Reinstalling Win.98

A friend of mine brought her neighbor's computer to me to fix. Well, so far
I've removed over 60 viruses and 300 spywares. I've run system file checker
and every other utility I know to run. It still has terrible problems.
It's been so long since I ran Win.98 that I'm struggling a little here. I
know I need to reinstall Windows because I'm still getting blue screens at
shutdown and it refuses to shut down. I disabled fast shutdown to see if
that would help but it didn't make any difference.

I told her I would do a clean install of Win.2000 but after checking the
system, that is not possible because it only has 56MB of RAM. It has enough
hard drive and speed but not RAM. My problem is that the only installs I've
ever done of 98 have been with a restore disk. This computer has a Win.98
OEM disk. I put the CD in my computer to browse and explore it and it looks
like I can reinstall Windows through the CD in Windows. Is that right? I
made a bootdisk in case I need it but since I've never used one (never had
to) I'm really nervous of doing it that way. Help please???

Thanks!

How much, if any, personal data needs to be retrieved/saved?

How large is the hard drive, and how much free space does it have?

Is this machine really worth restoring? Would the owner consider the
purchase of a new HD for ~60 to 80 dollars?

In this case, you'd want to use the Windows Startup floppy disk to
repartition and reformat before reinstalling. Only way to be reasonably
sure it's virus free. Make sure it's write-protected before using the
Startup disk.

More specific, step-by-step advice should wait upon your answers to the
above questions. Also would help to know make/model of the machine.
Windows 98 or Windows 98 Second Edition?

--
Gary S. Terhune
MS MVP Shell/User
http://www.grystmill.com/articles/cleanboot.htm
http://www.grystmill.com/articles/security.htm

"Sherrie Gentry" wrote in message
...
A friend of mine brought her neighbor's computer to me to fix. Well,
so far
I've removed over 60 viruses and 300 spywares. I've run system file
checker
and every other utility I know to run. It still has terrible
problems.
It's been so long since I ran Win.98 that I'm struggling a little
here. I
know I need to reinstall Windows because I'm still getting blue
screens at
shutdown and it refuses to shut down. I disabled fast shutdown to see
if
that would help but it didn't make any difference.

I told her I would do a clean install of Win.2000 but after checking
the
system, that is not possible because it only has 56MB of RAM. It has
enough
hard drive and speed but not RAM. My problem is that the only
installs I've
ever done of 98 have been with a restore disk. This computer has a
Win.98
OEM disk. I put the CD in my computer to browse and explore it and it
looks
like I can reinstall Windows through the CD in Windows. Is that
right? I
made a bootdisk in case I need it but since I've never used one (never
had
to) I'm really nervous of doing it that way. Help please???

Thanks!

"Gary S. Terhune" wrote in message
...
How much, if any, personal data needs to be retrieved/saved?

How large is the hard drive, and how much free space does it have?

Is this machine really worth restoring? Would the owner consider the
purchase of a new HD for ~60 to 80 dollars?

In this case, you'd want to use the Windows Startup floppy disk to
repartition and reformat before reinstalling. Only way to be reasonably
sure it's virus free. Make sure it's write-protected before using the
Startup disk.

More specific, step-by-step advice should wait upon your answers to the
above questions. Also would help to know make/model of the machine.
Windows 98 or Windows 98 Second Edition?

--
Gary S. Terhune
MS MVP Shell/User
http://www.grystmill.com/articles/cleanboot.htm
http://www.grystmill.com/articles/security.htm

"Sherrie Gentry" wrote in message
...
A friend of mine brought her neighbor's computer to me to fix. Well,
so far
I've removed over 60 viruses and 300 spywares. I've run system file
checker
and every other utility I know to run. It still has terrible
problems.
It's been so long since I ran Win.98 that I'm struggling a little
here. I
know I need to reinstall Windows because I'm still getting blue
screens at
shutdown and it refuses to shut down. I disabled fast shutdown to see
if
that would help but it didn't make any difference.

I told her I would do a clean install of Win.2000 but after checking
the
system, that is not possible because it only has 56MB of RAM. It has
enough
hard drive and speed but not RAM. My problem is that the only
installs I've
ever done of 98 have been with a restore disk. This computer has a
Win.98
OEM disk. I put the CD in my computer to browse and explore it and it
looks
like I can reinstall Windows through the CD in Windows. Is that
right? I
made a bootdisk in case I need it but since I've never used one (never
had
to) I'm really nervous of doing it that way. Help please???

