Reformatting Hard Drive Win98SE

I recently acquired a Compaq presario 1255 laptop that is nine years old with
Windows 98SE OS. I was told that the hard drive was cleaned. However, I
find leftovers of old un-installed programs such as McAfee from 2003. The
problem is that about every third boot up, I get an error message that a
McAffee file no longer exists. I found a file labeled exactly as the error
message in configsys/startup. I obviously unchecked it in confifsys/startup,
but still get the same error message on startup. I have all the original
RESTORE disks that accompanied the purchase of the laptop. Would I be better
to reformat the hard drive with the FULL FACTORY RESTORE FROM CD or the try
and work around these leftovers. I only intend on using this computer for
printing database invoices that I will create in the Works program that came
on it--that is it. It will never be used for internet, etc. Will I need
updates for Win98 (knowing they are now unavailable) if I do a full restore,
even though I am only using minimal applications? Have I totally confused
the situation? I am leaning towards REFORMAT and take it from there. Any
suggestions would be helpful. Thanks, Paula H

On any used computer, you would be wise to format the hard drive. You don't
know what type of malware may be on it and how many other problems there may
be waiting to happen.

--
Regards

Ron Badour
MS MVP 1997 - 2008


"PaulAndPaulaH" wrote in message
...
I recently acquired a Compaq presario 1255 laptop that is nine years old
with
Windows 98SE OS. I was told that the hard drive was cleaned. However, I
find leftovers of old un-installed programs such as McAfee from 2003. The
problem is that about every third boot up, I get an error message that a
McAffee file no longer exists. I found a file labeled exactly as the
error
message in configsys/startup. I obviously unchecked it in
confifsys/startup,
but still get the same error message on startup. I have all the original
RESTORE disks that accompanied the purchase of the laptop. Would I be
better
to reformat the hard drive with the FULL FACTORY RESTORE FROM CD or the
try
and work around these leftovers. I only intend on using this computer for
printing database invoices that I will create in the Works program that
came
on it--that is it. It will never be used for internet, etc. Will I need
updates for Win98 (knowing they are now unavailable) if I do a full
restore,
even though I am only using minimal applications? Have I totally confused
the situation? I am leaning towards REFORMAT and take it from there. Any
suggestions would be helpful. Thanks, Paula H

"PaulAndPaulaH" wrote in message
...
I recently acquired a Compaq presario 1255 laptop that is nine years old
with
Windows 98SE OS. I was told that the hard drive was cleaned. However, I
find leftovers of old un-installed programs such as McAfee from 2003. The
problem is that about every third boot up, I get an error message that a
McAffee file no longer exists. I found a file labeled exactly as the
error
message in configsys/startup. I obviously unchecked it in
confifsys/startup,
but still get the same error message on startup. I have all the original
RESTORE disks that accompanied the purchase of the laptop. Would I be
better
to reformat the hard drive with the FULL FACTORY RESTORE FROM CD or the
try
and work around these leftovers. I only intend on using this computer for
printing database invoices that I will create in the Works program that
came
on it--that is it. It will never be used for internet, etc. Will I need
updates for Win98 (knowing they are now unavailable) if I do a full
restore,
even though I am only using minimal applications? Have I totally confused
the situation? I am leaning towards REFORMAT and take it from there. Any
suggestions would be helpful. Thanks, Paula H


Considering that the machine could be full of other problems...
malware and who knows what...
I recommend using the restore CD.

Ask the original owner if the "Works" program was factory installed...
if so, it should be on the restore CD

"PaulAndPaulaH" wrote in message
...
I recently acquired a Compaq presario 1255 laptop that is nine years old with
Windows 98SE OS. I was told that the hard drive was cleaned. However, I
find leftovers of old un-installed programs such as McAfee from 2003. The
problem is that about every third boot up, I get an error message that a
McAffee file no longer exists. I found a file labeled exactly as the error
message in configsys/startup. I obviously unchecked it in confifsys/startup,
but still get the same error message on startup. I have all the original
RESTORE disks that accompanied the purchase of the laptop. Would I be better
to reformat the hard drive with the FULL FACTORY RESTORE FROM CD or the try
and work around these leftovers. I only intend on using this computer for
printing database invoices that I will create in the Works program that came
on it--that is it. It will never be used for internet, etc. Will I need
updates for Win98 (knowing they are now unavailable) if I do a full restore,
even though I am only using minimal applications? Have I totally confused
the situation? I am leaning towards REFORMAT and take it from there. Any
suggestions would be helpful. Thanks, Paula H

You would be better of formatting and doing a clean install. However, before
you do that check to make sure the apps you want to use were actually included.
HP/Compaq support does state that MS Word and Works were included, yet there is
no mention of McAfee.
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/d...=95000&lang=en

You also could try a Selective Quick Restore, although a wipe/reinstall would be
the way to go.
Click Start , then click Compaq Support.
Click the Quick Restore icon, then click the Selective option.
Select the software driver or application to install, then click OK .

