Upgrade to 98

Edited text of question

Ok, you're saying if I install win98 onto whats now a C:(2GB) and D:(6.4GB) that I'll have a single C:(8.4GB) with no datat loss on the original D: ?

Another thing, its win95 OSR2 (95b) so if I enable LBA for a FAT32 system, will i get the same result as above i.e single  8.4GB drive with no data loss on the original D:

> If I install win98 onto whats now a C:(2GB) and
> D:(6.4GB) that I'll have a single C:(8.4GB)
> with no data loss on the original D: ?

That's a different question,
and deserves its own answer, namely: NO!!
Why not just install WIN98 into C:,
and leave D: "untouched" ??

> Another thing, its win95 OSR2 (95b)
> so if I enable LBA for a FAT32 system,
> will I get the same result as above, i.e.,
> single 8.4GB drive with no data loss on the original D:

NO!  Enabling LBA will *INSTANTLY* make *ALL*
of your current data 100% *NOT* accessible,

When installing software, you really should make
a "backup" of D: before you start to install.

There's no "shortcut" --
you will have to backup everything from D:
delete the C: and D: partitions,
reset to LBA mode,
recreate the partition,
install WIN98,
and reload from your backup.

Ok, if I install 98 onto the c:, your saying i will have the exact same drive setup but with a 'different' operating system, with a different FAT (32), and no data loss!

I can't see the point in installing 98 and then formatting the partition(s) it creates, will this mean 98 will have to be re-installed after the format, if so, why not format then install instead of installing-format-installing, or am I confusing the issue?

> if I install 98 onto the c:,
> you're saying i will have the exact same drive setup
> but with a 'different' operating system,
> with a different FAT (32), and no data loss!

Yes.  Windows 98 can "convert" a FAT16 partition to FAT32,
and the "installation" does not affect any data-files
on any other drive-letter.

> I can't see the point in installing 98
> and then formatting the partition(s) it creates,

It is pointless to install, and then to re-format,
which will wipe-out all the freshly-installed files.

> will this mean 98 will have to be re-installed after the format,

After a "format", the drive-letter is 100% "empty",
and re-installing is necessary.

> why not format then install instead of installing-format-installing,

It is an advantage to having a "working" system,
i.e., with CD-ROM support, and to access the WIN98
installation CD-ROM from within your current system,
as compared to trying to install from a "bare" system.

> or am I confusing the issue?

I sense your confusion.
There is no *NEED* to re-format,
but there could be some advantages,
i.e., the ability to use FAT32,
and some disadvantages,
i.e., backing-up your current D: drive,
and then deleting C: and D:
and then defining a new, larger, C:,
and reloading the "data" from your backup.

Where do i backup to? I have no tape drive or Jaz drive or anything similar!!

> Where do i backup to? I have no tape drive or Jaz drive or anything similar!!

It doesn't matter, just as long as you *DO* make a backup.

You can even use FTP, if you have a dial-up modem or a cable-modem.

Whats that all about, where's that going to back up the stuff to??
Can I back up to the hard-disk, or will it be formatted before i get a chance to restore it?

You can make a backup any time you like.
The best time to make one is just before
starting the upgrade to Windows 98,
or before changing/merging the disk's partitions.