I have a computer with windows ME factory installed (no disc-only recovery) and I want to completely wipe the HD and install windows 98 for which I have a CD for. Since windows ME dosent have DOS access and it's factory installed on my HD, how can I wipe it clean and install my full version WIN98?
I'm going to make a safe assumption that you know how to use FDISK. If so, go to <A HREF="http://www.bootdisk.com" target="_new">Bootdisk.com</A> and download your desired boot disk. Create the floppy, and reboot to it. If your BIOS doesn't check the floppy first, make sure to enter setup to change that.
If you need more information on FDISK, you can read a quick guide <A HREF="http://www.newlogic.co.uk/kbase/fdisk/page1.htm" target="_new">here</A>. When you've partitioned and formatted your HD, reboot the computer with the Windows 98 CD inserted already. Again, make sure your BIOS checks the CDROM drive before the hard drive, or else you'll get an "Invalid System Disk" error (or something like that).
If all goes well, the CD will ask you if you want to boot to CD. After it's booted up and at the command prompt, just type <font color=red>setup</font color=red> and press enter. For more options with setup, type <font color=red>setup /?</font color=red> to see the available switches. Then, type whatever kind of setup you want.
Good luck!
Bryan
<A HREF="http://www.btvillarin.com" target="_new">btvillarin.com</A> - Host fixed network problems; I'm back up
Go to www.bootdisk.com and download the appropriate bootdisk maker, and follow the instructions at the site to make a WIN98 floppy bootdisk to boot up the machine in DOS, then using the floppy bootdisk you've made start up the machine with the floppy in the floppy drive, You'll have to enter the CMOS setup by either holding down the Delete key or F1 during initial start up most screens tell you somewhere on them at startup what key to hold down to enter set up, in the setup set it to boot from the floppy drive, and if the motherboard has boot virus protection disable it, or you won't be able to boot, select save the changes and exit set up. It will run through an initial loading and bring you to an A:\> prompt type in FDISK then hit Enter
Enable large disk support YES
After completing FDISK press Escape then you're back to A:\> prompt, restart the machine wait until the machine comes back to the A:\> prompt type FORMAT C: then press Enter. Then warning all data will be lost continue select Y. Format of drive will run will take anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes depending on the size of the hardrive. when it completes and gets to the volume label press Enter, you will end up back to the A:\> prompt type in CD and press enter, it will accept the command and take you back to the A:\> prompt, at this time put your Win98 disk in the CDROM drive, Type in E:\ press enter, the A:\> prompt will change to E:\> type in WIN98\SETUP press enter, and follow the instructions to load your operating system. ( If the cdrom does not autorun and you get an error message, press A on the keyboard, it takes you back to the E:\> prompt Type in CD then press enter, type in F:\ press enter, the E:\> prompt will change to an F:\> prompt, then again type in WIN98\SETUP and press enter.) The reason for this is your hardrive which is normally the C drive gets pushed up one drive letter and becomes the D drive so your CDROM that was the D drive becomes the E drive, hope this helps you out.
Okay, I don't mean to be a grump, but didn't I kind of say exactly what you said? Other than the fact that I was a little more precise, do you really have to repeat me? Geez...
<A HREF="http://www.btvillarin.com" target="_new">btvillarin.com</A> - Host fixed network problems; I'm back up
Windows 98 cd's are bootable, just set your computer in BIOS to boot from CD, when the CD ask if you want to boot from CD or hard drive, choose CD, when it finishes booting it will tell you the drive letter of your CD ROM. Assuming it's drive D:
Type D: then the enter key
type cd win98 then the enter key
type format c: then the enter key
follow the prompts
when done, type setup then the enter key
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