Definition of SYSTEM and BOOT Partitions in Windows NT
Last Updated: 14 Aug 2000
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*** PLEASE NOTE: Link(s), If Provided, May Be Wrapped ***
The Microsoft definition for SYSTEM PARTITION and BOOT
PARTITION is not what you would expect, but the answer
can be found here:
• http://support.microsoft.com/?KBID=100525
Here's an example:
Imagine that you have a multi-boot system upon which
the following operating systems are installed:
C: FAT16 --- Only NTLDR
D: NTFS ---- WINNT OS
E: FAT32 --- WIN95 OS
F: LINUX --- LINUX
From Microsoft's perspective, the SYSTEM partition is
used to get the machine up and running (independent
of any particular operating system), while the BOOT
partition actually initializes a specific OS.
In the example above, the SYSTEM partition will always
be found on drive C:, whereas the BOOT partition for
each OS is on a drive other than C:.
Resistance is futile -- Get used to the definition...
