How to Dual-Boot Windows 9X/Me and XP Pro or Home

Updated: 08/20/2004

Introduction

These instructions provide step-by-step directions for installing both Windows 98SE and Windows XP Pro or
Home (hereinafter referred to as Win9x & WinXP) on the same hard disk drive so that either operating system can
be selected when the computer first boots-up.

While it is possible to install WinXP first then Win9x, it is much more difficult and not recommended or
explained here; this describes the installation of Win9x first, then WinXP.

Note: Multiple-boot configurations with Windows 95/Me and Windows NT/2000 can be implemented in a
similar fashion.

Overview

Use a Windows 98 startup disk to fdisk and format the hard drive.
Create and format one partition (for Win9x), leaving some unpartitioned space (for WinXP).
Copy Windows 98 files onto the HDD and install Windows 98.
Install software and test system.
Use the WinXP CD to install WinXP (and to create and/or format a new partition in the unpartitioned space).
Install software and test system.

Step-by-Step Instructions

-- Caution --
If using a disk drive that has data on it, it is highly recommended that the data be backed-up before
proceeding as everything on the drive will be deleted.

Preparation of the hard disk drive (HDD)

Check the BIOS to make sure it is set to boot in this order: Floppy, CD/DVD, HDD (or IDE0).
Put a Windows 98 startup floppy disk in the floppy drive and boot/reboot the computer.

Start without CD support when asked (no need for it yet and it just takes longer, but it wont hurt anything
if it starts automatically).

Click Yes to enable large hard disks whenever asked.

Use fdisk to delete all existing partitions (dont forget to check for non-DOS partitions).

Use fdisk to create one partition, leaving enough space for Win2K to be installed on another partition
which will be created later.

Set this partition as active.

Press Esc, usually 3 times, to get back to the a:\> prompt, and then reboot (Ctrl-Alt-Del).

Start without CD support again when asked.

 Format the partition just created; include the s switch (/s) in your command, i.e. format c: /s (this
switch transfers system files that allow the disk to be booted).

Press Esc, usually 3 times, to get back to the a:\> prompt, and then reboot (Ctrl-Alt-Del).
 Install Windows 98SE (Wizard instructions NOT included)

Install Win9x before WinXP (if installed after, it will overwrite the C:\BOOT.INI file and not allow a dual-boot).

Boot (or reboot) with the Win98 startup disk. Start with CD support whenever asked.

Note: When you get to the command prompt, look a few lines above it for one that says something like
Drive X: = Driver MSCD001 unit 0 X will be the CD drive letter, which will be needed shortly.

Make a directory on the C drive to copy the 9x files into using the command:
o A:\>md c:\win98se (space before c). Press Enter.

Put the Win9x CE in the CD drive and copy files from the CD onto the C drive directory created using the
command: A:\>copy x:\win98\*.* c:\win98se (where x is the letter for the CD drive (note the spaces
before x and before c). Press Enter.

After all files have been copied, the command prompt will return. Remove the CD (but not the floppy)
and reboot (Ctrl-Alt-Del).

When the command prompt comes up, start the Win9x installation with the command:

o A:\>c:\win98se\setup.exe (no spaces). Press Enter.

Note: If the installation does not start, use the command A:\>rd c:\win98se, then go back to the Make a
Directory section and start over; make sure your disk is clean, not scratched, and that you are copying from the
correct drive.

Remove the floppy disk and follow the on-screen instructions to install Win9x.

Have the Product Key ready to enter when requested.

Have a watch or clock handy to set the correct time when asked.

Allow the computer to reboot as necessary to detect and install available device drivers. When asked to
specify a location for drivers, browse to the C:\Windows folder unless there is a floppy or CD.

When Windows has finished installing, Right-click in any open area on the desktop, click on the Screen Saver
tab, and then the Settings button. Set System standby, Turn off monitor, and Turn off hard disks to Never (this
can be revised later). Click Apply, then OK, and OK.

Optional but Recommended run ScanDisk (click Thorough and Automatically fix errors) to make sure HDD
doesnt have any errors (this may take awhile depending on the size of your drive).
Optional run Defragment Now to make sure OS files are contiguous (shouldnt take too long at this point).

Close all open windows and then install the motherboard drivers.
Check driver status Right-click on My Computer, click Properties, and then the Device Manager tab.

o Install or reinstall drivers for any devices that are shown to have a problem.

Install and run an anti-virus program. A firewall is recommended as well.

 Use Internet Connection Wizard to setup internet access.

Use Windows Update to download patches and security updates (click Start, and Windows Update should
be at the top of the list).

Update anti-virus program and run again.

