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W98 to WinNT and back to W98 1

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kwunder

Technical User
Jun 2, 2001
860
GB
Can it be done ?
Are there implications with changing to NTFS then back to FAT32 ?
I Don't want to partition and have the option to run either. I just wondered if I could format the HD and install either OS

Thanks in advance
kwunder

 
Nope, Windows 98 doesn't understand NTFS partitions. You will have to delete the NTFS partition, create a new one and format it as FAT32.
 
I thought it wouldn't be simple !
I've never messed about with partitions so is there any chance of some simple instructions on how to go from 98 to NT and then back again at a later date ?

Much appreciated
kwunder
 
With PartitionMagic, convert file systems without losing data. Conversions include FAT to FAT32 and NTFS; FAT32 to FAT; NTFS to FAT and FAT32; Primary to Logical and vice versa; and FAT32 to NTFS under Windows 2000 Professional.
 
If you have enough disk, create another partition and dual boot W98 & NT? -----------------------------------------------------
"It's true, its damn true!"
-----------------------------------------------------
 
NT understands FAT32 no problem. The problem here is that Windows 98 doesn't have a clue what NTFS is (like me reading Japanese).

If you have a Windows 98 Boot Disk, then you'll have a partitioning utility called FDisk. Its not exactly the most user friendly utility, so if you're not sure what you're doing, I would highly recommend not doing it.

Anyway, here goes:

1. Boot up using Windows 98 Boot Disk.
2. Once its finished and you're at the DOS prompt, type 'fdisk' (you don't need to change drives as you should still be on a:\).
3. Select 'Yes' to enable large-disk support.
4. Select <3> to delete a drive, and select 'Delete Non-DOS Partition'.
5. Select <1> (create primary DOS partition).
6. Use all available space (or however much you want).
7. Reboot your machine.
8. Use the boot disk again and install Windows 98.

By the way, this is recalled from memory so Use it at your own risk!. If you do use this method, I would recommend backing up everything you want.

So, to summarise:

You can seriously mess up your HDD doing this, but you only learn from your mistakes!
 
Thatrenowned,
Thanks for the in depth instructions.

Despite being scared to death, I think I'll try over the weekend. Just one point, are the instructions the same regardless of which OS is currently installed, or are they specific to one or the other OS. (that sounds like Japanese I guess) What I mean is, Do I follow those instructions to change from 98 to NT AND the same instructions to change from NT back to 98 ?

Thanks again.
kwunder
 
NT is a NON-DOS partition, so Windows 98 won't understand it. Thats why you have to delete that partition and make a new one.

If you want to install NT over Windows 98, all you do is:

1. Format the drive with Windows 98 on it.
2. Install Windows NT.

Windows NT can understand FAT and FAT32, so it should just install straight on.

Any problems, post them here and I'll try to help you out...
 
NT doesn't understand Fat32, Win200 does S. van Els
SAvanEls@cq-link.sr
 
Windows 200? Was that used on steam powered PCs? LOL

Anyway, I thought it did because it seems to be able to read from FAT32 HDDs when I use \\COMPUTERNAME\C$. Come to think of it, Windows 98 computers can read NT machines when doing the same.

I'll have to remember that...
 
Strange I got a dual boot machine with fat16, fat32 and ntfs partttions.

Windows NT can see the fat32 drive, but can not access it (error reading drive). The fat16 drive is no problem for NT
In win98, the NTFS drives doesn't appears at all.

Regards S. van Els
SAvanEls@cq-link.sr
 
NT *can* read a FAT32 partition with the addition of a 3rd party *driver* the name escapes me at the moment but I had occasion to do this on an NT server box at the office not too long ago. (found it on Google) 98, NT, and 2k cd's are usually bootable (if you burned them correctly <grin>)The NT and 2K setup programs will offer you the opportunity to repartition the drive, I don't think the 98 will - you'll have to do it manually using the method detailed above. If you plan to keep switching back and forth, I'd suggest a 3rd party boot manager (check out PowerQuest) or at least make a small FAT partition at the front of the drive to keep blowing operating system into and the rest into a large FAT partition that all the proposed OS can read. Unless you have need for advanced file permissions and/or auditing OR are planning to store a whole lot of really small files, I'd avoid NTFS. Sounds like an experimental box or self education and if you keep it all FAT, you could get data off of it with a boot floppy when you blow up the OS.
 
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