A HowTo question

I got hold of an old ATT PC awhile back with WIN98 installed so I could have
something to fool around with as a second PC. I managed to mess it up
royally to where, when turned on it will now only show a text screen that
goes to "Press F2 to enter SETUP", pauses, then goes as far as "BIOS not
installed", and "Operating system not found." SETUP works OK.

I remember that I had mistakenly deleted some type of dll(s) and I don't
know what else. Then I tried fooling with some kind of bootup disk which got
me where I am now. It's been awhile so I don't remember the specifics.

I have borrowed a friend's WIN98SE CD so I could try reinstalling the OS,
but I don't know where to start. One thing I noticed in the SETUP window is
that it asks to boot to A: or C: only --the CDROM was possibly
retro-installed (?).

Can I use some type of Startup floppy to get it going so it will accept the
OS from the CD? Can I get the WIN98SE in there and working (or possibly
repaired)?

Thanks, Pflu

Go to http://www.bootdisk.com/bootdisk.htm and create a Windows
98 boot floppy. Start the computer with the floppy, select "With CD
support", insert the Windows 98 CD, type "setup" and press "Enter".

Ben

"Pflueger" wrote in message ...
I got hold of an old ATT PC awhile back with WIN98 installed so I could have
something to fool around with as a second PC. I managed to mess it up
royally to where, when turned on it will now only show a text screen that
goes to "Press F2 to enter SETUP", pauses, then goes as far as "BIOS not
installed", and "Operating system not found." SETUP works OK.

I remember that I had mistakenly deleted some type of dll(s) and I don't
know what else. Then I tried fooling with some kind of bootup disk which got
me where I am now. It's been awhile so I don't remember the specifics.

I have borrowed a friend's WIN98SE CD so I could try reinstalling the OS,
but I don't know where to start. One thing I noticed in the SETUP window is
that it asks to boot to A: or C: only --the CDROM was possibly
retro-installed (?).

Can I use some type of Startup floppy to get it going so it will accept the
OS from the CD? Can I get the WIN98SE in there and working (or possibly
repaired)?

Thanks, Pflu

Thanks, Ben. I encountered a problem I don't understand. I booted the PC
with the Bootup disk, followed your instructions and it ran to the following
point:

"W98 has detected that drive C does not have a valid FAT or FAT32
partition." Of the given causes I assumed #1: "The drive may need to be
partitioned...FDISK with command prompt..." Typed FDISK, hit Enter, got "No
fixed disk present."

I don't understand cause #2, and #3 deals with viruses.

What next?

Pflu


"Ben Myers" wrote in message
...
Go to http://www.bootdisk.com/bootdisk.htm and create a Windows
98 boot floppy. Start the computer with the floppy, select "With CD
support", insert the Windows 98 CD, type "setup" and press "Enter".

Ben

"Pflueger" wrote in message
...
I got hold of an old ATT PC awhile back with WIN98 installed so I could
have
something to fool around with as a second PC. I managed to mess it up
royally to where, when turned on it will now only show a text screen that
goes to "Press F2 to enter SETUP", pauses, then goes as far as "BIOS not
installed", and "Operating system not found." SETUP works OK.

I remember that I had mistakenly deleted some type of dll(s) and I don't
know what else. Then I tried fooling with some kind of bootup disk which
got
me where I am now. It's been awhile so I don't remember the specifics.

I have borrowed a friend's WIN98SE CD so I could try reinstalling the OS,
but I don't know where to start. One thing I noticed in the SETUP window
is
that it asks to boot to A: or C: only --the CDROM was possibly
retro-installed (?).

Can I use some type of Startup floppy to get it going so it will accept
the
OS from the CD? Can I get the WIN98SE in there and working (or possibly
repaired)?

Thanks, Pflu

Go into the BIOS setup and make sure the hard drive is properly
configured. Use autodetect if available and be sure to save the
new settings when exiting. If this doesn't help, open the case
and unplug and reseat the cable that connects the hard drive to
the motherboard.

Ben

"Pflueger" wrote in message ...
Thanks, Ben. I encountered a problem I don't understand. I booted the PC
with the Bootup disk, followed your instructions and it ran to the following
point:

"W98 has detected that drive C does not have a valid FAT or FAT32
partition." Of the given causes I assumed #1: "The drive may need to be
partitioned...FDISK with command prompt..." Typed FDISK, hit Enter, got "No
fixed disk present."

