[The Castle]

I'm going to format my drive and reinstall Windows ME. Unfortunately I'm a bit of a novice when it comes to this kind of thing, I did however find a guide on reinstalling ME. I found some of the 'technical talk' a little hard to understand though so I'm hoping some of the people on here may be able to help me!

Phase 1

1.Switch on the PC and put the Windows Me CD into the CD-ROM. Press the reset button on the PC and allow it to boot.

Where is the restet button located? How do I get the PC to boot, will it do this automatically once I've pressed the restet button?

2.The PC should boot to the CD-ROM, if not check your motherboard manual to enable 'Boot to CD-ROM' in its BIOS settings.

What does ' boot to CD-ROM' mean exactly? What is the BIOS setting and how do I change it?

3.From the next menu, select Start Windows Me setup from the CD-ROM

Will this just be an option that comes up in a list?

4.The system will load some basic software to enable it to install

Will I need to be able to connect to the internet to allow this basic software?

5.Select Configure unallocated space (recommended) and press ENTER

What does selecting 'configure unallocated space' do exactly? Will this be another option which comes up on the setup menue?

6.The system will 'Partition' the hard disk such that it can prepare it for storing data

This is a silly question but what does partitioning the hard disc mean?

This is only phase one, there are a further three phases. I didn't want to bombard you pages of questions though- so I will leave it at that for now.

If anyone could help I would be very grateful, I'm a bit nervous about doing this and I want to make sure I've done everything right!

Many thanks

[raybro]

OK, I'll take a shot at this. First, let me explain a few things.

1. The reference to a "reset button" is simply to have you restart the computer after you have the CD inserted into the drive. You can accomplish the same thing by pressing the start button to turn it off, then again to turn it on. Assuming you computer has a reset botton, it is generally located near the Start button.

2. If you have never accessed or changed the BIOS settings in your computer, it is probably set up in the standard boot sequence which should have the CD drive second in the sequence. IF that is the case, it will boot into the CD (assuming there is no floppy disk in the A drive). It will be pretty obvious if it does. The best way to find out is to try it. If it does not, we can go from there.

3. You will not need to be connected to the internet during the install process. Once the install begins, just follow the instructions.

Before you tackle this. I gotta tell you it doesn't sound as though you are very experienced with computers. I would be the last one to try to discourage anyone from learning and expanding their knowledge, but I suggest you read through the entire process before you start and be very sure you have everything you need. Then decide whether to proceed.

After the OS is installed, there should be reference to installing drivers for the various hardware items. You will need the various CD's for things like printers, scanners, game devices, etc. Your internet connection must be configured. Then you must update the newly installed Operating System (ME) at the MS Windows Update Site. Then you have to install the various software applications. Things like MS Office, Antivirus program, Firewall, whatever utilities you want, etc. etc. There is a lot of stuff to do AFTER the OS in installed. This could be a lengthy process.

Whatever you decide to do, I'll help in any way I can. I'm sure others will chime in also. The folks here just like to help. When you post back, tell us about your system. Brand, size of HD, how much RAM, what external hardware you have (printer, scanner, etc). Also, be as precise and complete as possible in your descriptions of what happens. Take notes and record any messages, warnings and anything else you do not understand.

IMPORTANT... Will you have access to the internet on another computer while you are doing this?

Also tell us where you got the instruction for doing the format and install. Assuming you got the document on-line, just provide a link to the site so we can take a look. Someone here may know where you can get a better instruction or have some comment about it.

Raybro

[bearone2]

Originally Posted by The Castle

I'm going to format my drive and reinstall Windows ME. Unfortunately I'm a bit of a novice when it comes to this kind of thing, I did however find a guide on reinstalling ME. I found some of the 'technical talk' a little hard to understand though so I'm hoping some of the people on here may be able to help me!

Phase 1

1.Switch on the PC and put the Windows Me CD into the CD-ROM. Press the reset button on the PC and allow it to boot.

Where is the restet button located? How do I get the PC to boot, will it do this automatically once I've pressed the restet button?

2.The PC should boot to the CD-ROM, if not check your motherboard manual to enable 'Boot to CD-ROM' in its BIOS settings.

What does ' boot to CD-ROM' mean exactly? What is the BIOS setting and how do I change it?

3.From the next menu, select Start Windows Me setup from the CD-ROM

Will this just be an option that comes up in a list?

4.The system will load some basic software to enable it to install

Will I need to be able to connect to the internet to allow this basic software?

5.Select Configure unallocated space (recommended) and press ENTER

What does selecting 'configure unallocated space' do exactly? Will this be another option which comes up on the setup menue?

6.The system will 'Partition' the hard disk such that it can prepare it for storing data

This is a silly question but what does partitioning the hard disc mean?

This is only phase one, there are a further three phases. I didn't want to bombard you pages of questions though- so I will leave it at that for now.

If anyone could help I would be very grateful, I'm a bit nervous about doing this and I want to make sure I've done everything right!

Many thanks

#3. select yes and follow the prompts to reinstall or format/install.

if you have the same hardware me should find it.
if it doesn't find on the cd what it needs you'll need floppies or cd's to install what me can't.

if it finds/installs the ethernet card and there's no exclamation point next to it in network adapters in device manager, at some point you'll be asked if you want to setup an internet account.

if the ethernet card didn't install you'll ned the inf/controller file for the card on the floppy or cd.

it's not as hard as it may seem, have fun with it.

raybro
"Then you must update the newly installed Operating System (ME) at the MS Windows Update Site"

"must update", is this a rule written somewhere?

