XP Helllllllp!!!!!

[JC]

Here is what has happened
I had the beta version of xp (which has now expired)
I did not want to purchase the retail version because I am going to by a new comp in the future.
Now when I turn on the comp it says, your evualition time has expired, and the comp shuts down>???
I just want to go back to 98/me
Any idea how???

[Murman]

format your HD and install your OS of choice.

You can't just install 98 over XP .. the other way around is fine but you can't go backwards.

If you choose to install over XP (not a good idea) make your windows dir something else like c:\win98 as XP installs to c:\windows .. you'll still prob lose all your installed programs functions but you can just reload emm.

[Norm]

Just to add one more step to what Murman posted....

Fdisk first before you do the format. It'll clear out any cobwebs with the MBR, and give you fresh new partition to format.

Check out the link Murman posted in This Thread (http://forums.speedguide.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=71311) for detailed info on how to Fdisk, and Format.

[JC]

That is a great Idea!!

But I need some of the info that is on the comp
It won't let me get to it
I just can not loose all that data.

[Murman]

Well then you can prob install over XP, make your windows dir something else like c:\win98 as XP installs to c:\windows .. you'll still lose all your installed programs functions but you can just reload what you need and backup your data then do the fidisk, format and do a nice clean install.

Or pick up a cheap used HD, spare HD etc... hook it up, load 98, backup your data and then do what ever ya need to do to get a clean install of 98/me.

if you need a 98 boot disk you can get one at http://www.bootdisk.com