Post-installation procedure 2

[b1kerch1ck]

Hi, sorry if this is a repeat question; if it is, please point me to the thread.

I have just installed 2000 pro in a D: partition, keeping Windows ME on the C: drive. I had lots of problems with drivers etc. but am pretty sure those are solved now. 2000 seems to be running fine on the partitioned drive.

I have two questions:

1) How can I enlarge the partition so that I can download IIS, etc.?? Though I am Administrator, I don't have the Quota tab on the drive properties window. I have downloaded freeware 'Partition Resizer' but dare not try it without checking with you guys. There is only like 300 MB left on this drive.

2) How can I get rid of ME and rename the D: drive to C:???

Many thanks for any answers!

 

[KimberTech]

Sounds like a scary venture
What did you do for file system for the partitions?
I would have gone from scratch with 2kPro and avoided all of this.
Data backup first if there is any.

There is no such thing as a dumb question. Only a dumb mistake because you didn't ask...

 

[b1kerch1ck]

Thanks for writing back.

To answer your question,
I just followed the instructions on the 2k install disk. Clean install (dual boot) was the only option since upgrade upgrade from ME to 2k is not possible (didn't know this when I bought 2k). I also didn't know I needed to configure extra drive space in the new partition.

Do you think I should start over from scratch? How do people normally do this? Basically, I want ME off my computer and 2k to be on the C: drive.

If you can show me how to do this, or point me to a good website, I will be so grateful.

Thanks

 

[wolluf]

You do need to start from scratch. You can't sensibly achieve what you want any other way (ok, I could describe a method to transfer existing 2k install to whole of single partition, if you have access to another drive or CD burner, but its messy, and may cause problems going forward. You are much better off backing up, and reinstalling 2k from scratch on new single partition - you can do this during the install process - ie, you don't need to mess about with boot disks and fdisk beforehand. Dual booting was never thought through in terms of easily removing one of o/s later).

 

[b1kerch1ck]

Thanks for answering!

So I need to get ME off the computer first? How do I do that? Will that remove important system files? Will the CD drive still work (to read the install disk for 2k)?

 

[wolluf]

Once you've backed everything (ME & 2k) up - because new install will wipe out both installations, boot the PC from CD Rom (need to change Bios setting to do this) with 2k install Cd in the drive. After loading drivers etc & copyright page, it should detect existing installation (if not, ignore this) - select option to create new installation. You'll be shown your existing partition setup. For each partition, select and hit D to delete (you'll be asked various confirmations, always choose t he one that will remove it). You should end up with an entry saying unformatted partition. If you want to use the whole disk just select it and hit enter. You'll then be prompted to format it NTFS or FAT32 - make your choice and installation should now continue to end (with reboots and questions as normal).

 

[b1kerch1ck]

I will do that. I will back up the drivers I needed to download after the 2k install...for the sound card, modem and keyboard. I assume 2k supports all the other devices as there were no problems with those.

I'm pretty sure I know how to change bios setting...

One more thing, I understand NTFS is better for 2k than FAT as it enables some 2k features. So unless I hear otherwise from anyone, I'll choose 2k. Hey, there's at least a 50% chance I'm making the right decision!

 

[wolluf]

NTFS will enable extra security features. Also, I believe 2k can only support a maximum size FAT32 partition of 32GB (whereas NTFS its many terabytes).

 

[b1kerch1ck]

I tried it, and it worked! It was easy to reinstall the drivers I spent all day yesterday looking for.

The only wierd thing is it still gives me two choices of OS at startup, both 2k. I'm ignoring it. I'm sure the hd was wiped and there is no partition now.

Thank you for the advice. You saved me from wrecking my computer!

 

[crisc]

Incidently b1kerch1ck, the screen listing those choices at bootup is coming up because of a generated file called "boot.ini", which is created when a multi-OS install is performed. If you open it up, you should see a section with the heading [Operating Systems] and listed in it are the same choices you have on the bootup screen. If you remove the line containing the unwanted option, it should automatically load the lone remaining option (Win 2000) without prompting you to do so.

 

[b1kerch1ck]

Thanks! I'll try it.