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How to install a new operating system??

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by tinalin

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A friend accidentally deleted some Win 98 SE files from his computer. Then the hard disk was formatted. When I tried to install Win ME for him, the system responded "unable to distribute conventional memory, please restart the computer and release some conventional memory.."
However, the config.sys file is no longer in the hard disk. There are only three files now - config.win ; setuplog.txt and setuplog.old
Right now the system cannot start from the hard disk.
What should be done to solve the problem?
This is urgent! Any help is highly appreciated!
Thanks in advance!

13 replies

by thechas

For Windows 95 on, you do not 'need' either config.sys or autoexec.bat
Any statements in either file are there for DOS mode access to hardware.

First, check and see if the system has enough RAM for Me, and meets any other hardware requirements.
If the system has on-board video, you need at least an extra 32MB above the minimum required RAM installed, as the video system uses part of system RAM.

If the system is not up to Me's minimum requirements, you may need to install either W95 orW98.

Next, I would boot from either an Me startup disk, or the CD.
Run fdisk, and delete the primary DOS partition.
Re-boot, run fdisk again, and create the primary DOS partition. Make sure that the partition is set as active.
For more details on fdisk, check out the tutorial links at www.fdisk.com/fdisk

Next, format the C: drive.
Then run setup to install Windows.

Chas

by tinalin

I tried your suggestion, but it didn't work out. In either attempt to install of Win ME and Win 98 SE, system responded that "unable to distribute conventional memory, please restart and try again." However, the computer used to operate under Win 98SE before the accidental deletion of system files. Then how can there be a shortage of conventional memory right now?
Do you know if there is anyway to help me out with the memory problem?
Thanks in advance!

by macgyver.hicks

Can you give some specifications on the motherboard. Info like motherboard form factor, amount and type of RAM, Hard drive size, cpu type and speed. Is it a proprietary, name-brand system? How are you trying to load Windows? Are you booting fromCD or from a floppy? This is basic, yet, pertinent information to help with a possible cure for your problem.

by rel blackmane

You need to have your CD in the drive, and then when the computer starts, hit the DEL Key until you see a screen showing your BIOS info.
There will be a screen that shows your boot sequence and which device the system boots from first. Change it toyour CD-Rom/CDRW/DVD-ROM as first device.
Exit saving changes.
The windows me startup screen will appear and choose boot from CD-ROM.
After that, format your drive through the setup screens, and everything's gravy.
Install Windows, the drivers, and all the updates.

by cg it

Well...what I would do is start over from scratch. Take a bootable floppy with Fdisk on it and just delete all partitions. Then recreate the primary DOS partition. Format it in FAT32, then try and load Windows again.

note: conventional memory is that memory under 1MB{1024K} [and is really the first 640K of physical memory with 384K of the 1MB for UMB]. Windows having a problem distributing the first 640K of addressable memory makes me wonder if it's having trouble reading and writing to the first 640K and therefore am suspicious of a bad memory module.

by cg it

another note: make sure the boot sequence in the mainboard BIOS is: floppy, CD, HDD-0. Once you've recreated your primary DOS partition [C: ] make sure you take OUT the floppy from the drive, insert the Windows CD into the CD drive, then reboot thecomputer. When the "Boot from CD" message appears on your monitor, press the space bar or enter to boot from the CD. Windows should begin loading.

by cg it

IF after all that you still get a conventional memory error message, then I would suspect a bad memory module and replace them.

Just a thought: What IS the computer's hardware capabilities? Do they meet Windows 9X minimum requirements?

by thechas

At this point, I have to agree with DR.

It sounds like you have a bad memory module.

A memory module might just be loose in it's socket, so try removing and re-installing the memory modules first.

While you have the case open, check for a lot of dust build-up, and verify that both the CPU and power supply fans work properly.
(an over-heated CPU could also give you the same problem)

Next, how much RAM is installed?
There is a bug in Windows 98 and Me where you can have too much RAM.
The bug manifests itself as various messages about not having enough RAM!
If there is 512MB or more RAM, remove enough RAM to get down to 384MB.

Chas

by tinalin

Sincere thanks to everyone of you, who try to help me out. My friend's PC is an old one, Gateway 2000. I've no idea about the hard drive, memory and everything else, as my friend doesn't know anything about it. I also suspect a memory problem. But he bought a new PC, so it's not a problem any more. Thanks again!

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