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atramb

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Format HD

I want to format my HD.
What are the steps I have to follow??
I have Windows CD, the Cd-rom drivers, etc..
 
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erik_nodland
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First you need to create a boot disk. If you have windows already installed then go to Conrol Panel -> System -> Add remove programs -> Startup disk and create one there. Win98 puts all the CD drivers on as well otherwise you have to do it yourself.
If you have win95 then you need to have the cd-rom driver on your disk AND the mscdex.exe file. Then edit your config.sys and add the line:
device=a:\atapi.sys /d:mycd (or whatever your cd driver is called)

Then edit your autoexec.bat and add the line:
a:\mscdex /d:mycd

When you have your startup disk restart the machine and let it boot off it. The cd drivers should load.
Now you when you get to the a:> prompt, type format c: /s and confirm your action. It will then proceed to wipe your disk clean!! (Note: YOU WILL LOSE ALL YOUR DATA ON C:!!)
When that has finished, reboot again off your startup disk, go to the d: drive (your cd rom) and type setup and windows should then start installing.
Hope that helps,
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mule67032300

if you have widows already, create a windows95/98 start up disk through
control panel --> add and remove programs....

insert boot disk you just created into floppy drive, reboot the system, select with CD ROM support at the menu...
at the DOS prompt type "format C:/"
this will format your entire partion on the hard drive.
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
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rem16

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rem16
If you think erik should get the credit for his comment, why did you post an answer?
I notice that you are new to EE and it is stantard practice to post a comment unless you are 100% sure that you will solve the problem and also not to post other peoples comments as your answer.
Please could you change your nswer to a comment, there will be an icon to do this on your screen.
Sorry, I didn't understand the protocol.
atramb,

     Why would you want to format your hard drive to begin with? It would probably be less of a hassle to fix whatever problem that you are having, rather than erase everything you have and install all your peripherals again.


iMan
iman,

  sometimes its easy to format your hard drive if you just want to start over and you dont want to hunt down everything and delete it..
make a boot disk and restart your computer with the boot disk in it

format c: and setup your partitions

install your OS by sticking in the CD and typing SETUP

follow the prompts to install windows
I was looking at questions in the Operating Systems section and someone named "trekkie1" commented on the same question and recommended going to the following site for a detailed answer:

http://www.fastlanecomputers.com/ultimate.html

I went to the above site and I believe you would find it helpful.
Avatar of atramb

ASKER

Hey guys your suggestions are great... but I have a problem...
First of all, I tried REM idea but when i type "format c: /u /s" it says that I haven't got enough disk space to copy system files but i have like 900 MB of free space.
Then, if someone can give me step by step instructions to format my HD and install WIN95 it will be great.

If I can resolve my problem succesfully I can increse the points and give the person the points of "My Referer".

1  reject evileban's answer - it does not solve your problem and like most of his comments is not helpful either.

2  run fdisk and display partition information (option 4 ?).  write down what is shown and post it here.

3  Have you tried booting from your CD some win95 cd's will allow this.
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ASKER

Adjusted points from 30 to 75
Avatar of atramb

ASKER

Here is what I have in fdisk. Only one partition...

Partition: c:1  / Status: A  / Type: PRI DOS / Name of volume:    / Mbytes: 3087  / System: FAT32  /   Use: 100% /

Hope this will help you...
I haven't try booting from the CD...

What can I do with the problem I posted before?
Avatar of atramb

ASKER

Here is what I have in fdisk. Only one partition...

Partition: c:1  / Status: A  / Type: PRI DOS / Name of volume:    / Mbytes: 3087  / System: FAT32  /   Use: 100% /

Hope this will help you...
I haven't try booting from the CD...

What can I do with the problem I posted before?
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ASKER

I'll be VERY generous with the man who solve my problem...
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ASKER

DO YOU THINK THAT IS A GOOD ANSWER??
This was posted to the Windows98 beta boards by a Microsoft MVP and I have always followed this procedure successfully. Be sure that the start up disk recognizes the CDROM before you start!

Windows98 Clean Install proceedure

1) Create a Startup disk via Control Panel -> Add/Remove Programs -> Startup
Disk. Ensure that the disk functions properly before proceeding (ie. boot
with the disk and access a CD from the DOS prompt).

2) Back up all important data. This can be done with a writeable CD, backup
tape, second hard disk or multiple floppies (the least desirable option).