I don't understand cause #2, and #3 deals with viruses.

What next?

Pflu


"Ben Myers" wrote in message
...
Go to http://www.bootdisk.com/bootdisk.htm and create a Windows
98 boot floppy. Start the computer with the floppy, select "With CD
support", insert the Windows 98 CD, type "setup" and press "Enter".

Ben

"Pflueger" wrote in message
...
I got hold of an old ATT PC awhile back with WIN98 installed so I could
have
something to fool around with as a second PC. I managed to mess it up
royally to where, when turned on it will now only show a text screen that
goes to "Press F2 to enter SETUP", pauses, then goes as far as "BIOS not
installed", and "Operating system not found." SETUP works OK.

I remember that I had mistakenly deleted some type of dll(s) and I don't
know what else. Then I tried fooling with some kind of bootup disk which
got
me where I am now. It's been awhile so I don't remember the specifics.

I have borrowed a friend's WIN98SE CD so I could try reinstalling the OS,
but I don't know where to start. One thing I noticed in the SETUP window
is
that it asks to boot to A: or C: only --the CDROM was possibly
retro-installed (?).

Can I use some type of Startup floppy to get it going so it will accept
the
OS from the CD? Can I get the WIN98SE in there and working (or possibly
repaired)?

Thanks, Pflu

"Pflueger" wrote in message
...

I got hold of an old ATT PC awhile back with WIN98 . . .
when turned on it will now only show a text screen that
goes to "Press F2 to enter SETUP", pauses, then goes as far as "BIOS not
installed", and "Operating system not found." SETUP works OK.
. . .
I have borrowed a friend's WIN98SE CD so I could try reinstalling the OS,
but I don't know where to start. One thing I noticed in the SETUP window
is
that it asks to boot to A: or C: only --the CDROM was possibly
retro-installed (?).

Both these errors hint that you may need to
replace the CMOS battery -- which powers the
BIOS. With a good battery you can reset BIOS
to boot from (recommended):
A: C: and CD
(in that order.) The BIOS also governs the PC's
ability to read the hard drive.

The CMOS battery is usually a flat silver disk,
the size of a dime, secured by a clip to the main
board of the PC. You may have to remove one
or two cards from their slots in order to get the
battery out. Note before removal which side up
the battery should sit.

--
Don Phillipson
Carlsbad Springs
(Ottawa, Canada)

The Autodetect found the C: drive and the install setup worked great up to
the main 98 window where I used the mouse to click on "Continue". Then a
STOP window appeared stating that there is already an OS installed and that
this method wouldn't provide the proper files(?) and that I needed "98
Upgrade". This CD is 98SE. When I clicked "OK" I got an A:\ command
prompt --that is where it sits.

Does that mean when Autodetect configured the drive it found the old 98 OS
and I can access that now? If so, last I remember that wasn't working.

What now?

Thanks, Pflu







"Ben Myers" wrote in message
...
Go into the BIOS setup and make sure the hard drive is properly
configured. Use autodetect if available and be sure to save the
new settings when exiting. If this doesn't help, open the case
and unplug and reseat the cable that connects the hard drive to
the motherboard.

Ben

"Pflueger" wrote in message
...
Thanks, Ben. I encountered a problem I don't understand. I booted the PC
with the Bootup disk, followed your instructions and it ran to the
following
point:

"W98 has detected that drive C does not have a valid FAT or FAT32
partition." Of the given causes I assumed #1: "The drive may need to be
partitioned...FDISK with command prompt..." Typed FDISK, hit Enter, got
"No
fixed disk present."

I don't understand cause #2, and #3 deals with viruses.

What next?

Pflu


"Ben Myers" wrote in message
...
Go to http://www.bootdisk.com/bootdisk.htm and create a Windows
98 boot floppy. Start the computer with the floppy, select "With CD
support", insert the Windows 98 CD, type "setup" and press "Enter".

Ben

"Pflueger" wrote in message
...
I got hold of an old ATT PC awhile back with WIN98 installed so I could
have
something to fool around with as a second PC. I managed to mess it up
royally to where, when turned on it will now only show a text screen
that
goes to "Press F2 to enter SETUP", pauses, then goes as far as "BIOS
not
installed", and "Operating system not found." SETUP works OK.

