Attempted Dual-Boot - Win XP and Win 98 - Now Partition Problems...

osmorphyus · #1 12-14-2002, 07:52 PM

Hello,

I have recently attempted to setup a dual-booting computer here at home. My primary operating system was Windows XP, and I wanted to install Win 98 for firmware upgrades.

I went and created a second Primary Partition with Parition Magic 8. I copied my Win 98 files over to this new Partition and booted into it so I would be able to install the software.

After installing however, my HD has been set for this new 2 Gig Partition as the primary booting partition. I ran Fdisk and reassigned the Non Ms-Dos based XP partition as the bootable primary, and restarted my PC.

Upon rebooting, I was pleased to see WinXP start its boot sequence. It didnt take long however for error to strike. A few seconds into the boot, I was given the message:

"Autochk not found - Bypassing Autochk"

It then restarted, only to loop the last sequence. If I let it go, it will continuoulsy loop itself looking for this file.

I have the Bootdisks provided by MS on their XP homepage. I rebooted with these, and it allowed me to go thru both partitions in a command line "DOS" mode. In here, I am able to rebuild a boot sector, reassign new partitions and all kinds of other fun stuff. My dilema however is, if I reconstruct or recreate a new boot partition, will this delete my Win98 partition, or prevent it from being booted in some way? What if upon creation of a new/fixed MBR, autochk is still not found, I would then be left with in theory, a useless, cycling machine.

I have many reasons for needing to get back to my WInXP partition. One, my Hi Speed is not installing properly to the Win98Se, even though it is documented to be able to do so. Another reason, I have many valuable text files I have written for my own music magazine, which are not duplicated online or on any form of Hi Capacity storage.

I hope someone can shoot me some good advice. I have read a few posts on here, and a lot of them are 2 or 3 lines. I would really appreciate some in-depth help if I could get it.

Thanks in advance.
osmorphyus@yahoo.com

Grendel · #2 12-14-2002, 08:05 PM

If you do run fixmbr or fixboot it will hose the 98 bootstrap.

If you really need to duel boot you have to put 98 in first and then XP.

What may work is this, but I doubt it.

Boot into Recovery Console, run fixmbr then fix boot then
bootcfg /rebuild. That should get you into XP atleast.

It may not find the 98 partition cause I know XP and partiton magic do not see eye to eye.

The autocheck wanted to run because the hard disk was cut up and XP seen this and panicked.

If you can, I would start from scratch. Fdisk the drive, and install 98 on C: and XP on D:
Windows OS' s need to be installed in order if in a duel booting situation.

osmorphyus · #3 12-14-2002, 08:27 PM

Thanks for your reply, I apprecite the fact that youhad something to say, and not just "ur screwed" or something like that.

No, I really dont need the Win98 Dual-Booting. I would be just fine getting back my XP and tossing the old hardware I need to firm up.

I wish I would have known prior to cutting up this drive the incumbant errors that can come out of slicing and dicing a drive! You are the seond person to note to me that MS OS' need to be installed in order of release. I didnt go into this entirely blind, either, I think that angers me the most. I looked al over for tips and info on dual-booting, and not one site told me I needed to install in order of release. Oh well, live and learn. Thus is the way of MS Products, right?

Im going to get a bite to eat, check this page back in a few, and if noone else has any ideas, Im gonna do what you suggested.

Thanks again.
Chris

augie2 · #4 12-14-2002, 09:10 PM

I strongly suggest you partion c to 5 GB and put your apps on d

Quote:

After installing however, my HD has been set for this new 2 Gig Partition as the primary booting partition.

That way XP has elbow room.

osmorphyus · #5 12-14-2002, 09:19 PM

I dont understand what youre trying to tell me to do. If I were a computer right now, I would say "Syntax Error".

I have over 5 Gigs setup with XP installed already. My Win98 Partition has only 2 Gigs.

XP = over 5
98 = 2 +/-

I am trying to fix my XP Partition, essentially.
It is on the machine, just unrecognizable at the moment.
I can set it to a primary partition, and it boots.
It is during the booting sequence that errors start.

"Cannot find Autochk - Autochk will be bypassed"

................
So XP has elbow room? Elbow room for what? Its already installed! To put this into even simpler terms, "I want to undo my Win98 Partition, but 'Control Z' won't work".

If anyone has any useable input, Id like to hear it.

(please read the entire thread before posting, thanks)

dumdum · #6 12-15-2002, 12:48 PM

Why dont you just buy a new HDD for 98se set to master. You wont have to partition your XP HDD, and will have enough Space for both 98se apps and XP apps.

osmorphyus · #7 12-15-2002, 03:06 PM

Why would I buy another new HD when this one works fine for me?

