"Imemine" <all@mine.com> wrote in message
news:O4NnqPcsIHA.1240@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
>
>> The first thing I would do is make sure that all my important files, from
>> both
>> installations, are backed up.
>
> -----
> okay,,, got lots backed-up now on cd's.
> --------
>
> Next, I'd try to start XP in Safe Mode. If that
>> works, I'd run the Magic Jelly Bean keyfinder to retrieve the XP installation
>> key. If XP won't boot even into Safe Mode, I'd make getting a valid XP CD key
>> my
>> first priority.
>
> ------
> Yes, I agree,, I havent yet done that,, barely out of work clothes.
> ------
>
> If it's a Retail XP CD, I'd contact Microsoft for assistance. If
>> it's an OEM CD, I'd contact the source, not MS.
>
> -----
> It is an oem.
> -----
>
>> As for your concern about accessing your Win98 installation, that shouldn't
>> be a
>> problem right now. Since XP's boot loader runs before the operating system
>> loads, you should still be able to boot Win98 even if you're having problems
>> running XP.
>
> -----
> Phew, thats at least some good news so far.
> --------
> Should you have a problem booting into Win98, the solution is
>> relatively simple; boot from a Win98 floppy and run the Sys A: C: command.
>
> --------
> Not sure if I got that correct.... do you mean type 'Sys A: C:'??
> What prompt would I be at, at that stage? Have you typed a typo, or is it
> just my lack of
> understanding certain dos commands? (and I'm not real flash at them either,
> but can muddle my way
> around)
> ------------
>>
>> As for using your XP CD to fix this issue, without the CD key you're limited
>> to
>> using the Recovery Console and I don't think that will help with this
>> problem.
>
> -------
> Yes, I thought it might be an issue.
> I went to dos just now, then to the D:drive where xp lives, then drilled down
> to the folder where
> the .exe for jelly-bean is, and fired it up..... but again, it only brought
> up the key for win
> 98....... Am just wondering if I reboot using boot disc, can I drill
> down to the same file
> from pure dos and execute jelly-bean from there?? Will it give me the key
> seeing as how I am in
> pure dos? I say this now, only because I dont want to reboot the computer
> in next 36hrs, so
> just wondering if you might know if this will work.
> -------
>
>>
>> Good luck
>
> Ta for that,, sounds like I am going to need it.
> Boyohboy,,, was amazed to see how far down the n/g list my post is now, hope I
> get this sorted
> before it just drops off and becomes an unresolved issue.
>>
>> Nepatsfan
>
> Thanks for the help so far Nepatsfan.... (whats a nepats?)
>
> Imemine.
>
>


Let's get the easy stuff out of the way first. Nepats stands for the New England
Patriots, an American football team.

Moving on, I'll try to clarify one point I made earlier. If you needed to
restore the ability to boot into Windows 98, do the following.

Put a Windows 98 boot floppy in the drive.
Start your computer and boot from the floppy.
When you get to the A prompt, enter the following command and hit the Enter key.

Sys A: C:

Running this command takes Windows XP's boot loader out of the equation. It
could be restored by booting from an XP installation CD, entering the Recovery
Console, and running the Fixboot command.

Nepatsfan