Over-install???

I am running Win98 SE. I have a few damaged files. I know doing what some
call an "over install" will repair damaged files. I need a good detailed
explanation on how to do an over-install. All help appreciated. Thank you.

I suggest you replace the damaged files, rather than take the dubious
step of installing over the top.

How do you know they are damaged?

....Alan

--
Alan Edwards, MS MVP W95/98 Systems
http://dts-l.org/index.html

In microsoft.public.win98.gen_discussion, "Ross"
wrote:

I am running Win98 SE. I have a few damaged files. I know doing what some
call an "over install" will repair damaged files. I need a good detailed
explanation on how to do an over-install. All help appreciated. Thank you.

Alan, thank you for your reply. Basically I want to learn how to do an
over-install. If you know how I would appreciate learning how and all help is
appreciated. Thank you.

"Alan Edwards" wrote:

I suggest you replace the damaged files, rather than take the dubious
step of installing over the top.

How do you know they are damaged?

....Alan

--
Alan Edwards, MS MVP W95/98 Systems
http://dts-l.org/index.html

In microsoft.public.win98.gen_discussion, "Ross"
wrote:

I am running Win98 SE. I have a few damaged files. I know doing what some
call an "over install" will repair damaged files. I need a good detailed
explanation on how to do an over-install. All help appreciated. Thank you.

An over the top (o-t-t) install usually creates more problems then it fixes.
W98 has tons of patches and you are going to create file mismatches if you
proceed with your plan. Plus, the registry does not get rewritten on an
o-t-t which can create yet more problems. Alan's question remains: how do
you know the files are damaged?

--
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

"Ross" wrote in message
...
Alan, thank you for your reply. Basically I want to learn how to do an
over-install. If you know how I would appreciate learning how and all help
is
appreciated. Thank you.

"Alan Edwards" wrote:

I suggest you replace the damaged files, rather than take the dubious
step of installing over the top.

How do you know they are damaged?

....Alan

--
Alan Edwards, MS MVP W95/98 Systems
http://dts-l.org/index.html

In microsoft.public.win98.gen_discussion, "Ross"
wrote:

I am running Win98 SE. I have a few damaged files. I know doing what
some
call an "over install" will repair damaged files. I need a good detailed
explanation on how to do an over-install. All help appreciated. Thank
you.

Ross, I definately agree with Alan and Ron. How do you know the files are
damaged? Also, an over-install almost always causes more problems than it
fixes and I would not take the gamble that your problems will be fixed with
an over-install which I cannot suggest under any circumstance that I can
currently think of at this moment.

"Ron Badour" wrote in message
...
: An over the top (o-t-t) install usually creates more problems then it
fixes.
: W98 has tons of patches and you are going to create file mismatches if you
: proceed with your plan. Plus, the registry does not get rewritten on an
: o-t-t which can create yet more problems. Alan's question remains: how do
: you know the files are damaged?
:
: --
: 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
:
: "Ross" wrote in message
: ...
: Alan, thank you for your reply. Basically I want to learn how to do an
: over-install. If you know how I would appreciate learning how and all
help
: is
: appreciated. Thank you.
:
: "Alan Edwards" wrote:
:
: I suggest you replace the damaged files, rather than take the dubious
: step of installing over the top.
:
: How do you know they are damaged?
:
: ....Alan
:
: --
: Alan Edwards, MS MVP W95/98 Systems
: http://dts-l.org/index.html
:
: In microsoft.public.win98.gen_discussion, "Ross"
: wrote:
:
: I am running Win98 SE. I have a few damaged files. I know doing what
: some
: call an "over install" will repair damaged files. I need a good
detailed
: explanation on how to do an over-install. All help appreciated. Thank
: you.
:
:
:
:

Thank everyone who has responded to my question. I am not 100% sure I have
damaged files. So, lets get that out of the way - I am not 100% sure I have
damaged files. I just want to know how to do an over-install. I want to do it
just for the "heck of it" - it will be a learning experience for me and I am
always trying to expand my PC knowledge. If the over-install causes problems
I know how to format the HD and reinstall. The way I am going to over-install
is as follows:

With the Win98 disk in drive D I am going to open Windows Explorer and click
on D and follow the prompts until I find "setup" and go from there. That is
the way I think it is done but I am not sure. Please let me know if I will be
doing it right or is there a better way. All help appreciated. Thanks.

