| Author |
Message |
Michael
| | Posted on Saturday, October 6, 2001 - 8:55 pm: | |
I have the original Windows 98 installed on my system, and it has gotten a bit "top-heavy". I no longer have the original upgrade disk, but now have a new full-version Windows 98se CD-ROM. I cannot install it, because it tells me I have to use an upgrade disk--the full version is only for systems with no OS. I want to totally wipe out windows, without erasing any of my other software, and do a clean install of 98se. I think I know how to do this, but since I don't want to take any chances, I'm asking for advice on this. I can "hide" my Windows directory by renaming it, but I need to know how to safely remove the startup OS files: IO.SYS, MSDOS.SYS, etc. and anything else that Setup uses to determine what, if any, OS is already installed. |
Rob (Robwalk)
| | Posted on Saturday, October 6, 2001 - 9:43 pm: | |
I dont think there is a way as I think windows se will find the trace of an operating system even if you rename the folder. But even if you could remove your old operating system and reinstall the new one I doubt if you programs would work as they have their roots in the old OS.
Sorry to be so gloomy. I hope someone will come up with an answer as I have had to remove my programs on a few occassions because I also have an OEM version of windows se and have to do a clean install each time.
Regards,
Rob |
Michael
| | Posted on Sunday, October 7, 2001 - 9:52 pm: | |
I just had an idea. Suppose I installed a temporary (blank, formatted) HDD as the primary and installed Windows 98se to it, and then deleted the original Windows folder from my old HDD and copied the new one from the temporary drive (after backing up the old Windows folder, just in case). Think that would work? |
V (Vera)
| | Posted on Sunday, October 7, 2001 - 10:17 pm: | |
why not install the temporary drive as slave, save all your important files and downloads to the slaved drive. bite the bullet so to speak and do the fresh install. just think how fresh and litter free it would be.
eventually you'll probably get to that point anyway.
just what you wanted to hear. right? |
Michael
| | Posted on Monday, October 8, 2001 - 3:40 pm: | |
Thanks, Vera, but I think I'm going to try it my way. I haven't got another drive big enough to hold all my files, but I do have one big enough for SE alone. It'll still be a clean install, since the registry and SYSTEM.INI and WIN.INI will be new and uncluttered. And then I can reap the benefits of SE over legacy 98. If I had a sufficient backup medium, I'd go your route, though. Of course I know to get the OS fully installed, I'll have to do a SYS D:\ before reinstalling my primary drive. I don't THINK that will damage anything, but if anyone knows better, please let me know. As far as I'm aware, SYS just copies the system files to the new boot sector. |
Rob (Robwalk)
| | Posted on Saturday, October 13, 2001 - 12:51 am: | |
Michael,
Please let me know how you go with your idea of a temporary HDD. I have been told that windows wont copy like this.....something to do with the MBR (master boot record).
Good luck,
Rob |
Michael
| | Posted on Saturday, October 13, 2001 - 8:12 am: | |
Oh, the install to a blank temp HDD will work just fine, Rob. It's no different than installing to a brand new drive with no OS on it. The tricky part will be moving the new OS over to the old HDD. I wish I had a third drive to experiment on, so I can find the most effective and safe method before I begin screwing around with my good drive. If it comes to a point where I think I cannot do it without compromising the integrity of my valuable data, I'll just bite the bullet and shell out the 50 or 60 dollars for some more backup tapes so I can back up my whole system, then I'll reformat and do it Vera's way. I probably should back up anyway, in fact I *know* I should. But hey, I'm the adventurous type!  |
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