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Dual-Boot or Multi-Boot:

Method #2: Use a second hard disk to install Win9x/Me on an NTFS system (XP/2K/NT)

Procedure: Install Win9x on XP/2K (NTFS) system (two disks)

1. Requirements:
   • Installation CD for XP/2K.
   • Installation CD for Win9x if installing it.
   • Win98/Me boot disk or Startup Disk.
   • Blank floppy to create a Rescue Boot Disk for XP/2K.

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   First make your preparations (the Win9x hard disk will be referred to as W9xHD)

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2. Boot XP/2K.
   • Look for a Bootsect.dos (Hidden) file on the first partition. If found, you must rename/delete it.
   • Rename C: to XPHD (right-click on C: in Windows Explorer).
   • Note of the size of the partition(s) - for easier identification.
   • Create a Rescue Boot Disk for XP/2K - this is ESSENTIAL
     (it's a backup of vital XP/2K boot files. It's also your failsafe if a mistake is made!).
   • Download THPC's Btsect25.zip (7 KB, freeware). Unzip it to a Win9x boot disk
     (its text file, Btsect.txt (6 KB), describes the DOS files that must be on the floppy)
     (it will be used to create an image, Bootsect.dos, of the Win9x boot sector).
3. Reboot, and enter the BIOS/CMOS/Setup (the bootup screen will tell which key to press).
   Make CD-ROM the first choice in the boot order (or read how to Boot from a bootable CD).

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   Remove the XP/2K disk and create a bootable Win9x FAT/32 system on W9xHD

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4. Disconnect the XP hard disk (or disable it in BIOS/CMOS if that option is available).
5. Connect the W9xHD hard disk as Primary Master (the Master on the Primary IDE cable).
6. Skip this step if W9xHD contains a bootable Win9x that you wish to keep
   (but first reboot, and check that the Win9x boots normally).
   • Boot from a Win9x boot disk (with CD support).
     (make sure the Primary partition is marked Active - use Fdisk).
   • Format the Primary partition (W9xHD disk).
   • Reboot (essential) from the Win9x boot disk.
   • Run A:\SYS C: and press [Enter].
   • Install Win9x - using [CD letter]:\Win9x\setup /is is best.
7. Boot Win9x.
   • Rename the C: drive to W9xdrv (right-click on C: in Windows Explorer).
   • Note of the size of the partition(s) - for easier identification.
   • Copy these XP boot files from Rescue Boot Disk to root of W9xdrv (C: drive)
     Ntldr, Ntdetect.com (and Arcldr.exe, Arcsetup.exe, Ntbootdd.sys, if present).
   • Create an empty folder named THISDRV on W9xdrv (C:) (it's used later to confirm identification).
8. Boot from the Win9x boot disk containing Btsect.bat.
   Run A:\Btsect.bat to create Bootsect.dos on W9xdrv (C:)   (you don't need the SYS C: option)
   (optionally, copy this Bootsect.dos to your Rescue Boot Disk - for safe keeping!).

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   Now reconnect the XP/2K disk, but NOT as Primary Master, and then
   use FIXBOOT to make an XP/2K boot sector on W9xdrv (which still has a Win9x boot sector).
   Windows XP/2K may see our new W9xdrv as E: or F: or . . .. FIXBOOT must use that letter.

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9. Reconnect the XP disk, preferable as Secondary Master. W9xHD must remain as Primary Master
   (remember to change the jumper on the XP/2K hard disk if making it a Slave).
10. Boot from the XP/2K CD or Setup disks (or read how to Boot from a bootable CD).
    Press R (and then C for Win2K) to enter the Recovery Console.
    Log on to the XP/2K installation.
    At the prompt, type in each of these commands, and press [Enter} after each:
    MAP
        Identify the drive letters allocated to partitions, and partition sizes.
    DIR C:
        Look for the THISDRV folder and/or the Bootsect.dos file.
        If found now, then that C is the drive letter you need to use with FIXBOOT.
        If not found, try DIR D:, then DIR E:, then DIR F:, etc, until the correct drive letter is located.
    FIXBOOT Z:
        Change Z to the drive letter you located (the partition containing THISDRV & Bootsect.dos)
        (example: FIXBOOT E:) (note the space before the E:)
        This command replaces the Win9x Boot Sector on W9xdrv with a XP/2K Boot Sector.
    BOOTCFG /REBUILD
        This builds a new Boot.ini on W9xdrv (note the space before the /)
        Accept the XP/2K it finds (it's not designed to locate any Win9x).
        Enter Windows XP for Identifier (or Windows 2000 if appropriate).
        Enter /fastdetect for OS Load Options.
    EXIT
    Windows XP/2K will bootup (you can ignore any Found new hardware notification).
11. Edit Boot.ini on W9xdrv (on the partition containing the THISDRV folder and Bootsect.dos). Add the following line to that Boot.ini's [Operating Systems] section, and Save it back to W9xdrv.
    C:\="Windows 9x"
    
    Finished. Either Windows will now boot from the Boot Menu.

rdisk()partition() in Boot.ini's ARC path

These define the location where that Windows XP/2K/NT's folders/files are installed i.e. the OS boot partition. Each line must be a complete line (no Word Wrap), and must be exactly correct! Otherwise you are likely to get 'Hall.dll', or other error, indication the Windows can not be found. The Bootcfg /rebuild command normally handles a Boot.ini creation quite efficiently. Occasionally user intervention is required or preferred.

rdisk()
rdisk() refers to physical hard disks. It starts counting from 0. Therefore rdisk(1) refers to a second disk.
Every hard disk counts if it exists, not just disks with OSs installed.
The Primary Master hard disk is always rdisk(0).
If a Primary Slave exists, it has priority over any Secondary disk(s).
If a Secondary Master exists, it has priority over a Secondary Slave.

                PrimaryMaster   PrimarySlave   SecondaryMaster   SecondarySlave
1 disk  ->      rdisk(0)
2 disks ->      rdisk(0)        rdisk(1)
2 disks ->      rdisk(0)                       rdisk(1)
2 disks ->      rdisk(0)                                         rdisk(1)
3 disks ->      rdisk(0)        rdisk(1)       rdisk(2)
3 disks ->      rdisk(0)        rdisk(1)                         rdisk(2)
3 disks ->      rdisk(0)                       rdisk(1)          rdisk(2)
4 disks ->      rdisk(0)        rdisk(1)       rdisk(2)          rdisk(3)

Default Boot and Boot Delay

1. Boot to Windows XP/2K.
2. Go to Start > Control Panel > System > Advanced tab (or Properties)
3. Under Startup and Recovery, click Settings (or look for these settings).
4. Under System startup, in the Default operating system list, click the OS that you want to start when you turn on, or restart, your computer.
5. Also select the Display list of operating systems for check box, and then type the number of seconds for which you want the list displayed before the default OS starts automatically.