Advice needed, can I install WIN98 on the same partition as Windows 2000?

[Blur]

Need some advice guys, can I install WIN98 on the same partition as Windows 2000? I've got a laptop with a single partition and Windows 2000 on it. Can I install WIN98 over this install and dual boot? I'd like to do this without having to interfere with the Windows 2000 install.

Thanks for any help.

 

[13black]

I wouldn't, you will probably hose your registry. It's oldest to newest anyway so win 98 won't install if it see's win 2k. Also if you have formated using NTFS windows 98 won't be able to see the drive, 2k can handle fat32 and NTFS but 98 can't.

 

[AndyHui]

Yes, actually you can do it, and it has nothing to do with the registry.

Windows 2000 will reside in the WINNT folder, while Windows 98 will be in the Windows folder. There may be some clashes with programs in the Program Files folder, but generally, it's OK. You will also need to run Win2K's fixboot (Recovery Console) after you install Win98 though.

Definitely NOT recommended though.

And also keep in mind that you won't be able to do it if your partition is NTFS.

 

[classy]

Just create a seperate partition.

 

[13black]

I don't know if this will help or just add confusion but here goes.
Dual Boot After The Fact
I found this tip in an email I get from PC Magazine and thought it might be useful.

I want to run both Windows 2000 Pro and Windows 98 SE on my computer.
When I bought a new hard drive, I installed Windows 2000 on it first.
But my subsequent research seems to indicate that I should have installed Windows 98 SE first and then Windows 2000 on a separate partition.
How do I remove Windows 2000 from the drive so I can partition it and then install Windows 98 SE first and reinstall Windows 2000?

You don't have to remove Windows 2000.
Start by installing Windows 98 SE in a different partition.
When you're done, insert the Windows 2000 CD and reboot to start Windows 2000 setup.
On the Welcome to Setup page, press R (for Repair).
When you reach the Windows 2000 Repair Options page, press R again.

You'll then be prompted to select a repair option.
Press M for Manual. Then press the Up Arrow until Verify Windows 2000 system files is highlighted; press Enter to clear this selection.
Press the Down Arrow to select Continue (perform selected tasks), and then press Enter.

The system will ask whether you have an emergency repair disk.
Press L, indicating it should Locate your existing installation.
Once it does so, press Enter to complete the repairs.
This will establish dual boot for you. (This procedure also works for Windows XP.)

This example uses separate partitions but it may be doable on one. Do it at your own risk and I would backup everything you think is important first.
If you can get hold of a copy partition magic it would make things a whole lot easier. =)

 

[Blur]

Thanks guys I totally forgot that my partition is NTFS. Guess i'll have to format and start again.