Intructions to flatten a PC and reinstall?

[sirius]

Can somebody provide me a comprehensive set of instructions on how to flatten a harddisk and reinstall windows.....

Besides my home computer, I need to do my works' computer tommorow. The computer is running windows98se which has no CD disk for installation - its on the harddisk (like new computers do these days) and the holographic serial is stuck to the case side.

Id rather not just reinstall over the top, becuase its been acting up for ages now and a totally fresh approach will be best I think. (For example no proper file associations even when set up properly - you double click the file to an illegal operation, the tree browser in windows explorer dissapears apart from a few blank yellow icons of folders, every time I boot up and sign in it runs the windows installation routine etc etc etc.)

Will I need to transfer the contents of my hard disk to another computer on the network? Also, I assume I have to make a CD of the 'Windows98' folder on my hard disk for reinstalling purposes after I format the disk?

I may like to add a partition like a d: drive - should I try and do this before scrubbing it or after, and what do I need to do it? (the program must be deletable if a dodgy copy).......Perhaps its easier to install a program to divide my hard disk now whilst its got windows on than trying it on dos stuff? Then the program will get lost upon reinstall?

**The important thing no matter what way it gets done, is the IP address and networkability of the PC needs to be kept intact!
Is it possible to totally re-do a computer on a network and it still be accessable after the event without hours of messing about trying 'pinging' and stuff I dont really understand?. I hope theres a way of just scrapping it, reinstalling everything and its still fully networked up after!.

I need a dummy's guide with what to type n stuff when its dos based commands, and some checklist to approach and finish the job properly with minimal disruption.

If theres anything I need off the net I need to get it today and whip it on CD cos the 'puter hasnt got internet access at work........

Anyone up for the task?


Thanks,

Paul.

[Myk]

Besides my home computer, I need to do my works' computer tommorow. The computer is running windows98se which has no CD disk for installation - its on the harddisk (like new computers do these days) and the holographic serial is stuck to the case side.

Thats illegal m8, even for OEM's. Demand your copy on CD !

Will I need to transfer the contents of my hard disk to another computer on the network? Also, I assume I have to make a CD of the 'Windows98' folder on my hard disk for reinstalling purposes after I format the disk?

That depends if theres something on there worth saving, if there is just transfer what you dont want to lose and not the whole content, most of which is useless.

I may like to add a partition like a d: drive - should I try and do this before scrubbing it or after, and what do I need to do it? (the program must be deletable if a dodgy copy).......Perhaps its easier to install a program to divide my hard disk now whilst its got windows on than trying it on dos stuff? Then the program will get lost upon reinstall?

Partition Magic 8 available for windows (all over the usual dodge places) and for DOS in a 2x3.5" floppy set (I can transfer you this, afterall its 3 megas) the DOS version is very easy to use and even has mouse support (none of that technical command prompt bollocks).Probably better to do after formating and from MS DOS.

**The important thing no matter what way it gets done, is the IP address and networkability of the PC needs to be kept intact!

When you format you will indeed lose the networking configuration for THAT PC. Easy enough to set-up again though coz the others that are in the network will still be fully functional so all you'd need to do is configure the networking configuration on the freshly installed OS. Check the config NOW as it stands and write down all the information (to check just right-click and select properties on your "network" icon on your desktop. Take a special note of what in the TCP/IP settings. Then when youre all done with the clean install just put all the values back as they were.

I need a dummy's guide with what to type n stuff when its dos based commands, and some checklist to approach and finish the job properly with minimal disruption.

As I said I can transfer you the 2 floppy disks you need to do the whole formatting and partitioning process with. They work just like a windows boot disk so to speak. In other words you boot up with disk 1 in and follow the instructions from there. Its very intuitive m8 and I'm sure you wont get stuck (no dos commands needed at all).

Questions ?

Myk.

[sirius]

Myk, youre a star.

As far as I know, we got no CD with the computer........the guy from the shop said Microsoft no longer supply CD's with new prebuilt computers and you have to make your own! lol. I take it thats bullcrap then? Why would he lie and want to keep our disk though? Anyway, theres fat chance of getting it after all this time anyway (at least 18 months).

So, I need to burn my CD of the windows 98 directory on the c:drive first really, then transfer anything of value to another computer (or CD). There is another windows 98se disk for another machine - but I gather it has to be the exact one put on my machine for the serial number on the pc case to work?

Myk, if I take you up on your kind offer of the floppies.......this will format my c:drive and add a d:drive in roughly the same sitting?. Sounds good, spesh with no DOS tech malarky.

So, right, Im sat there tomorrow and Ive burnt my windows CD, tranfered my data to another machine or disk, jotted down my IP/TCP settings and rebooted to floppy disks and followed the intructions and formatted/partitioned my hard disk........what am I presented with then? A blank screen?
Is there anything I need to know about how to get windows on from after the floppy disks (espeacially if the windows CD is 'home made' at work)?.

