Getting rid of Me (windows, not me.)

[CBone]

The time has come for me to get rid of Me. I thought that it was OK until it started screwing up, errors, BSODs, etc. I have both 98se and 2k discs. I want to get rid of Me without losing my partitions, put 98se on, and maybe put 2k on another partition. Right now I have a 40 Gig HD split into 3 equal partitions. Could I use Partition Magic to resize the partitions without screwing up the data on them? Will I even have to resize? I want to get this all planned out before I start messing with it. I've got all my programs, downloads, and papers on a separate partition than the OS. An assist would help me get off my butt and do this already.

Cbone

 

[IdahoB]

Hmm... don't see what the problem is here. If all your vital data is on a seperate partition, just reformat the WinME partition and install Win98 or 2K. Alternatively, use Parition Magic to delete the WinME partition, then add the free space to one of the others. I can't really see why you need three partitions for one OS. Then install Win2K so it's like this:

PARTITION A (FAT32) WINDOWS 2000 PRO
PARTITION B (FAT32) DATA DRIVE

It really depends on what you use the PC for.

 

[igiveup]

Well if you get rid of your ME install then having all the Apps installed already won't matter at all. The programs need to register themselves in the registry of the OS. There are some apps that don't have to but for the most part you will need to reinstall everything. The pain is that you will have to do it for each OS. I wouldn't worry about space, you can just point each install to the same place so you don't waste any space.

1) I would move all your data (not programs. Actual Word Docs and stuff, maybe install programs like Acrobat Reader or whatever) to a partition that will be safe for a while, but it sounds like you are there. While you're at it make sure you download all the latest drivers for your hardware, and versions for each OS. Don't want to get caught needing a modem or NIC driver during a reinstall and not being able to get on the internet to fix things.

2) Next I would wipe the ME partition then install 98.

3) Install Windows 2000. Install Service Pack 2. Windows 2000 will automatically see the other OS there and add it to its bootup menu.

BTW, partition magic (at least version 4) can safely resize your partitions, should you want to. Sounds like you have the space needed (13.3 gig for each partition if my math is correct) for everything to fit just fine. I would install whatever applications you want to install into the Win2K partition though. I think you will find that 2000 is a lot better than ME or 98 were. I did at least. If you do your applications install this way you can wipe out the 98 partition later without having to worry about your apps being lost in a format.

Its a pretty good idea to defrag your drives if you want to re-size them. Get things all neat first.

 

[Maverick]

personally I always have a dedicated system partition where I stole my OS and system files (like drivers and essential programs).

That way if I ever need to reinstall the OS I can just format that drive and do it. Probably doesn't matter but I like having a fresh partition when I reinstall the OS.