alamodoc,
**BEFORE STARTING**
======================
Print or save instructions. Read through a couple times. If something is unclear, please ask
someone that knows. Make notes concerning internet connections, other instructions needed
(such as how to import and export favorites and address books). Make note as you go, so that
when you get ready to do a clean install again, you can refresh your memory. When asking
questions, please learn and use proper information to receive the help you need. Keep all data
and software free of dust and any foodstuffs. You may not need all of these instructionsk
tools, or materials,but it's difficult to outguess teh knowledge and skill level that fits
everyone.
**PREPARATION SECTION**
======================
TO BEGIN:
-RULE -If it ain't broke, don't fixit.
-RULE -Spiral pad, good notes, date, set time to work.
-RULE -No interruptions.
-RULE -Suspend all rules for spouse.
BE PREPARED
) (a good mood)
-Gather all of your software, including the "key" numbers
-Get current drivers for all Hardware (incl. Bios for MoBo)
-Get all tools (include static strap, flashlight, magnifying glass,compressed air, soft
eraser, etc.)
-Get all materials (Screw Drivers, pliers, electrical tape,
From Experience the Hard Way. (Not learning enough from others wisdom, and not being fully
prepared before starting)
*REMOVE - ALL data, Favorites, Bookmarks, Address book, mIRC ini files, images,
ToDoLists, Music, DVD's, fonts, Media, etc.
*Always make sure you are static equal. (wear protection[static strap], or touch PSupply
case with power OFF, but plugged in)(before working in the box)
NOTE: Don't need a course to complete a clean install, but to keep your frustration level
down, it's worth lining your ducks up in a row before beginning.
To help, you might just want to start by doing the following:
-Print Instructions, and follow them. (Or use Murphy's Law)
-Print or Write out Hardware list. (MoBo, CPU, RAM, HDD, Floppy, CD-ROM, Video, Audio,
Modem, LAN, etc.)
-Allow 30 minutes quiet time after each time you work to recover.
======================
**FDISK SECTION**
======================
TO FDISK OR NOT:
-New HDD - YES
-Basic Partition - YES
-OS Upgrade - Usually
-regular FORMAT: NOT necessary
-Required Min. HDD Space -(10gig W2KSP4+IE6+OE6)(2gig NTSP6)(500meg ME,98se,98fe)(300meg
95b,95,3.11)
*Note - Double minimum HHD space, if a separate partition is used for OS and applications.
===========
===========
FDISK Tips: Option 4 looks at present partitions, press Esc.; Option 3 "only" to delete
partitions.
Delete order - NON-DOS,Logical,Extended, and finally Primary; use Exc. to exit.
Option 1 - Create Basic partition for OS and data on one drive. <<---most one letter HDD
Option 1 - Create ONE Primary partition for two or more partitions.(multiple Primaries
needed only to add Linux, etc.)
===========
===========
How to FDISK:
-Boot system with 98se Bootdisk (
www.Bootdisk.com)
-At A:\ prompt type FDISK, enter.
-Choose "Y" for "large disk" for 95b,98se,ME,NT4,W2K,XP (enables FAT32)
-Use "Basic" for a single partition (Primary Active partition) <<----most one letter HDD
-Set Primary active to "adequate size" (Logical, and extended can be resized)
-Press "Esc."
-Power down with switch.
{Note: You run FDISK, just to look, like first time, "without changes", with no adverse
effect; use Esc. to exit}
(There four choices in FDISK; you can take a look at them w/o fear of screwing up. Just don't
delete anything)
===========
===========
FRESH INSTALL is BEST, if "DATA" NOT NEEDED.
-ERASES EVERYTHING- (within DOD standards)
*You probably don't need to FDISK, unless the current HDD has "multiple" partitions.
*If it does, Boot from 98se bootdisk, type FDISK, press ENTER, use Basic partition (one
partition only for everything).
*Shutdown the power.
To erase the HDD, you Format the HDD.
======================
**Format Section**
======================
Format the Hard Disk:
*You can use your hard disk only after FORMAT. -->(New HDD or after FDISK)
Format as follows:
1. Boot computer into WS-DOS using your Boot Disk. (
www.bootdisk.com)
2. At the "A" prompt (A:\) type the following:
format c: /u /c /s (assume "c:\" <drive letter>)
Command Legend:
/u= Unconditional Format - ignores deleted cluster fragments
/c= Re-tests currently marked bad clusters for recovery
/s= Transfers necessary system files so disk can boot
3. Type "Y" for yes, press Enter to proceed with format.
4. Once format is complete, type a volume label if you want one and press ENTER.
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How to Install 98se
http://www.basichardware.com/how_tos.html
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How to Install Win-ME
http://www.windowsreinstall.com/indexwinme.htm
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How to install W2K
http://www.techtv.com/screensavers/answerstips/jump/0,24331,3346825,00.html
===========
If you have any problems
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;277552
===========
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Fresh Install W2K
**Note: For a Clean Install of W2K w/SP4, IE6 w/OE6, and a normal amount of applications on
one partition, allow "10 gig" min. for your OS partition, unless you intend to
make it a "basic" partition.
