First post, by pool7
I'm trying to setup my retro machine with many OSes using BootIt Bare Metal (probably irrelevant here, but I thought I'd mention it)
At the moment I'm focusing on Windows, as it is the most important part in my project.
Just for clarification, I'm not referring to installing these OSes to a big partition, but rather to a partition that is not near the beginning of the drive.
I created an installation CD for Windows NT 3.51 and NT 4.0 both slipstreamed to their latest SP using the guides from https://bearwindows.zcm.com.au/winnt351.htm and https://bearwindows.zcm.com.au/winnt4.htm, which includes in both cases the updated ATA driver and Win2k NTLDR/NTDetect.
I did an initial test without BootIt and the disc works fine and I can install the OSes standalone just fine (ie. one at a time, each in its own primary partition). The Win2k NTLDR and ntdetect are used as soon as the first reboot during setup and stay there after installation, so I think my installation media is properly made and working as expected.
It also works fine if I install these via BootIt.
The problem is, I have a partition layout in my mind and would like to do my best to stick to it if possible. This involves other OSes at the beginning of the disk, to the point where NT 3.51 and NT 4.0 partitions would start on or after the 8GB mark.
I tested the following both with and without BootIt, to rule it out from being the cause of the issue:
-created an empty 10GB primary partition at the beginning of the drive
-created a separate 2GB primary partition next to the above
When I try to install either OS in the 2GB partition (regardless of filesystem), setup is not able to use the 2GB partition.
Now I know that this is a limitation in the original installation media, but I thought slipstreaming the updated ATA driver would fix this both during and after installation.
Did I miss anything? Would using a different ATA driver work during setup?
Or is there any workaround or fix to be able to use a partition beyond the 8GB mark during setup of these OSes?
Or is my only option here to keep these within the first 8GB?
For reference, the machine is as follows:
Mobo: SY-7VCA (latest BIOS)
CPU: Intel Pentium III 1000EB
RAM: 1x 512MB PC133
Storage: Gigabyte 120GB SDD with SATA-IDE adapter
GPU (AGP): GeForce FX5200
Sound (ISA): SB AWE64 (CT4500)
Thanks in advance.