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How do I reinstall or reformat Windows 98?



 
 
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  #1  
Old August 14th 04, 01:01 PM
barry
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default How do I reinstall or reformat Windows 98?

Does anyone know how to, or where to find detailed
instructions for removing windows 98 and then reinstalling
it? Is this called reformatting, or is that something
different? Something is blocking my browser from the
internet and I have uninstalled every program even closely
related. The tech guy for my router says the problem is
likely embedded itself and has remained even after
uninstall. (the computer is communication with the
internet but the browser is still dead)
  #2  
Old August 14th 04, 01:21 PM
Don Phillipson
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

"barry" wrote in message
...

Does anyone know how to, or where to find detailed
instructions for removing windows 98 and then reinstalling
it? Is this called reformatting, or is that something
different? Something is blocking my browser from the
internet and I have uninstalled every program even closely
related. The tech guy for my router says the problem is
likely embedded itself and has remained even after
uninstall. (the computer is communication with the
internet but the browser is still dead)


1. Win98 is the Operating System so we do not
"remove it:" if necessary we reinstal over itself.

2. FORMAT is the command to prepare a disk
(including your C:\) for data. FORMAT writes onto
the disk the electronic tracks you can then fill with
files: so it deletes everything formerly written there.

3. Your tech. did not advise either reformatting the
drive or reinstalling the OS. He suggested something
is wrong with the configuration of either the router
(hardware) or browser (software.) Standard cure for
these things is to remove them (browser via uninstal,
router via / System / Device Manager / select it and
remove it), then reboot, then reinstal both as prompted
to do so.

--
Don Phillipson
Carlsbad Springs
(Ottawa, Canada)


  #3  
Old August 14th 04, 02:28 PM
Brian A.
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

**It is pertinent to run the update for each program before running to =
be sure you have the latest definitions.** Run the programs in Safe Mode =
after assuring you have shut down all running tasks except explorer or =
systray.
Download/run Cool Web Shredder from:
http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/downloads.html

For Info on Cool Web Search Variants:
http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/cwschronicles.html

Then download/install/run Ad-Aware to detect/rid of any other =
parasites/spyware that may be installed. It can be obtained free from:
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/
After installing Ad-Aware, open it and click on the ref update to get =
the latest up-to-date ref file, then run Ad-Aware and delete everything =
it finds.=20

And/or download/install/run:
Spybot - Search & Destroy:
http://security.kolla.de/index.php?l...=3Ddownload=20
Run it at it's default settings until you learn an know more about it. =
Spybot S&D is more of an advanced users tool and changing from the =
default settings can be dangerous to the novice user. Items found in the =
default settings that are RED can usually be safely removed. If you are =
unsure of a found item, do not remove it and ask for help.=20

If you still have problems, download/run HijackThis from:
http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/

Do not remove anything with it until you get advice on what to remove, =
HJThis will list many apps that are needed along with the bad ones. =
Removing items listed hap-hazardly without knowing what they are =
can/will create a royal mess. Read the quick start here on how to create =
a log file that can be copied/pasted into a forum that can provide =
assistance on removal of unwanted pests.
http://mjc1.com/mirror/hjt/#quick

Then post the logs to an appropriate NG here where they specialize in =
spyware/hijacker removal:
http://forums.spywareinfo.com/

After running the above and assuring you have a clean machine:
It's also a good idea to have a HOSTS file to block bad sites, scroll to =
HOSTS File Manager he
http://www.mvps.org/PracticallyNerded/Software.htm

Another good app is SpywareBlaster which stops the badboys before they =
even get a chance to install:
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html

--=20
Brian A.

Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm

"barry" wrote in message =
...
Does anyone know how to, or where to find detailed=20
instructions for removing windows 98 and then reinstalling=20
it? Is this called reformatting, or is that something=20
different? Something is blocking my browser from the=20
internet and I have uninstalled every program even closely=20
related. The tech guy for my router says the problem is=20
likely embedded itself and has remained even after=20
uninstall. (the computer is communication with the=20
internet but the browser is still dead)

  #4  
Old August 14th 04, 04:32 PM
Phyllis
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Something similar happened to me just the other day. Your problem might not
have the simple fix that mine did, but my problem was caused by Norton
Internet Security firewall blocking Explorer access to the internet. I had
opened up an e-mail from what looked like my bank (US Bank) asking for me to
confirm my account info (I called the bank and they said it was fraud and
for me to forward it to them). Anyway, while I had the e-mail open trying
to forward it, Explorer kept trying to access the internet so I kept
blocking it until after about 8 or 10 times it quit asking. The next time I
tried to access the internet it wouldn't work, I finally thought to check
the firewall to see what the program setting for Explorer was and it was
reset to always block. I said all of that to say this, if you have Norton
firewall check the program setting for your Explorer.

