Win2K.. quick help please!

[zCypher]

Hello,

I'm currently using WinXP, and it's OK I guess, but there are some bugs that don't seem to wanna go away, and I want to install Win2K again without trashing my current setup. So I want to keep WinXP functional and install Win2K. Since I am using an NTFS (and the only) partition, how can I go about doing this? Were I to use a boot cd/diskette to get to a dos prompt and install, that wouldn't work as the programs running in native dos mode would not detect my NTFS partition.

I want to know, if it's possible, how I can go about installing Win2K to dualboot with WinXP without having to reformat. I have too much stuff that I can't back up at the moment. I had a previous Win2K install on here, but it got hosed somehow.

I welcome any suggestions. Thank you!

 

[smp]

You could do it, but I'm not 100% sure how. If you already have another partition ready then that would be a bonus, otherwise, installing on the same partition is not reccomended, or maybe even not possible. Anyways, if I were you I would just back everything up and start over again, it's the safest and easiest way to go.

 

[zCypher]

Originally posted by: smp
You could do it, but I'm not 100% sure how. If you already have another partition ready then that would be a bonus, otherwise, installing on the same partition is not reccomended, or maybe even not possible. Anyways, if I were you I would just back everything up and start over again, it's the safest and easiest way to go.

Uh, sure it is. I almost always had XP/2K dualbooting on the same partition. The only time I actually ever used a second partition was to store download/backup files.

Oh well... I guess I'll see how much stuff I can get away with sticking my bro's comp and reformat then install 2K.

 

[smp]

Originally posted by: zCypher

Originally posted by: smp You could do it, but I'm not 100% sure how. If you already have another partition ready then that would be a bonus, otherwise, installing on the same partition is not reccomended, or maybe even not possible. Anyways, if I were you I would just back everything up and start over again, it's the safest and easiest way to go.

Uh, sure it is. I almost always had XP/2K dualbooting on the same partition. The only time I actually ever used a second partition was to store download/backup files. Oh well... I guess I'll see how much stuff I can get away with sticking my bro's comp and reformat then install 2K.

That why I said 'not reccomended' and 'maybe' ... anyways, I definately wouldn't do it like that.

I had a previous Win2K install on here, but it got hosed somehow.

That's why I wouldn't recommend installing on the same partition .. it just complicates things when things of this nature happen. If you had it on two partitions it would be a breeze.

 

[zCypher]

I have a 20g hd, I only have 4GB free (after clearing up everything I could spare). I'm not about to chop that up to little pieces, then I'll have next to no free space on both partitions. Blech. I'd rather keep it the way it is and just bring myself down to 3GB after installing 2K. I don't think it can be done the way I want though. 🙁

 

[NogginBoink]

Originally posted by: zCypher
Hello,

I'm currently using WinXP, and it's OK I guess, but there are some bugs that don't seem to wanna go away, and I want to install Win2K again without trashing my current setup. So I want to keep WinXP functional and install Win2K. Since I am using an NTFS (and the only) partition, how can I go about doing this? Were I to use a boot cd/diskette to get to a dos prompt and install, that wouldn't work as the programs running in native dos mode would not detect my NTFS partition.

Wrong.

W2K setup program loads a mini NT kernel and loads the NTFS filesystem driver. You can install a parallel install of w2k on an NTFS partition no problem. Just cold boot to the W2K CD or boot floppies.

Once you do, however, W2K will overwrite ntldr with the W2K version of the file and you won't be able to boot WinXP. So boot to Win2K and replace ntldr with the WinXP version and you'll be fine.