XP multiple boot conundrum

[Guest]

After a couple of months I get a cluttered system, and I need a fresh install
of XP. What I do then is make a new partition or add a new hd, install XP
there, and dual boot for a while until I’m sure I’ve copied all the
files/programs I need over from the old install to the new one. As I’ve been
doing this for over a year, by now I’m triple booting, with two installs that
I *never* use anymore. I’d like to get rid of those XP’s and format the
drives they are on, and install a fresh xp on my shine new S-ATA drive, which
would have to dual boot for a while with my current install.

So, basically we have this situation:

C: old xp 1 + boot sector
D: old xp 2

E:current xp

With a new S-ATA drive that would have to be something like

F: new XP



Now, if I just go ahead an format C and D, I lose the boot sector, I
presume, and therefore cannot boot into my old system – which is not what I
want. Additional problem: to boot from F: I will have to change the drive
startup order in my BIOS, so I think moving the old boot sector to E: will
not work either.

Can anyone explain how to fix this problem? I’d be very grateful.

TIA!

 

[Mark L. Ferguson]

DON'T change your boot order, you will lose access the the old drives.

Remove the line for the old OS in [operating systems] by going to Start/Run,
and typing C:\BOOT.INI Be sure 'default=' points to the new OS

(or) In XP, press WinKey-Break,(or start/run 'sysdm.cpl'), Advanced Tab,
"Start Up and Recovery" area, Settings button, then edit the old line out
with the edit button. Reboot, and delete the files for the old OS.

Don't format C:, you will need some stuff in the C: root.

HOW TO Edit the Boot.ini File in Windows XP:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;q289022

 

[Firefox]

How about disconnecting all drives except the new SATA installing XP
re-connecting and running rebuild or whatever from the XP CD this sounds
easy.
Can't remember the command for rebuilding the multiboot and of to work now
or I would look but I'm sure you know anyway.
HTHs

 

[Guest]

Firefox: that is a very interesting suggestion, thanks! Does anyone here know
whether it would work? Any pitfalls?