Adding Data and Other OS Partions to XP Pro System 1

[retread]

I have a new Dell with XP Pro and 120 GD hard drive configured NTFS. Have purchased Partition Magic 8.0 with the intention of:
1) adding a FAT 32 primary partion and loading Windows ME because I have a VPN application that will not run in compatiblility mode under XP Pro, and which I would just as soon keep separate from rest of system.
2) adding an NTFS data partition and segregating data from XP system.
Am ruminating on the strategy and reluctant to charge in an mess up a new computer. PM8 documentation says primary partions must reside below 8GB boundary unless "INT 13 Extensions" are implemented. Any thoughts on the wisdom of all this, or determining if INT 13 extensions are implemented?

 

[curby611]

its easier to intall windows 9x or ME before windows xp and let windows xp bootloader configure it automatically ... it will dont worry
u can create a ntfs partition anywhere on the drive and mount a folder on it and have it seperated from the rest of the system (thats if u dont want to use a drive letter for it)
if u had win xp installed after win 9x or ME then that boot boundry woulnt be important because xp would boot from c: or whatever ur fat 32 partition is as long as its the first primary partition
u can also edit the boot.ini file manually and insert the boot option

 

[retread]

Thanks, curby611. When you say install win9x or ME before xp, does that mean in a lower partition? If so, does that mean the first FAT32 partion can be bigger that 8GB?

 

[curby611]

if c: is the first partition then both os will boot from it so it doesnt matter its size.although win xp is lets say on d: drive it will boot from c:.u mean the 1024 cylinder thing right?and c: is before that nomatter where d: is ... mine works fine with win 98se and xp and i have a third fat 32 partition for backup that i hide to keep my downloads in case i reformat
now if u hide the first partition with pqboot then u wont boot into anything...

 

[wolluf]

retread,

I don't think you'll have a problem installing ME anywhere on that disk. If you don't want to reinstall XP, use a boot manager (Partition Magic comes with its own - I prefer

http://www.boot-us.com).

If you use PM to shrink current partition to make room for the others, I would first create just the FAT32 partition for ME. Then hide the XP partition (because ME install won't like it being there) and install ME. Then unhide XP partition and set up your boot menu, using whichever boot manager you choose. Then create your NTFS data partition (which I would also make primary - I've 'lost' stuff when extended partitions gone missing - so never use them).

 

[retread]

wolluf and curb611,
Thank you very much for the information. I have been slow to set things up while family was using the machine for school. Wolluf, I set up the partions as you suggested, including a primary data partition, rather than an extended/logical ptn. Also have used BootUS as the boot manager. Thanks again.