jaclaz

Find info here: http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=33777 http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=31434 http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=29369 http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=21845 (a board search for "unattended" in the Windows 95/98/98SE/ME area would have helped and another one for "msbatch.inf" will give you more material) Remember to set "search posts from" to "Any date". jaclaz

Yep, but if it works, doing well what it is supposed to do, what is the need to develop? Yep, it is what i mentioned as "the simplest way" jaclaz

soulin, yes it's a known fact. There is even this program BOOTPART (which you might have skipped in this thread): http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=35280 that does what is missing, i.e. recreates the boot sectors. See here for more info: http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=33030 http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=25365 http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=25350 http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=34761 if you run a SCSI machine you need a fourth file, ntbootd.sys! mattofak, to clear up things: NTLDR from NT4.00 can boot only from FAT16 and NTFS partitions NTLDR from Win2k, XP or 2003 can boot from FAT16, FAT32 and NTFS partitions Unless you have a third-party bootmanager, this refers to FIRST ACTIVE PRIMARY partition on FIRST hard disk. jaclaz

Just to clear things up a bit: Here is how DOS/Win9x/ME assign drive letters: http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/ar...es/Q51/9/78.ASP Here is how NT/W2k/XP/2003 assign drive letters: http://www.jsiinc.com/SUBA/tip0200/rh0288.htm http://www.dewassoc.com/support/win2000/driveletters.htm At boot time ALL NT based Os's give letters as follows 1) C: is given to FIRST ACTIVE PRIMARY partition on FIRST hard disk, if no primary partition is found on first HD, it is given to first active primary partition on 2nd HD, etc. 2) Subsequent letters are given to extended partitions, starting from the FIRST hard disk 3) Once ALL logical partitions have been given a letter, system re-scans for further primary partitions, starting from the FIRST hard disk BUT there is this problem (remote event, but who knows with XP): http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?...kb;en-us;307079 jaclaz

Actually you need to FDISK the drive as FAT12 Before FORMATTING IT. http://fdisk.radified.com/ http://www.23cc.com/free-fdisk/index.htm You might want to try these tools: www.ranish.com/part http://www.zeleps.com/ http://diskman.dyndns.org/ http://www.ibiblio.org/pub/micro/pc-stuff/...rmat/format.lsm This page is an interesting overview/comparison of FAT12 vs. FAT16 http://www.pscience5.net/CompactFlash.htm jaclaz

The BEST free one is XOSL: http://www.ranish.com/part/xosl.htm (graphical) You might want/need also: Ranish's Partition Manager: http://www.ranish.com/part/ BOOTPART: http://www.winimage.com/bootpart.htm and Windows Boot.ini C.U. http://www.dx21.com/SOFTWARE/Dx21/ViewItem...I=2&SI=2&OID=14 or editbini (from the same people who made BootIt NG): http://www.terabyteunlimited.com/utilities.html Please note that the simplest way to dual boot XP and ME (just read it as NT and 98) is to use the XP default boot manager and BOOTPART. (this way nothing is messed up on the Hard Disk). If you want to add a stunning beautiful graphical screen and password protect booting, add XOSL. jaclaz

Yep, sure it is possible, actually it's how "normal" systems i.e. those that do not have Raid capable controllers should be setup. I find much better to have separate partitions for DATA, as it is easier to backup and faster to defrag. About the SWAP file here are my two cents: 1) the swap must be set as FIXED (same amount minimum/maximum), size typically 2,5 times your memory. 2) if possible have your swap file in a separate partition 3) if possible have it on a different disk 4) if possible have it formatted as FAT32 (being a single file it will be faster) 5) if possible the partition should be in the part of the disk that have faster access 6) the swap file must be either deleted (from a parallel install) or defragged from time to time 7) you should turn off ALL not needed services, see here for reference: http://www.blackviper.com/ Please note that the " size typically 2,5 times your memory" is just a guess value, and, depending of the use you make of the computer, if you have more than 512 Mb of memory, it could even be UNUSED, see here: http://aumha.org/win5/a/xpvm.php jaclaz

