound said:
STOP PRESS

I discovered a six month old DVD image of my WINNT folder, replaced the
SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM file and regained access to 2000.
This allowed me access to the System restore backup.
I have restored the 31/12/06 system settings and my 2000 appears OK.
However - I have lost access to XP - I will try a few workarounds and
get back if necessary!!

The System file you replaced is the main component of your
registry. I very much wonder how it could have gotten corrupted
when you were swapping disks around . . .

If you can no longer boot into WinXP then you may have the
incorrect versions of the hidden files c:\ntldr and c:\ntdetect.com.
Did you replace them with their Win2000 versions? Why? Put
the WinXP versions back - you can find them in the i386 folder
of your WinXP CD.
 
G

greypound

Pegasus said:
The System file you replaced is the main component of your
registry. I very much wonder how it could have gotten corrupted
when you were swapping disks around . . .

If you can no longer boot into WinXP then you may have the
incorrect versions of the hidden files c:\ntldr and c:\ntdetect.com.
Did you replace them with their Win2000 versions? Why? Put
the WinXP versions back - you can find them in the i386 folder
of your WinXP CD.

Many thanks.
The ntldr and ntdetect.com files were obviously corrupted in the System
Recovery of win2000.
They were probably related to the booting of Win98!
At the moment both the 2000 and XP are dual booting correctly, I will
backup both systems soonest.
I pride myself in being able to sort out my own computer problems over
the years - but it would never have been possible without expert help.
Thankyou Pegasus.

jefft
 
P

Pegasus \(MVP\)

greypound said:
Many thanks.
The ntldr and ntdetect.com files were obviously corrupted in the System
Recovery of win2000.
They were probably related to the booting of Win98!
At the moment both the 2000 and XP are dual booting correctly, I will
backup both systems soonest.
I pride myself in being able to sort out my own computer problems over
the years - but it would never have been possible without expert help.
Thankyou Pegasus.

jefft

Thanks for the feedback. I recommend you use some partition
imaging program for the backup process such as Acronis DriveImage.
Version 7 can now be downloaded free of charge from here:
http://www.acronis.com/mag/DVhbcjdI
 
G

greypound

Pegasus said:
Thanks for the feedback. I recommend you use some partition
imaging program for the backup process such as Acronis DriveImage.
Version 7 can now be downloaded free of charge from here:
http://www.acronis.com/mag/DVhbcjdI


I downloaded the Acronis TrueImage7 and accepted the upgrade to v10 at
a knockdown price of £23 - I am getting too old to screw up my systems
too often.

Another problem with dual booting is dual installation of software with
each OS.
Outlook Express is a problem (although I have managed to duplicate
address books) because there is no continuity between messages. I have
downloaded a fairly complicated system of file sharing - but it looks
somewhat risky.
Google Earth is the major problem. Is it possible to install software
in partitions away from the Operating Systems, that both OS can access?
I have read some of your comments on this subject so I anticipate a NO
- but hope for a YES (with difficulty) !!

If these problems are too trivial, tell me - you have worked wonders
getting me this far.
Thanks
 

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