System Commander-can't get 2nd OS installed

[bozo]

Problem: Can’t install WinXP as second OS
System components:
Win 98SE installed
Vcom System Command 7.04 for multiple OS’es installed w\updates
P-4 2.23Mhz
256 Rambus Ram
Promise Raid HD on board-setup Raid 1 (mirror)




I have tried three methods to install winXP detailed below. I have System Command installed and working. I have run System Command OS Wizard to prepare a partition to install the second OS (XP), and it is present, freshly formatted, with plenty of size to host XP (2.5 GB)

FIRST METHOD
Booted the computer using a startup disk, and at the prompt, selected “Boot with CD Rom support”. The a:> prompt comes up, and I change directory to I (CD Rom drive). At the I:> I type “setup”. Error report says “This program cannot be run in DOS mode”. I abort install.

SECOND METHOD
Set the bios to boot to CD rom with XP disk in. Says “press any key to boot from CD”, I press a key, and it boots to Windows setup, and begins loading files. Then it says “Setup is starting windows. Windows XP Pro setup window appears and I press enter to setup.
Error: “Setup did not find any Hard Drive drivers installed on this system”. F3 & quit setup.
Did the same procedure as above, only this time when loading files starts, I press F6 to for Raid setup.
Result: could not determine the type of one or more mass storage installed, or you have chosen to manually specify an adapter . setup will now load support for the following mass storage devices.



· To specify additional SCSI adapter, CD rom drive, or specified disk controller, including those for which you have Manufacture supplied hardware support disk press “S”. Then it asked for the floppy (which I do not have, but I have the CD disk that has the drivers for the Raid controller). It could not find from the CD, so I explored the CD and found the XP driver the Raid controller for and copied it to a floppy, and tried again getting an error this time’ “file cpqarray.sys has caused an unexpected error (18) at line 3514 in d:xpclient\base\boot\setup\setup.c. and also says “missing txt.setup.oem” file, so I browsed the CD and found that file and copied that file to the floppy as well. This time when it asked for the Mfg.’s support disk, with floppy in the drive, I press any key to continue, and another error: “The file \Win2000\fastrak.sys caused an unexpected error (18) at line 2108 in d:xpclient\base\boot\setup\oemdisk.c.” So I had to abort the install.

METHOD THREE
Launch Win98\ MyComputer\CD rom drive, bringing up the XP Welcome window, and selected “Install Windows XP”. Setup begins and eventually I enter the product key. I select NOT to download the latest setup files, but will DL them at a later date. An options window appears and I select a “Full Install”, then “Advanced”. I then change the install to drive to G:\Windows (which is the correct formatted drive I want to install XP to), select OK & back to the options window where I select “next”. Setup then checks system, and gets to the third step, just before “copying files to your system” and says it must reboot. Reboot takes place as normal. The System Command window to select OS comes up, I select the Win98 OS, and the system boots to 98 as normal, but does not return to the XP setup (the XP disk was never removed from the CD rom drive) So XP setup does not finish. Any Ideas???
thanx-bozo

[Tuf]

I've never tried using System Commander with XP. XP has it's own boot loader and can create partitions. It works very well. Unless some one here has specific advice for System Commander I would remove it and just use the XP disc. I would set it to boot from the CD Rom.

[str8rida]

Yeah I would just boot from the XP cd and create a new partion for XP.

But if you make the drive NTFS you will have trouble seeing files when in 98 but not in XP.

So you may want to make it FAT32 so you can share files between both OS.

[mairving]

The best way to do it is to disable System Commander, install XP in another partition, then turn back on SC and you should be able to load both OS's. I used to really like SC but it seems like a waste of money nowadays.

[Tuf]

I agree System Commander is a great Utility. I've never checked to see if it is compatible with XP. Since XP includes these functions I no longer use it.

[BFD Deadeye]

Why don't you use the System Commander wizard? After install, you may need to reactivate System Commander.

[bozo]

I have got a tect support reply back from Vcom-System Comander, which they say to hide the partitions, disable System Commander, then set the new partition as active. Then install XP, & reactivate SC. Looks like "mairving" has hit the nail on the head. Haven't tried yet, but will later on today & post back. And yes BFD I did use the SC wizard to create the partition for XP, but the problem is installing XP to that partition. SC needs some work here-not user friendly or clear. I am aware of XP's ability to dual boot, but I like SC partitioning utility as well as the dual booting
thanx all!!
bozo

[Tuf]

Glad you figured it out. I am always leary of creating partitions for Windows with other software. Any time you alter the drive geometry you run the risk of rendering your install unuseable.