How and Why to Perform a Parallel Installation of Windows NT 4.0 (259003)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server, Enterprise Edition 4.0
This article was previously published under Q259003

SUMMARY

This article describes steps and recommendations for performing a parallel installation of Windows NT 4.0. A parallel installation of the operating system is an installation to the same drive and volume as an existing installation of Windows NT, with the difference being the name of the operating system folder.

You can perform a parallel installation when you are using an installation of Windows NT 4.0 for testing or debugging, or when the operating system cannot be started. In the case of troubleshooting an installation that cannot be started, if the file system is FAT, it is possible to boot from an MS-DOS boot disk and gain access to the files. However, if the file system is NTFS, you cannot gain access to the file system using a boot disk.

You should perform the procedure listed in this article as a last resort. You should examine and address any problems you encounter during this process. Changes made to the file system during a parallel installation of Windows NT 4.0 could result in permanent loss of data.

NOTE: Parallel installation should be installed on another partition (or volume) if it is possible. This is very important as Microsoft does not support multiple operating systems on the same partition. Two Windows NT operating systems cannot be maintained on the same partition because the operating systems then share the same Program Files directory, which causes conflicts using Internet Explorer, Outlook Express and other programs.

MORE INFORMATION

The procedure described in this article applies equally to Windows NT Workstation and Windows NT Server, except where noted.

NOTE: During the installation process, if at any time a message is displayed stating that files being copied are older than what is on the system, choose the option to not overwrite the files.

The minimum disk requirement for installing Windows NT Server is 125 MB. If the system is very low on disk space (for example, less than 100 MB), the installation is unsuccessful. However, you can proceed with Setup and it calculates how much disk space is needed for the installation, based on your selections. If there is not enough space for a parallel installation, you can add another drive to the computer temporarily, and then perform the parallel installation on the temporary drive.

Performing a Parallel Installation

To perform a parallel installation of Windows NT, use the following steps:
  1. Start the computer either from the Windows NT 4.0 disks or the Windows NT 4.0 CD-ROM.

    NOTE: If you need to install an additional SCSI driver, refer to the following Microsoft Knowledge Base article for the steps on installing an additional driver during Setup:

    158568 Installing Retired or Third-Party SCSI Drivers During Setup

    Otherwise, Windows NT Setup loads drivers and continues until the following message is displayed:
    Welcome to Setup.

    The Setup program for the Microsoft(R) Windows NT(TM) operating system version 4.0 prepares Windows NT to run on your computer.

    • To learn more about Windows NT Setup before continuing, press F1.
    • To set up Windows NT now, press ENTER.
    • To repair a damaged Windows NT version 4.0 installation, press R.
    • To quit Setup without installing Windows NT, press F3.
  2. Press ENTER to start the parallel installation process. The next dialog box lists the detected mass storage devices. If the list is correct, press ENTER to continue.
  3. After the End User License Agreement dialog box is displayed, the hardware that is detected is displayed. If the list is correct, press ENTER to continue.

    NOTE: In most cases, you do not need to specify additional drives for pointing devices or other input devices for this process. Only minimal device support is needed for a parallel installation of Windows NT 4.0.
  4. If the operating system you are installing is less than or equal to the operating system that is currently installed, an upgrade dialog box is displayed. For example, if Windows NT Server is installed and this parallel installation is Windows NT Workstation, an upgrade dialog box is not displayed and Setup continues to the hardware configuration dialog box. The upgrade dialog box looks like the following example:
    Setup has found Windows NT on your hard disk in the directory shown below.

    C:\WINNT "Windows NT Server Version 4.00"

    Setup recommends upgrading this Windows NT installation to Microsoft Windows NT version 4.0. Upgrading will preserve user account and security information, user preferences, and other configuration information.

    • To upgrade Windows NT in the directory shown above, press ENTER.
    • To cancel upgrade and install a fresh copy of Windows NT, press N.
  5. At this point, press N for a new installation of Windows NT, which is the parallel installation (note that the installation and drive letter may be different than what is shown in the previous example).
  6. The next dialog box lists the hardware that is detected. If the list is correct, press ENTER to continue. In most situations, you do not need to specify additional drives for pointing devices or other input devices for this process. You only need minimal device support for a parallel installation of Windows NT 4.0.
  7. After the hardware configuration dialog box is displayed, the partition and drive dialog box is displayed. Select a drive or partition that has at least 100 MB free, and is either the FAT16 or NTFS file system.

    NOTE: If the partitions shown here are listed as "damaged or unformatted" and the drive is an IDE drive that is larger than 7.8 GB, stop the installation and refer to the following Microsoft Knowledge Base article:

    197667 Installing Windows NT on a Large IDE Hard Disk

  8. When you perform a parallel installation of Windows NT, you do not need to make any changes to the file system. You should not delete or reformat a partition at this point. If the disks and partitions are still listed as unknown or if there are any other error messages, stop the installation and troubleshoot the problem. Any changes made at this point in the Windows NT installation could lead to a loss of data.
  9. If there are drives listed that are FAT or NTFS, select one of the drives that has at least 100 MB of free disk space, and then press ENTER.
  10. The next dialog box displays the partition you selected and gives you several choices on how to proceed with the installation:
    Select the type of file system you want on this partition from the list below. Use the UP and DOWN ARROW keys to move the highlight to the selection you want. Then press ENTER.