"Dan" wrote:

Ross, I definately agree with Alan and Ron. How do you know the files are
damaged? Also, an over-install almost always causes more problems than it
fixes and I would not take the gamble that your problems will be fixed with
an over-install which I cannot suggest under any circumstance that I can
currently think of at this moment.

"Ron Badour" wrote in message
...
: An over the top (o-t-t) install usually creates more problems then it
fixes.
: W98 has tons of patches and you are going to create file mismatches if you
: proceed with your plan. Plus, the registry does not get rewritten on an
: o-t-t which can create yet more problems. Alan's question remains: how do
: you know the files are damaged?
:
: --
: 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
:
: "Ross" wrote in message
: ...
: Alan, thank you for your reply. Basically I want to learn how to do an
: over-install. If you know how I would appreciate learning how and all
help
: is
: appreciated. Thank you.
:
: "Alan Edwards" wrote:
:
: I suggest you replace the damaged files, rather than take the dubious
: step of installing over the top.
:
: How do you know they are damaged?
:
: ....Alan
:
: --
: Alan Edwards, MS MVP W95/98 Systems
: http://dts-l.org/index.html
:
: In microsoft.public.win98.gen_discussion, "Ross"
: wrote:
:
: I am running Win98 SE. I have a few damaged files. I know doing what
: some
: call an "over install" will repair damaged files. I need a good
detailed
: explanation on how to do an over-install. All help appreciated. Thank
: you.
:
:
:
:

If errors are caused by hardware, then a reinstall of Windows is not the
cure. However...

Setup.exe, run from your Installation CD or from your .cabs folder,
accomplishes either an Over-Install or a Fresh Install. The procedural
difference is you first wipe the prior Windows installation for a Fresh
Install, or install it to different folders. Two folders are involved:
"C:\Windows" & "C:\Program Files", and these files: MSDOS.sys,
Config.sys, Autoexec.bat & System.1st.

For an Over-install, you must direct it to install to C:\Windows,
instead of C:\Windows.000 (where it normally would want to go, when it
sees a "C:\Windows" already exists).

An over-install supposedly leaves all else intact, but there are some
who say it will over-write .vxds (drivers) and otherwise musses
settings. Therefore, it becomes a lot of work to do it, as you must
un/re-install large applications, before/after the over-install. Also,
you must go to Windows Update afterwards, to see whether it detects it
needs to reinstall it's criticals. There is Version Conflict Manager to
do. Finally, they say, it is wise to back up critical data even before
an over-install.

Others swear an over-install is effortless (under an hour) and
effective. Just select to install to the existing directory, when it
makes the offer to go elsewhere. If it fails, then you may need to do a
tweak, such as renaming Win.com before starting. (Personally, I have
never Fresh or Over-Installed Windows. I did actually click Setup.exe
once, and was presented with an alluring screenful-- but I cancelled.)
Well, anyway, take a look at the URLs below, which really apply to both.

You want to do a FRESH Install? Are you pure Windows or OEM, such as
Compaq? If you are OEM, then you can get back to factory condition by
using their recovery CD, such as QuickRestore, which may contain
proprietary drivers and add-ons. Otherwise...

http://www.hexff.com/index.html How to Clean Install
This first has it all, but..
(a) Perhaps don't do the 2.5 swap file thing, &
(b) You may rather have multiple partitions, &
(c) Attend it's warning: Have any non-Windows peripheral drivers
available to install afterwards. Here...
http://www.pchelpandconsulting.com/links/windows.html WinDrvExpert
http://www.jermar.com/wdrvbck.htm WinDrvBckup free version
Those two supposedly back up all currently installed drivers, such that
they can be reinstalled. I never tried it but have seen a favorable
report.

http://home.satx.rr.com/badour/html/w98_restore.html Badour has one
http://aumha.org/win4/a/clean.htm Aumha has one
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=250928 How to Reinstall Windows
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=193902
How to Reinstall Windows into a new folder

"Setup.txt", located in the same folder as "Setup.exe", either on CD or
hard drive. This instructs how to run it from a folder on the hard
drive, but "hexff" says it better.
http://support.microsoft.com/default...71&Product=w98
"SU" Error Message List for Windows 95, Windows 98, and Windows Me Setup

Get a Startup Diskette from
http://www.bootdisk.com/ , if you don't already have one from "Control
Panel, Add/Remove Programs, Startup Disk tab". Test the Startup
Diskette. Boot it, put in a CD and "DIR" the CD. It will say which
letter is the CD. (Otherwise, it is likely one letter higher than
normal.)