Well, yes, I like Ranish's because: 1) it is freeware 2) lets you SEE what you are doing 3) lets you FINE TUNE every aspect of partition table It has it's drawbacks too: 1) it is not "EASY", you have to know what you are doing 2) you need to boot from a DOS floppy to use it In my opinion, the BEST utility is ACRONIS. I don't like Partition Magic as in some configurations can mess up things. More precisely: PM2 worked like a charm PM3 was the BEST edition (no drives larger than 8Gb, though) PM4 was CRAP PM5 was so and so (incompatibilities with some systems, namely ME) PM6 was CRAP PM7 was so and so PM8 cannot say as I don't use it anymore I never tried it, but there are good reports about BootIt NG. The guide of Ranish's is self contained, there is a "Partition Primer" and some Faq's linked from the homepage: http://www.ranish.com/part/primer.htm http://www.ranish.com/part/faq.htm and you could get to the discussion group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/partman Yes, LOTS of reading. About "repairing" a Partition that has errors, best option is to use the Checkdisk tool that comes with every Operating System. You could also try to test the partition with FSUTIL: http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documen...-us/fsutil.mspx You should anyway backup the data BEFORE. I suggest you to backup the data TWICE, 1st by simply copying it to CD's from your Operating System, and 2nd making a digital image of that partition, if GHOST does not work, use another utility, you can try with dd under LINUX or it's Win32 ports: http://uranus.it.swin.edu.au/~jn/linux/rawwrite/dd.htm or http://gnuwin32.sourceforge.net/packages/fileutils.htm or http://users.erols.com/gmgarner/forensics/ Once you have an IMAGE file, try doing all the repairs on the IMAGE, not on the original. You can use this program: http://chitchat.at.infoseek.co.jp/vmware/vdk.html to mount the RAW image (eventually using my little GUI to it): http://home.graffiti.net/jaclaz:graffiti.n...ts/VDM/vdm.html jaclaz

This one works, sorry: http://www.win.tue.nl/~aeb/partitions/ About the multiple systems, it is perfectly safe IF it is accurately planned beforehand. Read here how I like to setup systems: http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=34761 http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=33964 The above is just my personal opimion, the only thing I won't recommend is having more than one Primary partitions viewable by DOS/Win9x systems, as it is known to create problems. jaclaz

You have the "Write" Permission NOT checked. I would suggest you to put yourself in the Power Users Group and leave default Power User permissions. jaclaz

No, as said before, Ranish is an "advanced" FDISK utility, it DOES NOT FORMAT. What you can do easily with Ranish is: 1) Set start and end point of partitions 2) Select TYPE of partition Type of partition is a 1byte value, here is a list of possible values: http://www.star-tools.com/partitionstar/en...manual/bid.html Example: If you have just one primary partition, FAT32 type, the value "0B" is written to the partition table. If you want to change that partition to Solaris, you need to replace that value with either (depending on WHICH solaris) "82" or "BF". The above procedure DOES NOT change ANY data on the hard disk except that 1 byte. If you try to access data from windows, it won't be able to, but if you just write back the "0B", the drive will return as it were. (You can do the same with ANY hex/disk editor) Read these articles here: http://www.win.tue.nl/~aeb/partitions/partition_types.htm http://www.ranish.com/part/primer.htm http://thestarman.pcministry.com/asm/mbr/95BMEMBR.htm http://www.ptdd.com/aboutpt.htm jaclaz

Have a look at this thread here too: http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=26612 jaclaz

Personally I use Registrar Lite, by using ERUNT: http://home.t-online.de/home/lars.hederer/erunt/ (FREEWARE) I get the backup/restore/compressing of the registry. jaclaz

Here is a howto: http://www.robvanderwoude.com/regedit.html (you will need the "READ" value in a temp file) jaclaz

zillah, maybe matters are a little bit confused, I'll try to explain what the difference is between the various utilities. Normally you would use (from DOS or Windows 9x) FDISK : FDISK can reserve space for the partitions and write the partition tables, it does not writes FAT tables nor clears the drive FORMAT: FORMAT will write NEW FAT tables (overwriting old ones), it won't clear the drive Ranish Partition Manager is supposed to be an "advanced" replacement for FDISK only. Once you have reserved partition entry and partition tables with it, you should use your OS tool to format the partition, i.e. FORMAT in win9x or Disk Manager in NT/2k/XP. Once formatted, you should use your OS tool to check the partition, usually CHKDISK. Partition Magic and Acronis "should" have the function of all three of them (FDISK/FORMAT/CHKDSK), but as it happened to you, PM gives sometimes "strange" errors. You should rely on the tools that came with your OS to do the formatting and checking. jaclaz

htc, once again I find your attitude inexplicable and slightly aggressive. I am sure you know perfectly (like most of us) how to make DOS boot, (and you explained it very well in your previous post). I was pointing out a different way to achieve the same result. I am very happy to know that you already knew about it, and that you have used it for years. However the could be (maybe) accepted if it came from an Administrator/Moderator, NOT from another member. As you might gather if you actually READ the thread, you'll see that dvdbcn replied on the 21st of December. This should mean that till that date dvdbcn hadn't yet resolved his problem. The day after I posted what I thought could be an alternative method to the one you posted. There is no use in dividing threads in cold or hot. The good thing about this (and other boards) is that you search through it and hopefully find an answer to your question, even if it's on a "cold" thread. Take it easy, bro. Jaclaz

