replace ME with 98

Much depends on your hardware. Have you some Make/Model, basic specs we can work
from?

--
Gary S. Terhune
MS MVP for Win9x

"jet" wrote in message
...
I need to recover my system but want to get rid of ME and
go back to windows 98 but it told me it is not a good
idea to go to a previous version. so, can I reformat the
hard drive and then install 98 without a problem? And
since it doesn't make sense to me that a drive with
nothing on it knows what to do, but will the computer
install the operating saystem by just inserting the disk?

Reformatting and reinstalling will work just fine. BUT: After you reformat,
you will need a floppy disk with which to boot the machine, and THIS IS VERY
IMPORTANT:

The boot process must include making the machine able to read your CD-ROM
drive, or you won't be able to run the install CD. Not only must the boot
disk THEORETICALLY be able to do this, but you have to test the disk BEFORE
your reformat. You'll boot the machine with the floppy, pop in the CD, go to
D: or E: (whatever the setup screen shows), type "dir" (without the quotes),
and you should see a list of files & folders on the CD.

The easiest way to create a boot disk is to go to www.bootdisk.com and
follow the tips you find there. Don't rush. Read.

By the way:
- You should be installing Win98SE if possible, not Win98. Otherwise, you
may find that some of your newer software will not run.
- You should identify your hardware (modem, audio & video boards) BEFORE
you reformat. Some of this info might come from your machine's paperwork.
But, you should also go into Contol Panel, System, Device Manager, click
Print, select "All devices and system summary", and then click OK. This will
print out a huge amount of information which can save you a lot of
aggravation when you're trying to find drivers for your hardware. Your
computer may have also come with a driver restore CD, but they may only be
applicable to Win ME. Read first.

If you prepare carefully, the whole process can be easy. If not......have
lots of bourbon ready.

"jet" wrote in message
...
I need to recover my system but want to get rid of ME and
go back to windows 98 but it told me it is not a good
idea to go to a previous version. so, can I reformat the
hard drive and then install 98 without a problem? And
since it doesn't make sense to me that a drive with
nothing on it knows what to do, but will the computer
install the operating saystem by just inserting the disk?

It'd probably be a good idea to go to your computer manufacturer's site
and download the right drivers for Windows 98. In my opinion, Windows 98
is the *best* Windows OS for detecting hardware of any of them. You'll
probably get it to run without any specific drivers, but you may be
lacking sound and proper video until you find the right drivers. When you
say "go back" to Windows 98, that means you may still have your Windows
98 startup disk laying around. Otherwise, like Doug says, download one
from www.bootdisk.com

"Doug Kanter" wrote in
:

Reformatting and reinstalling will work just fine. BUT: After you
reformat, you will need a floppy disk with which to boot the machine,
and THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT:

The boot process must include making the machine able to read your
CD-ROM drive, or you won't be able to run the install CD. Not only
must the boot disk THEORETICALLY be able to do this, but you have to
test the disk BEFORE your reformat. You'll boot the machine with the
floppy, pop in the CD, go to D: or E: (whatever the setup screen
shows), type "dir" (without the quotes), and you should see a list of
files & folders on the CD.

The easiest way to create a boot disk is to go to www.bootdisk.com and
follow the tips you find there. Don't rush. Read.

By the way:
- You should be installing Win98SE if possible, not Win98. Otherwise,
you may find that some of your newer software will not run.
- You should identify your hardware (modem, audio & video boards)
BEFORE you reformat. Some of this info might come from your machine's
paperwork. But, you should also go into Contol Panel, System, Device
Manager, click Print, select "All devices and system summary", and
then click OK. This will print out a huge amount of information which
can save you a lot of aggravation when you're trying to find drivers
for your hardware. Your computer may have also come with a driver
restore CD, but they may only be applicable to Win ME. Read first.

If you prepare carefully, the whole process can be easy. If
not......have lots of bourbon ready.

"jet" wrote in message
...
I need to recover my system but want to get rid of ME and
go back to windows 98 but it told me it is not a good
idea to go to a previous version. so, can I reformat the
hard drive and then install 98 without a problem? And
since it doesn't make sense to me that a drive with
nothing on it knows what to do, but will the computer
install the operating saystem by just inserting the disk?






--
-- What happens if you get scared half to death twice? --