Dual Booting Win2k and Win98, with a twist

[ACCobra427]

Here is what I would like to do:
I have Win2k installed on my C: drive. I want to install Win98 on my D: drive (a separate drive, not a partition). Then to boot into 98 I would swap the boot order in my BIOS.
(Change boot order from C:,D: to D:,C

Will this work? Does anyone have this setup on their computer?

Thanks for the help!

 

[Rellik]

DON`T DO IT!!!!!!!!!

When dualbooting win2k and 98, it is IMPARATIVE that you install Win98 FIRST, then it can get into the MBR. THEN u install a boot manager like LILO and THEN install Win2K. Win 98 doesn´t mind AS LONG AS ITS FIRST. No, this is no joke..

I do realize there are a few other possibilities, but your idea seems
to bring trouble. A friend has just tried that(c: was NTFS Win2K) and wanted to install win 98 on D: (a 1 gig part.) he had an additional 15 gig e:... WIN 98 TRASHED ALL!!! PARTITIONS!!!!!!

 

[BigToque]

Rellik,

To install Win98 (9x) after you install Win2k, is type this: setup /ntldr

ACCobra427,

I dont know if that will work. Sorry.

 

[Ladi]

If you install 98 alone (ie, with the 2K drive not installed), it shouldn't be a problem, though probably more of a hassle to switch back and forth than is really worth it. I've worked with a few dual-boot systems this way that were fine, but it was quite some time ago...beware and don't expect it to work perfectly the first time you try it.

~Ladi

 

[VeryCheapGuy]

Installing win98 first then
install win2k from a windows' shell seems to work for me fine...
built about 3 machines this way and I still havent had any problems..

 

[mofo888]

If you want to dual boot via bios, do this:

Connect HDDrive 1 only (single partition) -- install Win98

Next remove drive 1, connect Drive 2 only (single partition)
-- install Win2k

Connect both drive to the same cable...boom. switch via bios.

 

[OldSailor]

I did something like you want. I have one of those Promise ATA 66 cards and the bios sees it as scsi. I have two drives on that Promise card.

For fun, I installed a third ide drive on its own cable to the motherboard IDE controller. Installed Win2k Server on that drive.

I changed the boot order in bios from scsi to c,x,x whatever and it boots the ide drive with Win2k. Changing the bios boot order back to scsi, C, x, x, whatever boots W98 on the drive connected to the Promise card.

Haven't seen any problems with it, just a hassle. A boot loader is easier and that is what I use now.

Actually, it was about the only use I could see for the Promise ATA 66 card. :disgust::frown:

 

[StuckMojo]

you can just use the NT boot loader. go to www.winimage.com and get bootsect which will copy the boot sector from any partition on any drive to the c drive and add an entry for it to the NT boot loader menu.

this is how i boot redhat (installed on my second drive) from the NT boot loader

works great and is painless. (mind everyone's warnings about 98 and the NT MBR tho)

 

[SUOrangeman]

If you can spare the time and effort without losing anything )), your original suggestion would be a good experiment.

-SUO

 

[Santa]

Ok since everyone is saying how bad an idea his is .. how about a voice of reason for the idea. Try doing this to the dual boot machines.. Format C:\ and install Windows ME. something as simple as that can't be done without reinstalling Windows 2K.

ACCobra427 your idea will work fine just as long as the OS does not know the difference. Some motherboards allow for this seamlessly in the bios and if you have one that does it will be great. you can format and delete OS at will and not have to worry about the Boot Sector or boot loader program. I recommend it actually because it totally isolates the OSes without much trouble.