Triple boot (ME,2K, XP) reinstalling ME and keeping the tripleboot working. How?

[vanderStoep]

Hi,

I`m running a triple boot with Win ME, win 2000 (serv) and win XP (prof).
All installed on different partitions.

However I`d like to reinstall win ME because it has become instable. Could anyone tell me how to do that without having to reinstall win 2000 and XP?

Can I copy the boot.ini, format the win ME patition, reinstall win ME and then copy the boot.ini back or is there more to it?


Thanks,

 

[wjsulliv]

Assuming our reinstalling to the same partition, you need to backup your entire master boot record. Then when you re-install me and it overwrites the MBR, you can re-overwrite it with a valid (accurate) one.

 

[vanderStoep]

Originally posted by: wjsulliv
Assuming our reinstalling to the same partition, you need to backup your entire master boot record. Then when you re-install me and it overwrites the MBR, you can re-overwrite it with a valid (accurate) one.

i`m installing to the same partition. What is exactly in the master boot record and how do I backup it?

 

[wjsulliv]

The master boot record is how your computer knows where the correct files are to boot your system.

The easy thing to do would be to ghost your c: partition (or where ever your boot record is), and then reinstall Me, and finally restore the partition. Norton ghost 2002 can do that....

Otherwise you need to do some searching regaridng, this, as I don't remember how I saved my MBR before. Check the FAQ's?

 

[SUOrangeman]

The ME install *should* be smart enough to not touch the boot sector. I like to install it with "setup /ntldr" anyway. In the event that ME still overwrites, have your XP CD handy to run the recovery console and FIXMBR or FIXBOOT.

-SUO

 

[wjsulliv]

I didn't even think about it until now...

To preserve the master boot record, wire the Me partition.
Boot to XP.
Insert the Me disk.
Tell it you want to install to a seperate partition.

That should install Me on the other partition and add Me to the MBR and boot loader.

 

[TegSkywalker]

System Commander 7 works like a charm and even has a custom MBR for you. I have nothing but good things to say about it.

Check it out at http://www.v-com.com/product/sc7_ind.html