I remember that I had mistakenly deleted some type of dll(s) and I don't
know what else. Then I tried fooling with some kind of bootup disk which
got
me where I am now. It's been awhile so I don't remember the specifics.

I have borrowed a friend's WIN98SE CD so I could try reinstalling the
OS,
but I don't know where to start. One thing I noticed in the SETUP window
is
that it asks to boot to A: or C: only --the CDROM was possibly
retro-installed (?).

Can I use some type of Startup floppy to get it going so it will accept
the
OS from the CD? Can I get the WIN98SE in there and working (or possibly
repaired)?

Thanks, Pflu

If you have plenty of disk space and want a fresh installation, type
"rename c:\windows winold" at the A:\ prompt. Then try running
setup again.

Ben

"Pflueger" wrote in message ...
The Autodetect found the C: drive and the install setup worked great up to
the main 98 window where I used the mouse to click on "Continue". Then a
STOP window appeared stating that there is already an OS installed and that
this method wouldn't provide the proper files(?) and that I needed "98
Upgrade". This CD is 98SE. When I clicked "OK" I got an A:\ command
prompt --that is where it sits.

Does that mean when Autodetect configured the drive it found the old 98 OS
and I can access that now? If so, last I remember that wasn't working.

What now?

Thanks, Pflu







"Ben Myers" wrote in message
...
Go into the BIOS setup and make sure the hard drive is properly
configured. Use autodetect if available and be sure to save the
new settings when exiting. If this doesn't help, open the case
and unplug and reseat the cable that connects the hard drive to
the motherboard.

Ben

"Pflueger" wrote in message
...
Thanks, Ben. I encountered a problem I don't understand. I booted the PC
with the Bootup disk, followed your instructions and it ran to the
following
point:

"W98 has detected that drive C does not have a valid FAT or FAT32
partition." Of the given causes I assumed #1: "The drive may need to be
partitioned...FDISK with command prompt..." Typed FDISK, hit Enter, got
"No
fixed disk present."

I don't understand cause #2, and #3 deals with viruses.

What next?

Pflu


"Ben Myers" wrote in message
...
Go to http://www.bootdisk.com/bootdisk.htm and create a Windows
98 boot floppy. Start the computer with the floppy, select "With CD
support", insert the Windows 98 CD, type "setup" and press "Enter".

Ben

"Pflueger" wrote in message
...
I got hold of an old ATT PC awhile back with WIN98 installed so I could
have
something to fool around with as a second PC. I managed to mess it up
royally to where, when turned on it will now only show a text screen
that
goes to "Press F2 to enter SETUP", pauses, then goes as far as "BIOS
not
installed", and "Operating system not found." SETUP works OK.

I remember that I had mistakenly deleted some type of dll(s) and I don't
know what else. Then I tried fooling with some kind of bootup disk which
got
me where I am now. It's been awhile so I don't remember the specifics.

I have borrowed a friend's WIN98SE CD so I could try reinstalling the
OS,
but I don't know where to start. One thing I noticed in the SETUP window
is
that it asks to boot to A: or C: only --the CDROM was possibly
retro-installed (?).

Can I use some type of Startup floppy to get it going so it will accept
the
OS from the CD? Can I get the WIN98SE in there and working (or possibly
repaired)?

Thanks, Pflu

I tried the "rename..." command and then SETUP and it got to the same place
with the same STOP window --says the installed OS cannot be upgraded by this
version of Setup --need W98 Upgrade".

Tried it again twice, response is now "file not found - c:\windows".

Pflu




"Ben Myers" wrote in message
...
If you have plenty of disk space and want a fresh installation, type
"rename c:\windows winold" at the A:\ prompt. Then try running
setup again.

Ben

"Pflueger" wrote in message
...
The Autodetect found the C: drive and the install setup worked great up to
the main 98 window where I used the mouse to click on "Continue". Then a
STOP window appeared stating that there is already an OS installed and
that
this method wouldn't provide the proper files(?) and that I needed "98
Upgrade". This CD is 98SE. When I clicked "OK" I got an A:\ command
prompt --that is where it sits.

