Quick Guide to installing Windows 2000 AFTER XP


Recommended Posts

Have XP now? Don't want to loose it but still install 2000? Not a problem. Ignore what all those people said about how it's impossible. It's not, and its more simple then you might think.

Please note: Installing Windows 2000 after XP is NOT recommended nor supported by Microsoft.

This guide is going to assume the following conditions.

-You have 2 partitions formatted and setup.

-Windows XP is installed on the primary partition.

-You have the XP CD still.

-You legally own both operating systems

-You know how to install and use Windows.

Difficulty: Easy

  • Step 1: Boot using the Windows 2000 CD
  • Step 2: Install Windows 2000 to the partition that does NOT contain XP
  • Step 3: After the install finishes, log into Windows 2000
  • Step 4: Insert the Windows XP CD and click to install it, select Upgrade (don't worry, we aren't really going to install it)
  • Step 5: When the computer reboots hold down F8
  • Step 6: Select "Return to OS choice menu"
  • Step 7: Select Windows XP and login
  • Step 8: Using notepad, open c:\boot.ini
  • Step 9: Change Timeout to a number that best suits you. This is the amount of time the selection screen will wait until it boots the default OS
  • Step 10: Change the default line to which ever OS you want to be default.
    For example: multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
  • Step 11: Delete the last line
  • Step 12: Save and reboot. (note, you may need to take the "read-only" attrib off the file first)
  • Step 13: Delete the directory c:\$WIN_NT$.~BT

There are several other ways to repair the boot loader after installing Windows 2000, however I have never had any problems with this way.

Thank you! I previously have problems installing 2k after xp pro, now with your guide, I'll try it again. :)

For Step 10:

What should I input if I want win xp pro to boot at default, it is in c: drive, disk= 1st disk? Thanks.

Edited by frease
  frease said:
For Step 10:

What should I input if I want win xp pro to boot at default, it is in c: drive, disk= 1st disk? Thanks.

Well, here's an example of my Boot.ini:

  Quote
[boot Loader]Timeout=20

Default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS

[Operating Systems]

multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(3)\WINNT="Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional" /fastdetect

multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /fastdetect

C:\CMDCONS\BOOTSECT.DAT="Microsoftows Recovery Console" /cmdcons

As you can see, Windows 2000 is multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(3)\WINNT

and Windows XP is multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS

So what I would use (and have used) is multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS Since line 6 tells me "="Microsoft Windows XP Professional""

That clear some things up?

  gameguy said:
You don't have to start installing XP again :huh: Just go into the Recovery Console and type fixboot (Y)

fixboot and fixmbr does NOT work. Trust me, I've tried. That's why I made this guide :rolleyes:

I don't know if it actually worked but I heard that Partition Magic has an option to install 'another OS' on your harddisk (in, of course, another partition).

But I guess PM will take care of that in that case.

Didn't tried it myself though.

I have a folder called ntldr_Bak that where i keep the lattest ntldr.dll. After I back install , and on the first boot up to the new OLD OS install. I make sure that i can see all hidden files go to the folder right click it and hit copy. I than go to the boot partition and right click and paste and over right the one there.

Than I edit my boot.ini if needed

well, I have to play devil's advocate......

fixboot / fixmbr worked for me on 2 occasions, and did not work on one occasion.

Of course, the two it worked with the XP installs were Pro Corporate *cough cough* and the one that did not was an XP Pro retail....

that might shed some light on the situation....

  • 4 weeks later...
  • 4 weeks later...

Actually, the only thing you need to do before installing Win2k is to backup FIVE files:

Located in C:\

NTLDR

NTDETECT.COM

MSDOS.SYS

IO.SYS

CONFIG.SYS

Installing Win2k will overwrite these files. Once Win2k is installed.... replace the new files with your backups. Windows XP will now boot. I have done this over 10 times, NEVER fails.

  • 3 weeks later...
This topic is now closed to further replies.
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Posts

    • The Teams Admin center is still a mess. I use it all the time. They really need to talk with the Intune or Entra ID folks for help.
    • Senua's Saga: Hellblade II to get 60FPS mode, dev commentary, and more alongside PS5 launch by Pulasthi Ariyasinghe Back in May, Microsoft revealed Senua's Saga: Hellblade II as the next first-party Xbox game to reach PlayStation platforms. Now, that release has an official release date attached to it, and alongside it, developer Ninja Theory is releasing an update across all platforms with some major features, including a 60 FPS mode on consoles. The Performance Mode is easily the biggest addition to the story-focused immersive experience. Ninja Theory is delivering it to both Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 players, but there is some bad news for Series S owners, as it is being left out from the upgrade. "The result is smoother gameplay, especially noticeable during combat and fast-moving moments of the game," says the developer. It's unclear how much of the game's visuals Performance Mode users will be missing out on compared to the default 30FPS "cinematic" mode. PC players are getting an upgrade too. A Very High preset is being added to the settings menu for those wanting even higher fidelity graphics. Optimizations have also been a focus on PC, and Ninja Theory says that the title will be Steam Deck Verified when the Enhanced update lands in August. Next, similar to the original, Dark Rot is incoming as an optional experience that players can enable when starting a campaign. This will have a rot effect being applied to Senua every time she dies, and if it ever reaches her head, the game will come to an end, with all progress from that save being wiped. The Photo Mode in Hellblade II is being upgraded with this update too, with the studio touting a new Motion tab for cinematic video capture, as well as improvements across the board to the feature. Lastly, four hours of developer commentary is being added to give a behind-the-scenes look at how the studio crafted the story and gameplay. "Hear from the ensemble cast, key collaborators in depicting Senua’s experience of psychosis, and members of the development team who poured their heart and soul into Senua’s story," says the studio. The Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II Enhanced comes out on August 12 across PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5 for all owners and Game Pass subscribers as a free upgrade. As for the PlayStation 5 launch of Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II that's happening on the same day, Microsoft will be offering two versions: Standard and Deluxe. As expected, Standard includes the complete base game for $49.99, but Deluxe goes further by adding on a copy of the first game, Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice, as well as its original soundtrack. The Deluxe Edition costs $69.99 to purchase.
    • Not sure what you’re talking about. Has been there for quite a while and in the latest versions it’s actually quite good. I use it several times a day as I am a terrible typist.
    • They should've called it Neolin, what a missed opportunity, IMHO!
  • Recent Achievements

    • One Year In
      Bert Fershner earned a badge
      One Year In
    • Reacting Well
      ChrisOdinUK earned a badge
      Reacting Well
    • One Year In
      Steviant earned a badge
      One Year In
    • One Month Later
      Steviant earned a badge
      One Month Later
    • Week One Done
      Steviant earned a badge
      Week One Done
  • Popular Contributors

    1. 1
      +primortal
      545
    2. 2
      ATLien_0
      209
    3. 3
      +FloatingFatMan
      170
    4. 4
      Michael Scrip
      152
    5. 5
      Som
      144
  • Tell a friend

    Love Neowin? Tell a friend!