Formating the HD ??

*FrankRizzo* · 04-21-2002, 07:38 PM

I just picked up a PIII/450 w/256mb for nothing.
There was an ISP in my office building, and they went under and left all sorts of stuff behind. I think this was being used for some sort of server.

In tried to install Win98-2e over whatever was already there and it does not work...big mistake.....

I want to reformat the HD and do a clean install of Win 98. I have no idea how to do this. The system is so unstable that I can't start Windows. I can get into the Bios and change things around....

Help me if you can.

TIA

Stephen S · 04-21-2002, 07:58 PM

Can you get it to start in DOS mode?? If you can get a C-prompt in DOS, all you have to do is type " Format C:" and hit enter. It will warn you that is will erase everything, blah, blah, blah, just type "y" and hit enter. It'll take a few minutes, but when it's done, just pop in the Windows CD and install the OS.

Make sure that you have all the software for any hardware that may be installed in the computer. Things like the sound card, video card, modem, network card, etc might not work properly if the proper software and drivers aren't installed.

There may be better ways to do this, but this is how I was told to do it the last time I did it.

LStoudenmire · 04-21-2002, 08:06 PM

You will probably need the DOS Drivers for your CD-ROM in order to read the Win98 CD after formatting your drive. Also, If you use the present format.exe program, it may not be Win98.

I can email you a program tomorrow morning from work, that will boot to DOS AND load any CDRom drivers to allow you to use the CD and Format your drive. I will check the thread tomorrow am to see if anyone else has a better solution for you.

After I send the prog. You can boot with disk, format you drive, select the CDDriver, load the CD and start the install. It will be real easy.

*Fusion213* · 04-21-2002, 10:51 PM

With your current computer, make a windows startup disk. Boot up that computer with the startup disk and start it with cd-rom support, then do format c:
after you've done that, go to the cd-rom drive and install windows 98.

*FrankRizzo* · 04-22-2002, 12:14 AM

Thanks,

Made a startup disk and did like warform said.

got me a new 'puter....had a bunch of old PC 100, now it's got 512 megs..

*FrankRizzo* · 04-22-2002, 10:47 PM

Know what the problem was?
The old operating system was somin' called Line-hux. (There was penguin poo clogging up the HD!!!)
LOL!

So now it works. whaddya think I should do with it?
PIII 450 Mhz,Win 98 2e, 512mb RAM, 8.2gig HD, 3dfx 8 meg video card. no sound card, no monitor or keyboard.

I kinda want to take it out back and shoot it...........with a shotgun.

*X24* · 04-22-2002, 11:13 PM

that would be linux.

frankrizzo... are you gonna get all your trim and stuff painted to match?

IgotTwo · 04-22-2002, 11:41 PM

What to do?
Make a new start up disk now that your OS is loaded.

What do you want to do? make a "Net PC"?
You don't have to spend a fortune.
Find a good PC show....that usually works

Find a cheap monitor:
Staples, CompUsa look for sales
Costco has em new less than $200 17"
PC show is a great place to buy a used one
I got a used 17" CRT for $40. If you don't know much about used monitors.... heavier ones are most often better ones.... haha sounds stupid but true

KeyBoard?
No brainer $20? I get good ones for $5 at shows

Modem and sound card?
buy "no name" 56k PCI, and a no frill sound card.
DO NOT get one with a voice modem they are a PITA and always generate device conflicts.

Ask around for friends who upgraded their machine.... most gearheads save old boards and other crap. Remember it is an older PC and the Bios may not support "fancier" stuff (eg USB devices )without some annoying tweaking ... so keep it simple.

If you buy a monitor, burner or something more expensive, you can put it in a new machine if you decided to upgrade.

Peg a point where your budget is.... and start "shaking the trees. " If you find you can't make it work ......junk it and spring for a complete system. There are some inexpensive systems if you need something simple

Not too different from fixing cars. It can be a PITA or fun.

*FrankRizzo* · 04-23-2002, 12:17 AM

Hmmmmmm.......
seems my witty, dry sense of humor is lost on you folks...

I'm gonna load up the 12ga. and take a shot.

No, I'm not gonna paint my trim to match. If I wanted matching trim I would have bought an Limited instead of ordering an XLT.

04-21-2002, 07:38 PM	#1
FrankRizzo Elite Explorer Los Angeles, CA 330 XLT Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 965 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Formating the HD ?? I just picked up a PIII/450 w/256mb for nothing. There was an ISP in my office building, and they went under and left all sorts of stuff behind. I think this was being used for some sort of server. In tried to install Win98-2e over whatever was already there and it does not work...big mistake..... I want to reformat the HD and do a clean install of Win 98. I have no idea how to do this. The system is so unstable that I can't start Windows. I can get into the Bios and change things around.... Help me if you can. TIA __________________ Yeah........I still lurk around here...... =======>Gone, but not forgotten..........<======= click

