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Installing Windows 98

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by finalember_1 1 view

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How do you install after a complete uninstall? Windows was accidentally misplaced on a computer, How do or will I ever find it again? I can't reinstall because it won't even recognize D drive.I can't get past the screen that asks how you want to access windows.I click safe mode but it won't access any windows screen? I get a DOS prompt but I can't get anywhere.

9 replies

by thechas

You need a W98 Startup disk.

If you do not have a startup disk, you can download a disk image from the links at www.bootdisk.com

Make sure that your PC is set to boot from the floppy drive in BIOS settings.
Boot from the floppy, select yes toenable CD-ROM support, then type in setup and press the enter key.

You will now be able to re-install Windows.

Chas

by dmiles

Insert the Windows 98 startup disk in floppy drive
and cd rom in cd drive
Boot computer
Select to run setup with cd rom support,this option is only available if you have partitioned and formatted the drive
If you donot have the drove formatted,you fdisk at command prompt and follow the onscreen instructions to partition the drive,exit fdisk
at command prompt type format c:
Reboot,type setup and it will run install of OS

by thechas

The bad commnad response means that you have just a bootable floppy, and not a W98 STARTUP disk.

When you boot with a 'true' W98 startup disk, it will load some tools into a RAM drive, and then install CD-ROM drivers.
fdisk is among the tools placed on the ramdrive.

If you do not see the ramdrive and loading tools, or the CD driver option, you do not have a startup disk.

You can download a zipped set of startup disk files from the links at www.bootdisk.com
You then need to extract the files onto a W98 version bootable floppy disk.

For more information on using fdisk, check out the information links at www.fdisk.com/fdisk

Chas

by finalember_1

I've already tried the WIN98SE.EXE Download, and the Bootdisc for WIN98SE TECHWORM.ZIP dos.1:5.org MS DOS V7.10 and the Basic rescue Boot Floppy Disk. It won't format or recognize any other drive.

by thechas

If the system does not recognize any other drives when you boot from the startup disk, my first guess is that your hard drive has a BIOS overlay program installed.

If the hard drive has a BIOS overlay program, a special sequence is required to boot up from a floppy.

Startup the PC with no floppy in the floppy drive.
Watch the display for words like easybios loading
Check for the key to hit for options, or to boot from a floppy.
Follow the prompts to boot from the startup disk.

Another thing to check, is to enter BIOS setup while the memory test is counting up, and verify that the BIOS correctly recognizes BOTH the hard drive, and CD drive.

I would also try booting up with the IDE (ribbon) cable disconnected from the CD drive.
It is possible that the CD drive has failed, and that is why the system does not boot up.

Another possability, is that the drives (hard disk and CD-ROM) are not connected to the primary IDE controller.
Windows 98 will not recognize many IDE plug-in cards.
In order to get Windows installed and working, you may need to move the hard drive from the controller card over to the motherboard.

Let me know which of the above senarios is closest to your situation, and I can offer more specific help.
You can also contact me dirrectly using the peer-mail link.

A complete list of the system hardware may be required to help find the final answer.

Chas

by finalember_1

I was totally confused when I read your last answer, but something stuck in my head. I disconnected the IDE ribbon from the hard drive while the machine was on, I then reconnected the IDE and it was like someone waved a magic wand. Windows was thereand accesable. I did get an illegal operations message a couple times till I found out where it was coming from, Windows update, I removed that program and all the files I could find. I don't know how it will perform if it's connected to the internet. I told him when he came to collect it that I couldn't guarantee it would perform on the internet. He was just glad to get his games back. Thanks for everything. From all of us.

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