Load win 2000 on 2nd hard drive

[richj55]

I have a 2nd hard drive connected to my win xp machine via usb. I would like to load windows 2000 on this second hard drive.(It is going to be used in another computer without a cd drive)When I try to load win 2000, I get the "Setup functionality will be disabled" message. How can I load Windows 2000 on this 2nd hard drive?

 

[Dreadson]

If you have a bootable setup disk for windows 2000, you could try removing the first hard drive and setting the second one to master so the installer won't be able to detect windows XP.

 

[wolluf]

If its just a drive in an enclosure, then as Dreadson says, just moount it as sole disk in you PC and install 2k normally (ie, by booting from 2k install CD).

You do realise that it may not boot in the other machine (hardware) - in which case you'd need a repair reinstall - which needs a Cd drive! The obvious answer is to temporarily connect CD drive to the other computer to install 2k - then you'd get the installation you need.

 

[richj55]

Unfortunately, my cd is not bootable. I lost my original CD, so this is a copy. I tried using boot diskettes, but my cd drives were not recognized. Any other suggestions?

 

[linney]

See if you can adapt this.

307848 - HOW TO: Start Setup from MS-DOS in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;307848&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

You had better read this too, because any XP install on your machine is likely to fail to boot later because of different versions of boot loading files.

How To Create a Multiple-Boot System in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;306559&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

Multibooting with Windows XP: Introduction
Multibooting with Windows XP

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/learnmore/multiboot.mspx

Multibooting with Windows XP: Installing Windows 2000 and Windows XP

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/learnmore/2000xp.mspx

How do I install Windows 2000 after I've installed Windows XP? (without 3rd party software)

http://www.dougknox.com/xp/tips/xp_repair_2k.htm

Replacement of CD or Product Keys.

To replace a CD or Product Key, you must contact PSS. To locate the appropriate phone number for your product, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;EN-US;CNTACTMS

326246 - How to Replace Lost, Broken, or Missing Microsoft Software or Hardware

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;326246&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

 

[wolluf]

You can create a bootable CD (assuming your CD contents are ok) - eg

http://www.3iii.dk/computer/W2Kboot.htm

 

[KenB]

Try this, copy the contents of the CD to the Hard Drive you want to install it on. Then put the drive in the computer you wish to install it on. Boot from a DOS floppy, at the A:\ prompt type C: press enter, then type setup and press enter again. The installer should run from there. This is faster than installing from the CD. You should delete all the files and folders copied from the CD except the i386 folder afterwards.

HTH
Ken

 

[richj55]

The problem is that I don't get an A:\ prompt. I did the first time I tried to load Win2K, but I don't get it any longer.

 

[Dreadson]

You have to have a windows 98 bootable floppy disk (or something similar) in the floppy drive while your computer starts up. Also, the BIOS has to be configured to search for a floppy on bootup (press the delete key a bunch of times right after you turn on the computer to get into BIOS).

 

[richj55]

I finally got a windows 98 bootable floppy disk. The A:\ prompt showed up. I switched to the C: drive on which windows 2000 setup files were loaded. I typed setup and got the error, "This program cannot be run in DOS mode." What do I have to do to get windows 2000 setup to run?

 

[Dreadson]

This article may be of some use -

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=240251

Especially the part:

"As an alternative to the above, you can change to the i386 folder on the Windows 2000 CD, and then type:
winnt.exe "

 

[wolluf]

richj55 - have you had a look at creating a new bootable 2k install CD as per that link I posted (there are many other sites with instructions)? Apart from anything else, you'd have it if you need to reinstall, repair reinstall or use recovery console in the future.

If you do want to use the 98 boot disk approach, read the link linney posted above:-

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;307848

you'll see it says to run 'winnt' not setup.

(this is similar to Dreadson's comment above).

 

[richj55]

I tried to run winnt.exe and it pauses for about 5 seconds and then I just get the prompt again. I also tried to create a boot cd and that did not work either. Should I just throw in the towel on this one or is there something else I am missing?

 

[Dreadson]

You may have to prepare your hard drive first (partition and format), and also try to run that file from the CD. Boot up with your floppy to A:\ prompt with CDROM support. If you have one hard drive connected, the path of the cd would be E:\. And the full path I'm guessing is E:\i386\winnt.exe. Just make sure the hard drive you're installing onto is clean first.

 

[wolluf]

I also tried to create a boot cd and that did not work either

Do you mean you created a new 2k install CD. If so, how did it not work (did it fail to boot or did the install not work)?

If it failed to boot suggests there may be something wrong with CDROM drive (assuming you're using good quality blank CDs and followed instructions correctly - particularly the expert emulation settings).

If it booted, but then failed, suggests a hardware problem.

If Dreadson's last comments don't get you going with the 98 boot approach, I'd definitely suspect a hardware issue.