how do I Change fat32 back to fat 16 or repartition my harddrive

Adjusted points to 100

Would you rather run FAT16 permanently?

This warning doesn't make sence.  You can format, and install 98 as FAT32 with no problems.  What is the exact warning you get?

If formatting anyway, use Fdisk to remove the FAT32 partitins, and re-create the partitions as FAT16. (answer No to Large disk support)

Perhaps stefarq, you are concerned about saving files or data?  

Is this Windows 98 First Edition or Second Edition?  Sorry for this potentially silly question, but they do vary and I've helped folks where this was most pertinent.

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Thus, this may help:

 http://support.microsoft.com/support/windows/readme/Win98se/W98segeneraltxt.asp?LNG=ENG&SA=PER#LARGE

PLEASE CHECK THIS LINK, it exactly answers your FAT question with guidance as to the process:

http://support.microsoft.com/support/windows/InProductHelp98/app_fat32_convert.asp?LNG=ENG&SA=PER
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Here's a synopsis:
Using Drive Converter (FAT32)
Drive Converter converts your drive to the FAT32 file system, an enhancement of the File Allocation Table (FAT or FAT16) file system format. When your drive is in this format, it stores data more efficiently, creating up to several hundred MB of extra disk space on the drive. In addition, programs load faster and your computer uses fewer system resources.

Start Drive Converter (FAT32).

Notes
You can start Drive Converter by clicking Start, pointing to Programs, pointing to Accessories, pointing to System Tools, and then clicking Drive Converter.
Once you convert your hard drive to FAT32 format using Drive Converter, you cannot return to using the FAT16 format unless you repartition and reformat the FAT32 drive. If you converted the drive on which Windows 98 is installed, then you must reinstall Windows 98 after repartitioning the drive.
Older disk compression software is not compatible with FAT32. If your drive is already compressed, you may not be able to convert to FAT32.
If you convert a removable disk and use the disk with other operating systems that are not FAT32-compatible, you cannot access the disk when running the other operating system.
If your computer has a hibernate feature, the conversion may turn off this feature. See your computer documentation for details.
Because previous versions of Windows are not compatible with FAT32, you cannot uninstall Windows 98 after converting.
Although most programs are not affected by the conversion from FAT16 to FAT32, some disk utilities that depend on FAT16 do not work with FAT32 drives. You will be prompted if you are running one of these utilities. Contact your disk utility manufacturer to see if there is an updated version that is compatible with FAT32.
If you convert your hard drive to FAT32 using Drive Converter, you can no longer use dual boot to run earlier versions of Windows (Windows 95 [Version 4.00.950], Windows NT 3.x, Windows NT 4.0, and Windows 3.x). However, if you are on a network, earlier versions of Windows can still gain access to your FAT32 hard drive through the network.
 

Vibespro, you've been logged onto this site for more than a year, but obviously you haven't spent much time in this area. Techs here do not post what should be comments or their best guess as a proposed answer. You are close, but your answer is still not correct as it is incomplete. Kindly observe the established protocol in this area by not posting incomplete information as an answer, or the information someone else has posted as your answer.

Stefarg, kindly reject the answer proposed by Vibespro as it is incomplete and further, it contains the same info as posted by someone else.

Thanks,
Dennis

Stefarg, here's the correct procedure for you. This presumes that you have Windows 98 on your PC currently. If you do not have a Windows 98 Startup Boot Disk, you can make one by going to Control Panel, Add/Remove Programs, Startup disk. After you have a startup disk, use Find, Files and Folders and copy FORMAT.COM to it.

Now boot your computer to the startup disk to insure that it works. You will be given a choice to boot with or without CD Rom drive support. Choose "With" and then try and access your cd rom drive to insure that you can access it. If you can, then go on. If you cannot, let us know.

Presuming that you can access the CD, then at the dos prompt, type:

FDISK<enter>

You will be asked if you want to enable large hard drive support. Answer N for no. This will enable FAT16, but keep in mind that you will only be able to create a 2 Gig drive partition for FAT 16.

Once in the Fdisk menu, remove the partitions by following the instructions. Now recreate them starting with the initial boot partition, making it 2 Gigs in size and making it active.

Now, if your drive is larger than 2 Gigs, create your other partitions, but stay at or under 2 gigs. When done, ESC out of Fdisk.

Now reboot the system to the startup disk again.

Now format the "C" partition using the /S switch to transfer the system files. You don't have to do this for Win98, but this will enable you to test the partition. The correct syntax is FORMAT C:/S<enter>

Once the format is complete, pop the floppy out of the drive and boot to the "C" drive. If all is okay, boot back to the floppy and choose "With CD Rom Drive Support" and load Windows 98 normally.

Dennis

hey fool!!
 I was here before those guys maybe they posted a comment when I was typing out the answer...

And Stefarg I'll be right back right the exact, complete answer for you

Vibespro, First, I asked you nicely to cooperate, and second, watch your language. I'm not your fool, or anyone else's! The next step is yours!

VIBESPRO
"maybe they posted a comment when I was typing out the answer..."  Look at the times there was 4 hours between astecs comment and your first proposed answer.  How slow do you type ?

Stefarg, accepting VIBESPRO'S answer was wrong. Jason_S posted the information first. Vibrespro did nothing more than jump the answer for the points.

sorry about my language but there were ONLY (2)TWO coments when I first say the question.  I then applied what I type on my secondary hard drive to make sure it works right.  Then I typed the answer afterwards.  I can't explain the difference in the time but TRUST me I DID NOT stay that long/  I was online for only (1)one hour!!!

:O(   takes more muscles than    :O)
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(and feels better for the smiler and watcher of the smiles).  

Everyone benefits if NO ONE ANSWERS, in my humble opinion.  Thus, the person spending the points for the answer has total choice as to how/when any comment is converted to an answer and graded.  ANSWERS posted, lock the question and minimize exposure to others.  

Asta

stefarg,
For your future reference, when you go to grade a question, make sure that the proposed answer is by the expert you want to receive the points for your question.

If the proposed answer is not by the expert you want to receive the points, then choose the option below the question " 2.Reject xxx's proposed answer. Once you have rejected the proposed answer, you will get the option beside comments by other experts to Accept Comment as Answer.  You can then choose which comment you would like to accept.

Jason_S
Dennis feels you should have received credit for this question.  Look in this topic area to see the question I have posted to credit you for your participation at this question.

Linda Gardner
Customer Service @ Experts Exchange

Thank you Linda!

Happy Holidays everyone :-)

Thanks Linda, and Dennis.

Anytime Jason!

Hello All,
Sorry about the delay of a response (I know 4 years is a bit rediculus but I moved abroad very soon after this message and so didn't see some of the responses), I only just
noticed the responses to the messages now.
I realise that this is way past due, but I would like to profusely apologise for the hassle this caused, I was inexperienced with using such sites when I awarded the points and
realise that this mess was my fault but it was all unintentional.
stefarg