Win ME to 98 Headache

[dmhill23]

I recently acquired my mothers computer that is very cluttered. She has a 192 MB hard drive that she seperated in three different ways C: D: and E: (dont even ask me why). Anyway, she is running ME on it and had borrowed the software from a relative so I do not have the software for that. I have 98SE of my own that I can install but I cant get rid of ME. Let me tell you what I have tried so far.

1. I just inserted the disk and of course it gave me the error that it will not load because ME is an update.

2. Off the web I got directions to do MD-DOS prompt
CD\ at windows prompt
FORMAT C:/S then enter
ME does not respond to /S
As I am sure you can tell I have no real clue what I am doing but I certainly did'nt think it would be this hard.

Well anything you could suggest would be great! Thanks in advance!

 

[brendandonhu]

Theres 2 problems here.
1. Windows ME cant possible be on a 192 meg hard drive. Maybe the hard drive has 192 megs of free space?

2. Its illegal to use the same Windows disk on multiple computers.

Please clarify if #2 applies, we may not be able to help you.

 

[dmhill23]

Well you are right she says that it is big. From what I can see it is when I click on each spot CD&E it looks like about 18GB added up together is that possible?

 

[dmhill23]

I have never used this other software before. It was given to me by a boss of mine that never used it. The "boot disk" and stuff is still in the package.

 

[brendandonhu]

Yes, 18 GB total. Same size as mine.

Use a boot disk to go into DOS mode.
Enter
FORMAT C:
then hit enter. It will format the drive. All data will be lost, so make backups of important data first.

Then proceed to install Windows 98 off the disk.

 

[pyritechips]

Hello!

I believe 192 sounds more like RAM. And having more that one partition is much more preferable than having only one. It is just a suggestion but I recommend using the "fdisk" utility to make 2 partitions. In the future, if you have a problem with windows and need to reformat/reinstall, you need not worry about losing data or the need to back it up.

 

[brendandonhu]

Jim! You didnt post your partitioning guide.
Dmhill-Pyritechips wrote a great How-To on partitioning and using FDISK.
http://members.shaw.ca/pyritechips/JimsGuide.htm

 

[dmhill23]

Great I will look at this real quick, then every one cross there fingers!! LOL

 

[pyritechips]

hello dmhill!

If you want to try fdisk, read through the guide carefull so you know what is involved and also print it out!

 

[dmhill23]

I am printing it out now. But is this going to help with my hard drive reformat issue?

 

[brendandonhu]

It will help you format, and create partitions.

 

[dmhill23]

Before I go on what is the volume label?

 

[pyritechips]

Go to My Computer. Look at the drives. If they have volume labels they will be stated there. If not all you will see is (C: ) etc.

 

[dmhill23]

Well I did it last night and I got 98 on there but now I cant get my drivers to load!! LOL If it is not one thing its another!

 

[pyritechips]

Hello again!

Glad to hear it all worked out for you. Did you partition?

Exactly what drivers do you need to load and how are you loading them? Win98 can be very stubborn when it comes to drivers! My NIC driver always gives me error messages and headaches

List what you need to install and exactly what you have tried so far.