Here is what I know of those Installation CD's. The full list of
capabilities of each type of CD is as follows, says Harper. Each
requires a valid Product key. "Proof" means it must see you had a prior
version. So, if it isn't sitting there, expect to insert a floppy or
earlier CD.

FULL VERSION: Will perform either clean install or upgrade of existing
OS. Does not ask for proof of ownership of an earlier version.

UPGRADE VERSION: Will perform either clean install or upgrade of
existing OS. Will ask for proof of ownership of an earlier version if
one is not installed.

WIN98 SE UPDATES: Will only install if Windows 98 is present on the hard
drive. Cannot be used for a clean install at all.

OEM VERSION: Only installs on a clean, fresh-formatted hard drive. May
be customized to include or omit components that would be found/not
found on a retail CD.

Be sure of your ProductKey...
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curr entVersion
ProductKey "12345-12345-12345-12345-12345"

(1) "START, Run, RegEdit"
(2) Click plus signs beginning at "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE", & ending with
"Windows".
(3) Click "CurrentVersion" in the left pane under "Windows".
(4) Look in right pane for ProductKey.

That is the one that was used to install your current Windows. Jot it
down, as it may work if different from the one on your Windows 98 Manual
or CD case.


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

"Ross" wrote in message
...
| I am running Win98 SE. I have a few damaged files. I know doing what
some
| call an "over install" will repair damaged files. I need a good
detailed
| explanation on how to do an over-install. All help appreciated. Thank
you.

Sorry, I cannot suggest an over-install and thus will not offer support. As
far as everyone else, I will let them speak their own mind about it if they
so please.

"Ross" wrote in message
...
: Thank everyone who has responded to my question. I am not 100% sure I have
: damaged files. So, lets get that out of the way - I am not 100% sure I have
: damaged files. I just want to know how to do an over-install. I want to do
it
: just for the "heck of it" - it will be a learning experience for me and I
am
: always trying to expand my PC knowledge. If the over-install causes
problems
: I know how to format the HD and reinstall. The way I am going to
over-install
: is as follows:
:
: With the Win98 disk in drive D I am going to open Windows Explorer and
click
: on D and follow the prompts until I find "setup" and go from there. That is
: the way I think it is done but I am not sure. Please let me know if I will
be
: doing it right or is there a better way. All help appreciated. Thanks.
:
: "Dan" wrote:
:
: Ross, I definately agree with Alan and Ron. How do you know the files
are
: damaged? Also, an over-install almost always causes more problems than it
: fixes and I would not take the gamble that your problems will be fixed
with
: an over-install which I cannot suggest under any circumstance that I can
: currently think of at this moment.
:
: "Ron Badour" wrote in message
: ...
: : An over the top (o-t-t) install usually creates more problems then it
: fixes.
: : W98 has tons of patches and you are going to create file mismatches if
you
: : proceed with your plan. Plus, the registry does not get rewritten on
an
: : o-t-t which can create yet more problems. Alan's question remains:
how do
: : you know the files are damaged?
: :
: : --
: : 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
: :
: : "Ross" wrote in message
: : ...
: : Alan, thank you for your reply. Basically I want to learn how to do
an
: : over-install. If you know how I would appreciate learning how and all
: help
: : is
: : appreciated. Thank you.
: :
: : "Alan Edwards" wrote:
: :
: : I suggest you replace the damaged files, rather than take the
dubious
: : step of installing over the top.
: :
: : How do you know they are damaged?
: :
: : ....Alan
: :
: : --
: : Alan Edwards, MS MVP W95/98 Systems
: : http://dts-l.org/index.html
: :
: : In microsoft.public.win98.gen_discussion, "Ross"
: : wrote:
: :
: : I am running Win98 SE. I have a few damaged files. I know doing
what
: : some
: : call an "over install" will repair damaged files. I need a good
: detailed
: : explanation on how to do an over-install. All help appreciated.
Thank
: : you.
: :
: :
: :
: :
:
:
:

Let Windows boot, put the CD in the drive and it will auto start. If it is
an OEM CD, chances are it will not do an o-t-t installation without some
help. If that occurs, use the OEM upgrade procedure described he
http://home.satx.rr.com/badour/html/upgrade.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

"Dan" wrote in message
...
Ross, I definately agree with Alan and Ron. How do you know the files are
damaged? Also, an over-install almost always causes more problems than it
fixes and I would not take the gamble that your problems will be fixed
with
an over-install which I cannot suggest under any circumstance that I can
currently think of at this moment.

