scrubbing hard drive clean And reinstalling microsoft windows 98se

Hi tazman-ga,

There are three main steps that need to be performed here:
1. Back up all data (i.e. documents, media, etc.)
2. Format hard drive
3. Re-install Windows 98SE

BACK UP ALL DATA:

This stage is just a matter of ensuring that all files that you want
to keep are saved in some sort of removable media (such as a floppy
disc or CD-R). Virtually all programs are installed using installation
files, so there would be no point in saving program files if you have
access to the installation files.

FORMAT HARD DRIVE:

You will need a windows 98 boot disk to proceed with this step.
Instructions on creating one are available here:

http://www.computerhope.com/boot.htm#05

1. Restart the computer and continuously hit delete while on the black
start-up screen to enter the BIOS menu options.

2. Go to BIOS Options (or something similarly worded depending on your
motherboard brand) and change Boot Sequence so that A: is listed
first. This can generally be done using the PGUP and PGDN keys.

3. Save your changes and exit. Be sure to put your boot disk into the
floppy drive before restarting.

4. The system will boot from the floppy drive and you will get a DOS
prompt. If you are asked, you want to boot with CD-ROM support.

5. Type:
         format c:
   (I'm assuming that your C Drive is the one that currently has
win98SE)

Your hard drive is now completely empty

RE-INSTALL WIN98SE

6. Once complete (it will take a few minutes), type:
    D:
   (assuming that the D Drive is your CD-ROM drive)

7. Type:
         setup

You will now be navigated through the windows 98SE installation
process. This is not difficult (just follow the prompts), but remember
to remove your floppy disk and to change the boot sequence back to C:,
CD-ROM, A:. This just means it will boot up from the hard drive again
after windows has been re-installed.

Cheers!

answerguru-ga

---

Request for Answer Clarification by tazman-ga on 02 Sep 2002 08:43 PDT

with our MSN internet connections --

Is there a file on our hard drive we should be copying or will we need
to log into MSN and re-enter the information.

---

Clarification of Answer by answerguru-ga on 02 Sep 2002 11:11 PDT

tazman-ga,

Internet connections need to be re-configured once windows has been
re-installed...so if you have any software that you were given by MSN
you should re-install that once the OS have been re-installed. If you
are on MSN dial-up, then you will need to go into your control panel
and create a new connection for this. The information needed to do
that is typically the phone number, username, and password. There is
no file to back up.

If you hav MSN broadband, you should make sure your network card is
properly installed. You may want to take a look at the current
settings and write them down so you know what to enter after the
re-installation. You can access these by going to control panel >
network connection and then selecting your network card that provides
access to your broadband connection.

answerguru-ga

Morning Taz.  Your question is more of a statement that a question. 
If you could provide more detail regarding your question then I could
offer some assistance.  Do you have existing data on the hard drive
that you want to save?  Do you have a Win98 SE CD? Do you have a valid
licence number for it as we'll need it for the reinstall? Did it come
with your PC or did you buy it as an upgrade?  Do you have a burner
installed or are you connected to a network?  Many questions first!

Morning Taz.  Your question is more of a statement that a question. 
If you could provide more detail regarding your question then I could
offer some assistance.  Do you have existing data on the hard drive
that you want to save?  Do you have a Win98 SE CD? Do you have a valid
licence number for it as we'll need it for the reinstall? Did it come
with your PC or did you buy it as an upgrade?  Do you have a burner
installed or are you connected to a network?  Many questions first!

Net

We have existing data (files, programs) that we want to save. 
We have Windows 98SE on a CD provided by HP when we first purchased
the computer 3 years ago.  It is valid.
We have a CD burner (not sure it works properly right now; having some
hiccups with copies and reading)
We are not connected to a network.