3) Restart the computer using the Startup disk, then format the hard disk
using the "/s" switch. (eg. format c: /s).

4) Type the following command at the DOS prompt (replace 'c' with your hard
drive where necessary):

    copy a:*.* c:

5) Run Setup from the Windows 98 CD (eg. e:\setup).

6) Have your Windows 3.1 or 95 disk(s) handy, because Setup requires proof
that you own a previous version of Windows if you are upgrading from Windows 95. This means you need a Microsoft Cert if Auth and a CD even if it is only a Companion CD.

7) After Setup is complete, delete the autoexec.bat and config.sys files
from your hard disk. They are no longer necessary. (I disagree with this because my CDROM needed these files).


8) Restart your computer.
atramb:

with jjcontacts clear and concise directions plus the other comments to your question, I'm hoping you will have a successful result.  I would like to hear that you were succesful and, I suspect other commentators would also.  Perhaps you could post a comment to let all of us know and then wait a few days before deleting your question.
>>when i type "format c: /u /s" it says that I haven't got enough disk space to
>>copy system files

If you want to format ONLY your disk (this is, to leave it totally nude, without operating system and nothing at all), execute a simple FORMAT C: /U/Q
which will be performed in just a couple of seconds.

That wipes out all existing data [*], and the lengthy sector-by-sector formatting process won't run, provided that your disk was formatted previously.

That MUST work, and won't give you the error you report.


[*] Actually, it erases FATs' contents; and initializes root directory, but you don't need more than that 'cause, as I've told you, your disk IS an already-formatted one.

I just noticed something - are you are doing Windows 95? If you are, there is alot more to be done. Is it version A or B or did you accidently say you were doing Windows 95 (above) and you are doing Windows98? Do you have a Windows 95 or Windows98 startup disk?

Your Windows 95 startup disk won't have CDROM drivers unless you add them.  Do you still have an operating system on the computer?  You sure could use the information from dosstart.bat about the drivers and the exactly wording necessary to add the CDROM drivers to the boot disk. You additionally can't do Windows 95A on a Fat32 disk.


The trouble is I don't know how much you already know and I am not really sure were you are now.
Avatar of atramb

ASKER

Hi ppl!! Know what? I had formated my HD and now I can't use my Cd-rom to install windows95B!!!!!!
I'm in my mom's pc...
well... i'll try plansdowne's links to see if I can find a solution.
If anyone have some ideas tell them to me... if not i think we are not going to see more around here cause my mom use a lot her PC...
Rem 16 and plansdowne both suggested the http://www.fastlanecomputers.com/
site and I think that you have everything you need to proceed. You should be up and running in a couple of hours if the CDROM is recognized.  If not, I hope you have the drivers.
Avatar of atramb

ASKER

That url is quite good, but I still have a problem... the driver there is for panasonic cd-roms and I think because that reason i can only see the main directory of the cd but i cant open any file or folder.
>>I had formated my HD

Well, you've got what you were looking for.



>>now I can't use my Cd-rom to install windows95B!!!!!!

Mmmm... that's another problem totally different. ¿Have you previously created a boot diskette? Its CD drivers come in several flavours, ¿can't you find the adequate one?


>>i can only see the main directory of the cd but i cant open any file or
>>folder.

¿What do you do to open a file or folder? Let's supose your CD is D:  Please tell us what happens when yo do this:

a)    D:    <Enter>
b)    DIR   <Enter>
         (here, you said it works OK)
c) Pick up any file name and then
      COPY/B  chosen_file  NUL
This might be a silly question but have you typed Setup.exe at the D:>\ prompt?
If you created the emergency boot disk when you first installed Win98, it should have driver support for cd access.  You may need to change the directory after booting with the Win98 disk, i.e., a:\ d or a:\ e if the cd drive was changed temporarily from d to e.  It will return to d after Win 98 is installed.
REM16
He is doing Windows95 B. I am worried that he may not have all the drivers when he gets the OS up and running if Windows doesn't recognize all his devices.
Avatar of atramb

ASKER

I used the downloads that are in the url up there...
then... the bios finds the cd-rom drive and the cd-rw drive... then i put the cd in any of this drives and I can access to the cd directory. Ex: "D:" or "E:", "dir/p" (I can now see all the folders in the cd),a folder is called "WIN95" so "cd win95" but it says that in not a valid directory but it is! AND I CAN SEE THE FOLDER CALLED WIN95!!
I don't know if you understand what is happening? I have WIN95 the one that at startup logo says "WINDOWS 95 Internet Explorer".
I have the CD-ROM drivers but I install them but i can't access D: or E:!
HELPPPPPPPPPPPP!!!!!!!!!!!
Avatar of atramb

