So my sisters old computer had 98 on it so I tried to install xp as a dual boot but realized I had to reformat so I reformatted it and XP installed fine but when it loads for the first time before it starts to copy any files it crashes and says partmgr.sys and it's a BSOD

What did you reformat? The entire drive? Do you want to keep '98?

If you do not need/want '98 just wipe the drive before installing XP.

If you want to create a multiple-boot system by using Windows 95, Windows 98 or Windows Me along with Microsoft Windows XP, you have to format the boot partition by using FAT16 because Windows 95, Windows 98 and Windows Me do not support the NTFS file system.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306559

Other ideas:

http://www.google.com/search?sourcei...ual+boot+98+xp

just about an hour ago.
I wanted to dual boot 98 and XP together to save all her files but I backed them up and just formatted but now I tried installing XP sp1 and SP2 and it all goes good until it starts from the hard drive where it would begin installing and have the words welcome to xp and all that and then it crashed to BSOD with partmgr.sys

Did you install XP to it's own partition?

yeah.
I haven't even messed with 98 I've just been trying to install XP.

I created a 15gb partition for XP and an 5 gb for 98 but never went any further than that then I just reformated it all so it's all one big partition again.

I'm trying to create a 15gb partition for XP and 5gb for 98 but it keeps crashing with partmgr.sys error.

I'm running a chkdsk now to see if anything is wrong.

Sorry but still a bit confused.

If you have everything backed up then a "clean" proceedure would be to install '98 on one partition then install XP on another.

As per the MS document:

"If you want to create a multiple-boot system by using Windows 98 along with Microsoft Windows XP, you have to format the boot partition by using FAT16 because Windows 98 does not support the NTFS file system. "

Yeah, I'm not sure how to format the boot partition to Fat16. I know that 98 doesn't read NTFS.

Just assuming that the original boot partition was corrupted: Start from scratch.

Install '98 to its' own partition with FAT16 then install XP to its' own partition NTFS.

If you have the data you need off of the '98 you could always just leave '98 to history.

If you need to "wipe" the drive in order to start "all over" the manufacturer should have an utility or you could use something such as Killdisk.

Well I'm trying what you said I'm installing 98 first but it is formatting the whole drive I'm pretty sure and it's only 53% done.

Aha, I understand what you're saying by boot you just mean the partition needs to be Fat16 not Fat32 why is that?