Reconstruction

I'm clearing out and reinstalling Windows 98 on my oldest computer. It's a big desktop with 140 megabytes of RAM, and about 7 Gigabytes of hard drive space. Sucky, but not completely useless.

My dad was going to use it for typing.

Well, this computer is loaded with glitches. Which is why I gotta wipe everything and start anew. It's full of remaining old files of programs that I uninstalled by simply deleting the files to the recycle bin, because I didn't know any better as a little kid. It's full of stuff that keeps starting up when windows starts, even when I uncheck the option to do so. It's full of random files in random locations. It's full of crap.

So, can someone please tell me how to reinstall the OS for a Windows 98, and delete everything on its partition? It's far different than an XP. Microsoft article says to reinstall the OS once the computer has entered the desktop. But that won't delete the partition. However, if I tried doing it the XP way, it wouldn't take me to the partition selection screen. I fear if I delete the partition, I won't be able to reinstall the new OS since I don't know how besides doing it at the desktop, which won't be possible if the partition is deleted.

EDIT: Please read my second post.

Then get XP ?_?

Install XP on a 7 gig, 140 ram computer? Why don't I just try to run Oblivion on a cell phone!?

I HAVE a windows XP. It's a very nice computer. I also have a nice XP laptop. I'm talking about my THIRD computer.

I'm sick and tired of saying this, but fuck it.

"Don't tell me if I should or shouldn't, just tell me HOW!"

Actually, I figured it out. I just need to know how to delete the partition on a windows 98. I need to know how to delete it so that all data is wiped.

Can anybody tell me how to do that? Please?

Select everything, right click and choose delete. It worked for my C: drive. 

Windows XP will run perfectly fine on 7 gigs of space and 140 megs of ram. You're like triple the requirements for XP. XP is also a hell of alot more stable than 98, uses a better file system (NTFS) that will better suit your dad's needs, etc.

Just install XP on it, seriously.

I used to run XP on a pentium III 500 Mhz with 128 megs of ram and a 10 gig HD. It ran perfectly ok, and I even gamed on it (Quake III and other games around that generation). Hell, before that I was using XP on a Pentium 200Mhz with 96 ram and a 4.3Gb drive.

Install XP on it and then come back and make another thread, I/we'll help you slim it down and that box will be a perfect typing machine =)

I can't install XP on it. It won't let me install any OS unless I put the windows 98 disk in first, which prompts it to allow me to start the installation when I turn it on. Unless you're telling me to install XP on it while it's already on and at the desktop. But I can't wipe the data that way.

I need to know how to wipe my partitions for a 98 before installing ANY OS on it.

Take out your HD, break it, get a new one. Save up your japanese cartoon women money for a while.

Take out your HD, break it, get a new one. Save up your japanese cartoon women money for a while.

... what... is... your... PROBLEM!

PARTITION DELETION! DO IT, HOW DO I? I need to wipe the data.

If you're able to, enter your BIOS and set it to check CDROMs for booting from. Then put the XP disc in.

Then it'll let you boot the XP disc, which before installing XP will let you format the drive (in NTFS too, vastly superior to FAT32 (windows 98)).

Alternatively you should be able, while booted into 98, to just put the XP disc in and run it from inside 98. It should give you some options like new install or upgrade, and you should pick new install of course =)

lol my problem is a secret hushhush.

Also doesn't 98 have a partition in the BIOS already, somewhere around system wipe?

I've never messed with 98 lolz

How do I access "BIOS" on the windows 98?

It depends on your chipset.

When you boot up your computer, it should do the normal check and it should have something like "Press X to goto Setup", "X" being the key. The key is normally the delete key, but different chipsets are now using one of the F-keys as the setup key.

In short, boot up the PC and press the key that says it will take you to Setup.

http://www.google.com/search?q=accessing+Windows+98+BIOS&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a

You could purposely run a Del tree virus, THEN install win 98.  :/ It's not exactly the 'correct way to do things but it works.

Good old

Code: [Select]

format C:

should work. (You need to write it in command prompt).

But you mmight need to boot from windows CD after that (I'm not sure), so you should really first try to access BIOS settings to enable booting from CD. On some really old machines, BIOS could not start CD itself, because CD-drive needed drivers provided by OS. (and BIOS is the thing which starts up before OS). If that is the case, you may need to create a boot (floppy) disk, then format the hard disk, boot from boot disk, install the CD drive's drivers (which you should also get before demolishing your existing setup with format), and then install Windows. Boot disks can be obtained for example from http://bootdisk.com/. It is also possible WIN 98 allowed creation of bootdisk from some system tools.

Most typical keys to access BIOS setup are F2, F8 and F5. Try hitting these when your computer is starting. (when cpu runs POSTs, before windows is starting)

Do we have Windows XP uploaded on this site?
I installed my own into the 98, but it wants me to activate it, and I don't feel comfortable activating two computers with the same code. Besides, my 98 isn't connected to the internet.

Is there like a hacked Windows XP here?