04-21-2002, 07:58 PM	#2
Stephen S Wannabe Elite Explorer Houston, TX '07 XLT Ironman Join Date: Nov 1999 Posts: 1,755 Vehicle Specs	Can you get it to start in DOS mode?? If you can get a C-prompt in DOS, all you have to do is type " Format C:" and hit enter. It will warn you that is will erase everything, blah, blah, blah, just type "y" and hit enter. It'll take a few minutes, but when it's done, just pop in the Windows CD and install the OS. Make sure that you have all the software for any hardware that may be installed in the computer. Things like the sound card, video card, modem, network card, etc might not work properly if the proper software and drivers aren't installed. There may be better ways to do this, but this is how I was told to do it the last time I did it. __________________ '07 XLT Ironman 4.0L 2WD

04-21-2002, 08:06 PM	#3
LStoudenmire Wannabe Elite Explorer Charleston, SC Join Date: Dec 2001 Posts: 905 Vehicle Specs	You will probably need the DOS Drivers for your CD-ROM in order to read the Win98 CD after formatting your drive. Also, If you use the present format.exe program, it may not be Win98. I can email you a program tomorrow morning from work, that will boot to DOS AND load any CDRom drivers to allow you to use the CD and Format your drive. I will check the thread tomorrow am to see if anyone else has a better solution for you. After I send the prog. You can boot with disk, format you drive, select the CDDriver, load the CD and start the install. It will be real easy. __________________ 1994 Explorer Sport, Black on Grey, 15"x8" Series 97 Black RockCrawlers, 31"x10.5" BFG AT/KO's, 2" Lift Springs w/ Warrior 153's

04-21-2002, 10:51 PM	#4
Fusion213 Elite Explorer Jacksonville, NC '98 XLT 5.0L Join Date: Jun 2001 Posts: 794 Vehicle Specs	With your current computer, make a windows startup disk. Boot up that computer with the startup disk and start it with cd-rom support, then do format c: after you've done that, go to the cd-rom drive and install windows 98. __________________ 98 5.0L SAS

04-22-2002, 12:14 AM	#5
FrankRizzo Elite Explorer Los Angeles, CA 330 XLT Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 965 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Thanks, Made a startup disk and did like warform said. got me a new 'puter....had a bunch of old PC 100, now it's got 512 megs.. __________________ Yeah........I still lurk around here...... =======>Gone, but not forgotten..........<======= click

04-22-2002, 10:47 PM	#6
FrankRizzo Elite Explorer Los Angeles, CA 330 XLT Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 965 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Know what the problem was? The old operating system was somin' called Line-hux. (There was penguin poo clogging up the HD!!!) LOL! So now it works. whaddya think I should do with it? PIII 450 Mhz,Win 98 2e, 512mb RAM, 8.2gig HD, 3dfx 8 meg video card. no sound card, no monitor or keyboard. I kinda want to take it out back and shoot it...........with a shotgun. __________________ Yeah........I still lurk around here...... =======>Gone, but not forgotten..........<======= click

04-22-2002, 11:13 PM	#7
X24 RAMajama Pleasant Valley, NY 05 RAM 2500 TURBO DIESEL Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 4,995 Vehicle Specs	that would be linux. frankrizzo... are you gonna get all your trim and stuff painted to match? __________________ X24's Page 1998 XLT - PICS -- MORE PICS -- My Email 2004 MXZ REV 600HO

04-22-2002, 11:41 PM	#8
IgotTwo Wannabe Elite Explorer Branchburg, N.J. 94 XLT - 97 XLT SOHC Join Date: Jan 2001 Posts: 1,022 Vehicle Specs	What to do? Make a new start up disk now that your OS is loaded. What do you want to do? make a "Net PC"? You don't have to spend a fortune. Find a good PC show....that usually works Find a cheap monitor: Staples, CompUsa look for sales Costco has em new less than $200 17" PC show is a great place to buy a used one I got a used 17" CRT for $40. If you don't know much about used monitors.... heavier ones are most often better ones.... haha sounds stupid but true KeyBoard? No brainer $20? I get good ones for $5 at shows Modem and sound card? buy "no name" 56k PCI, and a no frill sound card. DO NOT get one with a voice modem they are a PITA and always generate device conflicts. Ask around for friends who upgraded their machine.... most gearheads save old boards and other crap. Remember it is an older PC and the Bios may not support "fancier" stuff (eg USB devices )without some annoying tweaking ... so keep it simple. If you buy a monitor, burner or something more expensive, you can put it in a new machine if you decided to upgrade. Peg a point where your budget is.... and start "shaking the trees. " If you find you can't make it work ......junk it and spring for a complete system. There are some inexpensive systems if you need something simple Not too different from fixing cars. It can be a PITA or fun. __________________ 97 XLT SOHC 94 XLT 4.0 "I used to be Snow White....but I drifted" - Mae West

04-23-2002, 12:17 AM	#9
FrankRizzo Elite Explorer Los Angeles, CA 330 XLT Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 965 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Hmmmmmm....... seems my witty, dry sense of humor is lost on you folks... I'm gonna load up the 12ga. and take a shot. No, I'm not gonna paint my trim to match. If I wanted matching trim I would have bought an Limited instead of ordering an XLT. __________________ Yeah........I still lurk around here...... =======>Gone, but not forgotten..........<======= click