Im going thru tech troubles is all. There is a way out of every tech issue. I think Im just going to wipe the disk here, and restart. No dual booting, or anything fancy. Just get this back up and runnin.

dumdum · #8 12-15-2002, 05:05 PM

i know there is a way out of every tech issue, and that was one sollution that i gave you! if you dont want anything fancy then dont dual/multi boot! anyways your problem started when you tried using 3rd party partition software like partition magic 8. what you should of done was wipe clean then use your 98 boot disk to create both partition and load 98se in first partition then xp in second. there would have been no errors and we wouldnt be here! DONT USE 3RD PARTY PARTITION SOFTWARE FOR STUFF LIKE THIS!!!

beeboy · #9 12-15-2002, 05:56 PM

I have found Partition Magic to be extremely reliable and capable. It is the best way to create, manage, and boot multiple os. I have had as many as 7 os installed - 2 xps - 1 me - 4 linux. Believe me - it works. I think copying the necessary boot files (search my earlier posts) to your xp os will solve your problem. Grendal's advice is right on the money but you will still have to place the appropriate boot files first. Good luck and by the way - I've been there. Boot Magic may simplify your boot problems as well and I think it is improved in version 8.

dumdum · #10 12-15-2002, 11:22 PM

Ask most techs, and i think that they will agree that most problems like this occur from 3rd party partition software. maybe its not the software all the time, it might just be the person using it.

osmorphyus · #11 12-16-2002, 01:57 AM

Well, I am back...

I went ahead and formatted the PC clean, let me tell you ll about my adventures! First, I destroyed all parition information using a Wipe command off of TechW0rm's Bootdisk.

After this, I booted with my XP boot disks to make sure indeed the XP boot sector had been deleted, and it had. I was pleased. I then rewrote a new partition in FAT32. I formatted the drive and rebooted.

Upon rebooting, I was given the following Error Message:

"Invalid Partition Table"

I was stuck with this for a few hours trying to think of what this meant. I could boot of of TechW0rm's disk, and then gain acess to my C: drive which appeared fine. It had all 8 Gigs of space allocated for, and seemed to be in good working condition.

I kept trying to install Win98 again and again, but I could not get beyond the Invalid Part Table Error. I finally opted to reinstall DOS 6. This took the FAT to FAT 16, and left me someho with 2 out of 8 working Gigs of Storage.

So I said screw it and just continued with the 98 installation under the impression that I could upgrade to FAT32 and somehow regain my extra disk space.

98 installed, first thing was first. Delete all extra software installed with 98 such as internet services, ring central bullshit and a few other garbage, outdated and never used programs. Next, I went ahead and converted my drive to FAT32, hoping to gain back my 6 Gigs of mysteriously lost Space.

Well, the conversion process took about 45 minutes plus or minus a few, and I am now stuck with a 2 Gig HD running Windows 98!

Ahhh, the nightmares, the nightmares! Now I dont know what exactly to do to reclaim my disk space, and I do not understand why its gone! Before the install, with the FAT32 Partition, I had all 8 Gigs, clearly visible. Now with 98 installed on my 2 Gig drive, I have barely a Gig left to work with!

So, if you guys have any advice on this one, heres something for us to discuss now! Any ideas where my unallocated space is sitting at? I had to defrag ad scandisk prior to the FAT32 conversion, so thats not going to do the trick. My ears and eyes are open here fellas, any ideas?

p.s
in regards to "most techs" and stuff... most 'tech' run websites i looked at prior to my dualbooting procedure suggested to run part. magic. it has nothing but the highest marks out there. i dont believe myself either, that most 'techs' would blame 3rd party software for errors like this. they would more so blame the user, not the software. it is indeed true that it is a poor craftsman who cannot properly work with the tools provided to him. im new to this dualboot stuff, so somewhere, i made an error. humans create over 99 percent of mechanical errors. and buying a new harddrive is not an option, or a way out of any error.

dumdum · #12 12-16-2002, 07:58 AM

Well I am a Tech, and on my Site. I do not recommend anythird party software to dual/multiboot. i dont understand why a Tech would when all is explained, and as far as I know supported in microsoft.com. Thats the only place a person should go to find out how to dual/multiboot.

As for your Partition problem: Fdisk, delete partition, USE 98 Boot disk, create New partition. Will read all 8 GB's. Reload win98.

beeboy · #13 12-16-2002, 10:50 AM

I've bookmarked your site Dumdum. Great stuff. Thankyou for sharing.

dumdum · #14 12-16-2002, 12:35 PM

No Prob thats what its there for!!!

osmorphyus · #15 12-16-2002, 01:31 PM

Thanks for the info, dumdum.

Im gonna try to Fdisk again like you suggested. You think a Win98 Boot Disk will be able to create a full 8 Gig Partition, then? Won't I have to reformat and reinstall again?

Well, Im going to try it out, seems how Ive got nothing but time on my hands here. I checked out your site too by the way. Youve got some cool XP info on there, thogh I only skimmed over it briefly.

Well, here goes an Fdisk; delete partition!
Hopefully this Win98 Bootdisk will Fdisk it all properly again!

Thanks.
Chris