Formatting partition C (win98) without affection partition D (XP)

By zillah2004
in Microsoft (Windows)

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zillah2004

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I came across many articles which is related to the this topic.

http://www.google.com.au/search?client=fir...G=Google+Search

http://www.tech-recipes.com/windows_instal...n_tips1160.html

http://www.petri.co.il/remove_windows_98.htm

http://www.kayodeok.co.uk/weblog/200401/25..._dual_boot.html

http://www.google.com.au/search?client=fir...G=Google+Search

Precisely what I am looking for is :

If I have two partitions on the same hard disk, partition C is primary for win98, and partition D is primary for XP.

How can I format (not delete files and folders within win98) partition C (98) and still be able to boot XP ?

Of course I am aware of formatting partition C (win98) will delete boot.ini file.

Therefore my query is it feasible to do that or not ?

Grand Master

Brian M. Veteran

Posted
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Format as normal, then boot off the XP CD, go into recovery console and type

fixmbr

fixboot

well that is how i understand it, though i am sure someone will confirm.

Yep, that's the procedure. That will install the XP bootloader.

Community Regular

zillah2004

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Yep, that's the procedure. That will install the XP bootloader.

If we format C we are going to delete boot.ini and others NTLDR and NTDETECT.COM files which are used to boot XP.

Does that mean if we boot from XP CD , and we used these two command : " fixmbr, fixboot ", we are going to create a new boot.ini and a new NTLDR and NTDETECT.COM ?

Mentor

simsie

Posted
Posted

When you boot off the CD follow the instructions to where it asks if you want to enter recovery console, tell it yes. I would suggest putting boot.ini NTDETECT.COM and NTLDR on a floppy disk (if you have one) just incase.

Also you may want to try this out before you format c:\ incase you have any questions or problems.

Community Regular

zillah2004

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Yep, that's the procedure. That will install the XP bootloader.

I booted PC from winXP CD, Pressing R to be in console mode.

I formatted the C partition (where win98 resides) then I rebooted the computer, it told me : missing NTLOADER.

Do I need to set one of these two partitions as an active ?

What should I do to overcome this issue ?

Grand Master

Colin-uk Veteran

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I booted PC from winXP CD, Pressing R to be in console mode.

I formatted the C partition (where win98 resides) then I rebooted the computer, it told me : missing NTLOADER.

Do I need to set one of these two partitions as an active ?

What should I do to overcome this issue ?

That error message means there is no ntdetect.com or ntldr on the boot drive.

do you have a copy of these files? if you do, put them on the C drive and reboot.

do you have any drive set as active?

Community Regular

zillah2004

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do you have a copy of these files? if you do, put them on the C drive and reboot.

I have not kept copy of these 3 files (boot.in, ntldr, ntdetect.com)

do you have any drive set as active?

Yes D partition is active, where XP resides.,,,,,which partition suppose to be active ?

Grand Master

Brian M. Veteran

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Thats ok i think thats the partirion thats supposed to be active.

you'll have to get a copy of those files and put them on the C drive to get a bootable os i think.

If you redo a fixboot and fixmbr, it should restore the NTLDR file for you afaik.

Grand Master

Brian M. Veteran

Posted
  • Veteran
Posted

Have you tried settting the C: partition to active?

I think that XP automatically puts the boot info onto the C: partition, and that partition needs to be active (otherwise it's looking for boot information from the active partition - D:, which contains XP, but no boot info).

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