HP/Compaq support for the Presario 1255. Make sure you have the correct Model
number, there are 3 different ones.
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/p...&lang=en&cc=us

--


Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Windows Desktop User Experience }
Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://basconotw.mvps.org/

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://dts-l.com/goodpost.htm
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

"Brian A." gonefish'n@afarawaylake wrote in message
...
"PaulAndPaulaH" wrote in message
...
I recently acquired a Compaq presario 1255 laptop that is nine years old
with
Windows 98SE OS. I was told that the hard drive was cleaned. However,
I
find leftovers of old un-installed programs such as McAfee from 2003.
The
problem is that about every third boot up, I get an error message that a
McAffee file no longer exists. I found a file labeled exactly as the
error
message in configsys/startup. I obviously unchecked it in
confifsys/startup,
but still get the same error message on startup. I have all the
original
RESTORE disks that accompanied the purchase of the laptop. Would I be
better
to reformat the hard drive with the FULL FACTORY RESTORE FROM CD or the
try
and work around these leftovers. I only intend on using this computer
for
printing database invoices that I will create in the Works program that
came
on it--that is it. It will never be used for internet, etc. Will I
need
updates for Win98 (knowing they are now unavailable) if I do a full
restore,
even though I am only using minimal applications? Have I totally
confused
the situation? I am leaning towards REFORMAT and take it from there.
Any
suggestions would be helpful. Thanks, Paula H

You would be better of formatting and doing a clean install. However,
before
you do that check to make sure the apps you want to use were actually
included.
HP/Compaq support does state that MS Word and Works were included, yet
there is
no mention of McAfee.

No McAfee would be *good* news !



http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/d...=95000&lang=en

You also could try a Selective Quick Restore, although a wipe/reinstall
would be
the way to go.
Click Start , then click Compaq Support.
Click the Quick Restore icon, then click the Selective option.
Select the software driver or application to install, then click OK .

HP/Compaq support for the Presario 1255. Make sure you have the correct
Model
number, there are 3 different ones.

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/p...&lang=en&cc=us

--


Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Windows Desktop User Experience }
Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://basconotw.mvps.org/

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://dts-l.com/goodpost.htm
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

"PaulAndPaulaH" wrote in message
...
I recently acquired a Compaq presario 1255 laptop that is nine years old
with
Windows 98SE OS. I was told that the hard drive was cleaned. However, I
find leftovers of old un-installed programs such as McAfee from 2003. The
problem is that about every third boot up, I get an error message that a
McAffee file no longer exists. I found a file labeled exactly as the
error
message in configsys/startup. I obviously unchecked it in
confifsys/startup,
but still get the same error message on startup. I have all the original
RESTORE disks that accompanied the purchase of the laptop. Would I be
better
to reformat the hard drive with the FULL FACTORY RESTORE FROM CD or the
try
and work around these leftovers. I only intend on using this computer for
printing database invoices that I will create in the Works program that
came
on it--that is it. It will never be used for internet, etc. Will I need
updates for Win98 (knowing they are now unavailable) if I do a full
restore,
even though I am only using minimal applications? Have I totally confused
the situation? I am leaning towards REFORMAT and take it from there. Any
suggestions would be helpful. Thanks, Paula H

The restoration CD will wipe the old partition(s), and create a new one(s).
That will create a new file table for each partition. That will write new
files. All prior to that will be inaccessible from 98SE. Formatting is
entirely not needed as a result.

You seem confident that Works is part of the restoration.

Before leaving the internet for good, you will need the printer driver
software for your specific printer for the 98SE operating system.

You may need the 98SE USB updates if using USB.
--
Dave

Parkinson's disease, not easy to define.
Much less cure.

You statement that formatting is not needed is slightly misleading. At some
point the new partition gets formatted. Either during the Restore or at the
factory when they create the image that is cloned to the HD during Restore
(if that's how they do it.) A partition MUST be formatted in order to use
it.

--
Gary S. Terhune
MS-MVP Shell/User
www.grystmill.com

"Lil' Dave" wrote in message
...
"PaulAndPaulaH" wrote in message
...
I recently acquired a Compaq presario 1255 laptop that is nine years old
with
Windows 98SE OS. I was told that the hard drive was cleaned. However, I
find leftovers of old un-installed programs such as McAfee from 2003.
The
problem is that about every third boot up, I get an error message that a
McAffee file no longer exists. I found a file labeled exactly as the
error
message in configsys/startup. I obviously unchecked it in
confifsys/startup,
but still get the same error message on startup. I have all the original
RESTORE disks that accompanied the purchase of the laptop. Would I be
better
to reformat the hard drive with the FULL FACTORY RESTORE FROM CD or the
try
and work around these leftovers. I only intend on using this computer
for
printing database invoices that I will create in the Works program that
came
on it--that is it. It will never be used for internet, etc. Will I need
updates for Win98 (knowing they are now unavailable) if I do a full
restore,
even though I am only using minimal applications? Have I totally
confused
the situation? I am leaning towards REFORMAT and take it from there.
Any
suggestions would be helpful. Thanks, Paula H

The restoration CD will wipe the old partition(s), and create a new
one(s). That will create a new file table for each partition. That will
write new files. All prior to that will be inaccessible from 98SE.
Formatting is entirely not needed as a result.

