Reformatting Windows 98

[cooly291]

Well, mom has allowed me to have internet in my room!!! So, today we went and bought a router and ethernet chord, and now, I have internet in my room!! (windows 98 computer). But, as soon as I begin downling instant messangers and software that I use, I found out that the amount of memory on the hardrive is awful!! There is aproximately 0.5 MB of free memory on the hardrive. I deleted just about everything I could to free up some space. And it didn't change. ( I might mention that the computer is awfully slow).

So, I went on a search and found there is a way to "wipe" the hardrive. To do this, you create a boot disk and delete the "C" drive, then re-install the operating system. I have read many tutorials, and found that it is quite simple to do (it turns into a command prompt after you create a boot disk), and I am pretty positive I can do it. One problem though, in all the papers and things mammaw gave me, there was no Windows 98 disk. The only problem I have with this is Microsoft Office will be removed, and I love Office. I have a plan though!! I will upload office to a server on the internet, and after windows is back up, I will install it back to the computer. I will just have to let Norton go, mom has something that our ISP offers anyway, so that is my plan. (I plan on finding a copy of Windows 2000 in the future and upgrading).

Please send the 98 or 2000 disk!!

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Ok, I sent that message to my aunt, that explains the first part, if I were to insert a Windows 2000 disk into the computer, after I delete the hardrive, is that an upgrade, or will that screw my computer up? WHat I am asking is, can I insert a Windows 2000 disk where I should insert a 98 disk in and it go ahead and upgrade from there, or what do I do if I want a new hardrive and a new windows version without having to get a 98 disk and a 2000 disk.

[_Aerospace_Eng_]

we would need to know the specs of your system, to install windows 2000 as your OS your computer would need to meet the requirements found here http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/professional/evaluation/sysreqs/default.asp most systems will boot from the cd drive first, so if you put in your windows 2000 disc if u have one, and restart your computer it may ask you to press any key if you want to boot from disc, then just follow the instructions, same with windows 98 OS also, I believe they are the same but i could be wrong so dont quote me on that

[cooly291]

About the reformarting part, I am right about that, by just creating a boot disk in A drive and inserting the 98, I am most likely doing that for now ^_^

[tboss132]

From your posts, it seems you are new to this kind of thing, in that case, i'll advise you not to reformat anything ... yet. Get someone who knows about stuff like this to be with you in case of a mishap. You'll most likely regret it if you start the process yourself and can't get it to finish. Are you aware for instance, that when you format, everything gets wiped off? including any documents you've saved to your hard disk? Also after you format and you eventually reinstall win 98 or win 2000, you'll need to get the driver disks else your display might look garbled, your sound might not work and your modem might not work? Do a complete analysis before reformating otherwise i'll just advise you do a disk cleanup.
This is available by double clicking "my computer", right clicking on your hard disk and clicking properties. There should be a button below indicating disk cleanup.

Cheers

[craigt56]

How big is your harddrive?
How much memory do you have?
How fast is your computer?
What type of Internet Connection do you have?

We need this information to even begin to help you. If you go and wipe off your harddrive you are going to really be upset...

[JamieR]

What I would do if I didnt want to reformat my computer would to buy a additional hard disk. You can get 120GB hard disks pretty cheap, but if your computer is a few years old then you might need to do a BIOS update before hand. BTW, Windows 2000 is way way better than '98. - How about putting your hard disk which has windows 98 installed on it as your secondary hard disk and then installing a new hard disk and formatting with windows 2000?

Also, I'd like to know the specification of your pc, as Craig above said - it would help us out a lot more.
HTH

Jamie.

ooh..nice, 501 posts:p - 499 left until I 'come a Nut:D

[cooly291]

How big is your harddrive? I am not sure, are you talking about RAM?
How much memory do you have? 0.5 MB
How fast is your computer? 68 RAM
What type of Internet Connection do you have? Cable, I am on line 2 of a router, my family is on a netork throughout the house.

From this (http://www.cyberwalker.net/faqs/how-tos/reformat-reinstall-win98.shtml) tutorial, it seems pretty easy. Backup anything you don't want lost, make a boot disk, delete drive C, then reinstall 98. If you want to upgrade, on restart, setup on disk. If this is wrong, please tell me. I have two weeks before I have access to that computer, longer if I can't get my hands on a 98 disk. So, he have plenty of time.

[craigt56]

If the questions I ask you are like foreign language, you shouldn't be fooling around with reinstalling an operating system. You should find someone who knows a bit about computers and get some assistance. I telling this out of concern for your situation. You are going to cause yourself at lot of problems trying to do this without knowing computer basics...

[cooly291]

Yeah, I guess you are right, I will have some one to come do it, they can teach me how..........Thanks, I would hate to accidently delete my operating sytem and damge something permantly..............^_^