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Reformat Windows
I have Windows 98, which I previously had Windows 95. Anyone have a good
link on instructions for reformatting my hard drive? |
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Reformat Windows
Why do you want to reformat? Why don't you just install Win98?
Bill Starbuck (MVP) |
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Reformat Windows
If errors are caused by hardware, then a reinstall of Windows is not the
cure. However... Setup.exe, run from your Installation CD or from your .cabs folder, accomplishes either an Over-Install or a Fresh Install. The procedural difference is you first wipe the prior Windows installation for a Fresh Install, or install it to different folders. Two folders are involved: "C:\Windows" & "C:\Program Files", and these files: MSDOS.sys, Config.sys, Autoexec.bat & System.1st. For an Over-install, you must direct it to install to C:\Windows, instead of C:\Windows.000 (where it normally would want to go, when it sees a "C:\Windows" already exists). An over-install supposedly leaves all else intact, but there are some who say it will over-write .vxds (drivers) and otherwise musses settings. Therefore, it becomes a lot of work to do it, as you must un/re-install large applications, before/after the over-install. Also, you must go to Windows Update afterwards, to see whether it detects it needs to reinstall it's criticals. There is Version Conflict Manager to do. Finally, they say, it is wise to back up critical data even before an over-install. Others swear an over-install is effortless (under an hour) and effective. Just select to install to the existing directory, when it makes the offer to go elsewhere. If it fails, then you may need to do a tweak, such as renaming Win.com before starting. (Personally, I have never Fresh or Over-Installed Windows. I did actually click Setup.exe once, and was presented with an alluring screenful-- but I cancelled.) Well, anyway, take a look at the URLs below, which really apply to both. You want to do a FRESH Install? Are you pure Windows or OEM, such as Compaq? If you are OEM, then you can get back to factory condition by using their recovery CD, such as QuickRestore, which may contain proprietary drivers and add-ons. Otherwise... http://www.hexff.com/index.html How to Clean Install This first has it all, but.. (a) Perhaps don't do the 2.5 swap file thing, & (b) You may rather have multiple partitions, & (c) Attend it's warning: Have any non-Windows peripheral drivers available to install afterwards. Here... http://www.pchelpandconsulting.com/links/windows.html WinDrvExpert http://www.jermar.com/wdrvbck.htm WinDrvBckup free version Those two supposedly back up all currently installed drivers, such that they can be reinstalled. I never tried it but have seen a favorable report. http://home.satx.rr.com/badour/html/w98_restore.html Badour has one http://aumha.org/win4/a/clean.htm Aumha has one http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=250928 How to Reinstall Windows http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=193902 How to Reinstall Windows into a new folder "Setup.txt", located in the same folder as "Setup.exe", either on CD or hard drive. This instructs how to run it from a folder on the hard drive, but "hexff" says it better. Get a Startup Diskette from http://www.bootdisk.com/ , if you don't already have one from "Control Panel, Add/Remove Programs, Startup Disk tab". Test the Startup Diskette. Boot it, put in a CD and "DIR" the CD. It will say which letter is the CD. (Otherwise, it is likely one letter higher than normal.) Here is what I know of those Installation CD's. The full list of capabilities of each type of CD is as follows, says Harper. Each requires a valid Product key. "Proof" means it must see you had a prior version. So, if it isn't sitting there, expect to insert a floppy or earlier CD. FULL VERSION: Will perform either clean install or upgrade of existing OS. Does not ask for proof of ownership of an earlier version. UPGRADE VERSION: Will perform either clean install or upgrade of existing OS. Will ask for proof of ownership of an earlier version if one is not installed. WIN98 SE UPDATES: Will only install if Windows 98 is present on the hard drive. Cannot be used for a clean install at all. OEM VERSION: Only installs on a clean, fresh-formatted hard drive. May be customized to include or omit components that would be found/not found on a retail CD. Be sure of your ProductKey... HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curr entVersion ProductKey "12345-12345-12345-12345-12345" (1) "START, Run, RegEdit" (2) Click plus signs beginning at "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE", & ending with "Windows". (3) Click "CurrentVersion" in the left pane under "Windows". (4) Look in right pane for ProductKey. That is the one that was used to install your current Windows. Jot it down, as it may work if different from the one on your Windows 98 Manual or CD case. This courtesy of MS-MVP Ron Badour: Go to http://www.pricewatch.com, click on the software button and then search on: win98. They have listings on boot up floppy disks, CDs but no license, a license but no CD, OEM, W98, W98SE, update from W98 to W98SE only and so on. Pay ATTENTION to what the listings say or you may end up with something you don't want or need. You can also check on EBay or other auction sites. You also need to be aware that most support for W98 has terminated and all support terminates in Jan 04. Here's some info about the various types of CDs: RETAIL FULL INSTALL: This CD will either upgrade W95/98 to SE or you can install it to a blank hard drive. RETAIL UPGRADE INSTALL: This CD will either upgrade W95/98 to SE or you can install it to a blank hard drive; however, when installing to a blank drive, install will ask to see the qualifying system (i.e., W95) disk(s). OEM FULL INSTALL. This SE CD is designed to be installed to a blank hard drive; however, there is a possibility that you can trick it into upgrading. For info, go to: http://home.satx.rr.com/badour/html/upgrade.html Be aware that if you buy an OEM disk, it might be customized for installation on a particular computer; however, this will probably be primarily with a used disk. UPDATE CD: This CD will only update a functioning copy of W98 to W98SE. When MS sold them, they were $20 and came with a ProductKey. Some venders were selling them and advising customers to use the W98 ProductKey which may or may not work--don't get stung. RECOVERY CD: Some companies will brand an OEM CD and call it a recovery CD. You should avoid these unless it is the exact recovery CD you are looking for. Many recovery CDs will only install on the equipment they were intended for. -- Thanks or Good Luck, There may be humor in this post, and, Naturally, you will not sue, should things get worse after this, PCR "Ron" wrote in message ... | I have Windows 98, which I previously had Windows 95. Anyone have a good | link on instructions for reformatting my hard drive? | | |
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