Hack #86. Configure a Multiboot System
Windows NT and later provide multiboot capabilities supporting DOS and Windows.
Windows NT, 2000, and XP natively support multiboot capabilities, on one or more disk drives. This capability allows you to retain DOS or an older version of Windows, install Windows NT, 2000, or XP, and be able to select between DOS/old Windows and the later operating system of your choice. Assuming you want to retain "good old DOS" or an older version of Windows, there is a requirement that the system (typically the first) partition of your hard drive already be formatted as FAT-16 or FAT-32 and have a working version of DOS (6.22 or 7.0 from Windows 95/98/Me) already installed, and optionally that Windows 95/98/Me is functional on that partition before installing NT, 2000, or XP.
Tip
Windows's multiboot process works by placing a special boot loader program called NTLDR in the boot sector of the hard drive's active/bootable partition. NTLDR reads and acts upon boot disk, partition, and operating system information found in a hidden configuration file named BOOT.INI. After reading BOOT.INI, NTLDR loads and executes the appropriate boot code for the operating system you have chosen.
To begin the NT/2000/XP installation, boot from a diskette (or CD-ROM) that includes CD-ROM support and start from a DOS prompt. Assuming your CD-ROM drive is drive D:, issue the following command:
D:\i386\winntYou may also boot from the NT/2000/XP installation CD, which starts installation ...
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