Partition Magic is known, in "some peculiar setups" to have problems. I don't understand what you are trying to achieve. If it is to repair existing partitions, it might be tricky, and every time you re-run PM you could make things worse. Try : 1) Ranish Partition Manager (FREEWARE) 2) Acronis jaclaz

This might be of help: http://vbdotnet.home.comcast.net/XP_SP2.htm (How to make a full XP SP2 from a Dell Recovery CD) jaclaz

DATAPOL NTFS4DOS http://www.datapol-technologies.com/dpe/freeware/index.html gives read/write access. (It will only work from a DOS box, but it's the fastest, smallest AND FREE) jaclaz

There is a Commercial solution: http://www.microtoolz.com/ Can't say if it works. Here is a MS knowledge base for Win98: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?...kb;EN-US;136214 a win2k one: http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documen...entry/93502.asp http://www.jsiinc.com/SUBE/tip2300/rh2316.htm but the above means that you have to edit the registry. jaclaz

It can be easy either easy or VERY difficult. You can try with this freeware first: http://www.pcinspector.de/file_recovery/UK/welcome.htm How was it formatted? FAT16 (I do not think so) FAT32 (I hope for you) NTFS (Unfortunately probable) Another to try: http://www.handyrecovery.com/download.shtml Difficult to use, but good: http://www.theabsolute.net/sware/dskinv.html The BEST for NTFS is File Scavenger (COMMERCIAL): http://www.quetek.com/prod02.htm jaclaz

There are many myths about Virtual Memory/Swap files, mostly because in the meantime hardware has changed. Contrary to common beliefs, it is highly advisable to have the swap file on a separate partition for SECURITY, not PERFORMANCE reasons. SECURITY REASONS: should you have a DYNAMIC SIZE swap file on the same (only) partition (which is the default install for say 95% of computers) you could have this: 1) you delete accidentally some files (or filesystem gets corrupted) 2) for some reasons (possible malfunctions of some programs) the swap files grows in size 3) it is very likely that the swap file OVERWRITES the deleted/corrupted data 4) there is no way to recover data, unless you really need them and you can afford PROFESSIONAL ELECTRONIC DATA RECOVERY PERFORMANCE REASONS Please read here all needed info: http://aumha.org/win5/a/xpvm.php My two cents on the matter: 1) the swap must be set as FIXED (same amount minimum/maximum), size typically 2,5 times your memory (this is just a guess value and must be recalculated depending on how much RAM you have and the use you make of the PC) 2) if possible have your swap file in a separate partition 3) if possible have it on a different disk (the faster the better) 4) if possible have it formatted as FAT32 (being a single file it will be faster) 5) if possible the partition should be in the part of the disk that have faster access (usually it is around center of the disk, but some hard disks have faster access at the beginning) 6) the swap file must be either deleted (from a parallel install) or defragged from time to time 7) you should turn off ALL not needed services, see here for reference: http://www.blackviper.com/ jaclaz

Yep, sure, then you' ll have: C:\ First Primary Active partition XP (NTFS) Extended partition with volumes D:\ Data, etc. (if it is Common between systems it is better FAT32, if not NTFS) E:\2000 NTFS F:\2000 NTFS G:\2003 NTFS (if needed one more 1 GB partition FAT32 for swap file common between systems) Install order: 1) win 2k 1st 2) win 2k 2nd 3) win XP 3rd 4) 2003 4th jaclaz P.S. Remember to instal Recovery Console when installing last OS (2003)

In this case it probably does not matter, but rule of the thumb is ALWAYS install systems in the order they come out, so I would say: FDISK all partitions 2K < 1GB install on C:\ Both Win2K installs XP 2003 (Remember that NTLDR and NTDETECT.COM, that will always be written on the First Active Partition, will be overwritten by next install, so it's good to install latest OS as the last one) About the multi-booting, have a look at my posts here: http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=33030 http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=34531 jaclaz

FDISK is handy, just download a win 9x bootdisk here: http://www.bootdisk.com/ Personally, I do ALL my partitioning with Ranish Partition Manager FREEWARE: http://www.ranish.com/part/ as it gives you more control and allows you to SAVE your Partition Tables. Another free tool (untested): http://visopsys.org/partlogic/about.html Whatever you use, always have a saved copy of your Partition table, here are a couple links: http://www.partition-saving.com/ http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/techi...g/diskmap-o.asp The use of PARTITION MAGIC is NOT RECOMMENDED. (it has some "non-standard way"of storing data on certain systems) jaclaz