reinstalling 98 on an older machine...

  • Thread starter Thread starter badassmak
  • Start date Start date
Well, it would appear I have got the problem under control. The whole time I simply could not get to DOS, other than using an MSDOS disk made in XP, which does not contain the FDISK command (if I remember correctly, I'm having nightmares about error messages nowadays).

I think the original boot disk I had for WIN98 must be fubarred because it doesn't read anymore.

I didn't have access to any other WIN98 machine to make a boot floppy either.

So back to bootdisk.com. I can't believe how much of an idiot I am sometimes. I downloaded the WIN98 OEM bootdisk there, chucked it on a floppy, and well that doesn't wok. Why? Because you have to double click that download, and it extracts itself to a floppy :D.

:D


(:mad: @ self)


So I hae been able to get back to DOS, re-FDISK, and Format the whole nine yards and everything is peachy, well almost. I am having a conflict between the ethernet card, and a system ACPI BIOS controller?...I think. But the problem lies in the fact that I don't have the correct drivers for the ethernet card, so I have to go to the cable company that installed it today to get some new drivers. (the drivers on site are WRONG!) :mad: ).


Thanks a ton for all the help |:D


BTW, last question here...The harddrive in question is 20G. I'm thinking I should be partitioning into two drives, one for OS, the other for apps, as stated above. When I go into FDISK, what is the correct procedure for this? Do I make two partitions under heading number 1? and assign the OS as being the active partition?
 
Sorry I didn't answer this thread earlier. I work quite a bit with DOS boot disks. It looks like you have figured out most of it on your own.

Although I run mostly XP now, I still keep a number of different Win98 boot floppies arround. It's amazing how often they come in handy. Fortunately I go back to the old days of DOS, so I know how to build my own boot floppies easily. But the Win98 "Startup" disk has what you need if thats all you have.

As for partitioning, you would create a "Primary" partition which is what you will boot from. Then for your second partion you first create a "Extended" partion and then create a "logical" partion of the same size, inside the extended partition. However, from a performance stand point it is really better to have two different DRIVES rather than just two partitions on the same drive.

Oh and for your ethernet problem, try going into the BIOS and look for a BIOS setting saying (something like) "Plug and Play Operating system YES/NO". If it is set to YES change it to NO. That could be your problem, especially if its a 3COM network card.
 
Hey thanks R, any replies are better than none :).

I've definately learned a lot, what a pain!

I've actually gone to my service provider and they gave me a new ethernet card as well as drivers so I was able to connect to the net finally, but, I try running windows update and it tells me to log in as administrator in Windows XP, which is fairly bizarre because, well, I'm running windows 98. I have been asking questions over at CyberTechHelp.com, this thread specifically in case ya might check it out, http://www.cybertechhelp.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=17158 .

I have downloaded a utility called wipeout, which I am sure you know of, but I can't even get that to work. (I think for some ungodly reason, the format and fdisk features of the bootdisk aren't enough :( .)

But for sure I will try to get into the BIOS and look for the plug n play setting. Man I hope this works, I will never touch a Compaq again :).
 
Oops, I forgot to ask, do you think its better performancewize to have two partitions, one for OS, one for other stuff on a harddrive of this nature?

I know two is preferable, but it isn't an option here.
 
From a performance standpoint, in my experiance having two partitions on one drive doesn't really make a difference. The only reasons for 2 partions on one drive are organizational. It is nice to have one area for just the OS and applications, no data. It keeps the system neat, you don't have to drag often, and it's less of a hassle to backup. Then use you second partion just for data (and a place to write backups of your system).

The reason two seperate drives is better is that if you put them on seperate IDE controllers, your OS and data-using applications can work through seperate IDE channels, which is more efficent.

That Windows Update error IS bizzare. I still support a lot of Win98 machines where I work, and many XP units as well. I have occasion to run Windows Update fairly often, and I've never had something like that happen on a Win98 box.

As you probably know, Microsoft will be ending support of Windows 98 soon. Its a good thing for anyone still using it to be sure to check for this date, and run Windows Update on your systems before they shut it down. And if any of you have flaky Win 98 systems, I would backup/reformat/reinstall/Update before the deadline.
 
Wow, that sure is nice of microsoft, forcing people to go buy XP :D, because 98 support will be down soon. Interesting info, thanks for the tip R. I am getting even worse errors, IE it wont boot anything other than safe mode, so I am pretty much lost. I just did a scandisk all is well, and now I'm running a time consuming surface scan, although 3/4 of the way thru no problemo so far.

This isn't even my computer I am working on, I may end up telling buddy to upgrade to XP anyhow.
 
Try this...

I build a lot of computers from parts, and all the info has been on the money, But try this, just for S & G.....before you Fdisk and format the hard drive, type in the following at the prompt,
fdisk /mbr. This will wipe out any old master boot records lying around on the start of the hdd. It has worked for me a few times on 95, 95b, 98, and 98se. It didnt work for me on ME tho. Good luck.
 
That works to fix a corrupted mbr, which can be caused by some virues. But if you are going to try it make sure the boot disk you boot from is made with EXACTLY the same version of windows that you currently have on your system.
 
Ok, you know, I might try that too :D. I am still having conflicts with that system device ACPI BIOS whatever, and the ethernet card. I have tried three different ethernet cards and the same thing keeps happening. I have also tried installing them on every different PCI slot, as well, switching the IRQ's in the BIOS. I hope it isn't the damn mobo. I am also going to try installing everything on a seperate harddrive and see if maybe it is just the MBR on the one harddrive. I think if this keeps happening I will be able to safely rule out harddrives though.

I'm not sure if I asked this yet or not, but is there a utility I can downloa to check for mobo problems, or will Norton utilities (2000) be able to detect such a thing?

Just thought I would mention that I also spent quite a few hours the other day with online support at Compaq/HP, and if anything that is their saving grace as a company, from a consumers standpoint. Although, when it was all said and done, I am still having these problems. I have yet to get back to them as well, we shall see.

The main problem is that the damn thing crashes all the frickin time.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top