To remove/change partitioning use a Win98 boot disk in Command Prompt:
type "FDISK" ...and remove all partitions
Shutdown Power(turn computer OFF)
Fresh install w/o changing or after setting the partitions:
Boot with Win2000 or XP Boot disks into Command Prompt:
"type" format c: /u /c /s -->follow prompts
Command Legend:
/u= Unconditional Format - ignores deleted cluster fragments
/c= Re-tests currently marked bad clusters for recovery
/s= Transfers necessary system files so disk can boot
Restart with Win2000/XP startup disks and it will walk you through the install.
Incomplete as it's going to be.
Under this is another little outline to help with installation.
You might want to read through it.
Note: Extra material for after install
Setting Group Policy to Complex Password Requirements
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;225230&Product=win2000
Dear Don,
As you will note in my message to Pegasus, my CD-ROM doesn't seem to
do much after it's inserted. I don't know if that means I don't have a
bootable CD or not (I think it is bootable, but something else is
awry.)
Regarding your optional instructions, I am too ignorant to understand
all that you have written. For instance: What does it mean to "change
the boot order in the BIOS"? Do I do that from DOS, and if so, how?
And what order is it likely in now, and what order do I change it to?
If, as you suggest, my CD isn't bootable, I do have a Win98 Start Up
disk that will suffice to start the computer in Win98 (the faulty OS
on the machine now). Now once there, do I go to DOS, then type, "
C:\fdisk " ?
Am I correct in assuming it will actually ask me to remove partitions?
I can tell you from my earlier trials at this that there don't appear
to be any partitions on the drive, but I could be wrong.
I understand your next set of instructions about commands, etc. but I
have no idea what you're talking about when you tell me I will have to
install all the drivers again. Are you telling me I will have to
install drivers for my floppy and CD drives or are we just talking
about things like printers, scanner, PDA's etc.? I do hope it's the
latter. I always assumed that booting up a computer with a reformatted
hard drive still allowed the installing OS to indentify the drivers of
the internal workings of a computer.
As you can tell, I need a bit of hand-holding here, but I'm the
courageous sort and want to do this myself rather than take it to a
$60/hour tech.
Thanks again for your kind assistance.
dcdon said:
Hi alamodoc,
If you have a bootable CD -Rom, start the computer with it in the tray, after you have changed
the boot order in the BIOS, and be sure to change it back after complete.
or if the CD-Rom isn't bootable, you can do the following and it's...
Not too bad...
You need a win98se bootdisk (
www.bootdisk.com)
Your W2K CD; if not bootable CD-ROM, a set of 4ea. W2K bootdisks (
www.bootdisk.com)
Using the W98 boot disk, start the computer
To remove/change partitioning use a Win98 boot disk in Command Prompt:
type "FDISK" ...and remove all partitions
Shutdown Power(turn computer OFF)
Fresh install w/o changing or after setting partitions:
Boot with Win2000 or disks into Command Prompt:
"type" format c: /u /c /s -->follow prompts
Command Legend:
/u= Unconditional Format - ignores deleted cluster fragments
/c= Re-tests currently marked bad clusters for recovery
/s= Transfers necessary system files so disk can boot
After completion, you'll need to have updated drivers for all hardware to install, get Windows
Update get the proper Service Pack and Security patches, download and install I.E. and O.E.,
that's what you intend to load for browser and email client. You'll also do well to d/l and
install an AVP, firewall, Privacy utility, and anti Malware utility. You can find free
versions at
www.spychecker.com.
And that's pretty close to all of it.
good computing,
don
---------------
I have a spare computer I want to give to a friend. It has Win98, lots
of programs and crap she doesn't need, etc. My efforts to uninstall
all this stuff has been very frustrating. So what I'd like to do is
reformat my hard drive, then simply install Win2K. I've tried an
upgrade installation but the computer tells me I don't have enough
space on the hard drive for the OS. Hard to believe. Since I'm not
worrying about saving files, I'm hoping this can be pretty painless.
Suggestions?
Thanks....Clif
