how to keep 2nd OS after formatting primary OS

[Subzer0]

i want to format my C drive which is win 98 but as i have xp pro on the D drive once i format and re install the boot option wil be gone as the files for boot up will be in 98 C: drive? wont they?

[Yodums]

Your dual booting correct?

Since your XP is the host of this your going to have to change the boot.ini and take out Win98 and it'll boot default Windows XP, but until you don't change it, it'll keep saying Win98 on the dual boot menu.

[shadowdr]

if you reinstall 98 you cant access an ntfs partition anymore.i found this out the hard way.you cuold try the e.r. disc but i didnt work for me.

[Subzer0]

well actually they are on their own partitions(win98 C: and XP on D:) and im not using ntfs either, im not sure wjether to use it or not as im a gamer and dunno how itll go with games.
so if i format my C then arent the boot options going to go too and then it wont boot into xp either as i understand it?
that 'boot.ini' file can i copy it and re add it after i re-instal 98 on that partition?
thanks for the replies guys!

[Subzer0]

ok i had a look at the boot.ini file and its like this :
[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(1)partition(1)\WINDOW S
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(1)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /fastdetect
C:\="Microsoft Windows"

so couldnt i just copy this and re add it to my C: drive after the install?

[Subzer0]

heres the other contents of C: incase i need to back up any others too, this will make it easier for you toknow what ill need:

[shadowdr]

well,that sounds right but you wiil want to wait for confomation from some who knows better than i.

xp not being ntfs 98 should still know it is there and might still give a dual boot menue .

most things i have learned about os's i learned by mistake so i thought id bump this for you.

bump

[Jon]

Formatting C: may not cause you to lose you MBR. If you reinstall any OS on it, you will lose it.

In the case you overwrite your MBR, you'll need to start back up with the XP CD or XP startup disks until you get to the repair option. If you haven't done so already, make a repair disk.

Choose to repair with repair disk option and fix your MBR. Should be all you need to do.

[Subzer0]

sorry but whats an MBR? hehehe i know im stupid!

[Jon]

Master Boot Record. Holds your partition table and other information needed to boot your OS.

[Subzer0]

and where can i find that? is it part of my C drive or is it part of xp?........thanks