formating C: and switching OS

desmarkus · #1 July 26th, 2004, 03:35 PM

Hello everyone,

I'm desmarkus I'm new to this forum. I'm here because I wish to fix an old junker PC (133 MHz, 250 Mb Hard drive, that's all I know) It currently runs Windows 95 and doesn't do a very good job of it. JJ. It's all errors. It won't run any programs. I can log into the internet but IE 3.0 won't recognize it. IT seems like the dll files are screwed but every time I replace one another one turns up missing. Plus a pile of programs were deleted (not uninstalled) and now remain on the software list with no way of being removed.

I'm frustrated with it, and because the computer was given to me, it contains nothing important or anything I need. My plan is to wipe the hard drive and start over with Windows 98 (don't get angry, all of you 95 die hards) as this is the only software available to me which I think may work. I don't have access to windows 95, but Do have access to 98, 2000, ME, and XP. I figured that that old junker wouldn't have enough juice for anything more than 98 though.

What I'm looking for is step by step instructions on completeing this task. I've been looking on the net and turned up nothing that applies to me.

First off will I need a 95 or 98 boot disk? when do I put the boot disk in? (before or after I format the hard drive?)

I want to fix this computer up for my folks, so they can get onto the internet to talk to some of my siblings who live far away on a regular basis. Please Help?

tmbm · #2 July 26th, 2004, 04:50 PM

250MB? get a new computer or atleast upgrade!

desmarkus · #3 July 26th, 2004, 09:12 PM

No money. Don't need the computer for anything else but explorer and office.

my parents won't be installing anything other than what I put on there.

They currently own a IBM PS/2. with GeoWorks 1 used as the operating system. It has no modem, 1 Mb ram and a 16Mb hard drive (I think). If I can get the 133 going for free. It'll be well worth it.

I just need some tips to get it running. If someone knows ways other than wiping it, let me know too. Since I don't have any drivers on disk will that be a big problem? (I think it uses all the standard no name mouse/keyboard/modem drivers now)

Thanks for any help!

**degsy** · #4 July 26th, 2004, 09:15 PM

Welcome

You're hitting the limit there with Win98 on a 250mb drive.

You may consider getting a second hand HDD.

How to Delete a Partition (fdisk)

How to Create a Partition (fdisk)

How to Format a Partition

How to install Windows

renegade600 · #5 July 26th, 2004, 09:46 PM

I would suggest using Win98 and nothing newer. However it cannot be installed or used for an upgrade in any other computer. See this for installing info.

desmarkus · #6 July 27th, 2004, 11:25 PM

Thanks guys!

I think I finally understand the procedure at least. As for complications, I'm most certain that there will be... SO with that, when things go wrong I'm sure you'll here from me again.

Until then thanks again.

desmarkus · #7 July 28th, 2004, 03:21 PM

Howdy again, I haven't tried the format yet but I did find out I have 16 mb Ram and a 2 GB hard drive. Is Windows 98 still the right choice? I still don't know if I should use a windows 95 or 98 boot disk. I heard it doesn't really matter, is that true?

One last question what version of Window 98 would be better. I was thinking that just the 1st would be good, for the simple application I'll be using.

tetonbob · #8 August 22nd, 2004, 10:59 PM

You should definitely use a Win98 startup disk. It has CD ROM support, which will help you with your installation; Win95 startup disks don't.

MS says a minimum of 16MB RAM is req'd, so you will barely make it, but you'd be well advised to invest in another 16MB at least. See http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=182751

Win98SE has a couple of advantages over Win98, but from the sounds of it, I doubt the users would notice. Use whichever you can legally install.

fullmoonu · #9 September 8th, 2004, 02:36 AM

I too am in the process of formating and old computer and have read your instructions but I I get messages that I do not have drivers for my CD and do not know where to go from here. Your link to instructions did not say what to do without these drivers. As you can tell, I too am new and do not know what I'm doing (first timer for formating and just trying to learn) Any suggestions?

fullmoonu · #10 September 8th, 2004, 02:38 AM

I too am in the process of formating and old computer and have read your instructions but I I get messages that I do not have drivers for my CD and do not know where to go from here. Your link to instructions did not say what to do without these drivers. As you can tell, I too am new and do not know what I'm doing (first timer for formating and just trying to learn) Any suggestions?

tetonbob · #11 September 10th, 2004, 02:40 PM

Are you using a Win98 bootdisk?