REINSTALL WINDOWS 98ES

Go ahead and insert the cd onto your computer, follow the instructions to install a normal installation. at one point it will ask you if you want to install a fresh installation or just upgrade the one you have. just go ahead and pick the upgrade and your set.

2 things to pay attention to when re-installing ANY version of Windows over itself:

The Windows installer WILL find your existing installation and by default will choose another folder to install Windows to.
You need to change the target folder to the original Windows folder.
Usually C:\Windows

Then, you need to choose if you want to keep existing Windows updates, or re-install updates.
When the installer finds a file that is newer than the one on the CD, it will ask if you wish to keep the newer file.
If you answer NO, the file will be replaced with the original version.
Some of your applications MAY not work with the older version of some files.

Be prepared to re-install ALL device drivers.
Use the free download link at www.belarc.com to download a good hardware / software inventory tool.
Then, download and extract the files for all hardware drivers.

Now, what benefit do you expect from re-installing W98?

Speeding up your PC?
This requires cleaning out the registry, which requires a full format and clean install of all software.

Get rid of a virus or rouge program?
Again, this takes a clean install.

If you simply suspect that a some system files are missing or corrupt, there is a much safer method.

Insert your W98 CD.
Exit from the window that pops up for installing W98.
From the run box on the start menu, run sfc
(System File Checker).
This will scan through your Windows files and alert you to any missing or corrupt files.
You then have the option to replace the files from the CD.

Chas

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