Thanks!



Thanks Gary. It has a 6GB hard drive and a 400MHZ Celeron processor.
There is no make or model on it but she said she bought it at Wal-Mart. If
it were mine it would be a boat anchor by now but she said they can't afford
anything better at this time. I ran AVG and Stinger until I didn't find any
more viruses and ran Ad-Aware and Easy Cleaner to get rid of the rest.
There are a ton of entries in Msconfig/Startup that I've never seen before.
Their teenage daughter has installed all kind of software that I know the
system can't handle with 56MB of RAM and I uninstalled everything I thought
would cause trouble. She said to do whatever I had to and remove whatever I
had to. She also said to re-install if I wanted to. There are no important
files. Before I started uninstalling software there was about 2GB of free
space. It has Win.98 first edition. The motherboard is a Slot 1/Socket 370
M748LMRT. Considering the condition it is in, I think a restore is the best
option but I want to do it the best way.

I could build her a nice computer but I can't build one for what HP and Dell
can sell a whole system for (CPU, monitor, keyboard, etc.). Most people
don't want that. :-) I hate messing with old computers but I feel sorry for
people at the same time. :-)

"Gary S. Terhune" wrote in message
...
How much, if any, personal data needs to be retrieved/saved?

How large is the hard drive, and how much free space does it have?

Is this machine really worth restoring? Would the owner consider the
purchase of a new HD for ~60 to 80 dollars?

In this case, you'd want to use the Windows Startup floppy disk to
repartition and reformat before reinstalling. Only way to be reasonably
sure it's virus free. Make sure it's write-protected before using the
Startup disk.

"May not" be needed as the OP mentioned OEM disk, which dependant on answers to
your below request, may format the drive.


More specific, step-by-step advice should wait upon your answers to the
above questions. Also would help to know make/model of the machine.
Windows 98 or Windows 98 Second Edition?

--
Gary S. Terhune
MS MVP Shell/User
http://www.grystmill.com/articles/cleanboot.htm
http://www.grystmill.com/articles/security.htm

I assume "generic" OEM disk, says "For installing to new hardware only",
or some such, on the CD. I'd rather do it the old-fashioned way if
that's the case, s. Now that Sherrie says it was a Wal-Mart special,
I'm betting generic OEM.

--
Gary S. Terhune
MS MVP Shell/User
http://www.grystmill.com/articles/cleanboot.htm
http://www.grystmill.com/articles/security.htm

"Brian A." gonefish'n@afarawaylake wrote in message
...

"May not" be needed as the OP mentioned OEM disk, which dependant on
answers to
your below request, may format the drive.

"Sherrie Gentry" wrote in message
...

Thanks Gary. It has a 6GB hard drive and a 400MHZ Celeron processor.
There is no make or model on it but she said she bought it at Wal-Mart.

Check the rear of the case to see if there is any identifying sticker/s. A 6GB
hd is mighty small for today's standard, although if no intensive apps are added
and it's mainly used for email it can suffice.
You may even get info from the free Everest Home Edition identifying the
manufacturer of the machine.
http://www.lavalys.com/products.php?lang=en



If
it were mine it would be a boat anchor by now but she said they can't afford
anything better at this time. I ran AVG and Stinger until I didn't find any
more viruses and ran Ad-Aware and Easy Cleaner to get rid of the rest.

My concern is your earlier mention of running SFC. If used improperly it can
cause havoc.
http://home.satx.rr.com/badour/html/using_sfc.html

There are a ton of entries in Msconfig/Startup that I've never seen before.

Click Start Run, type in: msinfo32 and press Enter
Click the + next to Software Environment in the right pane
Click Startup Programs
Press ctrl+a to select all
Press ctrl+c to copy all
Open your email app and a new response in this thread
Press ctrl+v to paste

Send response for us to hae a look at the startup items.

Their teenage daughter has installed all kind of software that I know the
system can't handle with 56MB of RAM and I uninstalled everything I thought
would cause trouble. She said to do whatever I had to and remove whatever I
had to. She also said to re-install if I wanted to. There are no important
files. Before I started uninstalling software there was about 2GB of free
space. It has Win.98 first edition. The motherboard is a Slot 1/Socket 370
M748LMRT. Considering the condition it is in, I think a restore is the best
option but I want to do it the best way.

From what I find the mobo is made by PC-Chips.

