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#1
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Delete OR Not delete Win98SE folder ...
.... when I want to reload Win(*SE ??
Tnaks! |
#2
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The only time you would want to reinstall an OS is if you have a =
problem and have tried EVERY possible solution to resolve it without = success. In this case you would need to backup ALL of your important = data, make sure you have your Product Key (Not ProductID) and all of = your software install disks, then reformat the drive and fresh install = the OS. Reinstalling an OS over the top of an unstable system will more than = likely leave you with the same unstable system. Reinstalling a stable = system over the top just doesn't make sense. --=20 Brian A. Conflicts start where information lacks. http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm "ByrgB" wrote in message = ... ... when I want to reload Win(*SE ?? Tnaks! |
#3
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Deleting the Windows folder before running Setup, without formatting, =
will sorta half reinstall Windows. A significant number of files are = also written to portions of Program Files, and that's where the problems = come in. Some system/program files will be overwritten with older = versions than you have now. Makes a mess. Also, since the Registry is in = the Windows folder, you would have to reinstall all of your = applications. Not to mention some user files getting stored in the = Windows folder. Reinstalling over the top (without deleting anything or formatting) = creates a similar mess, but it's a workable one for the short term, and = leaves data and applications files pretty much intact. But it's not good = for long-term stability or security, since you once again have a mess of = mis-matched files (DLL Hell.) Your best strategy is to back up your = personal files (or the whole system) to removable media, another hard = drive, or even to a new partition you create on the same disk if no = other method is available. Then reformat the C:\ partition and "clean = install" the new system. --=20 Gary S. Terhune MS MVP Shell/User =20 "ByrgB" wrote in message = ... ... when I want to reload Win(*SE ?? Tnaks! |
#4
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If errors are caused by hardware, then a reinstall of Windows is not the
cure. However... Setup.exe, run from your Installation CD or from your .cabs folder, accomplishes either an Over-Install or a Fresh Install. The procedural difference is you first wipe the prior Windows installation for a Fresh Install, or install it to different folders. Two folders are involved: "C:\Windows" & "C:\Program Files", and these files: MSDOS.sys, Config.sys, Autoexec.bat & System.1st. For an Over-install, you must direct it to install to C:\Windows, instead of C:\Windows.000 (where it normally would want to go, when it sees a "C:\Windows" already exists). An over-install supposedly leaves all else intact, but there are some who say it will over-write .vxds (drivers) and otherwise musses settings. Therefore, it becomes a lot of work to do it, as you must un/re-install large applications, before/after the over-install. Also, you must go to Windows Update afterwards, to see whether it detects it needs to reinstall it's criticals. There is Version Conflict Manager to do. Finally, they say, it is wise to back up critical data even before an over-install. Others swear an over-install is effortless (under an hour) and effective. Just select to install to the existing directory, when it makes the offer to go elsewhere. If it fails, then you may need to do a tweak, such as renaming Win.com before starting. (Personally, I have never Fresh or Over-Installed Windows. I did actually click Setup.exe once, and was presented with an alluring screenful-- but I cancelled.) Well, anyway, take a look at the URLs below, which really apply to both. You want to do a FRESH Install? Are you pure Windows or OEM, such as Compaq? If you are OEM, then you can get back to factory condition by using their recovery CD, such as QuickRestore, which may contain proprietary drivers and add-ons. Otherwise... http://www.hexff.com/index.html How to Clean Install This first has it all, but.. (a) Perhaps don't do the 2.5 swap file thing, & (b) You may rather have multiple partitions, & (c) Attend it's warning: Have any non-Windows peripheral drivers available to install afterwards. Here... http://www.pchelpandconsulting.com/links/windows.html WinDrvExpert http://www.jermar.com/wdrvbck.htm WinDrvBckup free version Those two supposedly back up all currently installed drivers, such that they can be reinstalled. I never tried it but have seen a favorable report. http://home.satx.rr.com/badour/html/w98_restore.html Badour has one http://aumha.org/win4/a/clean.htm Aumha has one http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=250928 How to Reinstall Windows http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=193902 How to Reinstall Windows into a new folder "Setup.txt", located in the same folder as "Setup.exe", either on CD or hard drive. This instructs how to run it from a folder on the hard drive, but "hexff" says it better. http://support.microsoft.com/default...71&Product=w98 "SU" Error Message List for Windows 95, Windows 98, and Windows Me Setup Get a Startup Diskette from http://www.bootdisk.com/ , if you don't already have one from "Control Panel, Add/Remove Programs, Startup Disk tab". Test the Startup Diskette. Boot it, put in a CD and "DIR" the CD. It will say which letter is the CD. (Otherwise, it is likely one letter higher than normal.) Here is what I know of those Installation CD's. The full list of capabilities of each type of CD is as follows, says Harper. Each requires a valid Product key. "Proof" means it must see you had a prior version. So, if it isn't sitting there, expect to insert a floppy or earlier CD. FULL VERSION: Will perform either clean install or upgrade of existing OS. Does not ask for proof of ownership of an earlier version. UPGRADE VERSION: Will perform either clean install or upgrade of existing OS. Will ask for proof of ownership of an earlier version if one is not installed. WIN98 SE UPDATES: Will only install if Windows 98 is present on the hard drive. Cannot be used for a clean install at all. OEM VERSION: Only installs on a clean, fresh-formatted hard drive. May be customized to include or omit components that would be found/not found on a retail CD. Be sure of your ProductKey... HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curr entVersion ProductKey "12345-12345-12345-12345-12345" (1) "START, Run, RegEdit" (2) Click plus signs beginning at "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE", & ending with "Windows". (3) Click "CurrentVersion" in the left pane under "Windows". (4) Look in right pane for ProductKey. That is the one that was used to install your current Windows. Jot it down, as it may work if different from the one on your Windows 98 Manual or CD case. -- Thanks or Good Luck, There may be humor in this post, and, Naturally, you will not sue, should things get worse after this, PCR "ByrgB" wrote in message ... | ... when I want to reload Win(*SE ?? | Tnaks! | |
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