[flavallee]

You can boot from a Windows XP CD and format the hard drive and do a fresh install of Windows XP because it's designed to do that.

To do a fresh install of Windows ME, you need a fully-bootable startup floppy disk to boot from and to format the hard drive and start the install process of Windows ME.

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[raybro]

bearone2
"Then you must update the newly installed Operating System (ME) at the MS Windows Update Site"

"must update", is this a rule written somewhere?

"Must update" is, IMHO, just common sense. If one wants to be picky, perhaps "Should" could have been used rather than "Must".

As I'm sure you are aware, there are security and system performance issues addressed by the update process. To make a point of this seems to me to be irrelavent to the original posters goals and creates nothing more than confusion for a novice.

Raybro

[Bob Cerelli]

In case there are any important data files that have not been backed up, you do not need to format to get the benefits of a clean install. Just wanting to let you know that you at least have a choice there.

[flavallee]

T_C:

B_C has jumped into your thread, so you might want to ask his advice. He also has a website that provides good information on the various ways to install Windows - with or without doing a format.

http://www.onecomputerguy.com/

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[bearone2]

Originally Posted by raybro

"Must update" is, IMHO, just common sense. If one wants to be picky, perhaps "Should" could have been used rather than "Must".

As I'm sure you are aware, there are security and system performance issues addressed by the update process. To make a point of this seems to me to be irrelavent to the original posters goals and creates nothing more than confusion for a novice.

Raybro

i'm aware that uncle bill puts out garbage to fix garbage, to fix garbage.

check the sig, sp4 for w2k is the only thing i do and they all work fine, all show stealth on security checks at symantec/grc, clean virus checks, congrats, nothing found at spybot, etc.........

security/performance fixes need more fixes cuz they don't work.

[The Castle]

Thanks for all the replies- much appreciated. Here's a link to the online guide I found. http://www.buildyourown.org.uk/pc-in...ows-me/phase1/

Once thing I need to tell you before I proceed. A couple of years ago my PC was taken away by a local company so they could remove spyware etc. Whilst they were doing that they also installed XP- so we now have two operating systems on one computer. I only use ME for gaming (I don't even use it for the internet) all the other stuff Mp3s, videos, printers are used on XP. Therefore I won't need to save the drivers etc. So I was wondering will I not have to run the updates seen as I don't have a virus program or anything other than games on XP.

Ok, I'll crack on with phase two- here goes!

1.From the menu, select Start Windows Me setup from the CD-ROM again
The system will 'format' the HDD. This is the process of clearing the hard disk and preparing it to store data. This can take some considerable time depending on the size of the HDD

I'm going to use a program to delete the drives content so I was wondering whether there's a way off skipping the part of phase two where it formats the drive for you? Or does it not effect anything anyway even if you do let it format when the info's already been cleared.

2.At the Select the directory where you want to install Windows Me screen, click or TAB to the C:\WINDOWS line such that a black dot appears to the left hand side (this indicates that this option is selected and is known as a 'Radio button'

I plan on reinstalling XP not long after ME, if I install ME in C:/WINDOWS then will that prevent me from installing WXP in the same area. Will I need to install WXP in D:/WINDOWS instead?

3.The system will now check the HDD for any existing software and make sure that there is enough space on your HDD

How do you fid out if there is enough room?

4.At the Insert disk screen, follow the instructions to create a startup disk then click OK

.What is a startup disc and what is it used for?Also will I need a floppy in order to make one?

I know it's difficult to say but how long will this take roughly, (in your experience of course)?

5. This time, allow the system to boot to the HDD. A Windows Me logo screen should appear as it loads

Will it boot to HDD automatically once the ME disc is removed ?Also what does 'booting to HDD' mean exactly?

6..At the User information screen, type in your name and company name (if appropriate) into the boxes. Place the Windows Me CD back into the CD-ROM. Click Next

Is this just the name that will be registered as the admin?

I understand the rest of it well enough as not to have to ask. Any help with my final questions would be great- once again thanks for all th help so far!

To answer Raybro's question- yes, I should have access to the internet on another PC during the format.

[The Castle]

I'm just bumping this thread to the top to see if anyone can answer my questions in phase two and the final phase!

[raybro]

Hi The Castle...
It seems you present a different scenario with the dual-boot configuration (XP and ME) than was originally implied. That is not an area I am familiar with beyond being aware it may not be the same as a simple install of ME. If memory serves, I think the sequence of installation (XP than ME or ME then XP) is a consideration. I will let others respond with more knowledgeable input.

You may also consider asking a moderators opinion regarding to which forum this thread belongs. I suspect you would get better info on the XP forum.

Raybro

[Bob Cerelli]

If you want to dual boot later on, then you need to install ME first. So just follow some of the previous suggestions and install it.

If you need more information on a variety of ways to install (or re-install Win9x or ME), the can be found at:
http://www.onecomputerguy.com/install/win9x_install.htm

Topics covered are:
Overview
FDISK and/or FORMAT
First Time Install
Simple Re-Install - (Over Existing Installation)
Clean Installation or Upgrade - (Keeping Windows & Program Files Directories)
New Installation - (Removing Original Files without a Format)

[The Castle]

Thanks for the advice everyone- I've had a look at a few of the links.

For now I only want to install ME, so if anyone could help me with phase two/the final phase then that would be great!!

Once again try to explain as simply as possible.

[Bob Cerelli]

What wasn't clear from the web page listed?

[Tapeuup]

Windows ME Install step by step