Does that mean when Autodetect configured the drive it found the old 98 OS
and I can access that now? If so, last I remember that wasn't working.

What now?

Thanks, Pflu







"Ben Myers" wrote in message
...
Go into the BIOS setup and make sure the hard drive is properly
configured. Use autodetect if available and be sure to save the
new settings when exiting. If this doesn't help, open the case
and unplug and reseat the cable that connects the hard drive to
the motherboard.

Ben

"Pflueger" wrote in message
...
Thanks, Ben. I encountered a problem I don't understand. I booted the PC
with the Bootup disk, followed your instructions and it ran to the
following
point:

"W98 has detected that drive C does not have a valid FAT or FAT32
partition." Of the given causes I assumed #1: "The drive may need to be
partitioned...FDISK with command prompt..." Typed FDISK, hit Enter, got
"No
fixed disk present."

I don't understand cause #2, and #3 deals with viruses.

What next?

Pflu


"Ben Myers" wrote in message
...
Go to http://www.bootdisk.com/bootdisk.htm and create a Windows
98 boot floppy. Start the computer with the floppy, select "With CD
support", insert the Windows 98 CD, type "setup" and press "Enter".

Ben

"Pflueger" wrote in message
...
I got hold of an old ATT PC awhile back with WIN98 installed so I
could
have
something to fool around with as a second PC. I managed to mess it up
royally to where, when turned on it will now only show a text screen
that
goes to "Press F2 to enter SETUP", pauses, then goes as far as "BIOS
not
installed", and "Operating system not found." SETUP works OK.

I remember that I had mistakenly deleted some type of dll(s) and I
don't
know what else. Then I tried fooling with some kind of bootup disk
which
got
me where I am now. It's been awhile so I don't remember the specifics.

I have borrowed a friend's WIN98SE CD so I could try reinstalling the
OS,
but I don't know where to start. One thing I noticed in the SETUP
window
is
that it asks to boot to A: or C: only --the CDROM was possibly
retro-installed (?).

Can I use some type of Startup floppy to get it going so it will
accept
the
OS from the CD? Can I get the WIN98SE in there and working (or
possibly
repaired)?

Thanks, Pflu

Try typing "sys c:" at the A:\ prompt. This should transfer the DOS system files
consistent with the version you are trying to install.

Ben

"Pflueger" wrote in message ...
I tried the "rename..." command and then SETUP and it got to the same place
with the same STOP window --says the installed OS cannot be upgraded by this
version of Setup --need W98 Upgrade".

Tried it again twice, response is now "file not found - c:\windows".

Pflu




"Ben Myers" wrote in message
...
If you have plenty of disk space and want a fresh installation, type
"rename c:\windows winold" at the A:\ prompt. Then try running
setup again.

Ben

"Pflueger" wrote in message
...
The Autodetect found the C: drive and the install setup worked great up to
the main 98 window where I used the mouse to click on "Continue". Then a
STOP window appeared stating that there is already an OS installed and
that
this method wouldn't provide the proper files(?) and that I needed "98
Upgrade". This CD is 98SE. When I clicked "OK" I got an A:\ command
prompt --that is where it sits.

Does that mean when Autodetect configured the drive it found the old 98 OS
and I can access that now? If so, last I remember that wasn't working.

What now?

Thanks, Pflu







"Ben Myers" wrote in message
...
Go into the BIOS setup and make sure the hard drive is properly
configured. Use autodetect if available and be sure to save the
new settings when exiting. If this doesn't help, open the case
and unplug and reseat the cable that connects the hard drive to
the motherboard.

Ben

"Pflueger" wrote in message
...
Thanks, Ben. I encountered a problem I don't understand. I booted the PC
with the Bootup disk, followed your instructions and it ran to the
following
point:

"W98 has detected that drive C does not have a valid FAT or FAT32
partition." Of the given causes I assumed #1: "The drive may need to be
partitioned...FDISK with command prompt..." Typed FDISK, hit Enter, got
"No
fixed disk present."

I don't understand cause #2, and #3 deals with viruses.

What next?

Pflu


"Ben Myers" wrote in message
...
Go to http://www.bootdisk.com/bootdisk.htm and create a Windows
98 boot floppy. Start the computer with the floppy, select "With CD
support", insert the Windows 98 CD, type "setup" and press "Enter".

