chansen_be
asked on
Installing Windows 98 instead of Windows NT4ws
Can anyone explain to me how to install Windows 98, when I've already got WinNT4ws (stand alone). As I'm relatively new with computers, I'd very much like a "clear" explanation. I've never installed an OS before (never reformatted, made a boot disk or whatever), so the explanation will have to be pretty detailed ! I'd also like to know if anyone thinks it's best to keep Windows NT (more stable...). I don't have any problems with NT - I just think Win 98 might be more "userfriendly" (?). Thanks very much.
Nt is better than Win98 and not that hostile people think. If you don't play games that specifically require win98, then keep your NT.
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Chansen,
Wistex is right about starting from scartch if you decide to change to Win98. If you do here is what you would have to do.
STEP ONE
You first need to decide what operating system you intend to load after formatting the hard drive. It is best and easiest to use a boot disk for that Operating System. You will need the proper boot disk in order to load the operating system on the computer, else it will reject loading due to the wrong Operating System on the computer. If you don't have a Win98 bootdisk you can download one from here
www.bootdisk.com
You will also need to set up the partition(s) by using FDISK and then format the drive using FORMAT.
STEP TWO
a) Insert your boot disk in the floppy drive and start the computer. Once the system has completed booting and an A: prompt appears you are ready to start.
b) Type FDISK and several options will pop up.
c) You will want to determine what partitions already exist and delete them. You do this by choosing option 4, Display partition information, and pressing ENTER. This screen will tell you the partitions that exist. Most people will only have one but there could be more. Next press ESC and you will return to the FDISK OPTIONS screen.
d) From this window you will be able to delete the partition(s).
Choose option 3 and press ENTER. On the next screen choose option 1 and press ENTER. Press ENTER again and a line will come up asking you to enter the Volume Label of the drive which is displayed at the top of the page. Type in this Volume Label and press ENTER and a confirmation screen will appear, press Y to confirm it and press ENTER, and it will delete it. Press ESC and you will return to the FDISK OPTIONS screen.
e) Now you need to create a new primary DOS partition.
Choose option 1 and press ENTER. At this point you will be asked if you want to enable large disk support, answer Y and press ENTER. Press ESC and you return to the options screen.
f) That should have you ready for the next step. Reboot the computer with the floppy still in and when it is again booted to the A: prompt you'll begin the FORMAT command.
STEP THREE
a) Type: format C: /s and press ENTER.
b) Format should display: WARNING, ALL DATA ON
NON-REMOVABLE DISK DRIVE C: WILL BE LOST!
Proceed with Format (Y/N)? Type Y and press ENTER.
Your screen should display the size of your drive and a countdown in precentage of formatting completed. Depending on your computer's speed and the size of the drive it can take from a few minutes to complete.
c) When it reaches 100% complete, you will see a new message:
FORMAT COMPLETE. SYSTEM TRANSFERED. This indicates that the files required to boot your computer from the hard drive have been copied from the floppy to the hard drive. The computer can now boot from the hard drive without a boot disk in the floppy drive.
d) You will see one last message:
Volume label (11 characters, ENTER for none)?
Type anything you like or leave it blank - Press ENTER
e) Take out the floppy and reboot the computer. You can now begin to load your Operating System by inserting the CD into the player and typing D:\setup where D: is the CD player.
Hope that helps you
Mrbreeze
Wistex is right about starting from scartch if you decide to change to Win98. If you do here is what you would have to do.
STEP ONE
You first need to decide what operating system you intend to load after formatting the hard drive. It is best and easiest to use a boot disk for that Operating System. You will need the proper boot disk in order to load the operating system on the computer, else it will reject loading due to the wrong Operating System on the computer. If you don't have a Win98 bootdisk you can download one from here
www.bootdisk.com
You will also need to set up the partition(s) by using FDISK and then format the drive using FORMAT.
STEP TWO
a) Insert your boot disk in the floppy drive and start the computer. Once the system has completed booting and an A: prompt appears you are ready to start.
b) Type FDISK and several options will pop up.
c) You will want to determine what partitions already exist and delete them. You do this by choosing option 4, Display partition information, and pressing ENTER. This screen will tell you the partitions that exist. Most people will only have one but there could be more. Next press ESC and you will return to the FDISK OPTIONS screen.
d) From this window you will be able to delete the partition(s).
Choose option 3 and press ENTER. On the next screen choose option 1 and press ENTER. Press ENTER again and a line will come up asking you to enter the Volume Label of the drive which is displayed at the top of the page. Type in this Volume Label and press ENTER and a confirmation screen will appear, press Y to confirm it and press ENTER, and it will delete it. Press ESC and you will return to the FDISK OPTIONS screen.
e) Now you need to create a new primary DOS partition.
Choose option 1 and press ENTER. At this point you will be asked if you want to enable large disk support, answer Y and press ENTER. Press ESC and you return to the options screen.
f) That should have you ready for the next step. Reboot the computer with the floppy still in and when it is again booted to the A: prompt you'll begin the FORMAT command.
STEP THREE
a) Type: format C: /s and press ENTER.
b) Format should display: WARNING, ALL DATA ON
NON-REMOVABLE DISK DRIVE C: WILL BE LOST!
Proceed with Format (Y/N)? Type Y and press ENTER.
Your screen should display the size of your drive and a countdown in precentage of formatting completed. Depending on your computer's speed and the size of the drive it can take from a few minutes to complete.
c) When it reaches 100% complete, you will see a new message:
FORMAT COMPLETE. SYSTEM TRANSFERED. This indicates that the files required to boot your computer from the hard drive have been copied from the floppy to the hard drive. The computer can now boot from the hard drive without a boot disk in the floppy drive.
d) You will see one last message:
Volume label (11 characters, ENTER for none)?
Type anything you like or leave it blank - Press ENTER
e) Take out the floppy and reboot the computer. You can now begin to load your Operating System by inserting the CD into the player and typing D:\setup where D: is the CD player.
Hope that helps you
Mrbreeze
Some of these comments need Chapter titles, heh heh!
Hi,
Why don't you just wait for Windows 2000. It combines the advantages of both NT4 and Win98. It's also very easy to upgrade.
Byeee...
Why don't you just wait for Windows 2000. It combines the advantages of both NT4 and Win98. It's also very easy to upgrade.
Byeee...