--

Brian A. Sesko
{ MS MVP_Shell/User }
Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm

Well, you have sufficient room there to insert another partition, using =
BootIt NG for instance, and that way save your friend's data. On the =
other hand, you'd want to be real careful about scanning for viruses =
using one or another method that doesn't allow any remaining viruses a =
chance to stall the scanner. I usually use F-Prot for DOS from a =
bootable CD for this purpose. If you decide to resize the existing =
partition and insert a new one, get BootIt NG from www.bootitng.com. Use
the EXE version, and when it's downloaded (to your own machine), run it =
to create a bootable floppy installation disk. Boot the problem machine =
with this disk, the CANCEL the installation. This will drop you into =
Maintenance Mode, where you choose Partition Work. After that, it's =
pretty self-explanatory (assuming you're not a total novice.)

Or you can simply wipe and start over. To do that, here's the basic =
instructions:

1. Regardless of how you decide to do this, make sure you have the =
drivers needed for this machine. (One reason installing to a separate =
partition is that you can assume the drivers files are saved there =
somewhere.) Need to know motherboard make/model and what model cards are =
installed. You should run Everest from http://www.lavalys.com/ . If the =
machine isn't stable enough to boot, burn the Everest files onto the =
same CD that you used for F-Prot and run it from there. This should =
provide enough info to get you to the right drivers and, of course, =
you'll then want to add those to a CD, also, in order to have them =
immediately handy. Most important drivers to have on hand are the modem =
and/or network adapter drivers, since those are needed to get online =
after installation.

Note: You don't *have_to* make the CD bootable. You can boot, instead, =
to the floppy startup disk and access the programs on the CD from there.

2. Make *sure* you have the Product Key for the OEM Setup disk. If you =
don't already have it, it can be retrieved from the Registry using a DOS =
command from the Windows Startup floppy disk (all one line):

C:\Windows\Command\Find /N "ProductKey" C:\Windows\System.dat

3. Repartitioning: (If you decide to use BootIt NG to resize the =
existing partition and insert a new one, this FDISK procedures aren't =
necessary.) Boot to the floppy Startup Disk. No need for the CD Support =
Option just yet. At the A:\ prompt, run FDISK. In FDISK, say Yes to =
enable Large Disk Support. Then delete all partitions, then create a new =
one. You'll have to reboot once or twice, always going back to FDISK =
until you've finished.

4. Easiest way to insure a successful installation is to copy the =
installation files to the hard drive. Here's the steps. For this =
procedure, you'll want to choose CDROM Support at startup. We'll assume =
your CD drive is lettered E:\ by the RAM drive that loads from the =
Startup disk--the last message of Startup tells you what letter your CD =
drive is. Each line is a separate command, to be followed with Enter.

format c: /s
c:
md WIN98
e:
cd win98
copy *.* c:\win98

When the copy job is done, remove the Startup floppy and restart. This =
will now boot to C:\. Then run the following:

cd win98
setup

I usually choose Custom Setup and don't choose any options for now. Many =
of them have been superseded by later upgrades. Of course, you =
eventually want most of the System Tools (but not some that are default, =
like Drive Compression), and you'll want Dial-Up Networking eventually. =
Still, I figure the install will have the least problem if you choose =
zero options.

It's also wise to order a copy of the Windows Security Updates CD from =
Microsoft. This will update the system as of October 2003, which will =
save a ton of download time. Call Microsoft Order Desk (US) =
1-800-360-7561, Monday through Friday, 5:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M. Pacific =
time.

--=20
Gary S. Terhune
MS MVP Shell/User
http://www.grystmill.com/articles/cleanboot.htm
http://www.grystmill.com/articles/security.htm
=20
"Sherrie Gentry" wrote in message =
...
=20
"Gary S. Terhune" wrote in message
...
How much, if any, personal data needs to be retrieved/saved?

How large is the hard drive, and how much free space does it have?

Is this machine really worth restoring? Would the owner consider the
purchase of a new HD for ~60 to 80 dollars?

In this case, you'd want to use the Windows Startup floppy disk to
repartition and reformat before reinstalling. Only way to be =
reasonably
sure it's virus free. Make sure it's write-protected before using =
the
Startup disk.

More specific, step-by-step advice should wait upon your answers to =
the
above questions. Also would help to know make/model of the machine.
Windows 98 or Windows 98 Second Edition?