You seem confident that Works is part of the restoration.

Before leaving the internet for good, you will need the printer driver
software for your specific printer for the 98SE operating system.

You may need the 98SE USB updates if using USB.
--
Dave

Parkinson's disease, not easy to define.
Much less cure.

"PaulAndPaulaH" wrote in
message ...
| I recently acquired a Compaq presario 1255 laptop that is nine years
old with
| Windows 98SE OS. I was told that the hard drive was cleaned.
However, I
| find leftovers of old un-installed programs such as McAfee from 2003.
The
| problem is that about every third boot up, I get an error message that
a
| McAffee file no longer exists. I found a file labeled exactly as the
error
| message in configsys/startup. I obviously unchecked it in
confifsys/startup,
| but still get the same error message on startup.

"START button, Run, SysEdit", & post Config.sys & AutoExec.bat. At least
these two lines (or similar) in the latter should have been eliminated,
if you have uninstalled McAfee...

C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\NETWOR~1\VIRUSS~1\40~1.XX\sca n.exe c:\
@IF ERRORLEVEL 1 PAUSE

| I have all the original
| RESTORE disks that accompanied the purchase of the laptop. Would I be
better
| to reformat the hard drive with the FULL FACTORY RESTORE FROM CD or
the try
| and work around these leftovers.

Have you ever done that before? Here is a write-up of my own experience
with that...

Well, I don't know whether it would be the same for you, but this is
what I did on my Compaq 7470. Remember, this totally wiped out
everything & restored to factory default condition. This does an Fdisk,
so, if you want to backup first, it must be done to CD or another HDD
altogether.

It took a phone call or two to Compaq to run my QuickRestore from double
CD's after an HDD crash, since the instructions that came with the them
were lacking. They are bootable-- BUT I couldn't figure out how to get
them into the CD-R/W drive. It was dumbfounding. Here's the actual
process:

1. Turn on computer. (So that you'll be able to...
2. Open CD tray; put in CD 1; close tray.
3. Turn computer off, then on. CD will boot.
(Computer did stuff, some of it twice, maybe. How long?)
4. When asked to insert a Diskette, hold down CTRL and press "R"
three times.
(Big secret? Lucky the guy was still on the line; he wanted to
go; eventually, did.)
5. At the error message (something like "Not ready reading drive
N"), hit "R" for "Retry".
(This took a second phone call; he said sometimes it takes 3
Retry's.)
6. When prompted, put in QuickRestore CD 2.
7. When prompted, put in QuickRestore CD 1, again.
8. When prompted, remove it.
(Windows screen came up; it seemed to go back to DOS; it rebooted
to Windows again; it did some unzipping; it rebooted; it did a
SystemSave; it rebooted; it installed some drivers; it asked some
questions, and I told all.)

That's what I wrote, some of it from memory, during & after the process.
The only other item in my notes is, "NEVER NEEDED ANY DISKETTE",
capitalized. I remember wondering what that diskette asked for was
supposed to be. I don't remember how much time passed between steps;
overall, I believe it was less than an hour, maybe much less.

This QuickRestore, to "factory", from the CDs, is far more involved than
the one from the D: partition. I don't really want to do it again. So
many reboots! And I may have left some out in the notes! There is a lot
to like about Compaq, but QuickRestore from CD's is not one of them...
well, it did work, though. I hope I haven't given away a big secret.

| I only intend on using this computer for
| printing database invoices that I will create in the Works program
that came
| on it--that is it. It will never be used for internet, etc. Will I
need
| updates for Win98 (knowing they are now unavailable) if I do a full
restore,
| even though I am only using minimal applications?

The old critical updates are still available at Windows Update. It's
just that new ones won't be written. It also could be wise to go get the
old Compaq SoftPaqs available now at the HP site.

| Have I totally confused
| the situation? I am leaning towards REFORMAT and take it from there.

MS Works came with my Compaq. If you do your own reformat (I mean not
using Compaq's QuickRestore), you may lose it, if your is like my 7470.
OTOH, if you boot your 1st QuickRestore CD, it may offer to do a
Selective Restore. Mine does-- but I can't recall whether it just offers
drivers or the separate software packages as well.

| Any
| suggestions would be helpful. Thanks, Paula H

You are welcome.

--
Thanks or Good Luck,
There may be humor in this post, and,
Naturally, you will not sue,
Should things get worse after this,
PCR