Once you have Windows 9x installed and running properly, it is time to install W2K. Boot into Windows 9x and insert the W2K CD. If the setup screen does not appear automatically, go to Start/Run and type X:\setup where X: is the letter of your CD-ROM drive. Click OK to start W2K setup. You now might see a window popping up, asking you if you want to upgrade your current version of Windows. Since you want to set up a dual-boot configuration and preserve your existing Windows 9x installation, it is important that you answer No. Now you'll see the actual setup screen. Click on Install Windows 2000 to begin.

Make sure during the first screen of the Win2k setup you definitely chose NO when it asks if you want to upgrade to Win2k. If you were doing a standalone (read: NON DUAL-BOOT) then u would chose upgrade. You will go through a screen or two and be prompted to accept the license agreement, etc. Make sure that you click the Advanced Option button when it gives you that selection. Make SURE that you check the box that allows you to chose the installation partition during setup. This will allow you to install Win2k in the partition you made, or on another hard drive later via the text based portion of setup. Win2k will proceed to check your computer, copies some files, and reboots your machine. You will notice the dual boot screen u will see every other time you boot your computer up. It won’t show for long, but you will be able sneak a peek.

The next few steps of the setup are might dull…almost appearing as a BSOD…but don’t worry.it is correct. You will need to hit enter to start the actual setup process. This next step is fairly important, you will need to choose the partition that Win2k will install to. MAKE SURE that it is NOT the C: and rather the partition you made for the installation or the other hard drive that you have installed in your box. Another note*, be sure you read my above text on what file system you want to use. My personal preference is FAT32. The next screen will ask you to chose the file system and format the partition or drive (the format part is selectable via a Yes/No I believe). Unless you have files, etc. stored on that partition I would chose Yes and let the Win2k install format the partition or drive.

The most important part of the dual boot configuration is now behind you…pat yourself on that back. J The rest of the install process is GUI based and will just detect your hardware and install drivers (hopefully) for it. Just follow the onscreen instructions and you will be set.