reinstalling Win98?

I have a computer with Win98 on it. I had it for a very
long time. It seems that i have spent a bit too much time
on it trying out this and this setting which i think left
it not working too perfect as it was.
So to get everything as it were, back to normal.
What do i do?
Do I reinstall Win98 or is there another way?
If not then how do i reinstall it?
And what will happen if i do? Do i lose files on my hard
disk and that kind of stuff?

Thank you

IMO there comes a time when a clean install is called for, especially if the
computer has been used for several years without letup. Yes, a clean install
means that any saved files or data will be lost, as will any programs you
may have installed. The advantage of a clean install is that all of the old
flaws that have gradually accumulated in your operating system and elsewhere
will be eliminated. If you are concerned about existing data, do a backup
first of whatever you consider important.

When I do a clean install, I first remove all partitions on the hard drive,
create a new partition, format the hard drive, do a fresh install of the
operating system (you will need the original W98 disk), and then download
and install all of the Windows Updates from Microsoft. After that I reload
anything important from my backup storage device.

my partition C contains only windows 98 files and all new software, data etc
are in
other partitions like D and E. is it not possible to reformat only C and
then reinstall windows 98 keeping D E and F safe. thanks.



Papa wrote in message
...
IMO there comes a time when a clean install is called for, especially if
the
computer has been used for several years without letup. Yes, a clean
install
means that any saved files or data will be lost, as will any programs you
may have installed. The advantage of a clean install is that all of the
old
flaws that have gradually accumulated in your operating system and
elsewhere
will be eliminated. If you are concerned about existing data, do a backup
first of whatever you consider important.

When I do a clean install, I first remove all partitions on the hard
drive,
create a new partition, format the hard drive, do a fresh install of the
operating system (you will need the original W98 disk), and then download
and install all of the Windows Updates from Microsoft. After that I reload
anything important from my backup storage device.

Yes, you can do that. Just don't partition (FDISK). Simply reformat C.

"R.VENKATARAMAN" &&& wrote in message
...
my partition C contains only windows 98 files and all new software, data
etc
are in
other partitions like D and E. is it not possible to reformat only C and
then reinstall windows 98 keeping D E and F safe. thanks.



Papa wrote in message
...
IMO there comes a time when a clean install is called for, especially if
the
computer has been used for several years without letup. Yes, a clean
install
means that any saved files or data will be lost, as will any programs
you
may have installed. The advantage of a clean install is that all of the
old
flaws that have gradually accumulated in your operating system and
elsewhere
will be eliminated. If you are concerned about existing data, do a
backup
first of whatever you consider important.

When I do a clean install, I first remove all partitions on the hard
drive,
create a new partition, format the hard drive, do a fresh install of the
operating system (you will need the original W98 disk), and then
download
and install all of the Windows Updates from Microsoft. After that I
reload
anything important from my backup storage device.

thanks for the reply
so if i reinstall i lose everything that on my hard drive?
What about the Network? Do i have to set that up again to
connec to the LAN network it's connected to now?

thanks again

-----Original Message-----
IMO there comes a time when a clean install is called
for, especially if the
computer has been used for several years without letup.
Yes, a clean install
means that any saved files or data will be lost, as will
any programs you
may have installed. The advantage of a clean install is
that all of the old
flaws that have gradually accumulated in your operating
system and elsewhere
will be eliminated. If you are concerned about existing
data, do a backup
first of whatever you consider important.

When I do a clean install, I first remove all partitions
on the hard drive,
create a new partition, format the hard drive, do a
fresh install of the
operating system (you will need the original W98 disk),
and then download
and install all of the Windows Updates from Microsoft.
After that I reload
anything important from my backup storage device.


.

As I said, do a backup first. Then retrieve the data when you are done. And
yes, you will have to set up EVERYTHING again, including the network.

"ypx" wrote in message
...
thanks for the reply
so if i reinstall i lose everything that on my hard drive?
What about the Network? Do i have to set that up again to
connec to the LAN network it's connected to now?

thanks again

-----Original Message-----
IMO there comes a time when a clean install is called
for, especially if the
computer has been used for several years without letup.
Yes, a clean install
means that any saved files or data will be lost, as will
any programs you
may have installed. The advantage of a clean install is
that all of the old
flaws that have gradually accumulated in your operating
system and elsewhere
will be eliminated. If you are concerned about existing
data, do a backup
first of whatever you consider important.

When I do a clean install, I first remove all partitions
on the hard drive,
create a new partition, format the hard drive, do a
fresh install of the
operating system (you will need the original W98 disk),
and then download
and install all of the Windows Updates from Microsoft.
After that I reload
anything important from my backup storage device.


.

You can try cleaning the computer up (anti virus and adware programs) and
cleaning out unnecessary files (temp folder files, history, temporary
internet files, cookies, recycle bin, etc), removing everything from My
Documents and filing the stuff somewhere else.
**********
Spyware/scumware/adware are causing numerous system problems. I recommend
you download and use the following programs and consider removing everything
these programs identify. Be aware that there are frequent updates to these
programs and you need to check for them before every use.

AdAwa http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/

CWShredder: http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/cwschronicles.html (download
link near the bottom)

Spybot: http://www.safer-networking.org/
**********

You can cut back on the number of programs starting at boot because a large
number of unnecessary programs increases the boot time and cuts down on
system performance.

My personal rule of thumb is if a program is not used during every computer
session, I do not allow it to start at boot. To cut back on the number of
programs starting at boot, check the programs themselves for an option not
to load. You might have to double click an icon in the tray (others might
require a right click) and then look for preferences or options. If you
cannot find an option, look for the program in the following start up points
and remove the reference to it:

Start up folder on the start menu, the load= and run= lines in the win.ini
and these registry run keys (use regedit.exe):

1. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curr entVersion\Run

2. HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Run

3. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curr entVersion\RunOnce

4. HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\RunOnce

5. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curr entVersion\ RunServices

6. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curr entVersion\
RunServicesOnce

7. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curr entVersion\
RunOnce\Setup

If poking around in the registry is not for you, there is a freeware program
that makes this process a lot easier to manage: Startup Manager,
http://home.ptd.net/~don5408/toolbox/startupcpl/

You can use msconfig.exe, startup tab, to disable programs; however, by
doing so, you may lessen its value as a troubleshooting tool. There might
be some double entries in msconfig--leave those for your AntiVirus program
and load power profile alone as they are required. If you disable an entry
in msconfig or remove it from the start up point and the program loads again
after a reboot, that is an indication that you missed an option on the
program itself. If you don't know what an entry is, check he
http://www.pacs-portal.co.uk/startup_index.htm
***********

You can do a clean installation of W98 by formatting the C: partition (all
files lost) or installing to a new folder if you have enough hard drive
room. In either case, all software will have to be reinstalled and you will
probably need hardware drivers.

How to Install Windows 98 Into a New Folder
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=193902

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

--
Regards

Ron Badour, MS MVP for W98
Tips: http://home.satx.rr.com/badour
Knowledge Base Info:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?pr=kbinfo

"ypx" wrote in message
...
I have a computer with Win98 on it. I had it for a very
long time. It seems that i have spent a bit too much time
on it trying out this and this setting which i think left
it not working too perfect as it was.
So to get everything as it were, back to normal.
What do i do?
Do I reinstall Win98 or is there another way?
If not then how do i reinstall it?
And what will happen if i do? Do i lose files on my hard
disk and that kind of stuff?

Thank you