Please help!

My computer is an older model, with windows 98 as software. I wanted to see if it would work with windows XP so I took the software from my other, newer computer and installed it on my older PC. When I did this it said I had to activate windows, however I decided to ignore it because I knew I couldn't activate it because it si the same software from my new computer. So only intended to see if the computer could handle windows XP before I went out and purchased it. SO I decided to let the activation period run out. On the 30th day I shut off my computer thinking that when I turned it back on it would go back to my previous software, the windows 98, however it said I could not get on it and I would have to activate windows, which I cannot do because I already have it installed on another computer. I have the disk from my previous software and at this point I would just like to have the old software back so I could at least use it, but when I put the disk in nothing happens. How do I reinstall my old software, and is it possible if I can do it myself or do I need to take it to a professional?
Signed,
Computer illiterate! :confused:

You need to boot to a Win 98 floppy, then reformat your system and reinstall Win 98.

Thank-you for your reply. However is it possible if I could receive information on how to reformat a system?
Thanks
Computer_illiterate

You need to boot from a Win 98 floppy. On the floppy should be the Format command. You can make a boot floppy at bootdisk.com. When you get to the A: prompt just type Format C: /S and follow the prompts. After format is complet run Setup from the Windows Disk in your CD drive (d:\Setup, where d is the letter of the CD drive)

Hi,
As the previous answer stated, you need a floppy boot disk. If you didn't make one when your computer was running Win98/98SE, you can get one as advised in the previous answer.
Here are step-by-step instructions on how to make one later, if you wish, and also how to format:

To Install a Full Version of Win98/98SE:

First, we MUST have a bootable floppy disk (also called a Boot Disk; which contains all the drivers and files for your computer).
(You also need a Boot Disk for the current version of windows you are using; in case you need to go back to the previous version).

Insert the Win98/98SE CD in the CD-ROM drive.
Go to Start/Programs/Windows Explorer
Double click on D:/ , if that is your CD-ROM drive letter.
Find and open the folder; Tools/Mtsutil/Fat32ebd (stands for Emergency Boot Disk)
Double click on the file Fat32ebd.exe and follow the instructions to create the Boot Disk.
Then remove the CD from the CD-ROM.

Now, we must test the Boot Disk to see if it works.
Shut down the computer; then turn it back on with the Boot Disk still in the computer.
When a screen comes up, use the up and down arrows on the keyboard to select "Boot with CD-ROM support". Then press Enter.
It will show some things about the computer, and then come up to the A:> prompt.
Now, insert a CD (any will do) into the CD-ROM.
Wait until it "spins" and the light goes off.
Now, at the A:> prompt, type in DIR D:
It will now look like A:>DIR D:
It should show all the files on the CD.
If so, the Boot Disk is good. If NOT, repeat all the above.
If it's good, then remove the CD, and leave the Boot Disk in the computer.

Now, turn off the computer manually. Wait a few seconds, then turn it back on.

Wait until it comes up to the A:> prompt.
We must do do an "FDISK", which will delete and re-create a DOS partition for the Full Version.

At the A:\ prompt Type: FDISK and press ENTER.
Press ENTER to select Large Disk Support.
Select Option 3, Delete partition or Logical DOS drive. (whatever option # this is)
Select Extended Partion, then
Delete Extended partition.
Select delete Primary DOS Partition.
Press ESC.
Select Create Primary DOS Partition.
Choose Yes to use maximum size.(100%)
Press ENTER when prompted for a Volume Label.
When Back at the FDISK Menu, select Set Active Partition.
Press ESC on the keyboard.

Now, if you wish to format the hard drive, then:
Re-boot and,
At the A:> prompt, type in FORMAT C: /S
It will look like A:>FORMAT C: /S
(The /S will copy system files to the harddrive).
When it finishes formatting, then go to the next steps.

Install Windows:
Insert the install Win98/98SE install CD.
Press the CTRL+ALT+DELETE keys all at the same time. This will re-boot the computer.
Select boot to CD-ROM.
Press F1 to continue.
When the Menu comes up, select Install Windows 98.
Press the F1 Key.
Press the F1 key again.
If the option of installing Windows 95 or Windows 98 appears, choose the entry for installing Windows 98 and press ENTER.
The OS installation is being prepared.
Now, just relax, follow all the instructions presented on the screen.

You will then have to reinstall all the printer, scanners, etc, software.

Best of luck.

Thanks a lot your advice really helped. My computer works again! One problem however, when I reinstalled the windows 98, I lost my modem. I don't know what this means but when I tried to connect to the internet it said I could not because I did not have a modem.. I do have a modem disk but when put it ni the computer, nothing happened, and so I went to my computer and clicked it manually. When I did this it said I could not install it because no modem was found. What has happened!? And how do I fix it! Please help anyone

You need to get the correct drivers for the modem that is in your system.