ASKER

Now I am working in DOS cause I can't install WIN.
If you get to the D:\ or E:\ prompt and type DIR, you should see that Setup.exe is listed.  Simply type setup.exe and away you go.  Getting into the Win95 folder is not necessary.
Do you have a Windows 95 CD or a Companion CD?
As a last resort, if Plansdowne's suggestion doesn't work-and it should-if you or your mom or a friend has Win95 or even Win3.1 on floppies you could install from the a prompt with A:\ setup.exe
When you dir the CDROM are you seeing SETUP? Does the CDROM have COMPANION on it anywhere?
>>but it says that in not a valid directory but it is!

When you execute DIR command, that WIN95 folder must appear with the indicator " <DIR> " beside the name. If not, then what you're looking is not a folder, but a simple file name.

If it's actually a folder, and you're still receiving that error message, it's possible disk be corrupted or something like. If you're unable to access that folder, then nothing will be.
So you finally formatted your HDD. What else do you need? CDROM drivers. I have a generic CDROM drivers that worked with a lot of drives. LG, creative, Samsung, Cyber and philips too. Mail me and I can mail them to you. Just about 100Kb. Try with them. They are certain to work. hari_kp@yahoo.com. You seem to have problem with CD drive rather than drivers. But check these out.
I hope you see we're going into another question. The former one was "I want format my HD", which was effectively done; and that has nothing to see with "I can't handle my CD drive".
Hey does anyone know about the Dos command Change directory (cd)?
Boot up your system as you have been doing run Fdisk if needed you wont need it to just reformat. reboot after gettting into fdisk watch which drive letter is assigned to the CD. type in the drive letter D: or E: then hit enter. after the prompt changes to the CD's drive letter then type in cd win95 then press enter...
Examples:
D:\cd win95 <enter> Or E:\cd win95 <enter>
This will make the win95 directory easily accessable without the need for any switchs or path to be typed in.
after the you have done this then type in  format C: just like that. you dont need to copy the sys files the win95 set up will do that for you.
E:\win95>format C:
Then after it has finished type in the name you want for your hard drive then press enter then type in setup and press enter.
E:\win95>setup  <enter>
You guys have a way of making things much more difficult then they should be with all of your /S switch's and stuff..
Len
yikes I missed a response from Atramb he has windows loaded but cannot find his cd is what I am seeing now...
atramb can you start over because I see 3 questions here now and really am not understanding what you truly need... Are you having trouble getting the bootdisk made to even start because you cannot open the win95 folder to make it?
Why should he need to open the win95 folder? The setup should be on the root unless he has a Companion CD.  In which case, he doesn't have the ability to clean install. There isn't a setup on one of those - they are useful only to extract files - not install the OS. I have seen methods around this, but I am not sure it is a good idea to tell someone how to do this without seeing the Certificate of Authenticity.
The root setup points to the actual setup in the win95 folder. At least it does on the CD's that I have used. i have found that setup without using the autorun setup works everytime when I do that. if his CD is being ID'd as E: which is what I suspect then the autorun feature will not work and he'll have to help it along..
I have the original win95 OEM setup floppy if he wants to post his email address I'll get in touch with him and mail it to him. This is the boot diskette that was included with the OEM version of win95 he wont have the fat32 problems or whatever it is that is stopping him from creating his own boot disk and it has all of the Generic cdrom drivers on it. Including MCDEX
The autorun feature by the way looks for Drive D: to start setup on. tis is on the win95 CD's they changed it in the win98 cd's
By the way JJcontact i have seen alot of your suggestions and have a great deal of respect for your advice
Len
You are truely wonderful to say so.  My own background is a Compaq computer that I purchased 3 years ago that had a bad system board.  I sure learned alot about computers before Compaq fixed it!  I hate to see anyone as lost as I was.
LOL i started with a packard Bell 486sx that I borrowed from a friend. talk about frustration.
since then i have built and supported a couple hundred computers and am now into the networking game...
I have eight small offices that I manage right now and with the win2k deployment
(everyone wants it) this site has become a newfound godsend for me.
I am learning just by perusing the suggestions that people have offered. I'll say one thing about computers if any one person can call themselves the absolute authority on computers I would call him delusional, including Bill Gates..
Just when I think I know a lot a whole new batch of problems pops up showing me just how little I do know =)
Len Email me at jjcontact@hotmail.com
jjcontact - I agree with zapsf, your suggestions are concise and clear; an especially valuable trait for those of us much lower on the learning curve than you are.  I started out with an Apple IIE (1994) and then moved to an IBM 386 that had been in an office network and had a 40MB hd.  I had trouble getting both Win 3.1 and WordPerfect on it at a time when I only wanted it for correspondence.  Most of what I've learned since has been from mistakes I made trying to resolve problems.  However, since joining EE, I have been able to learn a ton of things from reading other people's comments to questions I find interesting and/or have wondered about.  I'm hoping atramb gets up and running soon, but I'll miss what may be one of the most active dialogs I've seen on EE thus far.

