Reinstall question...

When I ran the Windows 98SE disk to reinstall everything a couple weeks ago
(because I had lost some of the Windows files due to a virus) I was given
the choice of doing an install that wouldn't keep my personal settings.

Is that the kind of install that will wipe out everything on the hard drive
and start from scratch? And, if so, can someone with very limited computer
knowledge do that and still be able to get on the internet and everything
after it's done?

I did a Google search and got a little worried by what I read.

I've installed and then uninstalled a lot of programs, so I'm just looking
to get all the leftover files and junk from those programs out of my
computer.

I know I'll have to redo the settings to get back on the internet, but the
cable company provided a good pamphlet that describes exactly how to do
that.

Any opinions?

Thank you!

"ViperTwo" wrote in message
news
When I ran the Windows 98SE disk to reinstall everything a couple weeks
ago
(because I had lost some of the Windows files due to a virus) I was given
the choice of doing an install that wouldn't keep my personal settings.

Sounds like an OEM disk that will reformat the entire drive and restore it
to the default settings at the time of purchase or manufacturer shipping.

Is that the kind of install that will wipe out everything on the hard
drive
and start from scratch? And, if so, can someone with very limited computer
knowledge do that and still be able to get on the internet and everything
after it's done?

Yes, it will wipe the drive.
You need to first backup all of your important data associated with
applications and then make sure you have the install disks required for each
application the data is associated with.
After you have restored the system to factory default and installed any
drivers for devices you have added, setup your web access per your ISP's
instructions.

Once setup to connect to the web, go to Windows Update and dl'd/install all
critical updates.

Next install a reliant Anti-Virus program, AVG is recommended by most and
free:
http://www.grisoft.com/us/us_index.php

Now install any applications that were not included with the system restore
disk. Disable your AV app before installing any apps to deminish the
possibilty of corruption or conflicts.

I did a Google search and got a little worried by what I read.

We have all been down that road.

I've installed and then uninstalled a lot of programs, so I'm just looking
to get all the leftover files and junk from those programs out of my
computer.

If your knowledge is limited a fresh install would be best, otherwise a
thorough search of the registry could be in order to clean out leftovers.

Good luck Kelvin or whomever from midco.net

--


Brian A.

In addition to Brian's comments:

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

"ViperTwo" wrote in message
news
When I ran the Windows 98SE disk to reinstall everything a couple weeks
ago
(because I had lost some of the Windows files due to a virus) I was given
the choice of doing an install that wouldn't keep my personal settings.

Is that the kind of install that will wipe out everything on the hard
drive
and start from scratch? And, if so, can someone with very limited computer
knowledge do that and still be able to get on the internet and everything
after it's done?

I did a Google search and got a little worried by what I read.

I've installed and then uninstalled a lot of programs, so I'm just looking
to get all the leftover files and junk from those programs out of my
computer.

I know I'll have to redo the settings to get back on the internet, but the
cable company provided a good pamphlet that describes exactly how to do
that.

Any opinions?

Thank you!