The Windows folder can be on any accessible partition, but the boot
partition must be configured correctly to enable the boot files to find and
start Windows.
Whatever boot manager you choose should be able to configure the boot
partition correctly for Windows 98. However, if the Windows folder is on an
external drive then you may need additional drivers to access it. These
drivers must be activated as part of the boot process, and that can may
involve some special configuration procedure.
A different option is to use boot options available in the machine BIOS, if
any. This involves changing BIOS settings so that a different physical
device is set as the primary boot device, and if the primary partition on
that device is a Windows bootable partition then Windows boots without any
other changes.

Signature
Jeff Richards
MS MVP (Windows - Shell/User)
> Does Win98se have to be installed in the C drive in order for it to work
> properly? I have it already on one of my hd's that also has XP home in
> another partition. I would like to 'copy' the c drive that has win98se
> into another an external backup hd, and yet be able to boot it.
ToBee - 12 May 2007 19:58 GMT
> The Windows folder can be on any accessible partition, but the boot
> partition must be configured correctly to enable the boot files to find and
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
> that device is a Windows bootable partition then Windows boots without any
> other changes.
Thank you, Jeff, i found that out, when I arrived at XP's dual menu. My
new drive is shown, and when I chose it, I got a message that it has to
be configured, so it couldn't be booted. Thats where I get 'lost.' By
lost, does that mean new drivers? If so, where would I get them? I do
not believe "Mad Dog" who supplied me with that laptop enclosure
mentioned anything about drivers...although I would ask.:)
Jeff Richards - 14 May 2007 10:33 GMT
I would guess that the message about configuring the drive means that you
need to FDISK and FORMAT it, but questions about using the XP boot manager
are best asked in an XP newsgroup.
If the boot manager setup utility can see the drive then that might indicate
that nothing special is needed to ensure it is accessible at boot time, but
again only someone who has used the XP boot manager would know whether or
not that was correct. It depends on how the backup external drive is
connected to your system and the features that your BIOS supports.

Signature
Jeff Richards
MS MVP (Windows - Shell/User)
>> The Windows folder can be on any accessible partition, but the boot
>> partition must be configured correctly to enable the boot files to find
[quoted text clipped - 17 lines]
> believe "Mad Dog" who supplied me with that laptop enclosure mentioned
> anything about drivers...although I would ask.:)