Problems Installing Other Operating System after Windows NT

• Microsoft Windows NT operating system version 3.1

SUMMARY

After you successfully install Windows NT version 3.1, Microsoft does not recommend that you install other operating systems on the same computer.

MORE INFORMATION

When Microsoft Windows NT is installed over a previous operating system, it copies the contents of the boot sector to a file called BOOTSECT.xxx in the root directory. The extension of this file is determined by the previously installed operating system; in the case of MS-DOS, the extension would be .DOS; in the case of OS/2 version 1.x, the extension would be .OS2. It then copies a Windows NT startup utility called the Boot Loader into the boot sector.

When the system is restarted, this utility presents you with a choice of which operating system to start. Once you have made your selection, the Boot Loader locates either the Windows NT bootstrap or the BOOTSECT.xxx file, and turns over control.

If you install another operating system or upgrade to another operating system after installing Windows NT, that process generally replaces the Boot Loader in the boot sector, destroying the dual boot opportunity, and effectively preventing Windows NT from starting (booting).

To recover from this, you can use the Emergency Repair Disk. Choose Verify Boot Files from the main menu.

Note: MS-DOS 6.0 upgrade leaves the NT Boot Loader intact--MS-DOS 6.0 OEM Setup does not.