I want to install Windows XP on my other computer using my I386 directory as this: http://ask-leo.com/i_dont_have_an_installation_cd_for_windows_xp_what_if_i_need_one.html says is possible. However I want to try it on a blank hard drive first so that if it doesn't work I can still use the hard drive with the working copy of windows on it.
My plan is this: have two hard drives installed on my computer (HDD1 = win98, HDD2 = blank) network my two computers and transfer the I386 directory to the blank hard drive (HDD2). Then open up my computer, remove the primary hard drive (HDD1), switch the secondary hard drive with the files on it (HDD2) to primary, and then start up. Would this work? Would I use DOS to boot from the directory ("C:/I386/winnt.exe")? If not what else could I do? Because the directory is too large to burn to CD (455mb), do I need to burn only specific files?
2006-12-10 15:43:04 · 8 answers · asked by Phoenix 3 in Computers & Internet ➔ Software
I don't have a Windows XP disk. And for a boot disk wouldn't I also have to have the WinXP disk?
2006-12-10 15:52:56 · update #1
You can dual-boot Win98 and XP. It's a LOT easier to set up than you have outlined, however.
The article you linked to is NOT for installing XP. It describes how to access the "setup" files if the i386 folder was copied to the drive. That's NOT for installing XP, only for adding XP components to an existing install. You must have an XP CD to install XP.
Install Win98 to the C: drive as normal. Do NOT format or partion the second drive! Once it's installed and working properly, reboot to the XP CD.
Select the option for a fresh install of XP - do NOT upgrade the current Win98 installation.
When you select the destination partition, select the unpartitioned space on the second drive and press "C" to create a new partition. If you want to be able to access the files on the XP install from Win98, select the FAT32 format type. If you do not need to access the files from Win98, select NTFS. Either way, select the option for a quick format to save a LOT of time.
XP will be installed to your second drive. When you boot your machine, you will see a new screen that will allow you to select which OS you want to boot to. Cursor up and down to select the desired OS and hit Enter.
2006-12-10 16:29:02 · answer #1 · answered by Bostonian In MO 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It isn't going to work as you have typed it here!
I don't know if XP has a sys.com command that will work or not, but in the past you could make a bootable floppy with sys.com on it and if the MBR was set up properly you could use sys.com from the floppy to put a DOS file system on a hard drive.
I doubt that will work in this case, however, you may be able to install windows on the secondary hard drive on the blank by running the setup from within win98.
Then the issue will be whether the harddrive will be bootable when put in the other computer.
I assume it won't be however, you should be able to make it bootable by using the disk manager before transferring the drive to the other system. Mark the partition as active and try making it primary to test if it will boot.
There are probably many other ways to do this also, but it can be a big pain and take a huge amount of time.
Good luck and hopefully you find an answer here that helps.
2006-12-10 15:57:28 · answer #2 · answered by bogey 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You won't be able to boot from the hard disk with only the i386 folder on it. I think this is because there is no boot image, but more importantly windows will partition the disk during setup, erasing all your installation files. What you MIGHT be able to do is run the winnt32.exe setup program from within win98 and point it to the blank hard drive. I don't really know if that will work or not, but i sort of doubt it. I really think you will need the cd.
2006-12-10 15:53:10 · answer #3 · answered by casey 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Create a DOS bootable floppy disk from another computer.
You can even create a bootable flash drive if your computer permits it.
Boot the dead computer with this disk.
Go to your i386 directory and run Winnt.exe.
This will not harm your computer in anyway.
This is the only way to install windows if you dont have a bootable CD.
2006-12-10 15:59:58 · answer #4 · answered by Danish 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In order to format from a operating system CD like XP you have to boot from that CD. Your computer should be setup by default to check for a boot CD befor running off of your Hard Drive. If you changed it then you will need to change it back to its default order. If you cant get into the BIOS menu try to remove your C-MOS battery on your motherboard. (Its the small silver watch looking battery) The battery is there you keep saved setting when the computer gets powered down removing and then putting back in should reset your password.
2016-05-23 04:08:26 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i havent heard of this bein possible why not use a cd or boot from a boot up disk?
2006-12-10 15:45:59 · answer #6 · answered by alerogls@sbcglobal.net 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it might work..but u also have to consider ur RAM (it will be laggy since XP is a bigger program)...consider graphics card (XP has better graphics overall)....prossecor...windows 98 differs alot from windows xp...i mean it is possible ur way will work but it might run very slow..but good luck on it
2006-12-10 15:55:34 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
i wouldnt be wise to use ur plan.then also if ur comfortable,try installing ur xp
2006-12-10 15:45:10 · answer #8 · answered by gopish prasad 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