I have two hard disks on my system,a 4 GB master and an 8 GB slave.Recently I tried installing windows NT4 on my system.For this I removed windows 98 SE and then installed NT on the slave disk.However subsequently the windows 98 setup failed to initialise.So I installed windows 98 on the 4 Gb disk and then installed windows NT on the slave disk.Following this I was able to boot to windows 98 as before but not to NT.Then I changed the boot sequence so as to boot from the NT drive,it worked but I didn't get windows 98 in the OS loader,even after I followed the standard procedure of running NT setup and repairing the boot sector.I have even tried quite a few boot managers but still the problem persists.I have some backups on windows 98 which I cant't afford to loose by formatting the system again.Can anyone please help me out of this mess?

Ravmin. NT does not support FAT32 but it does support FAT16. Your disk size shows that you have win98 on a FAT32 partition because you can't have partitions that size in FAT16.

You're overlooking the basic requirement for a dual/multi-boot involving M$ OS - "without using an add-in util..." All installed M$ OS 'must' have their respective boot/startup files in the (common) active Primary (C: ) partition. This must be fat16 if NT is involved. NT can only see fat16 at boot time in a dual/multi-boot environment. It must also be no more than 2Gig - as DOS/'98(ME) cannot see 4Gig fat16 partitions..., nor ntfs... NT cannot see fat32 - unless you use an add-in util from sysinternals.com (and this only after the OS has booted up). You appear to have '98 as fat32; and NT as either fat16/ntfs (4Gig Max); each on its own drive? In neither case have you established the basic conditions for dual/multi-boot. As you're probably able/willing to restart the process I suggest the following route. Set 8Gig as Master to the 4Gig ('98) set as Slave. Using a DOS/'9x boot-disk (Fdisk/format utils), create the Primary partition (on the 8Gig) to be: 250Meg = fat16 = C : (for NT and later '98 boot-files only.) Create the Extended partition, but leave it unformatted and do not create any logical-drives. Run NT setup (CD boot or 3 floppies - whichever) and allow it to install to the balance of the drive (i.e. into the Extended partition space). NT setup will allow you to create/format partitions. You will be using unconfigured space in the Extended area and will be able to create a logical-drive of 4Gig max - fat16/ntfs (your choice). You can use Disk Admin. later to configure balance of drive as you wish (fat16/ntfs). Apply any SP you intend to use (SP4 or later). Make the ERD for your NT installation; keep it handy. Now run '98 setup (usual route Floppy/CD) and point it to (re-)install '98 to the 4Gig Slaved drive; in effect install it over the present installation. This process will write the '98 boot/startup files to the C: fat16 (active) Primary on the Master 8Gig/NT drive, whilst installing '98 system files (the OS itself) to the 4Gig Slave drive. It will also probably knock out/replace the NT mbr (on the Master/NT drive) and disable access to NT - whilst allowing you to boot to '98 only. Not to worry; it's easily fixed; i.e. Run NT setup/repair routine and allow it to inspect/repair bootsector etc. and provide the ERD you made in advance (although it isn't absolutely vital to have it on this occasion). Once done you will have a dual-boot with each OS on its own drive. Renew your ERD; keep safe/current. You can also do the NT part (config drive/install NT) with the 8Gig set as single Master (no Slave); then connect the 4Gig in, reset jumpers for Master/Slave relationship; then re-install '98, afterwhich run the Repair routine. If you 'really' want to use an add-in boot-manager util (personally I avoid them whenever possible)... Set '98/4Gig Drive as Master to NT/8Gig Slave; install the add-in util to '98, afterwhich use util to install NT to 8Gig drive - following the manual/instructions for whichever util you choose to use; they all have thir own personal foibles/peculiarities. You 'may' need to have SP4 or later to hand during NT setup, as you are using an 8Gig drive. NT doesn't like drives over 8Gig, and you may/may not run into problems with your drive - just depends on how close you are to (going over?) the 7.8/8Gig limit...? More on this issue at: http://www.windows2000faq.com/Articles/Index.cfm?ArticleID=13894 courtesy of John Savill at: http://www.windows2000faq.com - installations section. Fdisk tutorial: http://www.compguystechweb.com/index.html In order to share data across both OS you will need a common fat16 partition/logical-drive (2Gig max on this occasion); it can be on ether drive - I'd put it on the 8Gig/NT Master? You might prefer to have more than one such location? With common fat16 data area(s) you will be to access it (them) from either OS; also from a DOS level boot. Also if you have already installed apps. etc. on the '98 drive (when set as Master) then when it's set as Slave it will no longer be C: (Primary) but now D: Primary; which means any path statments from when it was C: will now be wrong... They can be fixed - a lot of effort - but it's easier just to re-install the apps. etc. when drive in Slave position. This M$ KB explains the how/why of drive letter assignments (useful to know/understand): http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q51/9/78.ASP?LN=EN-US&SD=gn&FR=0 Hope all this is clear enough - if not post back?

Thanks a lot trvlr.Your solution worked wonders for me.My system is up and running now.

Glad to hear you got it going OK; your most welcome. trvlr