I dont wanna get stuck and have to ring the computer shop up becuase they dont undertand how I want my machine also then the bosses will be in the loop and badgering on about 'time' and 'cost' of getting somebody in etc! lol. Im not totally dumb on computers and indeed fix most problems we come across on my own.
Im having that much hassle with my 'puter, its time saved anyway!. Besides, theres currently loads of illegal bits of software on my machine and tracked in the registry - The bosses know its there, but its not a good idea for the computer shop to find out somehow.
Another bonus of redoing my work Pc is that I can get shut of all the crud and 'clean up' the act - Im not reinstalling my illegal stuff this time - theyre gonna have to buy it all!.

Anyway, Im ranting off a tangent now.

If its only two floppy disks, is it possible to send to my hotmail address?

Cheers,

Paul.

epichouse@hotmail.com

[Myk]

The Win98SE CD you have for the other machine will work perfectly on your machine also, just use YOUR serial number when prompted and it will accept that as long as its a valid number. In other words ALL Windows dics are mass produced and are exact copies of one another the only thing different is the sticker with the serial number on it.

I'll upload the 3Megas file and post you a link in about 30 Mins mate, just copy the contents of the download onto 2 floppy's and viola!

Its illegal to "sell" you a preinstalled copy of windows without providing the CD "if" they have charged you for Windows, maybe it wasnt charged and they simply have a series of license numbers for their clients, thats a possibilty but more often than not they charge you for something you arent getting. Still after 18 months its not worth bothering about.

After formating and partitioning the drive take out the floppy and reboot the system with the Win98SE CD in it, then just foolow the onscreen prompts. If for some reason your floppy or your CD refuse to boot then you need to go into your BIOS (press del during bootup) and change the boot sequence to something like,
Floppy,CD,C the order doesnt matter providing the 3 things are in the list.

Note ** It is probably a good idea to right click on My PC, goto properties then goto device manager and take a note of which Video Card (display adapters) and Sound Card (Sound Video and Game Controllers) and Network Adapters, you have installed i case you need to locate a driver after the fresh install.

Hope this isnt to confusing m8. I'll get back to you soon with a link for the floppy's.

Myk.

[Myk]

OK Ive uploaded the disks here :

http://www.euro-computers.com/PM/pm80_disk_1.exe

and here :

http://www.euro-computers.com/PM/pm80_disk_2.exe


Theyre both self extracting files so download them both to your hard drive, then double click and when prompted to "Unpack files to" select a blank floppy in each case. Label the floppy's 1 and 2 respectively so you don't get yer balls in a twists when asked for disc 1 and 2 later on during the formatting process. I have made both of these .exe files myself and they have been checked with PC-Cillin Pro and are 100% clean of any viruses just for piece of mind.

Notes :

When using Partition Magic these are the basic steps to follow :

1. Delete exisiting partition (theres no going back from this point so make sure you have saved everything you wanted to)
2. Goto Create Partition when prompted select "Primary Partition" using "FAT32" file system and choose the size you want in megas (e.g 10000 = 10GB approx) this will be your C: drive.
3. Goto Create Partition when prompted select "Logical Partition" using "FAT32" file system and choose the size you want in megas (e.g 10000 = 10GB approx) this will be your D: drive.

Obviously between C: and D: you want to be using 100% of your space so calculate it before hand.

Then hit apply, wait a few seconds/minutes and when finished hit exit. Remove Floppy and restart with the Win98CD in place. Follow onscreen instruction.

Hope this helps m8.

For emergencies you can contact me on the phone anytime at 0034956944595 its not a mobile but it is in Spain so be aware of call costs (typically 0,15€/min thats about 28p I think). I'm sure it won't come to that but if you do have any doubts atleast you can phone and I'll point you in the right direction


Myk.

[sirius]

Myk, I dont know what to say!. I really appreciate the trouble youve gone to for me on this one.

Im more confident on my own home PC, but when it comes to buggering about with work's gear I tend to crap my kex a bit on major tasks, lol.

I have downloaded the files, but if you delete the above links (so we dont get butty in bother) can you leave your text on - as Im going to save this page to floppy for reference .


When sizing my partition, its allegedly a 40gb hard disk, if I put in 20gb as the c:drive - will it not automatically fill the rest as d:drive incase its a ridiculously odd number of bytes really?


Thankyou very much m8


Paul.

[Myk]

Yes m8 it will automatically use 100% of whats left for your D: providing you don't specify otherwise. No need to delete the links m8 as I own the original program and the DOS function is "free to distribute", its the full version that wouldnt be cool, so no worries.

I'm on holiday from work at the moment and only too happy to help out (don't normally have time to help nearly as much as I'd like), so no thanks needed


Good luck m8 and you know where to find me if needed

Myk.

P.S Although its a 40GB hard drive its will actually be more like 38GB after partitioning, this is NORMAL and you havent broke anything if you start wondering where the other 2-3GB's went, lol