And a reminder for atramb, please let us know when you are finally up and running, I know I'll sleep better once youve resolved everything.
Find a PC with Win98 Second Edition, you will need a floppy, Goto [Control Pannel][Add/Remove Progrmas][Startup Disk][Create Disk]. Search for all "xcopy.*" files and copy them to the floppy also.
The disk includes cd-rom support for most cd-roms.


To install Win 95

Skip steps 1 and 2 since your HD is already partitioned.
You will be prompted to format in step5, this step is so that you can do a clean install of Win95.

1. Bootup with w98 disk with cd rom support
2. fdisk hd
3. Bootup with w98 disk with cd rom support
5. e: or whatever is assigned to your cd-rom, cd e:\w95, format c: /s
6. md c:\win95, xcopy e:\win95\*.* /s/e c:\win95 (for just in case cd rom is lost after w95 reboots first time.)
7. e:, cd e:\w95, setup, accept the "c:\windows" default as your windows directory.
8. Note: If your cd rom is lost after firt boot and you are asked to insert the win95 cd, point to c:\win95.
9. After win95 is finally installed your cd-rom support will be there.



Rem16
You have been there since the beginning. If he resolves this, you should get the points. I bet he has "learned the hard way" as we have.
jjcontact-I appreciate the comment but I mostly care that atramb gets up and running and I've felt all along that you were the person who best clarified everything throughout.  At best, we should split points, but I think atramb might decide you should get them and I don't have any problem with that.
rem16
I visited the site you first referred to and there wasn't any reason for further posts. It is all there! Even the boot up disk with generic drivers. I'd say you solved it. Anyway I don't have much use for expert points.  Now the points that let me ask questions are another matter!  

The only problem atramb seems to have is the lack of setup on his disk so I'd say we are looking at a companion disk. Nothing can be done except get a real copy of Windows.
If you need a bootdisk, you can download one from my website its go.to\pops. I keep a couple of different ones on the site and download when I am at remote sites if I need one, they will load up a cd-rom. Dave
If you are having a problems with windows, if that is why you want to format your hard drive, just reinstall windows. When your computer is booting up, when you see the starting windows, press F8. Press the option that says "command prompt only" When you are in dos mode, put your windows cd in the driver and type setup or install. That would reinstall windows only. You will have all the programs that you had in you hard drive before.
If you want to format your hard drive, know the name of the hard drive company(Look at the hard drive). Email that company and ask for the software to format the hard drive. They should email you the software or send you a disk. That is how I formatted my hard drive.
First creat a boot disk in windows 95/98
Then insert boot disik(Floppy)in to the drive and restart the machine.when you get the A:/ type format c: and press enter.follow the instructions from there,this will format your HDD
Ruwan
You obviously have not read all the comments for this question or you would have seen that he has formated his HD and now he can't run his CD.  Please read through all the comments and then change your answer into a comment.

Thanks
Clearly Rem16 had already done all the work. Anyway, I doubt that atramb will be back after all this time has past. I think I will refer this to Communtiy support.
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Comment accepted as answer
Your comment was right on erik_nodland! You provided good directions and they would have worked! Glad you have your machine up and running atramb. Enjoy! Dave
Thanks atramb.  And thanks also to jjcontact for his generosity of spirit and to pwoolford for setting me straight about comments vs proposed answers and to everyone for a very interesting series of comments.  Mostly I'm just glad that atramb is up and running.
rem16: Very good response! Look forward to working with you in the future. The self-satisfaction of knowing you can make a difference and working as part of the team is great! Enjoy! Dave