Installing Win98

[kimx0767]

I just put together a new computer but when I tried to install windows, I first used a "bad" CD of WinXP. A friend of mine had burned it for me. Now I have a real Win98 CD but can't get it to install because of the existing WinXP. I can't get to the start menu... the computer keeps saying I should re-install WinXP but I know that the missing files are not on the WinXP CD!
HOW DO I GET WINXP OFF MY COMPUTER SO THAT I CAN JUST QUICK INSTALL WIN98??? PLEASE HELP!!!!

[malcore]

1. Wipe
2. Reformat
3. Install 98

....shame shame shame.....gotta pay the piper...;)

Oh yeah, WELCOME to The PC(Piracy Condemned) Guide!:D

[kimx0767]

At the risk of sounding REALLY stupid... how would I go about wiping and reformating my hard drive?

[Budfred]

Welcome to PCGuide!

That is not a stupid question if you have never done it before. The reason WinXP doesn't work is probably because of their new protection scheme. If you have a legitimate disk, you have to register it with MS before it will let you finish your install. The problems you are having now are probably MS's way of telling you that they don't like you trying to use their software without paying for it.

The way that I have usually reformatted is using a start-up disk from some windows version. If you have one from Win98 or even Win95, you put the disk in the A: drive and boot your system. It will set up your basic DOS type files to use and at the A:> you type "format c:" (without the quotes) assuming that your harddrive is C:. Make sure you select the option of loading the driver for the CDRom or you will not be able to install with you Win98 disk. Once it is formatted, you should be able to start the Win98 install one of 2 ways. The first is to type the name of the CDRom drive at the prompt (it is probably E: ) and hit Enter. It should switch to the CDRom. If it indicates that isn't it, you can try D:. Once you find the CDRom, type "setup" and hit Enter. If this doesn't work, try typing "Install". The second way is to put the Win98 disk in the CDRom and turn off your computer. Wait a minute and turn it back on. This may start up the Win98 install. If this doesn't work, write back here for more help.

Good luck,
Budfred

[malcore]

Hi Kimx, I hope I didn't sound unwelcoming. I know these things can be frustrating.:mad:
Once you have your Windows boot disk and you are still unsure as to what to do, here's a link that will guide you through the many joys and wonders of fdisk.;)
http://www.pcguide.com/ref/hdd/file/progFDISK-c.html
Good luck, and like Budfred said, post back if you're having any problems.

In case you're not sure how to make a Windows boot disk, click on start,then "settings", then "control panel", then "Add/Remove Programs" and then hit the tab called "StartUp Disk". Put a blank floppy in the drive and hit create disk...

[ranchdog]

If the Harddrive has XP files on it and
they are the NTFS format fdisk isn't going
to wipe these clean for you.

Fdisk will wipe FAT 16 and FAT 32 file format
systems.

At this stage your best bet is to determine
the Harddrive Mfg. and visit thier website.
Use thier zero writing utility to write zero's
on the entire harddrive.

Then start over with fdisk.


RD.

[Budfred]

ranchdog,

If you write zeros over the whole harddrive won't that also destroy the partition for bios setup files? If so, is there a way around it?

Budfred

[randyrhoads1981]

Writing zeros deletes all data..then the drive is ready to start making partitions and then format the partitions. You can delete a NTFS with Fdisk if ya choose Non Dos partition.

[mjc]

Budfred......most, if not all machines these days DO NOT keep any BIOS info on the HD. The last one I know that definitely had BIOS info on the HD was a late 90's Compaq...no setup files, nothing. So it is very safe to wipe the drive, if the machine is a relatively new one (1999 or later if Compaq, even earlier for most others)

[Budfred]

mjc,

Thanks for the clarification. I recently reformatted a Compaq Deskpro and lost the Bios setup partition, so I was generalizing to other computers from that experience. Nice to know I don't have to worry about it with other systems.

Thanks,
Budfred;)

[kimx0767]

Okay... I formatted my hard drive so everything should be okay.. but now I can't figure out how to INSTALL WINDOWS98. I know this should be the easiest part... but I'm a bit slow. =) When I turn my computer on it goes straight to the boot disk (floppy) and then the prompt for the A drive comes up. If I try to boot from the Win98 CD, it doesn't work and a prompt for the C drive comes up. WHAT SHOULD I DO????

[malcore]

Read Budfred's first post again.

Put your floppy in. Turn on. Select "start with cdrom support".Put the Windows disc in the cd rom. If you only have one partition (c), the ram drive may take D, so at the A prompt type
E: , DON'T forget the colon Press Enter
At the next prompt type setup Press Enter
Follow on screen instructions.

Luck.

[kimx0767]

I did what Budfred posted... I typed in both "setup" and "install" and both did nothing... well actually when I typed "install" it said it was a bad command. And "setup" didn't start win98 either. I restarted my computer with the Win98 CD in the cd-rom drive.. that didn't work. Any more suggestions?

Btw, I really appreciate you guys helping me out! :)

[malcore]

At the A prompt you must type in your cd rom drive letter followed by a colon ( : ). Then press Enter. Then type setup and press Enter.

[ErnieK]

Kim
I have sent you an e-mail.
Reply soonest and I will send you the files to make a SET UP disk as opposed to a start-up disk. If you copy the files to a floppy and then start the computer withit in it will give you the choice of
1 Start windows set-up with cd-rom support
2 Start computer with cd- support.

Choose choice 1 and away you go. Just follow the on screen instructions after that. Mkae sure you have all teh driver disks you will need to hand.

Ps. post here to let me know if you are sending mail

[Jhorner1]

I don't know if you have done this or not, but, try this.
1 Take all disks out of your computer.
2 Start your computer, and enter the BIOS
3 Check the boot order, and set the CD drive for second boot, and
save.
4 Put your windows disk in and restart. You should then get a menu
that includes "install windows"

[kimx0767]

ErnieK - I will send you an email right now! =) Thanx!

[ErnieK]

Kim
I am in the process of writing an e-mail to you now and will send it later tonight. I will (try) and give full instruction for transfering the files to floppy.

[ErnieK]

Kim E-mail sent with (hopefully) clear instructions. If you have any problems post back. remember to run a virus scan over the file before opening it up I know that my computer is clean but better safe than sorry