Ben

"Pflueger" wrote in message
...
I got hold of an old ATT PC awhile back with WIN98 installed so I
could
have
something to fool around with as a second PC. I managed to mess it up
royally to where, when turned on it will now only show a text screen
that
goes to "Press F2 to enter SETUP", pauses, then goes as far as "BIOS
not
installed", and "Operating system not found." SETUP works OK.

I remember that I had mistakenly deleted some type of dll(s) and I
don't
know what else. Then I tried fooling with some kind of bootup disk
which
got
me where I am now. It's been awhile so I don't remember the specifics.

I have borrowed a friend's WIN98SE CD so I could try reinstalling the
OS,
but I don't know where to start. One thing I noticed in the SETUP
window
is
that it asks to boot to A: or C: only --the CDROM was possibly
retro-installed (?).

Can I use some type of Startup floppy to get it going so it will
accept
the
OS from the CD? Can I get the WIN98SE in there and working (or
possibly
repaired)?

Thanks, Pflu

Information on reinstalling or upgrading with an OEM CD:
http://home.satx.rr.com/badour/html/upgrade.html

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



"Pflueger" wrote in message
...
I tried the "rename..." command and then SETUP and it got to the same place
with the same STOP window --says the installed OS cannot be upgraded by
this
version of Setup --need W98 Upgrade".

Tried it again twice, response is now "file not found - c:\windows".

Pflu




"Ben Myers" wrote in message
...
If you have plenty of disk space and want a fresh installation, type
"rename c:\windows winold" at the A:\ prompt. Then try running
setup again.

Ben

"Pflueger" wrote in message
...
The Autodetect found the C: drive and the install setup worked great up
to
the main 98 window where I used the mouse to click on "Continue". Then a
STOP window appeared stating that there is already an OS installed and
that
this method wouldn't provide the proper files(?) and that I needed "98
Upgrade". This CD is 98SE. When I clicked "OK" I got an A:\ command
prompt --that is where it sits.

Does that mean when Autodetect configured the drive it found the old 98
OS
and I can access that now? If so, last I remember that wasn't working.

What now?

Thanks, Pflu







"Ben Myers" wrote in message
...
Go into the BIOS setup and make sure the hard drive is properly
configured. Use autodetect if available and be sure to save the
new settings when exiting. If this doesn't help, open the case
and unplug and reseat the cable that connects the hard drive to
the motherboard.

Ben

"Pflueger" wrote in message
...
Thanks, Ben. I encountered a problem I don't understand. I booted the
PC
with the Bootup disk, followed your instructions and it ran to the
following
point:

"W98 has detected that drive C does not have a valid FAT or FAT32
partition." Of the given causes I assumed #1: "The drive may need to be
partitioned...FDISK with command prompt..." Typed FDISK, hit Enter, got
"No
fixed disk present."

I don't understand cause #2, and #3 deals with viruses.

What next?

Pflu


"Ben Myers" wrote in message
...
Go to http://www.bootdisk.com/bootdisk.htm and create a Windows
98 boot floppy. Start the computer with the floppy, select "With CD
support", insert the Windows 98 CD, type "setup" and press "Enter".

Ben

"Pflueger" wrote in message
...
I got hold of an old ATT PC awhile back with WIN98 installed so I
could
have
something to fool around with as a second PC. I managed to mess it up
royally to where, when turned on it will now only show a text screen
that
goes to "Press F2 to enter SETUP", pauses, then goes as far as
"BIOS
not
installed", and "Operating system not found." SETUP works OK.

I remember that I had mistakenly deleted some type of dll(s) and I
don't
know what else. Then I tried fooling with some kind of bootup disk
which
got
me where I am now. It's been awhile so I don't remember the
specifics.

I have borrowed a friend's WIN98SE CD so I could try reinstalling the
OS,
but I don't know where to start. One thing I noticed in the SETUP
window
is
that it asks to boot to A: or C: only --the CDROM was possibly
retro-installed (?).

Can I use some type of Startup floppy to get it going so it will
accept
the
OS from the CD? Can I get the WIN98SE in there and working (or
possibly
repaired)?

Thanks, Pflu