For a while, I was wondering if you and I were on the same page. Now I'm wondering if we're even in the same book.
Wow...I've never heard of anyone formatting a drive just because you get a little spyware. You asked about 3rd party programs. Maybe you just need some 3rd party programs to help you with your spyware problem. There are programs out there to help prevent the installation of spyware. In addition, there are excellent programs out there for spyware removal should you become infected. If you need a list of any or both of these types, I'd be glad to refer some programs to you.
So lets say you find spyware on your large drive. You're going to format it anyway so why the need for the second drive? Earlier, you said you were going to remove the second drive from the PC from time to time. Now it doesn't sound like you're going to be removing it. Why would you remove it? Are you trying to move that little HD from PC to PC? Ok, Ok, let me not keep questioning you about all of this. I really can't figure this situation out.
Point blank though: To do what you want to do, try this. First, forget about the dual boot system. From what I gather, that isn't what you are trying to do. Unhook the first drive with XP and plug in your little 3 gig drive. Install Win 2K on that drive. Now reconnect the first HD, the big one with XP and use it until you
get spyware. When you find you have a spyware problem, you can either hook up the smaller HD and run Win 2K or format the infected drive and reinstall XP.
I'm not trying to be rude, but nothing about your problem really doesn't make much sense.
Formatting a HD because you have a little spyware doesn't make sense.
Having a second HD even though you're just going to format the first one doesn't make sense. I mean, if you used a second drive for storage I could go along with that. I was going along with the dual boot system too. But I can't see installing Win 2K on a little HD for standby. You'll have it sitting there until you get spyware on your XP drive and then what? Are you going to run the Win 2K or format the big drive and reinstall XP? Well of course you're going to format and reinstall XP, so why the need for the second drive?
Again, I'm not trying to be rude. I really just don't get it. I'm affraid I will not be able to assist you with this matter any further. Please make another post, however, as someone may come along and asist you.
Good luck. I hope you figure it out. I'll keep checking in on this board so I can see what comes of your issue. Sorry I am unable to help.