partition magic and installing another operating system

Hi
I recently got partition magic 8 as I wish to install other operating systems on my machine. I am currently running XP SP1 and want to put on 98 and 2k.

I tried following the wizard and also doing it manually via create a partition, convert it, set the new partition active etc and I am following the correct instructions for each OS. I have tried all the different ways over 7 times now but no luck

Every time I do this I let it run to the end and reboot and each time I get the error message "invalid system disk, Replace the disk and then press any key" when it boots (rather than a "insert your win 98 CD now" type message)

I have also tried booting the machine with the win 98 CD in the machine but that simply brings me to the C drive and says do I want to delete the files (which are Win XP), I even let this run for a bit (without deleting the files) and tried to specify e:/windows (as e was the partition I opted for Win 98) as the place to install 98 rather than c:/windows as it was recommending but it would not let me (obviously as the win 98 partition is hidden as it automatically booted up in XP mode)

I have also tried to use boot magic and Pdisk to ensure I am in the correct partition on open up but no joy as I am still getting the invalid system disk error

Help please!
I would be very grateful, Symantec (up there with MS for their helpfulness) only offer a turnaround of 5 business days on emails

Thanks
Dave

 

Dave

Are you using the wizzard in PM 8.0? It will take yu through the whole process for installing another operating system.

Look on the left for "pick a task ". If it is not there, click on view>action panel.
If you don't wish to see the action panel, click tasks>install another operating system.

 

Dave,
I haven't tried setting up a multiboot system with PM8, although I did try using PM6 and the whole process was a little confusing. I can suggest an easy method that works well if you don't mind reinstalling all your OS's (XP in particular). Format your HD and install Win98 first (C:\), then run PM8, re-size your C: drive to 3-4GB, then create a partition (D:\) for Win2k allowing 6-10GB, then create another partition (E:\) for WinXP allowing 8-10GB. Decide on partitions for Program Files (keep in mind Win98 cannot read NTFS). I would use separate parititions for program files for each OS. Now install Win2k, it will ask you where you want it installed (D:\) and it will set up the dual boot. Afterwards install WinXP (E:\) and it will be added to the boot menu and become the default OS. You are given the option of which OS you want to boot to, if no selection is made it will boot to XP. If you want to add Linux later it will use its own boot manager (Grub) and that will allow you to choose between Linux and Windows at boot. You can use a third party boot manager if you choose, but I've been running windows systems this way for a couple years and the windows boot manager works just fine. I takes a bit of work to get things up and running. Hope this gets you started.

B

 

Good suggestion. If you had managed to load 2K, you would have hosed XP to the point it would not have started.

Doing them oldest to newest will avoid all sorts of problems and otherwise I'm guessing you would have created a nightmare PC for yourself.