Windows

"...Any ideas anyone or any ideas what will happen if I just make \ the active partition and reverse the drives (the actual partitions that XP & ME will be installed on? XP on \ and ME on the Restore Disk Set target drive?)..."

Actually trying to figure out if the XP Boot Menu will still appear if I reverse the installation sequence as long as I install ME first on C:\, then XP n \ if I make \ the active partition? My problem is w/ the HP Restore Set not asking where I wish to install Windows as an OEM or retail disk does ask. I just change C:\Windows to \Windows for the ME or 98SE normally. anyone know an easy hack to change the target install drive for a Restore Disk Set? Is it even possible?

This seems like a daunting task if not impossible.

The C: must be active and FAT32 because it becomes system/boot partition for Windows XP with Windows ME in .
One option I can think of without guarantee is to install Windows ME in C: using Restore CD. Replace every reference of C: in Autoexec.bat, Win.ini, System.ini, and Registry to . Ghost C: partition to partition. Delete My Documents, Program Files and Windows folders in C:. Then install Windows XP in C.

I am not quite sure why you want Windows ME in and XP in C: for dual boot?
Unless your future plan is to uninstall Windows ME by just deleting the partition, typically Windows ME is installed in C: with FAT32 (and active) then Windows XP in with NTFS. In this case, the C: is the System partition and the boot partition for Windows XP.

Your question of ?install ME first on C:\, then XP in \ if I make \the active partition?? may not be possible because you cannot change active partition from C: to .

Please post a comment if you need more information or discussion.

Having bought XP Pro full retail, *I* would abandon HP's restore disks.

Alternatively, a 2d HD would cost less than XP Pro did, and could be switched into place as the c: drive if the HP restore were absolutely necessary. Then switch back.

Well I sort of just answered my own question, after a not so simple BIOS update (due to the ACPI Svcs. not being avail. in the current BIOS, wasn't the flash that was tough, but yanking the file update w/ a crowbar from HP, no links led anywhere. Go figure they outsource all the help then dump the site pretty much. Try finding the BIOS update file for an HP XL735 I dare ya! Lol).

Even after the update flash of the BIOS w/ the file that was supposed to, I still got the shutdown due to ACPI not installed, so an F7 @ the right moment and I'm in, ME on C:/, XP on / C: is active and both are Fat32 which is how I do them all, just hadn't done one from a restore disk set (not being able to choose the partition is the killer, but it works either way as long as the earlier OS is installed first and XP is installed last.

I'll still award the points. Look for another post w/ your name on it guys and collect your points.

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