    If you want to select a different partition for Windows NT, press ESC.

    Format the partition using the FAT file system
    Format the partition using the NTFS file system
    Convert the partition to NTFS
    Leave the current file system intact (no changes)
  11. For a parallel installation, choose the Leave the current file system intact (no changes) option, and then press ENTER.
  12. The next dialog box is where the installation location is specified. Change the default folder (Winnt) to a new name (for example, Winnt40) to ensure that this is a unique installation. To make the change, simply type the additional characters at the end of the Winnt, and then press ENTER.
  13. Setup then checks the disk for damage. If there is no disk damage, press ENTER. If there is disk damage, you should not perform a parallel installation.
  14. After the disk check is performed, Setup starts copying files. At the end of the file copying process, Setup indicates that this portion of Setup is successfully completed. Remove any CDs and disks from the computer, and then press ENTER to restart the computer.
  15. After the computer restarts, Setup starts and the Welcome dialog box is displayed (this dialog box lists the remaining three phases of Setup, which are Gathering Information, Networking, and Finishing Setup). If you are installing Windows NT Workstation, the Setup Options dialog box is also displayed. This dialog box lists the following four installation options:
    • Typical
    • Portable
    • Compact
    • Custom
  16. The Name and Organization dialog box is displayed next. This information does not have to exactly match the original installation; the information you type here is for your reference only.
  17. The Registration dialog box is displayed next. After you type your CD Key, click Next to continue.
  18. This step is for Windows NT Server only: The Licensing Modes dialog box is displayed, which allows you to choose the number of licenses and the mode of licensing. Type the appropriate information, and then click Next to continue.
  19. The Computer Name dialog box is then displayed. Typically, the parallel installation of Windows NT should not be the same name as the original installation of Windows NT. Because this installation of Windows NT is independent of the original installation, choose a name that is not in use on the network, and then click Next to continue.
  20. This step is for Windows NT Server only: If you are installing Windows NT Server, the next dialog box allows you to pick a server type. The best choice for a temporary, parallel installation is a the Stand-Alone Server option. If you choose the Primary Domain Controller option, a new domain is created. If you choose the Backup Domain Controller option, a primary domain controller (PDC) must be contacted to verify security and join this computer to the domain.
  21. The next dialog box prompts you to assign a password to the Administrator account of the parallel installation. Microsoft recommends that you assign a complex password.
  22. The next dialog box lets you create an Emergency Repair Disk (ERD). In most cases, there is no need for an ERD during a parallel installation. Choose the Emergency Repair Disk option, and then click Next to continue.
  23. This step is for Windows NT Workstation only: If you are installing Windows NT Workstation, the next dialog box gives you the following options:
    • Install the most common components (recommended)
    • Show me the list of components so I can choose
  24. The next dialog box allows you to select optional components that you want installed on the parallel installation. None of the optional components is necessary and can be deselected. One thing to note is that if you add an item to the operating system from the original Windows NT media after applying a service pack, the service pack that was previously applied should be reapplied. This rule should be applied even if you are installing printer drivers or accessories from Control Panel (click Add/Remove Components, and then click Windows NT Setup). After the components are configured, click Next to continue.
  25. The Windows NT Networking dialog box is then displayed. After you click Next, Setup initializes networking and prompts you to choose whether or not you want this computer to participate on a network. If there are network resources that may be required after the parallel installation (for example, a service pack), choose the This computer will participate on a network option. Otherwise, choose the Do not connect this computer to a network at this time option, and then click Next to continue.
  26. This step is for Windows NT Server only: The next dialog box gives you the option to install Microsoft Internet Information Server. In most cases, this component is not needed during a parallel installation and can be deselected.
  27. If the computer is configured to participate on the network, the next dialog box is for configuring network adapters. If Setup recognizes the network adapter, you can click Start Search to add the adapter to the list of installed adapters. Otherwise, you can select or specify an adapter by clicking Select from list. After the network adapters are installed, click Next to continue.
  28. The next dialog box is for the configuration of networking protocols. Select the protocols in use on your network and then click Next to continue. The Network Services dialog box is displayed next, and the services that are listed and selected by default are typically sufficient for a parallel installation.
  29. Clicking Next twice starts the networking. You are prompted for additional information if needed, and to list the binding orders of the networking components. In addition, you can choose the grouping configuration (either Workgroup or Domain). A parallel installation does not need to participate in a domain. After you choose the grouping information, click Next to continue, and then click Finish.
  30. The next dialog box lets you select a time zone. Select the appropriate time zone, and then click Next to continue.
  31. The next dialog box allows you to configure the display. For a parallel installation, the default or detected adapter and resolution should be sufficient. If necessary, test the resolution, and then click OK.
  32. At this point, some additional files are copied and the configuration is saved. Remove the CD-ROM. You can now restart the computer and boot into the parallel installation.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:10/29/2001
Keywords:kbenv kbinfo kbsetup KB259003
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