Reinstall Win 98SE operating system

[Ambrose]

Several months ago, I went into areas of my computer software (Windows 98 SE) where I had no business going. To shorten the painful saga, I succeeded in destroying parts of my operating system, I.E., I have to open all JPG photos
and attachments in Internet Explorer, parts of my MS Picture It! software program does not function as well as Power Point and many incoming emails even those without attachments will not open. There are other malfunctions too numerous to list.

I have been advised that the only way to restore the software to its original operating mode is to do a clean reinstall of the 98SE program. I will be acquiring a new computer in August, but want to restore the 98SE software to its original state as the computer will be passed on to a relative with minimal requirements.

I have a Win 98SE install CD, but do not know how to wipe the disc clean nor how to go through the procedure of formatting the hard drive. Any help or caveats will be appreciated.

Ambrose

[Alan]

Sometimes if you having many problems, a clean re-install is the best and quickest route.

The first thing you should do is back all important data you want to keep, i.e. emails, photos etc.
Now, if you don’t have a boot disc, you can create one through the Control Panel. In Windows, go to Add/Remove Programs and click the StartUp Disk tab and click the Create Disk button.
This will create a boot disk on a blank floppy for you with CD-ROM support.
If your system is so badly damaged that it will not create a boot disk, you can download one here.
This is important, as you'll need access to your CD-ROM drive to do a new Windows 98 install.
Once the boot disk is created, test it to see if you can access your CD-ROM drive.
To do this reboot the machine with the floppy disk in the floppy drive and when the machine restarts choose "Start with CD-ROM support".
At the prompt type d: and hit the Enter key. If the machine responds with D:\> you are in business.
Next type format c: and press enter.
The C: drive will then be wiped clean.
Once the reformat is finished put your Windows CD-ROM disk in the CD-ROM drive, and type D:\setup at the prompt.
Now just follow the on screen instructions.

[Ambrose]

Alan, I successfully created a boot disk. I rebooted per your instructions and it did indeed respond with D:\>. As I will not proceed until I get my new computer up and running, I do however have another question regarding your instructions that follow after D:\>format C>enter: You stated that once the C: drive is wiped clean, put the Win CD-ROM in the CD-ROM drive and type D:\setup at the prompt. As I will be doing a clean install on drive C, should it be C:\setup instead of D:\setup?

Additionally after the reformat is finished, do I remove the floppy before I insert the CD ROM disk into the CD-ROM drive or does it not matter. Thanks for your great help. I am a retired senior citizen and a 5 year user, but, I have not had the occasion or the reason to venture into these areas until recently.

Ambrose

[Alan]

Hi Ambrose,
You would type D:\setup because your Cd drive is D and setup is the program you want to run. It will install windows onto the C drive.
After the hard drive is formatted and your re-install of Windows has began, you can remove the floppy if you want, alternatively just leave it until windows re-starts your PC then remove it.
Before you start, make sure you have the Win98 key code handy and allow a couple of hours to re-install everything.
It is a fairly easy job to complete, just prepare yourself first with
1 Start-Up Disk
2 Win 98 Install CD
3 Win 98 Key Code (usually on the back of the case)
4 A mug of coffee (or tea as I prefer)

We're here to help, dont be afraid to ask!