CharlieJoe
asked on
Reformating & drivers
I have a friend who has a 486 PC with Windows 3.1. He has somehow erased his CD rom drivers and can't undelete them. Instead of downloading them from the net, can we do the following to bring his software up to date:
1.Format the C drive in dos
2. Install Windows 95 form floppies
3. Have W95 use its own drivers etc to recognise the CD and everything else?
4. If we do reformat the hard drive, will the pc still recognise the floppy drive & mouse, to let us achieve the above?
Thanks for your help.
CharlieJoe
1.Format the C drive in dos
2. Install Windows 95 form floppies
3. Have W95 use its own drivers etc to recognise the CD and everything else?
4. If we do reformat the hard drive, will the pc still recognise the floppy drive & mouse, to let us achieve the above?
Thanks for your help.
CharlieJoe
Why go through all this hassle?? Just download the appropriate drivers and install them, then you won't have to go through installing all your applications again.
If it's an obscure CD-Rom you'll have to pull them from the net anyway, as they might not be supplied with the Windows kit.
If you do reformat, the PC will boot from the floppy drive, but you might need mouse drivers to get your mouse working.
Alternatively, this is a good opportunity to upgrade to Win95 but only do this if you really need to. Win95 will run slowly on a 486-based computer, so an upgrade is only worth while if you think it is absolutely necessary. If you are happy with the applications you have got, stick with 3.11 till you can afford a new computer.
If it's an obscure CD-Rom you'll have to pull them from the net anyway, as they might not be supplied with the Windows kit.
If you do reformat, the PC will boot from the floppy drive, but you might need mouse drivers to get your mouse working.
Alternatively, this is a good opportunity to upgrade to Win95 but only do this if you really need to. Win95 will run slowly on a 486-based computer, so an upgrade is only worth while if you think it is absolutely necessary. If you are happy with the applications you have got, stick with 3.11 till you can afford a new computer.
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ASKER
I can't really just upgrade from 3.1 using floppies as I only have the full Win 95, not the upgrade version.
That is why I was going to format my mates hard drive, but was worried re the floopy & mouse etc.(as well as the video card)
Has this any bearing on the process?
That is why I was going to format my mates hard drive, but was worried re the floopy & mouse etc.(as well as the video card)
Has this any bearing on the process?
WIN95 STILL might not find your CDROM.
BEST is the answer by KAD ... get the info on your CDROM drive (make model and what is it hooked up to ... ide? panasonic? etc) and download the drivers. I have tons of drivers for older CDROM if you can't find them, email me.
BEST is the answer by KAD ... get the info on your CDROM drive (make model and what is it hooked up to ... ide? panasonic? etc) and download the drivers. I have tons of drivers for older CDROM if you can't find them, email me.
ASKER
Thanks for your help.
My mate is really grateful.
My mate is really grateful.
Thanks JefLars, I thought I had the best answer too... but I didn't get the points... not that I bitter or anything! :)
ASKER