Reinstalling WinMe on C:\ if W2k already installed?

[Kent A]

Hello:
Because of IE6-SP1 corruption, I now have to reinstall my Millenneum OS
(4.90.300) located on C:\. I am also dual booting with W2k
(SP3-Professional-Home Edition) and I was wondering if the instructions I've
listed below to 1) Reinstall WinMe in a new folder, and then 2) Restore the
Boot Sector to how it was before, would would work for my situation? The
instruction for reinstalling Millenneum to a new folder never mentions dual
booting, and the "How to Enable Dual Boot ..." instructions seem to apply to
W2k installed first (on C:\??) and then installing WinMe afterwards (which
is the reverse of my situation).

Also, if these procedures are relatively safe, should I just leave my second
hard drive connected (contains my important backup files) so I don't mess
with the partition table? Or if they are risky...should I disconnect it
BEFORE I reinstall WinMe and then reconnect just before I use the ERD to
repair the boot sector?

If anyone has the time to look over the two instructions below and maybe
post a comment I would greatly appreciate it!

W2K (all my partitions):
C: FAT-32-Millenneum--System Boot-Master hard drive-Primary Partition
D: FAT-32-Master hard drive-Logical Partition
E: NTFS-Master hard drive-W2K Boot-Primary Partition
F: NTFS-Master hard drive-Primary Partition
G: FAT-32-Master hard drive-Logical Partition
H: FAT-32-Master hard drive-Logical Partition
I: FAT-32 ***2nd hard drive-Logical Partition-IMPORTANT, backed up files
J: FAT-32 ***2nd hard drive-Logical Partition- " "
K: NTFS- ***2nd hard drive-Primary Partition

WinMe (partitions from Millenneum's perspective):
C: FAT-32-Millenneum--System Boot-Master hard drive-Primary Partition
D: FAT-32-Master hard drive-Logical Partition
E: FAT-32-Master hard drive-Logical Partition
F: FAT-32-Master hard drive-Logical Partition
G: FAT-32 ***2nd hard drive-Logical Partition-IMPORTANT, backed up files
H: FAT-32 ***2nd hard drive-Logical Partition " "

***************************
1) KB277648 - How to Install Windows Millennium Edition in a New Folder All
Products
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;277648
SUMMARY
This article describes how to install Windows Millennium
Edition (Me) in a new folder on the default C:\ partition.
This method preserves the System Restore Data Store.
MORE INFORMATION
When you upgrade Microsoft Windows to Windows Me, you may not
be able to install Windows Me to a folder that is different
from the existing Windows folder. However, it may be necessary
to install Windows Me in a new folder if:
You are troubleshooting hardware or software issues.
Your computer has damaged or missing files.
The Windows registry is damaged.
When you install Windows Me in a new folder, Windows Setup
ignores the previously installed programs and registry settings.

To install Windows Me in a new folder:
Start Windows Me to the Emergency Boot Disk or Startup disk,
and then click with CD-ROM support on the Start menu.
Change to the CD-ROM drive, and then verify that the
contents of the Windows Me CD-ROM are present.
Type C: to change to the C drive, and then press ENTER.
Type MD OldRoot, and then press ENTER.
Type Attrib -r -h -s C:\*.*, and then press ENTER.
Type Attrib -h _Restore, and then press ENTER.
Type Move C:\*.* C:\OldRoot, and then press ENTER.
Type Ren _Restore OldRest, and then press ENTER.
???(GUESS THEY MEAN CD C:\OLDROOT, THEN RENAME)???
Type Ren Progra~1 OldProg, and then press ENTER.
Type Ren Windows OldWin, and then press ENTER.
Type E:\Setup, where "E" is the drive letter for the CD-ROM
drive, and then press ENTER.
When you are prompted to enter a folder to install Windows
in, click Other Directory.
Type C:\Windows for the folder that you want to install
Windows in.
Remove the Emergency Boot Disk from the floppy drive.

*See above link if anyone needs to restore the previous installation.

***************************
2) KB293401 - How to Enable Dual Boot After You Install Windows Me on a
Windows 2000-based Computer
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;293401
SUMMARY
This article describes how to enable a dual boot configuration on a
Microsoft Windows 2000-based computer on which you have installed Microsoft
Windows Millennium Edition (Me).
MORE INFORMATION
When you install Windows Millennium Edition on a Windows 2000-based
computer, the Windows 2000 boot menu may not appear. To enable a dual-boot
configuration, repair the Windows 2000 installation. To do this, follow
these steps:

Start Windows 2000 Setup.
On the Welcome to Setup page, press R.
On the Windows 2000 Repair Options page, press R.
When you are prompted to Select one of the following repair options, press
M.
Press the UP ARROW twice to select Verify Windows 2000 system files, and
then press ENTER to clear the selection.
Press the DOWN ARROW to select Continue (perform selected tasks), and then
press ENTER.

The following message appears:
You need an Emergency Repair disk for the Windows 2000
installation you want to repair.

With an Emergency Repair Disk
If you have an Emergency Repair Disk, press ENTER.
Insert the Emergency Repair Disk into drive A, and then press ENTER.
Follow the instructions to repair the installation, and then restart the
computer.

*For those who don't have an Emergency Repair Disk, click above link for the
full instructions.
--THANKS again, Kent

 

[Dave Patrick]

You've done your homework well! No need to disconnect any drives. Should
work without a hitch from perspective of Windows 2000 and boot sector. As
far as the ME restore, I know nothing of that.

 

[Andy]

The easiest way to do a clean (re)install of Windows ME is to:
1) boot to Windows 2K and delete the C:\Windows and C:\Program Files
folders belonging to the old Windows ME.
2) shut down Windows 2K and boot the Windows ME startup or emergency
boot diskette.
3) change directory to the Windows ME installation CD, run setup, and
install to C: in the usual manner. After installation is completed,
dual boot will be still be functional.