Parallel Install of Windows NT 4.0

A parallel install of Windows NT is always a good idea. If you are unable to boot into your original
install of NT, you can boot into your parallel install to get access to the original install. From the parallel install you can replace registry files, modify registry files, replace bad driver files on so on.
A parallel install of NT should only be booted up to repair your original install. It is not meant to replace your original install.

A parallel install of Windows NT only takes up an additional 80+MB of hard drive space, so it is well worth the effort.

The process is very simple:

1. Make sure you have any driver files (NIC, Video, HDD Controller) for your computer before you start the install.  Back up your c:\boot.ini file.  You can do this by copying it to another folder or at a command prompt type,  copy c:\boot.ini c:\bootold.ini.
Note: in order to copy the file you might have to remove the system and hidden attibutes on boot.ini first.  At the c:\ prompt type,  attrib -s -h c:\boot.ini
After you copy the file, you should replace these attributes  attrib +s +h c:\boot.ini

2. Boot your NT box with your NT CD or boot disks. You will be doing a normal installation
of NT. The only difference is that you will install NT into a different directory. For example, if your original install is in \WINNT, then do your parallel install in \NTRepair (or whatever name you want).
**Don't install in the same directory as the original install!**

Also, only install the basic operating system. There is no need to waste hard drive space by installing all the accessories, sounds and so on.

3. When you do the parallel install, NT will try to replace a handful of files in c:\program files. You will be prompted if the existing files are newer. Keep the existing files. These files are not system files and were probably upgraded from a service pack you installed in your original NT install.

4. If this parallel install is for NT Server, choose the same type of server for the parallel install that you chose for the original install if it is a BDC or Member server. If you are doing a parallel install on a PDC, choose Member server. If you do a PDC parallel install on a PDC you will run into SID issues.

5. You will be prompted for a computer name during the install. Give the computer a new name, like NTRepair. (if you are doing a parallel install on a PDC, then it needs a different name). You can use the same IP address or give it another one if you have spare IPs (or use DHCP). You don't need to join a Domain, you can just be a member of "Workgroup". You can always change these once you boot into windows from Network Neighborhood, Properties.

6. You don't need to install any service packs in your parallel install unless you have drivers that depend on certain service packs. Remember, you will only be using your parallel install to get access to your original install. Once your original install is fixed, you will boot back into that.
If you do need to install a service pack it is no different than any other NT service pack install. Once your parallel NT is installed, boot into it and install your service pack (and hotfixes).

7. Your c:\boot.ini file will be updated with the new information from your parallel install. After your parallel install your boot.ini file will look like this (of course the arc path and path names might
be different):
Note: to modify c:\boot.ini right click the file and remove the Read Only attribute first.

[boot loader]
timeout=10
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\NTREPAIR
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\NTREPAIR="Windows NT Server Version 4.00"
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\NTREPAIR="Windows NT Server Version 4.00 [VGA mode]" /basevideo /sos
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINNT="Windows NT Server Version 4.00"
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINNT="Windows NT Server Version 4.00 [VGA mode]" /basevideo /sos

Notice how the default path is now pointing to your parallel install, and you have additional entries under "operating systems". You should change your boot.ini file so it points to your original install
and the operating systems are easier to understand...

[boot loader]
timeout=10
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINNT
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINNT="Windows NT Server Version 4.00"
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINNT="Windows NT Server Version 4.00 [VGA mode]" /basevideo /sos
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\NTREPAIR="Windows NT Repair"
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\NTREPAIR="Windows NT Repair" [VGA mode]" /basevideo /sos

8. Setting up a new server and doing a parallel install:
- Install NT, logon then logoff
- Do your parallel install, logon, logoff and boot
back into your original install.
- Install the latest service pack/hotfixes in your original install,
and modify your boot.ini file. Continue to install/configure
whatever else needs to be added to the computer (original install)
(apps, services, protocols, etc.)

Deleting a Parallel Install
If you want to remove your parallel install (you should keep it), it is very simple.
Simply delete the folder you installed your parallel install of Windows NT in.  If you installed your parallel install in C:\NTRepair, then delete that folder.

After you delete the repair folder, copy your backed up boot.ini file back to c:\.  You can also just modify the boot.ini file by deleting the additional lines that were added during the parallel install.


Associated Links
How and Why to Perform a Parallel Installation of Windows NT 4.0 http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q259003

System Cleanup After a Parallel Installation of Windows NT 4.0
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q244378