WinXP/Win98 dual boot problem - self inflicted :(

[Doug_Dread]

Hi,

I have (had) a dual boot system for a couple of years, consisting of WinXP
Pro in partition 2 (Drive C) and Win98 in partition 1 (Drive E, for older
software/games). Some general problems lead to my having to format the WinXP
partition and I re-installed WinXP in NTFS. Being quite ignorant of such
matters, I had a friend help me.

Silly me, I figured Win98 was safe and it would just be there when I was
finished. Well, it is there, re-assigned to Drive D by WinXP. I can read it,
touch it, feel it, smell it, but not boot it up. Windows Manager declares it
"healthy", but it may as well be on Mars, I can do nothing with it.

First prize: Is there any easy way to recover from my boo boo? I've already
re-established over 25GB of proggies and games under WinXP and really don't
want to start all over again.

Booby prize: If there isn't, and seeing I can't use it, can I safely format
the Win98 partition and remove the partition to make the disc space usable
for WinXP? If so, how?

Here's hoping for an easy answer..... please remember my ignorance when
responding.

Many thanks, Doug

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi Doug,

First prize: Is there any easy way to recover from my boo boo? I've
already re-established over 25GB of proggies and games under WinXP and
really don't want to start all over again.

Load the Recovery Console, run bootcfg /add to add the Win98 installation to
the bootloader.

HOW TO: Install and Use the Recovery Console in Windows XP [Q307654]
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=307654

Booby prize: If there isn't, and seeing I can't use it, can I safely
format the Win98 partition and remove the partition to make the disc space
usable for WinXP? If so, how?

Yes, you can simply format it and begin using it in WinXP, just right-click
the drive in Windows Explorer.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

 

[Sleepless in Seattle]

Edit "boot.ini" and add a line to boot 98. e.g.,

[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=C:\
[operating systems]
C:\="Microsoft Windows 98SE"
etc..........

 

[JK]

It's probably time to ditch Windows 98. There isn't much software that will
not run on XP, and if it doesn't you probably don't use it.

JK

 

[Doug_Dread]

What!? Give up USAF, Motoracer 1&2 and other gr8 oldies?! Never I say....

 

[Doug_Dread]

The boot.ini file is fine, not that I haven't try to play with it
Choosing Win98 on boot up yields the Win98 splash screen and then it bombs
with several "can't find file" messages and reboots the PC. The "missing"
files are in the Win98 Windows directory, if it's not finding them it must
be looking in the wrong place. Changing C:\="Win98" to D:\="Win98" (where XP
says it resides), doesn't work, just causes an immediate reboot.

Edit "boot.ini" and add a line to boot 98. e.g.,

[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=C:\
[operating systems]
C:\="Microsoft Windows 98SE"
etc..........

--
Jonah

Hi,

I have (had) a dual boot system for a couple of years, consisting of
WinXP Pro in partition 2 (Drive C) and Win98 in partition 1 (Drive E, for
older software/games). Some general problems lead to my having to format
the WinXP partition and I re-installed WinXP in NTFS. Being quite
ignorant of such matters, I had a friend help me.

Silly me, I figured Win98 was safe and it would just be there when I was
finished. Well, it is there, re-assigned to Drive D by WinXP. I can read
it, touch it, feel it, smell it, but not boot it up. Windows Manager
declares it "healthy", but it may as well be on Mars, I can do nothing
with it.

First prize: Is there any easy way to recover from my boo boo? I've
already re-established over 25GB of proggies and games under WinXP and
really don't want to start all over again.

Booby prize: If there isn't, and seeing I can't use it, can I safely
format the Win98 partition and remove the partition to make the disc
space usable for WinXP? If so, how?

Here's hoping for an easy answer..... please remember my ignorance when
responding.

Many thanks, Doug

 

[Doug_Dread]

Erm... problem... The Recovery Console refuses to load. I get a WinXP error
message that says the version is older than the version on my PC and grey's
out the 'continue' button. Could it have something to do with my having
upgraded to Service Pack 2?

Am I right in assuming that bootcfg will make an entry in the boot.ini file?
If so, there is already one and the boot.ini file seems ok. See reply post
to SiS below.

Hi Doug,

First prize: Is there any easy way to recover from my boo boo? I've
already re-established over 25GB of proggies and games under WinXP and
really don't want to start all over again.

Load the Recovery Console, run bootcfg /add to add the Win98 installation
to the bootloader.

HOW TO: Install and Use the Recovery Console in Windows XP [Q307654]
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=307654

Booby prize: If there isn't, and seeing I can't use it, can I safely
format the Win98 partition and remove the partition to make the disc
space usable for WinXP? If so, how?

