Win 2k Pro & Win 98se

I have a peer-peer network consisting of win 2k pro machines and win 98se machines. I am in the process of upgrading (reformatting hd's) the 98 machines to 2k pro.

One machine has LOTS of programs installed, one of which is a shared program that needs to keep going. I have read that it is possible to do a dual boot, get 2k pro all up and running with all programs configured then delete the Win 98 directory and remove the reference to Windows 98 from the boot.ini file.

This particular machine has an 80gb hd so there is pleanty of room. I was wondering if there are any drawbacks to removing 98 this way or if there is a "best" way to do this.

 

First off you will need to put 2K in a different partition than 98 occupies (which is probably c.

Next you need to know that 2K will use (after overwriting with it's own code) the same drive space for it's Master Boot Record that 98 used and this space will be the first sector of the C: drive.

It will also place boot.ini and a couple other essential boot files in C:.

So, unless you are VERY careful about how you delete the existing 98 load and reclaim the space, you could prevent 2K from ever booting again.

Might be lots simpler to upgrade 98 to 2K if you don't want to keep a dual-boot system. Or to just keep it dual boot and if you don't think you will want to see the option to boot to 98, edit boot.ini to a zero second wait (for you to choose which OS) and set 2K as the default. If at some point later you did want to boot to 98, just edit boot.ini again and raise the time to choose your OS to 5 seconds or something.

 

Thanks Newt. I need to keep this machine up and running and that is why I am looking for the easy way out. If I upgrade, I am not sure if all the programs will run right and since some machines are still 98se I am not sure if they will be able to network well enough with the shared program.

I think, from what you have said, it is reasonably clear that I don't want to "pull the table cloth" out by removing 98 post 2k. I think the best way to go might be to dual boot and if everything goes ok, then leave as is or clean off the drive completely and reinstall 2k on a weekend.

One other question...this drive is already partitioned with Partition Magic so I guess that will work ok but when I reinstall programs after a dual boot install, do I install them on the 2k partition or do they overwrite the same program on c:?

 

The default for new installs will be %system%\program files (so whichever partition 2K is loaded on). The load on your 98 partition won't be touched or affected.