"Ron Badour" wrote in message
...
: An over the top (o-t-t) install usually creates more problems then it
fixes.
: W98 has tons of patches and you are going to create file mismatches if
you
: proceed with your plan. Plus, the registry does not get rewritten on an
: o-t-t which can create yet more problems. Alan's question remains: how
do
: you know the files are damaged?
:
: --
: 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
:
: "Ross" wrote in message
: ...
: Alan, thank you for your reply. Basically I want to learn how to do
an
: over-install. If you know how I would appreciate learning how and all
help
: is
: appreciated. Thank you.
:
: "Alan Edwards" wrote:
:
: I suggest you replace the damaged files, rather than take the dubious
: step of installing over the top.
:
: How do you know they are damaged?
:
: ....Alan
:
: --
: Alan Edwards, MS MVP W95/98 Systems
: http://dts-l.org/index.html
:
: In microsoft.public.win98.gen_discussion, "Ross"
: wrote:
:
: I am running Win98 SE. I have a few damaged files. I know doing what
: some
: call an "over install" will repair damaged files. I need a good
detailed
: explanation on how to do an over-install. All help appreciated.
Thank
: you.
:
:
:
:

Dan, I posted my question to 2 other tech boards (other than Microsoft) and
have been informed of several ways to do an over-install, which I fully
intend to do tomorrow. Quite frankly, if you will not answer posted questions
that you know the answer to, perhaps your time would be better spent else
where.

"Dan" wrote:

Sorry, I cannot suggest an over-install and thus will not offer support. As
far as everyone else, I will let them speak their own mind about it if they
so please.

"Ross" wrote in message
...
: Thank everyone who has responded to my question. I am not 100% sure I have
: damaged files. So, lets get that out of the way - I am not 100% sure I have
: damaged files. I just want to know how to do an over-install. I want to do
it
: just for the "heck of it" - it will be a learning experience for me and I
am
: always trying to expand my PC knowledge. If the over-install causes
problems
: I know how to format the HD and reinstall. The way I am going to
over-install
: is as follows:
:
: With the Win98 disk in drive D I am going to open Windows Explorer and
click
: on D and follow the prompts until I find "setup" and go from there. That is
: the way I think it is done but I am not sure. Please let me know if I will
be
: doing it right or is there a better way. All help appreciated. Thanks.
:
: "Dan" wrote:
:
: Ross, I definately agree with Alan and Ron. How do you know the files
are
: damaged? Also, an over-install almost always causes more problems than it
: fixes and I would not take the gamble that your problems will be fixed
with
: an over-install which I cannot suggest under any circumstance that I can
: currently think of at this moment.
:
: "Ron Badour" wrote in message
: ...
: : An over the top (o-t-t) install usually creates more problems then it
: fixes.
: : W98 has tons of patches and you are going to create file mismatches if
you
: : proceed with your plan. Plus, the registry does not get rewritten on
an
: : o-t-t which can create yet more problems. Alan's question remains:
how do
: : you know the files are damaged?
: :
: : --
: : 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
: :
: : "Ross" wrote in message
: : ...
: : Alan, thank you for your reply. Basically I want to learn how to do
an
: : over-install. If you know how I would appreciate learning how and all
: help
: : is
: : appreciated. Thank you.
: :
: : "Alan Edwards" wrote:
: :
: : I suggest you replace the damaged files, rather than take the
dubious
: : step of installing over the top.
: :
: : How do you know they are damaged?
: :
: : ....Alan
: :
: : --
: : Alan Edwards, MS MVP W95/98 Systems
: : http://dts-l.org/index.html
: :
: : In microsoft.public.win98.gen_discussion, "Ross"
: : wrote:
: :
: : I am running Win98 SE. I have a few damaged files. I know doing
what
: : some
: : call an "over install" will repair damaged files. I need a good
: detailed
: : explanation on how to do an over-install. All help appreciated.
Thank
: : you.
: :
: :
: :
: :
:
:
: