Which is correct

[NuclearHeadache]

I run Win 98se and have a partitioned drive, C and D....This is how someone told me to formatt my C drive....Download my drivers and save them on my D drive, Insert my Win 98 boot disk and Win 98se CD into my CD Rom and restart. He said it would boot from the floppy. Then when asked if I want to start with CD Rom support I should select : yes. He said I would end up at (a) then type (format c) Then it would ask if I'm sure I want to format and select YES. Then I would be prompted to enter volume label and selest (none). Then formatting would begin. When complete it would end up at (a) again and I should type (setup) Then setup would perform a routine scan on my drive.....That's what one person told me to do....

Another person told me to formatt this way:
boot to a floppy...

start WITHOUT cd rom support and at the prompt.. (the other said with CD Rom support)

format C:

to get to FDISK at the prompt type that... FDISK ( but I don't want to FDISK I want to FORMAT C)

What do I do here? :confused:

[Norm]

Installing Windows 98 (http://www.speedcorp.net/guides/windows/instwin98.php)

Good luck, and have fun while you're at it :)

[NuclearHeadache]

Sorry man but one person tells me one thing, another tells me something else, and now you give me a link that has something else. The info I've been told is relatively the same but there are still differences........I'll never get this done.

[Cornbread]

Originally posted by NuclearHeadache
Sorry man but one person tells me one thing, another tells me something else, and now you give me a link that has something else. The info I've been told is relatively the same but there are still differences........I'll never get this done.

the link that Norm gave you is very accurate. i used it when i formatted, and now i know it like the back of my hand.

[NuclearHeadache]

Originally posted by cornbread


the link that Norm gave you is very accurate. i used it when i formatted, and now i know it like the back of my hand.

I'm sure it's very informative and probably the best way to go but it still talks about FDISK and that's where I get confused. I have a partition C,D and I just wanna wipe out C and reinstall Windows.

[cybotron r_9]

Originally posted by NuclearHeadache


I'm sure it's very informative and probably the best way to go but it still talks about FDISK and that's where I get confused. I have a partition C,D and I just wanna wipe out C and reinstall Windows.

:) try this (http://radified.com/Doc/fdisk.htm)
print this out and read a few times before u start
make sure u back everything up also that u want to save
worked for me.:2cool:

[NuclearHeadache]

Originally posted by cybotron r_9


:) try this (http://radified.com/Doc/fdisk.htm)
print this out and read a few times before u start
make sure u back everything up also that u want to save
worked for me.:2cool:


This is French to me man, I crearly stated that I didn't want anything to do with FDISK...... but thank's for trying anyway.... :)

[sattien]

If you don't wanna FDISK, just skip the FDISK part and continue on. Follow Norman's link, and start from step 4, where it says If you already have a partition start here.

[Norm]

Originally posted by sattien
If you don't wanna FDISK, just skip the FDISK part and continue on. Follow Norman's link, and start from step 4, where it says If you already have a partition start here. Ditto

Forget fdisk, you don't need it, you're drive is partitioned, so just start with formatting c drive at Step#4 of the article. The rest is pretty straight forward, but read it carefully. Print it out so you can refer to it while offline.

Good luck Nuke

[NuclearHeadache]

Hey thanks Norm :)

[Norm]

np Nuke, welcome bud.

Let us know how it goes.

[NuclearHeadache]

This is a step from a link that Norm gave me......

http://www.speedcorp.net/guides/windows/instwin98.php

5. When you see the A:> prompt type in "md c:\win98" (without the quotes) and hit [enter] but make sure you include the [space] between md and c:\win98. This will put a directory on your c: drive named win98. Once this is done type in copy x:\win98 c:\win98 and hit [enter] Don't forget the space between x:\win98 and c:\win98 (x = the drive letter of your CD ROM) Since we have booted into the Startup disk there is a RAM Drive created in memory using D as it's name so your CD ROM drive letter will be bumped up by one letter to the next letter of the alphabet. For example: If your CD ROM drive letter is normally D it will be E, etc. This copying will put the whole win98 file from the CD ROM onto your c: drive in the Win98 directory. This is done for better performance and efficiency for the install of Win98(much faster install time). You will not need the Win98 CD ROM when changing options in Win98 later once it is installed so you will save your win98 CD from destruction from over use.

": If your CD ROM drive letter is normally D it will be E, etc. This copying will put the whole win98 file from the CD ROM onto your c: drive in the Win98 directory"

Heres where I get lost^

If D is your rom drive wouldn't that mean you don't have a partition, I'm saying this cus this part of the passage is intended for people who already have a partition.

My "A" is my floppy, "C" is, well, C, "D" is my partition, "E" is my CD/DVD ROM, "F" is my burner.

Help me!!!!

[HMS White Star]

(Sorry for the cheezy mighy mouse refrence:D )

All that means is that there is a ram drive created and the ram drive is generally a d, if there is already a primary dos partition (generally called C:) This causes all other drives that are generally d:, e:, f:, and so one to move over 1 letter.

No the Ram drive always picks the first available drive letter, which is in most cases D:.

However If you didn't have a partition, the ram drive would use C: as the drive letter, so if it's D: you are in good shape:).

[Norm]

Ok the following is what should be if you have 2 partitions already, you claim to have a 'primary c: partition', and an 'extended Dos partition d:' or may be another physical drive, you didn't say.

So after a booting into a startup disk it should be like this.

c:=primary Dos partition = The one you want to format

d:=extended Dos partiton = The one you don't want formatted

e:=ramdrive = Created by the startup disk to hold Dos Utilities

f:=CDRom (possibly burner) Normally e: (the creation of the ramdrive bumps it up one letter

g:=Burner(possibly CDRom) Sometimes the burner is seen as the first CDRom. = Usually f:, bumped by ramdrive.

The windows setup will either be on your F: or G: drive. Put your Win98 CD into your CDRom drive.

To view the contents of these drives type the letter F: [enter] then dir [enter] if you see that there are files then you have the right drive. If not, try G: [enter] then dir [enter]
If you have the right drive you will see some directories, Win98, Addons, Tools etc
Once you know which drive the Win98 setup files are on, substitute that drive letter for any time the article says to use it.

I got your PM Nuke, but just as I tried to send it my modem lost sinc until just now, over 2 hours downtime. So I decided to answer you here instead of PM.

Again, good luck Nuke :)

[NuclearHeadache]

I think Norm cleared it up...a bit..... If I go out and buy a computer that only has a C drive that means it already has a partition? All this time I thought having a partition meant having C,D drives. But now I understand that in order to use a computer with Windows it has to have a partitioned drive, am I correct?

All I want is to wipe out my C drive and maybe later wipe out my D drive but keep everything the same in regards to .........

"A" as my floppy, "C" is, well, C, "D" is my partition, "E" is my CD/DVD ROM, "F" is my burner. I want all this to stay the same. So would anyone would be so kind as to tell me what I would do in my situation when it comes to formatting. Basically I want everything the same and don't want to have to create a G drive.

Also does the RAM drive stay in the system of does it get deleted after formatting returning the BUMPED drives to their normal letters......example RAM drive created bumped CD ROM to "F". After formatting does "F" turn into "E"?

[Norm]

LOL Nuke, you sound like me when I started out with Dos LOL

You're taking everything to seriously buddy, it'll all fall in place, you'll see. :)

The ramdrive is only temporary Nuke, gone after a reboot. It is just created by the startup disk to put some Dos utilities into.

Format C: only, then install windows, your D: drive will still be there, and you can do what you like with it once in windows again.

Follow the article carefully Nuke, and you'll do ok, just don't use format d: or you'll lose all the info/files on that partition.

Yes, a drive is useless without a partition, so the first one is called C: (the primary Dos partition) D: is an extended partition, or you have 2 HD's in there bud.

So you catching on yet LOL

I'm only laughing at my own past Nuke, not you :)

[Norm]

Almost forgot, type the following at the A:> prompt

format c: /s

Like the article says, to get the system files on the C: drive, and make it bootable.
Just follow the article Nuke, you'll be fine. :)

[Joe]

both are correct.. CD support is just that.. It loads everything that is needed to operate your cd drives into memory (selecting not to skips that)

I prefer to FDISK and delete all partitions, create one, and format that and install when Im doing it.

And in that order I choose no cd support the first time so it loads faster (you have to reboot anyhow) and then I choose cd support to install win2k

I would do that change your cd drive to the boot device and skip booting to a floppy

[NuclearHeadache]

Thanks Norm, you gave me confidence......I'll let you know how it goes..... :)

[ncswimmer]

You have to have at least one partition on your drive. Typically, the entire drive is designated as the primary partition, leaving nothing for extended ones. In your case, same as mine, the "C" partition is the primary partition, and then there's an extended partition which contains the logical drive "D." And I think you can use FDISK to partition and format any of your drives, meaning you could use it just to format the "C" partition on your drive.

[NuclearHeadache]

A few more questions:

1. Someone told me not to use /s. Only if the drive has never been fdisked b4 should I do this, and I think my HD has been when I removed winME and installed win98se.

2. How do I save things like ICQ, MSN messenger, and Games to my D drive?

3. I get a messege everytime I start up "Invalid setting in the MSDOS.SYS file: IES\INDEX.DAT".......what does this mean and how do I get rid of it. Will this effect my format?

4. My C drive is not called C, it's called Win98 cus I renamed it. Do I still format "C" or Win98 (C)?

5. I've noticed a lot of IBM files I have like IBM tools. Should I save these cus I don't have any IBM disks?

[NuclearHeadache]

Anybody?........... :(

[Norm]

Ok, I'll try to answer all these questions.

1. /s has nothing to do with Fdisk, it puts the system files on your drive so it can boot. Yes, do it.
After a format, without the /s the drive will give an error of "invalid media, so do the /s.

2. Copy the directories form C:\Program Files for ICQ, and MS Messenger to D: drive, then once you've reinstalled Win98 after the format C: (/s) :) Copy those directories back to where you got them, and reinstall ICQ, and MS Messenger to the same ole default directories.

3. Nuke, when you format a drive, everything is gone, even errors in the MSDos.sys file :)

4. Doesn't matter what you renamed C: drive to, it is still C: drive. When in Dos, the primary Dos partition is C:. In Windows, it probably appears as Win98 (C), nothing to worry about, chill man :)

5. Sure, save them to D: too, you may want to use them someday. Probaly don't need them though.

Nuke, do you know if your Win98 CD is a full install, or an upgrade CD?
Only proceed further if it's a full install CD, because without an OS already installed, the upgrade CD won't work.

Anything else ? :D

Nuke, you may have troubles, and you may screw everything up, I know I did a few years ago, but you're about to learn from getting your hands dirty, and once you do, you'll never forget.
It may take a couple of tries, and a bit of frustration, but it's all worth it buddy, go for it :)

One last thought, make sure you have copies of your passwords for ICQ and any other programs you're going to reinstall too. Save them somewhere before you begin, it'll help.

[blebs]

Originally posted by Norm
One last thought, make sure you have copies of your passwords for ICQ and any other programs you're going to reinstall too. Save them somewhere before you begin, it'll help.

This sounds like my first time around-I got so involved with worrying about screwing up my hard drive that I forgot to copy all my passwords. I felt like a real idiot having to email places for all the passwords and program unlock codes that needed them. :D

[Norm]

One more thing, go to the C:\windows directory and find the directory named Application Data, and copy that to your D: drive too. It contains all your Emails, and address book from Outlook Express. You can import them back to Outlook Express after you reinstall windows.

Good luck Nuke :)

[NuclearHeadache]

So I inser the floppy and Win98se CD in the CD rom, reboot, and nothing happens.......it starts up like normal.....what gives?

[Norm]

It looks like your whole system is screwed :D jk

hehe, we should have wrote you a book :)


You'll have to go into the BIOS and change the boot order from c, a to a, c. To get into most BIOS setups you need to hit the "delete" key on your PC as its going through the post routines at bootup.
Make the changes, then save and exit.

[NuclearHeadache]

When ever I turn on my computer I get a brief messege stating......

F12 to boot from the network

F1 for Configuratio/Setup

soes this mean anything........oh and it only appears when I do a complete restart not a reboot.

[Norm]

Use F1, and go into the setup. that's the BIOS setup where you'll have to look around for, and find, the setting for the boot order.
Change the boot order to have A first then C, so it'll boot to the floppy drive first. Just read as you go for the details of how to manouver, and change settings in the BIOS, it's usually on the pages somewhere on how to make the change(s).

Only change that one thing, stay away from the other settings till someday in the future when you know a bit more about what they do, then have even more fun :)

Don't worry about the network F12 thing, you don't need to go in there.

[NuclearHeadache]

Originally posted by Norm
Just read as you go for the details of how to manouver, and change settings in the BIOS, it's usually on the pages somewhere on how to make the change(s).


Pages of what Norm? Cus I don't have a manual....If I did would I be pulling my hair out like this...... :cry: :) :rotfl:

[Norm]

LOL, I just can't help it Nuke, you remind me of me when I was in the same place and time. LOL

The pages I refer to are the pages in the BIOS setup program.
You'll see what I mean once you enter it, by hitting the F1 key.

Let me give you some advice here Nuke, just go for it, take a few risks. Read everything you come across before you [enter] or say "ok" to anything, you'll learn, I did. I had no books, no help, and nobody to turn to when I screwed up. Computers were so new only the extreme geeks owned one. LOL
Books can help to a degree, but hands on, "playing around" and risking it all will 'FORCE' you to learn, or you'll have a paperweight on your desk :)

Now quit asking, and start doing :D
jk If you need anything, I'll be here to help.
Keep in mind it's Friday, and I won't be here as much on the weekend.
Get yourself a used PC to test and play on if you can, it helps. That way you keep your main one running while you learn and screw up the spare. :)

Also if you need manuals for your mobo BIOS, or anything else, a web search will find them for you. Or try the manufacturers site and get them from there.

Good luck again :)

[NuclearHeadache]

I'm so sorry man but it's gets more complicated as I go along.

Now that I've visited the BIOS it says this....

first statup device : Hard disk 0 (zero)
second startup device : Diskette drive 0 (zero)

What gives?

[Norm]

Ok Nuke, things are not going to be the same on every PC, or every BIOS, so you have to try to figure things out.

HD 0 is the Hardrive
Diskette 0 is the floppy
Look around, see if there is anywhere to change them around so that it's floppy first and HD second. The setting may even be in a different section of the BIOS setup, I don't know. That BIOS you have isn't familiar to me, but if you keep reading, and looking around, you'll figure it out.

Somewhere in there it should say how to make changes, like using the [enter] key, or arrows, or something.

You're getting there Nuke, it's not as hard as it seems you know, it's just that it's all so new to you. :)

[Norm]

I see you have an IBM Netvista, post the model number and I'll see if i can find you the manual for it.
Any other info that could help me find it too, anything you can think of.

[Norm]

BTW - The manuals are online, in pdf format, so you'll need acrobat reader to read them. I think I have your manual, but to be sure, I need the model number . It's on your case somewhere.

Hurry, It's almost dinner time, and i may not be back online tonight.

[Norm]

Just in case i miss your reply,,,, Is this your model

ftp://ftp.pc.ibm.com/pub/pccbbs/bp_netvista/p06p1583.pdf

[NuclearHeadache]

Originally posted by Norm
I see you have an IBM Netvista, post the model number and I'll see if i can find you the manual for it.
Any other info that could help me find it too, anything you can think of.

Hey Norm the specs are in the link in my signature...... the model # should be 6276-56U...... I called Ibm and they said they would call me back and let me know what they can do about the manual.......that was three weeks ago :mad:

BTW Norm, you've been great. I probably won't get this done until I feel I have enough info on the matter but you've helped a lot man.....thanks.....and I'll try to stop bothering you :)

I'll leave you alone this weekend though, ok.... :) :rotfl:

[Norm]

Here ya go, you need Adobe Acrobat reader to read it, if you don't have it, it's free to try, do a search, you'll find it.

ftp://ftp.pc.ibm.com/pub/pccbbs/netvista/23p1088.pdf = Your manual

You aren't bothering me Nuke, I enjoy helping the new guys learn :)

My time is limited though, so you're going to have to take a few risks, and believe in yourself a bit more. You can do it, I know how you feel, it's scary thinking you may lose the use of your PC, but you sure learn fast when it's not working let me tell you :)

