Hi Sandy and all, This is how I do a (fail-safe) fresh, clean install for Windows 95, 98, 98SE, and ME. Notes: these directions will include quotation marks for some steps. Do NOT type or look for quotation marks during the procedure, only what is inside the quotation marks. When I mention the CD drive, it means a CD-Rom, CD-RW, or DVD drive. I have designated the CD drive below as "D:". Depending on your version of Windows, a virtual drive may be created. If so, then you CD drive may be "E:" (or even "F:" if you have more than one CD drive and you happen to place the Windows CD in the secondary CD drive). Use "E:" (or "F:") in place of "D:" in the directions.
Have or make a Windows 98 startup floppy disk. Make absolutely sure it is from a computer that is free of vir*ses. Make sure it has the file, "format.com", on it. If "format.com" is not on the startup disk, copy it to the floppy disk from the "C:\Windows\System" folder. You can use a Windows CD, but you'll have to jump around the CD's directories to find the necessary file(s). If you use the floppy, then you'll need to make sure the BIOS (or Setup) is set to boot to the floppy drive (A:) first. Normally, the floppy drive is the first boot device. If you use the CD, then the CD drive will have to be the first bootable device. (You'll also have to pay attention when the computer states to press any key to boot to the CD). Write protect the floppy disk. Turn off the computer with the hard drive that is to be formatted for 30 seconds. Insert the startup floppy disk. Turn on the computer. (I usually choose to "start computer without CD-Rom support at this step). When the screen shows "A:\>" type "fdisk /mbr" and press the "Enter" key. Repeat this step. (The following directions are for making a single partition using the entire hard drive). If you wish to have more than one partition, per Shyamal Gupta's suggestion from Sept. 4, then ask the group (or Shyamal). Type "fdisk" and press "Enter". You will normally want to enable large disk support to take advantage of the FAT32 (versus FAT16) file system. Delete all partitions or logical DOS drives. When there are no partitions left, create a DOS partition. Use the full drive and make it active. Press the "Esc" key. Leave the floppy disk in the drive and restart the computer. When prompted, choose "Start computer with CD-Rom support". When you see, "A:\>", type "format c: /u". Type "y" and then press Enter when asked if you're sure you want to format. When the format is complete, press Enter. The following directions will allow you to run the Windows install from the hard drive. Installing from the hard drive will save you time during the install and lots of time after Windows is running. Believe me. You should again be at the "A:\>" prompt after the format. Type "c:" and press Enter. If you will be installing Windows98 or 98SE, type "md win98" and press Enter. (For Windows95, type "md win95"; for ME, type "md win9x" and press Enter). Place your Windows CD in the CD drive and wait about 10 seconds. Type "d:" and press Enter. Type "cd win98" and press Enter. (For Windows95, type "cd win95"; for ME, type "cd win9x" and press Enter). Type "copy *.* c:\win98" and press Enter (or "c:\win95" or "c:\win9x" and press Enter). When the files are finished copying, and you return to the "d:\>" prompt, type "c:" and press Enter. (If you are installing Windows98 or ME, you may remove the Windows CD. If installing 95, leave it in the CD drive). Type "cd win98" and press Enter (or "cd win95" or "cd win9x" and press Enter). Type "setup" and press Enter. Follow the instructions to install Windows. Have a nice day. Chuck Original Message: Date: Thu, 4 Sep 2003 05:48:53 -0700 (PDT) From: knightwriter <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: PCWorks: formatting hard drive I didn't get a answer yet probably because I wasn't very clear. What is the best and most complete way to format a hard drive. That will erase all files and vi***s if they are there. I'd do the fdisk command but wanted to make sure first what was the safest way. I'll then reinstall win98 second edition. Thank you again, Sandy ============= PCWorks Mailing List ================= Don't see your post? Check our posting guidelines & make sure you've followed proper posting procedures, http://pcworkers.com/rules.htm Contact list owner <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Unsubscribing and other changes: http://pcworkers.com =====================================================
