How do I set up an xp/2k dual boot?

[Mister Gin]

I really want to go with xp on my new build but I need 2k for some light cad work (Pro/E). My new build will consist of two hard drives the second of which was going to be used mainly for video capture. I don't know the first thing about setting up a dual boot system so any help would be greatly appreciated. I already have a copy of 2k but I will have to pick up xp when I order my parts.

Ed

[ZANEY123]

just install both HDs and boot to windows 2000,,insert the winxp cd and you should be able to install just change the dir to the correct HD and it should change the boot.in file so it will bring up the bootloader when you start -up to select which OS you want to load,,

if that doesnt work just install xp by itself without any other drive installed use that as the master and slave the other HD to it ,,boot to xp and change the boot.ini file under sytem>advanced tab>recovery settings>edit and the boot.ini shouyld come up and make it look just like this

[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition" /fastdetect
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(1)partition(1)\WINNT="Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional" /fastdetect



try the first suggestion first that should work.

Zaney123

edit fixed boot.ini file to read WINNT

[reboot]

Huh?
Let's not make this rocket science.
It's a new build, so it's a fresh install.
I would partition the first drive into two, one for each OS.
Get the hardware installed.
Set BIOS to boot from CD first.
Insert the Win2kCD.
Restart, install Win2k to C:
Put in the XP CD.
Restart, install XP to D:
Your other drive will become E: and any CD-ROM's etc., will have drive letters after that.
The boot loader will automatically be written, no need for manual editing or other confusing stuff.

[ZANEY123]

AH I misunderstood his post reboot
i read it as him saying he was putting 1 OS on each HD. after reading it again i see he just wants to have both OS's on 1 HD..and use the other HD for data.i thought that 2000 was allready installed.

so go with what reboot said then,that would be much easier

sorry
Zaney123

[Mister Gin]

Thanks for the inputs. It looks like a pretty straightforward process when done on a new build. I still have a few questions I would like to get answered though.

1) After both operating systems are installed will I get a choice of which one I want to boot from? Is that what the boot loader accomplishes?

2) Is there a particular reason why 2k was loaded first onto the C: drive? Just curious if there has to be a particular order when these things are done.

3) I take it when I load programs I have to be careful of which operating system I pick. Would programs loaded under 2k be accessible by XP and vise versa? I'm assuming they wouldn't be.

Ed

[ZANEY123]

1) yes that would be the bootloader

2) not for sure but i think it is just easier that way with XP having control of the bootloader by installing it 2nd

3)I think you have to load the program under it 's own OS but for this one i am not sure.I think at the least the DATA will be accessible from either or but the intail program i dont think?????

Zaney123

[lil Jimmie]

1. Yes you will have a boot menu to choose the OS to run.

2. Installing the older OS first is one rule of thumb, if you were to install XP then 2K, the 2K boot loader will not see the XP install and not give you the option to boot to XP, although there is a work around for this, it is best to keep it simple if you are new to dual booting operating systems.

3. For the most part you will have to install the programs on both operating systems, but there are a few exceptions with some software.


Zaney beat me to it

[Mister Gin]

Thanks again. I believe I'm beginning to understand the process.

3. For the most part you will have to install the programs on both operating systems, but there are a few exceptions with some software.

So, putting the same program on both is only necessary if I want to use it from both operating systems. I shouldn't need to do that. This leads into my next question about partitioning the drive for both operating systems.

If my 2k usage is only for a program or two and I have an 80GB drive then would it not make since to make the C: partition less than half the drive size? Let's say 20/60 split or something along those lines. Or in the end does it really matter how I split it up.

Also, later if I don't need 2k anymore and want to remove it, how do I do it without hosing up everything? Will XP just boot from the D: drive or do I have to reformat the whole drive? Hitting the advance subjects now.

I'm just full of questions I guess.

Ed

[ZANEY123]

If my 2k usage is only for a program or two and I have an 80GB drive then would it not make since to make the C: partition less than half the drive size? Let's say 20/60 split or something along those lines. Or in the end does it really matter how I split it up.

I would say partion to 1- 20 gig for your 2000,,,1-20 gig for your xp,,,1-40 gig for data and you would also have your extra drive also..

Also, later if I don't need 2k anymore and want to remove it, how do I do it without hosing up everything? Will XP just boot from the D: drive or do I have to reformat the whole drive? Hitting the advance subjects now.

that i am not sure of ,,I dont want to give you a wrong answer someone will post with that one...,,


Zaney123

[reboot]

On a 60 gig drive, 20 gig for 2k is overkill. It will run nicely in about 8 gig, especially if you only have a couple of programs to run in it.
XP will also run nicely in 8 gig, but if this is your main OS, then give it room, say 20 gig.
Partition the rest of the drive for data/programs.
If you want to remove 2k later, it's not that difficult. You simply delete what you don't want off that drive, making sure to leave the root C: intact (with all the boot loader stuff), and edit boot.ini to take out the Win2k entry. XP will still run normally from D, even though it needs the root entries on C to boot.
Any program you want available in both OS's must be installed to both OS's, although you can (in most cases) share the same install. eg. You have Eudora for email. You install it to c:\program files\Eudora, in Win2k.
You boot to XP, and install it to the same place.
It will run nicely under both OS's.
Remember, that if you install a program to C: where Win2k is, and later remove Win2k, you will have to selectively delete stuff off of C:.
It would be much easier for you to install Win2k to D, then XP on C, install programs on C, and later if you want to dump 2k, it's much easier (just format the drive).
In this case, make C between 10 and 20 gig, D between 5 and 10 gig, and the rest for data.
In yet another senario, if you install all your programs to E, it's even simpler to rid yourself of one OS, no matter where you put it.

[Mister Gin]

Thanks again. I think I've got it now. Now I can't wait to order my parts and software and get to building. I'm sure I'll be back with more questions at that time.

I'm an idiot. I just found the PCmech Multiple Operating System Setup link from a post located in the FAQ thread. I could have spared you guys the repeat post if I would've only done a little searching first.

Ed

[ZANEY123]

no stupid or time wasting here i learned something new also and sometimes that thread cant answer all your questions..

good luck thanks reboot for the help i learned a couple of things also

Zaney123