- Oct 12, 1999
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While I have yet to fully verify this, I have encountered (and resolved) an issue regarding Windows 2000 and XP dual/multi-boot configurations. ***IT SEEMS** that the NT Loader that ships with XP Service Pack 1 is **OLDER** than the version that ships with 2K Service Pack 3.
"What does this mean?"
Well, if you have already installed SP3 on Win2K and later install SP1 on XP, then it is very likely that you WILL NOT BE ABLE TO BOOT Win2K. No, your Win2K files aren't damaged or missing (the boot error that is reported states that \WINNT\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM is corrupt or missing). However, the older NTLDR apparently cannot handle the new SP3 files (for whatever reason). A few MS KnowledgeBase articles talk about the ill effects of older NTLDR files.
"How can I prevent this?"
First, make a backup of your C: drive. (If you've followed my advice in the past, your C: drive doesn't contain either OS, just the boot files and possibly temp or swap space). If you've already installed 2K-SP3 and want to proceed with XP-SP1, have that backup handy. Chances are that you will need to restore the boot files after you apply XP-SP1 in order to boot 2K again.
If you have not upgraded to 2K-SP3 nor XP-Sp1, I suggest you install XP-SP1 first.
Hope this helps.
-SUO