[Norm]

Here's another page full of stuff for your PC (manuals etc.

http://www.pc.ibm.com/support/cgi-bin/essearch?lang=en_US&brand=IBM+NetVista%7CNetVista+personal+computer%7C6276&family=IBM+NetVista%7CNetVista+personal+computer&machineType=IBM+NetVista%7CNetVista+personal+computer%7C6276&doctype=Online+publications&subtype=All

Wow, long link eh? hehe
Enjoy Nuke, :)

Sorry, link doesn't work
Go to the top of this next link to the search, and put in 6276, it will take you to the link I had above.

http://www.pc.ibm.com/support?lang=en_US&doctype=Online+publications&subtype=All&page=brand&menu=machineType&brand=IBM+NetVista&family=IBM+NetVista%7CNetVista+personal+computer&machineType=IBM+NetVista%7CNetVista+personal+computer%7C6276&subtype=All

[Norm]

Damn search pages won't work, never mind the above post.

[NuclearHeadache]

Haha, don't worry about it Norm those bastards at IBM better send me that manual.............I DID IT NORM, I formatted yesterday and everything went smoothly except for, wouldn't you know it, a password issue, but I got it figured out. My comp runs 10 times faster now Norm and I owe it all to you and the other members who helped me out here at SG. I still have one problem though........I had bought an intellimouse 2weeks ago and B4 I formatted it ran smoothly but now when I change the assigned buttons they still stay the same even when I click APPLY........what gives............it's just a small problem but I'm so happy I got that format done. Norm, that name kinda makes me wanna sit in a bar in Boston all day and when Norm comes in I wanna say NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOORRRRRRRRRRRRM!!!!

[NuclearHeadache]

Forget the intellipoint issue I fixed that too..........I had to reinstall my drivers and remove my old driver from IBM...........No problem now.....everything running excelent.....thanks again people especially Norm. I'm adding you to my buddy list Norm wheather you like it or not so I can bother you all the time j/k :rotfl: Thanks again :)

[Norm]

W a y t o g o N u k e !!!! :)


I knew you could do it buddy, once you got over the faer that is LOL
If I'm around, you can "bother" me anytime Nuke.

You're welcome, wasn't that fun, hehe ?

Next lesson will be making your own Dos batch files :D

[ncswimmer]

I wanna make my own dos batch files. What's that do? Do I even have batch files in win2k?

[cybotron r_9]

wow nice job fellas.
Norm ur really a patient guy.
wasn't sure if he was ever gonna get it but he did:)
this is y i keep coming back here.
always interesting stuff
Happy Labor Day everyone:2cool:

[Norm]

Originally posted by ncswimmer
I wanna make my own dos batch files. What's that do? Do I even have batch files in win2k? Nope, there's no Dos in Win2K, but you can still make batch files, basically the same thing. Use the Win2K search engine in the "Help" section.

Use "Batch commands", or "commands" as the key search word, it'll have a section with all the commands Win2K will sit up and listen to.
Do a search on the net for Dos batch files, and start learning.
I'd show you, but it's way to much for online lessons. If you have minor questions, I'll do what I can, but it's up to you to do a lot of reading and practical work first.
Have a look at some sample batch files it helps to figure them out.
.bat files can be viewed, or edited by Right click/edit.

Good Luck :)

[Norm]

Originally posted by cybotron r_9
wow nice job fellas.
Norm ur really a patient guy.
wasn't sure if he was ever gonna get it but he did:)
this is y i keep coming back here.
always interesting stuff
Happy Labor Day everyone:2cool: Thanks cybotron r_9, that was right kind of you to take the time to post a congrats to us.
Happy Labor Day to you too :)

[NuclearHeadache]

To be honest with all of you I really didn't "have to" format. I just thought I had a lot of junk I didn't need but the comp ran fine. I just wanted to learn something new. I may not know a lot about computers yet but I'm trying my best. Now if someone needs formatting help I can give them pointers or of course the killer LINK........Installing Windows (http://www.speedcorp.net/guides/windows/instwin98.php)
I got my first computer, this computer, in february 2001 and SG is where I've learnt everything I know so far from file sharing, tweaks, and some installation issues. SG rocks...... :p