removing Win XP & replacing with W982E

First check to see if uninstall files exist in Add/Remove Programs
Click Start->Settings->Control Panel->Select the Add/Remove Programs,go thru the list and see if the uninstall files are listed then click to remove XP
If you choose t do a clean install,use a Windows 98 Startup disk and insert in floppy A:\drive
boot the computer and at the command prompt,type FDISK /MBR
TYPE fdisk
When the Panel Opens,choose enable large disk support (Y)
Choose option (3) to delete partition,hit Esc
Choose to create Primary DOS partition,Reboot
Type Format C:
after the format process you can then use the startup disk and insert the cd-rom OS nad boot computer and choose option (1) to Run Setup with CD-ROM support,you should now be able to proceedwith the Win 98SE installation
For more reference to Removing Windows XP see Microsoft Knowledgebase web site

There is no way to "uninstall" an operating system through add/remove programs. The only way to downgrade a Windows XP machine to Windows 98 (or Windows anything else) is to start the installation from scratch - with a freshly partitioned and formatted hard drive.

If you don't have the necessary Windows 98 licenses, Microsoft makes this claim:

"Microsoft Volume Licensing allows downgrade rights under Volume Licensing 6.0. Customers who purchase Windows XP Professional have full downgrade rights to, Windows Professional, Windows NT, Windows 95, and Windows 98. Just as prior to March 31, 2003, media will continue to be available via Worldwide Volume Licensing Fulfillment. Media will also continue to be available for sale pre-loaded on machines via authorized OEM distributors".

See this link for the full information:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/lifecycleconsumer.asp

As far as loading Windows 98, it's not really that difficult, but there's too much involved to list every detail on a thread as limited as this one. However, I would suggest as a first step to delete the partition on the hard drive. (You'll need a boot disk, and, of course, back up all data files first.) Then, when Windows 98 loads, it will create a new and compatible partition and format the drive for a fresh and clean installation. (Just follow the on screen instructions. You can do it - it's easy.)

Reference this Microsoft article (Q 221829) titled, “How to Install Windows 98 on a Computer with No Operating System”.

http://support.microsoft.com/directory/article.asp?ID=KB;EN-US;q221829

It will provide all the details, and you could easily print it out for future reference.

Feel free to email me if you need a little guidance. Or post a specific question on TechRepublic Q&A. There are a lot of experts who could help you through the process.

Best of luck and have a GREAT 2002!

Maxwell

I would first check with the supplier, and see if they are able/willing to sell you machines without the OS files installed.
If your volume is high enough, they may be very willing to do this for you.

Next, how is the OS setup on these "clones" to begin with? If it is just the install files and a routine that installs the software, just boot to a floppy, and delete the partition as per the other responses.

Is there other installed software on these systems that you need? Such as MS Office.
If so, make sure you have the install CD and Licenses for the other software.

Buy the way, the main reason you have to fdisk the drive is that XP is likely installed with the drive formated as ntsf, not the fat32 that 98 needs.

OK, most efficient way to do so, follow this steps :
1/from your win98 CD create a bootdisk,
2/ if you're lucky the BIOS could allow you to perform a "low level format", which in facts behave like a "format c:/s" + "fdisk" which rewrote the MBR ( Master Boot Record ), after that, just follow the normal XPs' inst. process. You'll be fine like that !!!