dual install windows xp and windows 98 se by misterhaan, aug 2002

windows xp thinks it's too good for windows 98 se, but considering that some software and hardware is incompatible with xp, it can be useful to have both versions on the same computer.  one way is to use an external software package and install each version on its own hard drive partition, but actually windows xp can be influenced to support dual-booting with windows 98 se through a few relatively easy steps.  there are likely other ways of doing this, but i did it and this is how i got it to work.

installing windows 98 se

first of all, there are a few basic principles that i based this on, namely the facts that the windows and program files directories (aka folders) should be kept seperate and that install directories for programs can be shared.  both xp and 98se use c:\windowsas the default installation directory, and c:\program files as the default program files directory.  while the windows directory is easy to change during windows 98 se setup, program files will require a little more work.  the suggested process is detailed below; but before you start, please understand that this guide requires a basic knowledge of dos and directory structure.

it's best to start with a clean hard drive.  just make sure it isbootable and has a cdrom driver (you will need mscdex.exe and something to the effect of ide-cd.sys) loaded when it boots.

boot up and get this driver loaded, then put in your windows 98 se cd and run setup.

you can complete setup normally (i always do custom setup, though you do not need to in order to change the install directory), but when it asks if it's okay to install to c:\windows, change it to c:\win98se (this particular directory name is not required--you can put it wherever you want.  you just have to follow the 8.3 filename format).

once 98 se is installed to c:\win98se, you have to do the hard part.  the program files location must be changed.

comments / complaints / compliments

nancy graham

posted:  3:17:51 pm, apr 07, 2004 i have had someone on my computer, who has managed to delete my windows98 se including backup files. and intenet explorer. i am looking for some way to reinstall it. but my copy came with computer and it was bought second hand ... can you please help me on where to find these cds for reinstalling windows 98se. thank you nancy

ROC	posted:  1:48:54 am, jul 19, 2004 hello!i have win98&i want to install XP how can i do it without formating win 98

misterhaan radar

posted:  10:42:09 am, jul 29, 2004 ROC:  mainly you can just start on the 2nd page "adjusting" windows 98 se. the only issue that you will have is that you probably have windows 98 installed to C:\WINDOWS, which is where windows xp is going to install to.  to get around this, you will need to use windows xp unattended install to get windows xp to install to a different directory (for example, C:\WINXP).  basically you create a text file (winnt.sif) and put it on a floppy which you have in the drive while installing windows xp.  see this link at microsoft for more information. pm | www

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