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delete Win 95 and install Win 98?

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I bought a second computer with Win 95 and lots of programs/files I don't need or want. I want to take off Win 95 and replace it with Win 98. I was told to format C:\ but heard this was a nightmare. Can you give me the details?
Thanks

13 replies

by meddjay

I typed the whole process but the board wouldn't let me post it here... too many characters. So I will just say this to you, hire a tech to be sure! We don't really charge all that much and you will be guaranteed that you have a good clean installation of windows 98, you can do it yourself...but then you wouldn't need us! If you do decide to do it on your own there are some must do's or you could be in real trouble! Read, read and read some more, on how to format and perform a clean installof windows! And when you are done reading, then go back and re-read it again so you don't leave out any important steps! If you just have a windows 98 upgrade then you HAVE to leave windows 95 in your computer, no choice! You can delete all of those progs, etc you don't want or need from 95 or 98 at a later date, no big deal there. Well, good luck and hope this helps!

by sangifran

I'm confused - you were going to send me the whole process but couldn't because it was too lengthy...so, the answer became to hire someone? I appreciate your concern that this should not be taken lightly and will certainly hire someone if my own attempt doesn't work out. But, I wanted the experience of trying it myself. Thanks for responding, though.

by vinnyd

If you want to clean off that computer then using format c: is the best way.

The nightmare's you will find when loading Win 98 have to do with getting the correct device drivers for the hardware of this computer.

So before you format C: go into the Control Panel and the System Icon and write down what devices you have.

Video Board, Modem Driver, Sound Board drive, etc.

Check and see if the driver disks came with the stuff you got with the computer. If you do not have them, then you need to get on the internet and download the drivers you need if windows 98 does not have them.

Not having the correct drivers are the only nightmare you run into with loading win98.

by sangifran

So, that's where those nightmares come from...Will check on those drivers and make sure I have them all! Thanks for your info.

by sangifran

This FAQ seemed to deal with installing WIN98 but not the formatting part. Thanks for the URL, though, it will come in handy for other things.

by alpha-male

Awwww...it's not *NEARLY* that bad to format and re-install. Since it's a second system and you don't need what is on there, this is a great opportunity for you to learn and expand your skills. After you've done it, I bet you have no qualms about doing it again. You may want to ask a friend to help out the first time if you know a local "geek". :)

Here's what to do in a nutshell:

1) Go under start>settings>control panels>system and write down the hardware you have in your system (just in case 98 has trouble with a driver, etc).

2) create windows 98 boot disks. Here's a guide
http://www.computerhope.com/boot.htm
or you can just get one from www.bootdisk.com

3) format the c: drive (type format c: at a dos prompt). You can dothis from your boot disk or from the win95 dos mode.

4) Put your boot disk in the floppy drive and reboot (most boot from the floppy first. You may need to set this in the bios though).

5) Type setup and follow the win98 prompts to re-install.After it finishes, check your devices and make sure they were detected and set up correctly. If not, get the correct drivers and try again.

It should go pretty smoothly...but if you have trouble, don't sweat it. Look at it as a chance to advance your knowlege and try again. Don't hesitate to come back here for help!

Good luck!

by sangifran

Thanks for the encouragement. Will give it a go and come back if I need more help. I like challenges and learning new skills, so, here's to gaining some "geekiness" :-)

by 14me24u

You can do a format and reinstall without much trouble but make absolutely sure you have all drivers for all devices either on Disk or Floppy before you start. Make sure you also have Motherboard drivers. Windows 98 will put MB drivers for some systems in just fine but not all so you may need to download Via 4 in 1 miniport routing drivers or the likes. If you do the install without them the system will become unstable and you may have some device conflicts as a result of improper IRQ device assignment due to lack of MB Drivers

by sangifran

Can see the problems with not having MB drivers but don't know what "you may need to download Via 4 in 1 miniport routing drivers or the likes" even means. Where to find what ones I need and then get MB drivers? Just sending out the alarm wasn't very helpful but thanks for responding.

by wacky_dragon

Most of what everyone else has said is true, but instead for format c:\, I would do a fdisk. And here are the reasons why. Depending on how you format the drive, using a win 95 boot disk or win 98 boot disk, you will get a different file system. To optimize Win 98 you want to use the fat32 that it comes with. Also when you install the os, its going to ask if you want to format the drive, so why do it twice.

by sangifran

OK, checked out fdisk info at MS support and see its advantages. Will add it to the details provided by others. Thanks much.

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