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Writing Zeros

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by schodave

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I want to remove WindowsME from my Gateway and install Windows98. I was told that to completly remove WinME, I must first "write zeros to the drive".

I would like to know exactly how to do this in an easy to understand, step by step procedure. Perhaps this is available on the Microsoft site, and if so, all I need is the correct URL path.

Thanks.

5 replies

by adeal

I don't know how valid the "writing zeroes" analogy is. I think a simple "format " should suffice. Probably the simplest way for you to actually wipe the drive is to run fdisk, remove any partitions, and then re-create them.

by parbo

In most case doing an Fdisk will suffice. But the process of writing zero's also verifies the drive to make sure there's no corruption. Her's the link to gateway's utility to write zero's http://www.gateway.com/support/product/drivers/hdd/index.shtml
you have to make a WinME bootdisk (start-settings-control panel-add/remove programs-startup-create bootdisk). Copy the utility to the floppy, reboot the system from the floppy and select minimal boot that will take you to a A:\> prompt. run the utility by typing gwscan and press enter, from the menu select write zero's and hit enter. sit back and relax or do something else since this can take a while depending on the size of your harddisk.
Hope this helps

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