Quick Guide to installing Windows 2000 AFTER XP

[EmuZombie Veteran]

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.

[Ritalin]

wow that's an amazing guide, thx!

[frease]

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 April 27, 2004 by frease

[biorK]

Awesome guide EmuZombie. Really good! thanks.

[EmuZombie Veteran]

  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?

[frease]

EmuZombie:

Thanks! :D I'll try that when I get the time this week!

[Iain]

Excellent guide! If I ever think of doing it, I will try this :)

[uniacidz]

Or easier

http://www.dougknox.com/xp/tips/xp_repair_2k.htm

[John Veteran]

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

[EmuZombie Veteran]

  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:

[kiddingguy]

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.

[John Veteran]

  EmuZombie said:

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

Well I might just have to try it and prove you wrong! :p

Might... :ninja:

[uniacidz]

Fixboot and fixmbr have also worked for me in the past.

[jake1eye]

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

[johngalt]

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....

[Laslow]

That works with Windows 9x as well, as long as you have a FAT partition to install it to.

[dazsherm]

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.

[JoeBonJoey]

It worked fine & perfect for me :-) ... but Windows 2000 can't detect my Lucent Win Modem, how do i get a driver that'll support Win2k?

.......After step 7, is it necessary to do the steps from 8-13?