Run Disk Cleanup to delete any unneeded items left over from the preceding steps.

Run Disk Defragmenter (recommended but not required).

Install and run another program to make sure everything is working properly.

After Windows 98 has been installed and is working well, the next step is to install Windows XP.
 Install Windows XP, Pro or Home (Wizard instructions included)

Boot to Win9x. Close any programs that are running and disable the anti-virus program.

Insert the Win XP CD into the CD drive. It should autostart and the Welcome Screen will appear with the
following message (different versions may be worded a bit differently, but the options are the same):

What do you want to do?

Install Windows XP
Perform additional tasks
Check system compatibility

First, click on Check system compatibility. Here there are three more options:

What do you want to do?

Check my system automatically
Visit the compatibility website
Back

When Check my system automatically is selected (recommended first step), the compatibility checker will
connect to Microsoft via the Internet, and give the option to download any setup files that have been updated
since the CD was released (update can be done now or at a step later on). Yes is the recommended choice, then
click Next. The Windows Upgrade Advisor will then generate a report on the system compatibility. Any
problems that Microsoft was able to detect will be shown here. Review the report and make sure any additional
drivers or anything else necessary is available before you proceed. Click Finish on the report, and then click
Back to return to the installation screen.

Perform additional tasks has options to set up a Remote Desktop Connection (RDC), set up a network, transfer
files, browse the CD, and review the setup instructions and release notes. None of this is needed at this point, so
it wont be covered here.

Select Install Windows XP and the Welcome to Windows Setup screen will appear.
Below Which type of installation do you want to perform? is the statement Installation Type:
and next to that a box that says Upgrade (Recommended) with a drop-down arrow. The larger box
below describes the type of installation selected. Do not accept the Upgrade option (this will over-write
the Win9x leaving only WinXP). Instead, click on the drop-down arrow and select New Installation
(Advanced) (note: some versions may say Fresh Installation). Read the information in the large box
then click Next.

Accept the EULA agreement; click Next.

Enter the product key; click Next.

In the Setup Options window, select the language and region to use.

Click the Advance Options button to Customize your Windows XP installation options.

Leave the default folders to copy from (make sure CD drive letter is correct) and copy to. Put a
checkmark in the other two boxes, Copy all installation files from this folder and I want to choose the
install drive letter and partition during Setup; click OK then Next.
At the Get Updated Setup Files screen, select Yes (unless the updates were downloaded previously via the
compatibility checker, in which case No can be selected); click Next and WinXP will begin Copying Installation
Files then reboot itself.
When it reboots, there will be a choice between Windows XP and Windows, let it boot to Windows XP
automatically (the default option). More files will be loaded, and the Welcome to Setup screen will appear with
these options:

To set up Windows XP now, press ENTER.

To repair a Windows XP installation using Recovery Console, press R.

To quit Setup without installing Windows XP, press F3.

Press ENTER to continue installation. Setup will now show these options and all partitions on the hard drive (if
these instructions have been followed correctly, there should be two partitions):

Use the Up and Down ARROW keys to select an item in the list.

To set up Windows XP on the selected item, press ENTER.

To create a partition in the unpartitioned space, press C.

To delete the selected partition, press D.

C: Partition1 [FAT32]
Unpartitioned space

C: is where Windows 9x has been installed, do not install XP here and do not delete it. ARROW Down to the
unpartitioned space to select it, this is where WinXP will be installed. Pressing ENTER now will install WinXP
in the entire partition, to create additional partitions, press C. If no other partitions are needed, press ENTER
now and skip to the next section (marked +). Otherwise, press C and continue with the next step, at this screen:

You asked Setup to create a new partition on xxxxx MB Disk 0 at Id 0 on bus 0 on atapi [MBR].

To create a new partition, enter a size below and press ENTER.

To go back to the previous screen without creating the partition, press ESC.

Backspace over the existing value and enter the partition size less than the maximum available that WinXP
will be installed on (i.e. 15000, which is 15GB); press ENTER to create the new partition.

Setup will again show these options and all partitions on the hard drive (if these instructions have been followed,
there should now be four partitions):

Use the Up and Down ARROW keys to select an item in the list.

To set up Windows XP on the selected item, press ENTER.

To create a partition in the unpartitioned space, press C.

To delete the selected partition, press D.

C: Partition1 [FAT32]
E: Partition2 [New (Raw)]
Unpartitioned space
Unpartitioned space
+ ARROW Down to E: and press ENTER to continue installation.

Now a screen will come up for formatting the new partition:

The partition you selected is not formatted. Setup will now format the partition.

Use the UP and DOWN ARROW keys to select the file system you want, and then press ENTER.

