[Pistachio]

Hi, I formatted my hard drive and tried to reinstall Windows 98 on my laptop.
When I attempt to reinstall it says that it can't continue because there is a previous install still on the computer. I think the info might have gone onto my D drive and I don't know how to do a complete cleaning of the hard drives in
Order to put Windows 98 back on.

Could anyone help me with this. Also, could you please give me step by step instructions on how to go about this as I'm not real familiar with it. Thanks.

Pistachio

[fredg]

HI,
The following applies, only if you have already made a floppy boot disk. If not, you could download a generic one from the web.
Put the floppy boot disk into the computer, then turn on the computer.

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.

If you don't have a floppy boot disk for your computer, then try this:
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.
Best wishes.

[NeedKarma]

It looks like you may have 2 partitions set up on your hard drive. If you are starting all from scratch then you'll need to delete any aother partitions so you're left with just a C:. This link will give you the steps to do: http://www.cybertechhelp.com/tutoria...on-using-fdisk

You need to do this before you format the C: and install Win98.

Good luck.