--=20
Gary S. Terhune
MS MVP Shell/User
http://www.grystmill.com/articles/cleanboot.htm
http://www.grystmill.com/articles/security.htm

"Sherrie Gentry" wrote in message
...
A friend of mine brought her neighbor's computer to me to fix. =
Well,
so far
I've removed over 60 viruses and 300 spywares. I've run system =
file
checker
and every other utility I know to run. It still has terrible
problems.
It's been so long since I ran Win.98 that I'm struggling a little
here. I
know I need to reinstall Windows because I'm still getting blue
screens at
shutdown and it refuses to shut down. I disabled fast shutdown to =
see
if
that would help but it didn't make any difference.

I told her I would do a clean install of Win.2000 but after =
checking
the
system, that is not possible because it only has 56MB of RAM. It =
has
enough
hard drive and speed but not RAM. My problem is that the only
installs I've
ever done of 98 have been with a restore disk. This computer has =
a
Win.98
OEM disk. I put the CD in my computer to browse and explore it =
and it
looks
like I can reinstall Windows through the CD in Windows. Is that
right? I
made a bootdisk in case I need it but since I've never used one =
(never
had
to) I'm really nervous of doing it that way. Help please???

Thanks!



Thanks Gary. It has a 6GB hard drive and a 400MHZ Celeron =
processor.
There is no make or model on it but she said she bought it at =
Wal-Mart. If
it were mine it would be a boat anchor by now but she said they can't =
afford
anything better at this time. I ran AVG and Stinger until I didn't =
find any
more viruses and ran Ad-Aware and Easy Cleaner to get rid of the rest.
There are a ton of entries in Msconfig/Startup that I've never seen =
before.
Their teenage daughter has installed all kind of software that I know =
the
system can't handle with 56MB of RAM and I uninstalled everything I =
thought
would cause trouble. She said to do whatever I had to and remove =
whatever I
had to. She also said to re-install if I wanted to. There are no =
important
files. Before I started uninstalling software there was about 2GB of =
free
space. It has Win.98 first edition. The motherboard is a Slot =
1/Socket 370
M748LMRT. Considering the condition it is in, I think a restore is =
the best
option but I want to do it the best way.
=20
I could build her a nice computer but I can't build one for what HP =
and Dell
can sell a whole system for (CPU, monitor, keyboard, etc.). Most =
people
don't want that. :-) I hate messing with old computers but I feel =
sorry for
people at the same time. :-)
=20

For information on installing W98, go to:
http://home.satx.rr.com/badour/html/w98_restore.html


--
Regards

Ron Badour, MS MVP Windows 98
Tips: http://home.satx.rr.com/badour
Knowledge Base Info:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?pr=kbinfo

"Sherrie Gentry" wrote in message
...
A friend of mine brought her neighbor's computer to me to fix. Well, so
far
I've removed over 60 viruses and 300 spywares. I've run system file
checker
and every other utility I know to run. It still has terrible problems.
It's been so long since I ran Win.98 that I'm struggling a little here. I
know I need to reinstall Windows because I'm still getting blue screens at
shutdown and it refuses to shut down. I disabled fast shutdown to see if
that would help but it didn't make any difference.

I told her I would do a clean install of Win.2000 but after checking the
system, that is not possible because it only has 56MB of RAM. It has
enough
hard drive and speed but not RAM. My problem is that the only installs
I've
ever done of 98 have been with a restore disk. This computer has a Win.98
OEM disk. I put the CD in my computer to browse and explore it and it
looks
like I can reinstall Windows through the CD in Windows. Is that right? I
made a bootdisk in case I need it but since I've never used one (never had
to) I'm really nervous of doing it that way. Help please???

Thanks!

"Gary S. Terhune" wrote in message
...
I assume "generic" OEM disk, says "For installing to new hardware only",
or some such, on the CD. I'd rather do it the old-fashioned way if
that's the case, s. Now that Sherrie says it was a Wal-Mart special,
I'm betting generic OEM.

--
Gary S. Terhune
MS MVP Shell/User
http://www.grystmill.com/articles/cleanboot.htm
http://www.grystmill.com/articles/security.htm

"Brian A." gonefish'n@afarawaylake wrote in message
...

"May not" be needed as the OP mentioned OEM disk, which dependant on
answers to
your below request, may format the drive.


"I assume "generic" OEM disk, says "For installing to new hardware only","

It does. You assumed right.

