How do I change system partition? Windows 2k

[DivideBYZero]

I have an 8Gb drive that I want to retire to a second machine from my main rig, but it is the first active partition. Therefore I have the following issue:

The most important files to boot Windows 2000 are located on the first active partition (usually c🙂. These files are boot.ini, bootsect.dos (if dual booting), ntldr, ntdetect.com and ntbootdd.sys (if exists). No matter where user has installed Windows 2000, these files are always located on the first active partition ? Windows 2000 calls this partition system partition.

This essentially means that I cannot remove the drive (proven by booting with drive unpowered) and pop it into my second system, as my main rig will become a 16Kg paperweight:|.

My Boot partition is on another disk BTW.

Any help much appreciated.

 

[DivideBYZero]

Anyone?

 

[HumbleFish]

Maybe True Image or Ghost?

 

[newbiepcuser]

maybe this will help: Andrew's FAQs

 

[CQuinn]

Format a floppy (or two) from within Windows 2000

copy the boot.ini, bootsect.dos (if dual booting), ntldr, ntdetect.com and ntbootdd.sys (if it exists)
from the 8GB drive to the floppy(s) (I do two floppys in case the first one gets lost or
damaged).

Boot from the floppy, to make sure it can properly load the system.

Then copy the same files to the first (primary) partition on the other drive
(assuming that the first partition is NTFS or FAT32).

Set that partition as active

Disconnect the 8GB drive

Try to boot from the new active partition.

(chances are it will start to boot, and hang because it thinks it cannot find the right
partition with Windows on it) You will probably have to edit the boot.ini to point
to the right partition. (The partitions will have changed because you removed one
of the devices that it was counting as one of the system devices).

You may be able to fix it by going thru the recovery console and running Fixboot and
fixmbr.


Heres an additional tool that might help if you are booting from a FAT partition

 

[DivideBYZero]

Cheers for all the replies. I'll let you know how I get on.

 

[DivideBYZero]

Originally posted by: newbiepcuser
maybe this will help: Andrew's FAQs

It's more complicated than just drive letters.

I think CQuinn is on the money. Too late for me to do it tonight. I think I'll make an ERD and some backups before I attempt anything.