W2K on a multi-boot system - how do you MOVE W2K?

Rob G.

Senior member
Dec 15, 1999
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This is a hypothetical question. I ask because I ran into problems last weekend whilst getting Mandrake Linux installed. In the end I got round it another way, but I'd like to know the cause.

Imagine (as an example) you've got Windows 98 on C: and Windows 2000 on D:. You decide you want to move Windows 2000 to a different partition.

OK, in the boot.ini file, there is a reference to the root directory of Win2000 - defined with disk and partition numbers. I know you have to change these to point to where your W2K is installed - that's the easy bit.

However when I tried this, W2K would load but when it got to the point where the window pops up saying Loading your settings and Configuring your settings (or similar - the messages that appear before the desktop proper loads) it kept flashing between the two windows in an endless loop.

It's almost as if W2K gets to that point and then tries to access data that doesn't exist or at least that it can't find.

What is causing this and more importantly - is there any way around it other than reinstalling?

Cheers
Rob
 

jaywallen

Golden Member
Sep 24, 2000
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I've never tried this before, but I suspect that internal references to paths in the registry need to be updated to reflect the change in location of various system components. It certainly wouldn't be enough just to change the boot.ini file. I wonder if a repair installation of the OS to its new location would do the trick?

Going through the registry manually might do it, but it would take the rest of your natural life. Well, okay, it wouldn't take that long, but it might seem like it!

Regards,
Jim
 

jaywallen

Golden Member
Sep 24, 2000
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Heh-heh. Well, maybe not. I'd think it would be worth trying the repair install. I don't know whether or not the setup program is sophisticated enough to realize that all of those entries in the registry need to be changed.

I know that SOMEONE used to make utilities for accomplishing this sort of move (an OS and all applications), but it's been a long time since I've seen any mention of it. I'm pretty conservative, so I'd probably just go by the book -- at least on a work machine.

I hope you don't have too much of a hassle with it. If you do try the repair install, would you mind posting back to tell us yea or nay?

Regards,
Jim
 

Rob G.

Senior member
Dec 15, 1999
448
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Well, it's not really an issue now. As I said, I got 'round the problem another way (by going back to my original drive configuration - how's that for a solution! :)) so it was a 'what if' question really.

I remember booting from the W2K CD and attempting a repair but getting absolutely nowhere with it. Perhaps there is a way to do it but it doesn't bite you on the arse and make itself known.

Anyway, thanks for the advice.

Rob
 

obenton

Platinum Member
Oct 11, 1999
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Q223188 - How to Change the System-Boot Drive Letter in Windows 2000.htm - do a search for this in MS KB.
 

Zach

Diamond Member
Oct 11, 1999
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Change from:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\Current Version\Winlogon\Userinit:Reg_SZ:C:\WINNT\system32\userinit.exe
Change to:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\Current Version\Winlogon\Userinit:Reg_SZ:userinit.exe

Do that first, and then you'll be able to login and change the mounted devices key. You just have much functionality until then.