how to create windows not boot disk
This section gives the step-by-step process to install Windows NT. In the following example, we will install Window NT on a second partition on a hard drive, assuming that Windows 98 is already installed on the first partition.
Preparing for the Installation
Before beginning the installation of Windows NT or upgrading from DOS or Windows 9x to Window NT, you need to make some preparations.
To determine if your hardware can support Windows NT, begin by searching the HCL. If a device on your system is not on the HCL, contact the manufacturer for a Windows NT driver. (Remember that if no driver exists, you will not be able to use the device with Windows NT). Be sure you have enough hard drive space. Windows NT requires 120MB of drive space to install itself, and more if the cluster size is large. A floppy drive and CD-ROM drive are required. For computers without a CD-ROM drive, Windows NT can be installed from a server over a network.
If you are using an Intel-based computer, you can use the NT Hardware Qualifier (NTHQ) program found on the Windows NT installation CD-ROM to determine if your system can handle Windows NT. To use Qualifier, boot from a disk onto which you have copied the program, and the utility will examine your system to determine if all hardware present qualifies for NT. Use the following directions to use the NT Hardware Qualifier.
- Insert a bootable disk in drive A.
- From Windows, 9x Explorer or Windows 3.x File Manager, access the Windows NT CD-ROM and execute the program. \Support\Hqtool\MakeDisk.bat. Windows NT will then create the Hardware Qualifier disk.
- Boot from the newly created disk. The following message will be displayed on your screen:
Preparing the NTHQ
You can watch as NT tells you it is creating a RAM drive and copying files to it. Next, a screen will appear informing you that the report the utility generates will take several minutes and will be written to the disk and saved as Nthq.txt.
- Print the report.
Below contain a portion of a sample report from the NTHQ. Note that the two devices listed at the top were not found in the NTHQ. To determine if these devices will work with Windows NT, check the latest HCL on the Microsoft Website or contact the manufacturer of each device.
Adapter description: CIRUS LOGIN PnP v34 MODEM
Adapter Device ID: CIR1000
Listed in Hardware Compatibility List: Not found-check the latest HCL
Adapter Description: OPL3-SAX Sound Board
Adapter Device ID: YMH0024
Listed in Hardware Compatibility List: Not found-check the latest HCL
Adapter Description: S3 Inc. 801/928/964
Listed in Hardware Compatibility List: Yes
Adapter Description: Adaptec AHA-1522
Listed in Hardware Compatibility List: Yes
Adapter Description: Sound Blaster Adapter or compatibles
Listed on Hardware Compatibility List: Yes
Adapter Description: Joystick/game port
Listed on Hardware Compatibility List: Yes
Choosing the Right File System
Remember that when you install Windows NT, you must consider a number of criteria before choosing which of the two available file systems you want, FAT16 or NTFS. If you plan to have a dual boot on your PC with either DOS or Windows 9x, use the FAT16 file system. If you need a high level of security, remember that NTFS offers a higher level of security, including security features unavailable with FAT. If Windows NT is the only OS on the hard drive and security is an issue, then use NTFS. RISC-based computers must use FAT for the active partition.
Step-by-Step Installation
Below is a discussion of how to install Windows NT, both as a second OS on a system that already has Windows 9x, and as the first OS on a system.
Installing Windows NT as a Second OS
The discussion below describes an installation of Windows NT as a second OS under the following conditions:
- Windows NT is being installed on an Intel-based PC
- The installation will use a dual boot.
- The PC has a 2.4GB hard drive.
- The drive has one partition already created: drive C is 2 GB. The remainder of the drive is unpartitioned.
- Windows 9x is installed on drive C, the active partition using the FAT16 file system.
- Windows NT will be installed on the presently unpartitioned space, which will become drive D.
- Drive C will be the system partition, and drive D will be the boot partition for Windows NT.
To install Windows NT as a second OS:
- Insert the Windows NT installation CD-ROM in the CD-ROM drive. The Windows NT opening screen program executes. Click Windows NT Setup. (Another method to begin setup is to execute Winnt.exe in the \1386 directory of the CD-ROM for Intel-based PCs).
how to create a windows nt boot disk