If you want to select a different partition for Windows XP, press ESC.

Format the partition using the NTFS file system (Quick)

Format the partition using the FAT file system (Quick)
Format the partition using the NTFS file system
Format the partition using the FAT file system

A bit of explaining is needed here in order to make the best choice. NTFS (New Technology File System) is a
more secure, reliable, more efficient file system then FAT (File Allocation System). It is the preferred (and
default) option here. If this format is used, WinXP will be able to see and access the files on both the Win9x and
WinXP partitions. However, when the system is booted to Win9x, the NTFS partition will be completely invisible
because it cannot recognize it. Therefore, if it will be necessary to access files on the WinXP partition while using
Win9x, then the FAT format should be selected, otherwise, NTFS is the better choice. If unsure, select FAT at this
time, it can be changed to NTFS later, but NTFS cannot be changed to FAT. Dont use the (Quick) option in
either of the choices unless youre in a big hurry.

ARROW Up or Down to select the correct format and press ENTER. Setup will format the partition and then
continue with the installation process.

Setup will bring up the following screens for user input. After completing each section, click Next.

Region and Language Settings Make any changes necessary.

Personalize Your Software Asks the user to Type your full name and the name of your company or
organization. For personal security reasons, a nickname of some sort is a better than using your full
name, but thats a personal choice. A name of some sort is required here, but the organization box can be
left blank.

Computer Name and Administrator Password These boxes are required to be filled out using any
choice of name and password; however, the name cannot have any spaces or periods, and must have at
least one letter.

Date and Time Settings Set time, date, and daylight saving time option.

Network Settings Unless there is a need to add or remove specific Networking Components, use the
Typical (default) option.

Workgroup or Computer Domain make the appropriate selection here and type in the workgroup or
domain name.

Setup will then continue, finalize the WinXP installation, and reboot the computer.

Again the option will come up to start the computer with either Windows XP or Windows (which is Windows 98
in this case). Thirty seconds are given in which to make a choice before WinXP starts automatically. Boot to XP
to finish setting up the computer. When the Welcome to Microsoft Windows screen comes up, click Next and
follow the wizards instructions to complete the installation, register (optional), and activate this copy of Windows
XP. Click Finish and remove the CD.

Right-click in any open area on the desktop, click Properties, click on the Screen Saver tab, and then the Power
button, Set Turn off monitor, and Turn off hard disks to Never (this can be revised later). Click Apply, then OK,
and OK.

Optional run Defragment Now to make sure OS files are contiguous (shouldnt take too long at this point). To
do this, open My Computer, right-click on Local Disk (E:), click on Properties, click on the Tools tab, click on
Defragment Now, click on Defragment. When Defragment is complete, exit by clicking the X in the upper right-
hand corner.

Complete the WinXP installation with these steps:

Close all open windows and install the motherboard drivers.

Check driver status click Start, right-click My Computer, click properties, click on Hardware tab, click
the Device Manager button.

o Install or reinstall drivers for any devices that are shown to have a problem.

Install and run an anti-virus program.

Enable firewall; to do this open Network Connections, right-click on the connection to be protected,
click on the Advanced tab, and put a checkmark in the box under Internet Connection Firewall. Click OK
and close the Network Connections window.

Use Internet Connection Wizard to setup internet access.

Use Windows Update to download patches and security updates. To do this, click Start and Windows
Update should be near the top of the menu).

Update the anti-virus program and run it again.

Open My Computer, right-click on the E: drive, click Properties, and run Disk Cleanup to delete any
unneeded items left over from the preceding steps.

While there, click on the Tools tab and run Disk Defragmenter (recommended but not required)

Install and run another program to make sure everything is working properly.

To create and format additional partitions:

Boot to Windows XP.

Right-click on My Computer.

Click on Manage.

On the left side (the Tree pane), click on Disk Management.

 Maximize the window if necessary to make viewing easier.

Right-click in the area identified as Free Space.

Click on Create Logical Drive

A wizard pops up describing what you will be doing; click next.

Logical drive should be your only option; click next.

Type in the size you want the partition to be (in MB); click next.

Unless you really know what youre doing, its best to leave the default option: Assign a drive letter.
Leave the default letter or change it as desired. Click next.

If the partition isnt formatted it wont be usable. So the only logical choice here is to format. The file
system then needs to be identified, as explained earlier, either can be used.

Type in a name for the partition.

Quick format can be selected if time is limited, but a full format is generally preferred.

The partition will then be formatted.

Repeat this process until all your free space is being utilized. Note: All partitions do not need to have the same
file system; some can be FAT32 and some NTFS, the latter being preferred.