about to format hard drive.. help!

[daz_a_boy]

I'm currently running windows 98 'First Edition', but upgrading to 2nd Edition..(Because of USB conflicts etc). I run a dell 350mghz with 128k RAM, 10 gig Hard drive etc... but before i install 98 2nd Edition i would like to format my hard drive and start a new... i have a good idea how but want to get it right.. your help much appreciated... many thanks people

[pentachris]

Hi daz_a_boy, and welcome to the forums.

sea69 has posted the following instructions in these forums a few times. Thank him for the advice. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif

This assumes you've got a boot floppy in the floppy drive. Start sea's instructions and immediately after

Place your Windows startup disk in the drive and start your system.
At the prompt choose option 1: Start computer with CD-ROM support

You will be brought to an A:\> prompt.

type "format c:", then "y" and enter to confirm, then continue with sea's instructions.



Copy these instructions for use during the install


Place your Windows Installation CD into the CD drive.

( If you're installing Windows 95, substitute 98 with 95 throughout these instructions, for WinME change it to WinME )
Place your Windows startup disk in the drive and start your system.
At the prompt choose option 1: Start computer with CD-ROM support

You will be brought to an A:\> prompt.
Change to a C prompt by typing C: and press enter.

You will now be at a C:\> prompt.
Type MD WIN98 and press enter.
( Make sure you leave a space between MD and WIN98. )

Back at the C:\> prompt.
Type CD E:\WIN98 and press enter.
( Don't forget the space between CD and E:\WIN98. )

Back at the C:\> Prompt,
Type E: and press enter.
( Where E is your CD-ROM, otherwise use your CD-ROM letter. )

You should now be at an E:\WIN98 prompt.
Type COPY *.* C:\WIN98 and press enter.
( Don't forget the spaces between 'copy and *.*' and also between '*.* and C:\WIN98' )
The files needed for Windows will now be copied from your CD to your hard drive.

Back to an E:\WIN98 prompt.
Type C: and press enter.

Back at the C:\> prompt.
Type CD WIN98 and press enter.
( Don't forget the space between CD and WIN98. )

You will now be at a C:\WIN98 prompt.
Type SETUP and press enter.
Installation of Windows will now begin.

that way the entire win98 cd is on the hdd.


To save space, you can always delete the WIN98 directory after you've installed Windows, your drivers, and any apps that might require files from the Windows disc.

And if you're savvy, you can use that space (which should be at the beginning of the hard drive where data is read fastest) to create a fixed swapfile.
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Some mistakes are too much fun to make only once.

[This message has been edited by pentachris (edited 05-20-2002).]

[This message has been edited by pentachris (edited 05-20-2002).]

[daz_a_boy]

Hi pentachris.... and thanks very much for keeping tabs on this info..really appreciate yer input...
I'll thank sea69 in due coarse....
regards
daz..

[Fruss Tray Ted]

Daz,

The ONLY thing I do differently is this:

Instead of making a boot floppy from your existing installation of 98, I put the 98 disk in and when it pops up the install screen choose add/remove programs and create boot floppy from within there. At times the other way failed, this way has ALWAYS worked for me.

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This space for George Carlin quotes:

You never really learn to swear until you learn to drive.

(He should broaden that to pc's.)