Thanks everybody! I think I have enough information to do it now. The
computer is generic as I can find no name on it at all. I did go to Control
Panel/System and copied down the key that was there. If the CD I have is
indeed the original CD for the computer then that should be the right key.
I wish there was a way to check the CD for the key before I do this. This
is the only computer they have and she said it is the CD that came with it
so that's all I know. The computer is functional as is but it's extremely
slow and will not shut down properly. There are several spyware programs
that will not uninstall. The teenage daughter installed all kinds of huge
programs that I know will not run properly with only 56MB of Ram. When I
ran System File Checker it didn't find any bad files so nothing was changed
there by me. I've run it before so I know to be careful with it. My
insecurity comes from the fact that previous older machines I've owned with
'95 or '98 on them came with restore disks from the manufacturer which were
pretty much idiot proof. I have done several clean installs and new
installs of Win.2000 and Win.XP from non-OEM disks but not '98 unless it was
a with a restore CD so I wanted to check out the differences. Sometimes the
older software is more difficult to use than the new. The computer is
running much better since I removed the 60 viruses and 300+ spyware along
with some junk software but it's still not right and I'm not sending it home
if it's not right. I will explain to them how to use antivirus and spyware
software and not to install so much junk :-)

You won't get the ProductKey from CP/System. What you have is the ProductID and
that will not work for a fresh install.

If you need the product key, have not formatted your drive and can still access
Windows, MVP George Gedye has an app ( RegInfo ver3 ) that will pull it from the
registry for you.
http://www.mvps.org/PracticallyNerded/

Click on Software, click on Applications, scroll down to RegInfo ver3.
Or
Your Product Key can be found in the registry. Go to Start Run, type in:
regedit and hit enter. Navigate to:
Hkey_Local_Machine\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curr entVersion
Click once on CurrentVersion, the name not the +, and scroll to ProductID or
ProductKey in the right pane.

If you can't boot Win98, but haven't formatted the system drive, then boot with
a startup floppy or to a command prompt and run either of these:
C:\Windows\command\Find /I "ProductKey" c:\windows\system.dat
C:\Windows\command\Find /I "ProductKey" c:\system.1st

If these steps aren't possible (you already formatted it), US customers can
contact Microsoft at: 1 800 642-7676. They will issue
retail and OEM product keys after verifying data located on the W98 CD.

--

Brian A. Sesko
{ MS MVP_Shell/User }
Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm




"Sherrie Gentry" wrote in message
...

"Gary S. Terhune" wrote in message
...
I assume "generic" OEM disk, says "For installing to new hardware only",
or some such, on the CD. I'd rather do it the old-fashioned way if
that's the case, s. Now that Sherrie says it was a Wal-Mart special,
I'm betting generic OEM.

--
Gary S. Terhune
MS MVP Shell/User
http://www.grystmill.com/articles/cleanboot.htm
http://www.grystmill.com/articles/security.htm

"Brian A." gonefish'n@afarawaylake wrote in message
...

"May not" be needed as the OP mentioned OEM disk, which dependant on
answers to
your below request, may format the drive.


"I assume "generic" OEM disk, says "For installing to new hardware only","

It does. You assumed right.

Thanks everybody! I think I have enough information to do it now. The
computer is generic as I can find no name on it at all. I did go to Control
Panel/System and copied down the key that was there. If the CD I have is
indeed the original CD for the computer then that should be the right key.
I wish there was a way to check the CD for the key before I do this. This
is the only computer they have and she said it is the CD that came with it
so that's all I know. The computer is functional as is but it's extremely
slow and will not shut down properly. There are several spyware programs
that will not uninstall. The teenage daughter installed all kinds of huge
programs that I know will not run properly with only 56MB of Ram. When I
ran System File Checker it didn't find any bad files so nothing was changed
there by me. I've run it before so I know to be careful with it. My
insecurity comes from the fact that previous older machines I've owned with
'95 or '98 on them came with restore disks from the manufacturer which were
pretty much idiot proof. I have done several clean installs and new
installs of Win.2000 and Win.XP from non-OEM disks but not '98 unless it was
a with a restore CD so I wanted to check out the differences. Sometimes the
older software is more difficult to use than the new. The computer is
running much better since I removed the 60 viruses and 300+ spyware along
with some junk software but it's still not right and I'm not sending it home
if it's not right. I will explain to them how to use antivirus and spyware
software and not to install so much junk :-)