Yes, you can simply format it and begin using it in WinXP, just
right-click the drive in Windows Explorer.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

Hi,

I have (had) a dual boot system for a couple of years, consisting of
WinXP Pro in partition 2 (Drive C) and Win98 in partition 1 (Drive E, for
older software/games). Some general problems lead to my having to format
the WinXP partition and I re-installed WinXP in NTFS. Being quite
ignorant of such matters, I had a friend help me.

Silly me, I figured Win98 was safe and it would just be there when I was
finished. Well, it is there, re-assigned to Drive D by WinXP. I can read
it, touch it, feel it, smell it, but not boot it up. Windows Manager
declares it "healthy", but it may as well be on Mars, I can do nothing
with it.

First prize: Is there any easy way to recover from my boo boo? I've
already re-established over 25GB of proggies and games under WinXP and
really don't want to start all over again.

Booby prize: If there isn't, and seeing I can't use it, can I safely
format the Win98 partition and remove the partition to make the disc
space usable for WinXP? If so, how?

Here's hoping for an easy answer..... please remember my ignorance when
responding.

Many thanks, Doug

 

[Harvey Gratt]

SP2 causes the problem with installing the recovery console. From what I
have gleened from the web, you have to "slipstream" your xp cd OR try
the following link which seems to be much simpler:

http://michaelstevenstech.com/xpfaq.html#RC

Look at item 21 and follow the links. The download of the SP2 file is a
big task (over 250MB). If you want I have already done it and can
provide the file that is needed.

Harvey

Erm... problem... The Recovery Console refuses to load. I get a WinXP error
message that says the version is older than the version on my PC and grey's
out the 'continue' button. Could it have something to do with my having
upgraded to Service Pack 2?

Am I right in assuming that bootcfg will make an entry in the boot.ini file?
If so, there is already one and the boot.ini file seems ok. See reply post
to SiS below.

Hi Doug,

First prize: Is there any easy way to recover from my boo boo? I've
already re-established over 25GB of proggies and games under WinXP and
really don't want to start all over again.

Load the Recovery Console, run bootcfg /add to add the Win98 installation
to the bootloader.

HOW TO: Install and Use the Recovery Console in Windows XP [Q307654]
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=307654

Booby prize: If there isn't, and seeing I can't use it, can I safely
format the Win98 partition and remove the partition to make the disc
space usable for WinXP? If so, how?

Yes, you can simply format it and begin using it in WinXP, just
right-click the drive in Windows Explorer.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

Hi,

I have (had) a dual boot system for a couple of years, consisting of
WinXP Pro in partition 2 (Drive C) and Win98 in partition 1 (Drive E, for
older software/games). Some general problems lead to my having to format
the WinXP partition and I re-installed WinXP in NTFS. Being quite
ignorant of such matters, I had a friend help me.

Silly me, I figured Win98 was safe and it would just be there when I was
finished. Well, it is there, re-assigned to Drive D by WinXP. I can read
it, touch it, feel it, smell it, but not boot it up. Windows Manager
declares it "healthy", but it may as well be on Mars, I can do nothing
with it.

First prize: Is there any easy way to recover from my boo boo? I've
already re-established over 25GB of proggies and games under WinXP and
really don't want to start all over again.

Booby prize: If there isn't, and seeing I can't use it, can I safely
format the Win98 partition and remove the partition to make the disc
space usable for WinXP? If so, how?

Here's hoping for an easy answer..... please remember my ignorance when
responding.

Many thanks, Doug

 

[Doug_Dread]

250MB..... Gasp! .... on a modem.... Argh!

SP2 causes the problem with installing the recovery console. From what I
have gleened from the web, you have to "slipstream" your xp cd OR try the
following link which seems to be much simpler:

http://michaelstevenstech.com/xpfaq.html#RC

Look at item 21 and follow the links. The download of the SP2 file is a
big task (over 250MB). If you want I have already done it and can provide
the file that is needed.

Harvey

Erm... problem... The Recovery Console refuses to load. I get a WinXP
error message that says the version is older than the version on my PC
and grey's out the 'continue' button. Could it have something to do with
my having upgraded to Service Pack 2?

Am I right in assuming that bootcfg will make an entry in the boot.ini
file? If so, there is already one and the boot.ini file seems ok. See
reply post to SiS below.

Hi Doug,


First prize: Is there any easy way to recover from my boo boo? I've
already re-established over 25GB of proggies and games under WinXP and
really don't want to start all over again.

Load the Recovery Console, run bootcfg /add to add the Win98 installation
to the bootloader.

HOW TO: Install and Use the Recovery Console in Windows XP [Q307654]
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=307654


Booby prize: If there isn't, and seeing I can't use it, can I safely
format the Win98 partition and remove the partition to make the disc
space usable for WinXP? If so, how?

Yes, you can simply format it and begin using it in WinXP, just
right-click the drive in Windows Explorer.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org


Hi,

I have (had) a dual boot system for a couple of years, consisting of
WinXP Pro in partition 2 (Drive C) and Win98 in partition 1 (Drive E,
for older software/games). Some general problems lead to my having to
format the WinXP partition and I re-installed WinXP in NTFS. Being quite
ignorant of such matters, I had a friend help me.

Silly me, I figured Win98 was safe and it would just be there when I was
finished. Well, it is there, re-assigned to Drive D by WinXP. I can read
it, touch it, feel it, smell it, but not boot it up. Windows Manager
declares it "healthy", but it may as well be on Mars, I can do nothing
with it.

First prize: Is there any easy way to recover from my boo boo? I've
already re-established over 25GB of proggies and games under WinXP and
really don't want to start all over again.

Booby prize: If there isn't, and seeing I can't use it, can I safely
format the Win98 partition and remove the partition to make the disc
space usable for WinXP? If so, how?

Here's hoping for an easy answer..... please remember my ignorance when
responding.

Many thanks, Doug

 

[Harvey Gratt]

Well, that's why I said I have the one file that's required. Please note
that I have not tried this yet - waiting for the time I will need it.

Anyway, if you're interested, let me know.

Harvey

250MB..... Gasp! .... on a modem.... Argh!

SP2 causes the problem with installing the recovery console. From what I
have gleened from the web, you have to "slipstream" your xp cd OR try the
following link which seems to be much simpler:

http://michaelstevenstech.com/xpfaq.html#RC

Look at item 21 and follow the links. The download of the SP2 file is a
big task (over 250MB). If you want I have already done it and can provide
the file that is needed.

Harvey

Erm... problem... The Recovery Console refuses to load. I get a WinXP
error message that says the version is older than the version on my PC
and grey's out the 'continue' button. Could it have something to do with
my having upgraded to Service Pack 2?

Am I right in assuming that bootcfg will make an entry in the boot.ini
file? If so, there is already one and the boot.ini file seems ok. See
reply post to SiS below.



Hi Doug,



First prize: Is there any easy way to recover from my boo boo? I've
already re-established over 25GB of proggies and games under WinXP and
really don't want to start all over again.

Load the Recovery Console, run bootcfg /add to add the Win98 installation
to the bootloader.

HOW TO: Install and Use the Recovery Console in Windows XP [Q307654]
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=307654



Booby prize: If there isn't, and seeing I can't use it, can I safely
format the Win98 partition and remove the partition to make the disc
space usable for WinXP? If so, how?

Yes, you can simply format it and begin using it in WinXP, just
right-click the drive in Windows Explorer.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org



Hi,

I have (had) a dual boot system for a couple of years, consisting of
WinXP Pro in partition 2 (Drive C) and Win98 in partition 1 (Drive E,
for older software/games). Some general problems lead to my having to
format the WinXP partition and I re-installed WinXP in NTFS. Being quite
ignorant of such matters, I had a friend help me.

Silly me, I figured Win98 was safe and it would just be there when I was
finished. Well, it is there, re-assigned to Drive D by WinXP. I can read
it, touch it, feel it, smell it, but not boot it up. Windows Manager
declares it "healthy", but it may as well be on Mars, I can do nothing
with it.

First prize: Is there any easy way to recover from my boo boo? I've
already re-established over 25GB of proggies and games under WinXP and
really don't want to start all over again.

Booby prize: If there isn't, and seeing I can't use it, can I safely
format the Win98 partition and remove the partition to make the disc
space usable for WinXP? If so, how?

Here's hoping for an easy answer..... please remember my ignorance when
responding.

Many thanks, Doug

 

[Greg R]

Hi,

I have (had) a dual boot system for a couple of years, consisting of WinXP
Pro in partition 2 (Drive C) and Win98 in partition 1 (Drive E, for older
software/games). Some general problems lead to my having to format the WinXP
partition and I re-installed WinXP in NTFS. Being quite ignorant of such
matters, I had a friend help me.

Try this
copy all of the files (including the hidden ones) in the root
directory of c to the root directory of d,
don't overwrite except for the boot.ini file

Right click on my computer and chose manage. Now change the active
partition to the windows 98 partition.

Greg R

 

[Greg R]

one more thing

add this to the boot.ini file if not there under boot

C:\="Microsoft Windows 98SE"

Greg R