"barry" wrote in message
...
Does anyone know how to, or where to find detailed
instructions for removing windows 98 and then reinstalling
it? Is this called reformatting, or is that something
different? Something is blocking my browser from the
internet and I have uninstalled every program even closely
related. The tech guy for my router says the problem is
likely embedded itself and has remained even after
uninstall. (the computer is communication with the
internet but the browser is still dead)


  #5  
Old August 14th 04, 09:52 PM
PCR
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Best look for a fix first, as Brian A. & Phyllis have suggested. But
here is what I have for a reinstall of Windows...

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.

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.


This courtesy of MS-MVP Ron Badour:
Go to
http://www.pricewatch.com, click on the software button and then search
on: win98. They have listings on boot up floppy disks, CDs but no
license, a license but no CD, OEM, W98, W98SE, update from W98 to W98SE
only and so on. Pay ATTENTION to what the listings say or you may end
up with something you don't want or need. You can also check on EBay or
other auction sites. You also need to be aware that most support for
W98 has terminated and all support terminates in Jan 04. Here's some
info about the various types of CDs:

RETAIL FULL INSTALL: This CD will either upgrade W95/98 to SE or you
can install it to a blank hard drive.

RETAIL UPGRADE INSTALL: This CD will either upgrade W95/98 to SE or you
can install it to a blank hard drive; however, when installing to a
blank drive, install will ask to see the qualifying system (i.e., W95)
disk(s).

OEM FULL INSTALL. This SE CD is designed to be installed to a blank
hard drive; however, there is a possibility that you can trick it into
upgrading. For info, go to:
http://home.satx.rr.com/badour/html/upgrade.html Be aware that if you
buy an OEM disk, it might be customized for installation on a particular
computer; however, this will probably be primarily with a used disk.

UPDATE CD: This CD will only update a functioning copy of W98 to W98SE.
When MS sold them, they were $20 and came with a ProductKey. Some
venders were selling them and advising customers to use the W98
ProductKey which may or may not work--don't get stung.

RECOVERY CD: Some companies will brand an OEM CD and call it a recovery
CD. You should avoid these unless it is the exact recovery CD you are
looking for. Many recovery CDs will only install on the equipment they
were intended for.


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

"barry" wrote in message
...
| Does anyone know how to, or where to find detailed
| instructions for removing windows 98 and then reinstalling
| it? Is this called reformatting, or is that something
| different? Something is blocking my browser from the
| internet and I have uninstalled every program even closely
| related. The tech guy for my router says the problem is
| likely embedded itself and has remained even after
| uninstall. (the computer is communication with the
| internet but the browser is still dead)


  #6  
Old August 15th 04, 12:40 AM
Brian A.
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Phyllis,
The fraud you mention is known as Phishing. When you opened that email =
that asked about confirming your account, you set yourself up for having =
your account emptied out if you follow the instructions and click on the =
link supplied. That is a scam that has been circulating quite a bit =
lately. Once you perform the confirm you are actually sending the =
account info to a separate source other than your bank and they use it =
at their own will to clean you out. Blocking it was the best thing you =
could do along with contacting your bank and I would not stop there. =
Double check with your bank and make sure measures are put in place to =
verify that it is you who is actually the one involved in the account =
activity so that you will not wind up in the poor house.

--=20
Brian A.

Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm

"Phyllis" wrote in message =
...
Something similar happened to me just the other day. Your problem =

might not
have the simple fix that mine did, but my problem was caused by Norton
Internet Security firewall blocking Explorer access to the internet. =

I had
opened up an e-mail from what looked like my bank (US Bank) asking for =

me to
confirm my account info (I called the bank and they said it was fraud =

and
for me to forward it to them). Anyway, while I had the e-mail open =

trying
to forward it, Explorer kept trying to access the internet so I kept
blocking it until after about 8 or 10 times it quit asking. The next =

time I
tried to access the internet it wouldn't work, I finally thought to =

check
the firewall to see what the program setting for Explorer was and it =

was
reset to always block. I said all of that to say this, if you have =

Norton
firewall check the program setting for your Explorer.
=20
"barry" wrote in message
...
Does anyone know how to, or where to find detailed
instructions for removing windows 98 and then reinstalling
it? Is this called reformatting, or is that something
different? Something is blocking my browser from the
internet and I have uninstalled every program even closely
related. The tech guy for my router says the problem is
likely embedded itself and has remained even after
uninstall. (the computer is communication with the
internet but the browser is still dead)


  #7  
Old August 15th 04, 01:45 AM
Phyllis
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

The e-mail sent all kinds of red flags for me when I got it. It just so
happens it is a car loan I have with them and not an actual bank account
with my money involved, thank goodness.

"Brian A." GoneFishn@aFarAwayLake wrote in message
...
Phyllis,
The fraud you mention is known as Phishing. When you opened that email that
asked about confirming your account, you set yourself up for having your
account emptied out if you follow the instructions and click on the link
supplied. That is a scam that has been circulating quite a bit lately. Once
you perform the confirm you are actually sending the account info to a
separate source other than your bank and they use it at their own will to
clean you out. Blocking it was the best thing you could do along with
contacting your bank and I would not stop there. Double check with your bank
and make sure measures are put in place to verify that it is you who is
actually the one involved in the account activity so that you will not wind
up in the poor house.

--
Brian A.

Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm

"Phyllis" wrote in message
...
Something similar happened to me just the other day. Your problem might

not
have the simple fix that mine did, but my problem was caused by Norton
Internet Security firewall blocking Explorer access to the internet. I

had
opened up an e-mail from what looked like my bank (US Bank) asking for me

to
confirm my account info (I called the bank and they said it was fraud and
for me to forward it to them). Anyway, while I had the e-mail open trying
to forward it, Explorer kept trying to access the internet so I kept
blocking it until after about 8 or 10 times it quit asking. The next time

I
tried to access the internet it wouldn't work, I finally thought to check
the firewall to see what the program setting for Explorer was and it was
reset to always block. I said all of that to say this, if you have Norton
firewall check the program setting for your Explorer.

"barry" wrote in message
...
Does anyone know how to, or where to find detailed
instructions for removing windows 98 and then reinstalling
it? Is this called reformatting, or is that something
different? Something is blocking my browser from the
internet and I have uninstalled every program even closely
related. The tech guy for my router says the problem is
likely embedded itself and has remained even after
uninstall. (the computer is communication with the
internet but the browser is still dead)



  #8  
Old August 15th 04, 02:27 AM
Brian A.
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Wonder if the bad guys would like to pay it off? VBG

--=20
Brian A.

Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm

"Phyllis" wrote in message =
...
The e-mail sent all kinds of red flags for me when I got it. It just =

so
happens it is a car loan I have with them and not an actual bank =

account
with my money involved, thank goodness.
=20
"Brian A." GoneFishn@aFarAwayLake wrote in message
...
Phyllis,
The fraud you mention is known as Phishing. When you opened that =

email that
asked about confirming your account, you set yourself up for having =

your
account emptied out if you follow the instructions and click on the =

link
supplied. That is a scam that has been circulating quite a bit lately. =

Once
you perform the confirm you are actually sending the account info to a
separate source other than your bank and they use it at their own will =

to
clean you out. Blocking it was the best thing you could do along with
contacting your bank and I would not stop there. Double check with =

your bank
and make sure measures are put in place to verify that it is you who =

is
actually the one involved in the account activity so that you will not =

wind
up in the poor house.
=20
--=20
Brian A.
=20
Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
=20
"Phyllis" wrote in message
...
Something similar happened to me just the other day. Your problem =

might
not
have the simple fix that mine did, but my problem was caused by =

Norton
Internet Security firewall blocking Explorer access to the internet. =

I
had
opened up an e-mail from what looked like my bank (US Bank) asking =

for me
to
confirm my account info (I called the bank and they said it was =

fraud and
for me to forward it to them). Anyway, while I had the e-mail open =

trying
to forward it, Explorer kept trying to access the internet so I kept
blocking it until after about 8 or 10 times it quit asking. The =

next time
I
tried to access the internet it wouldn't work, I finally thought to =

check
the firewall to see what the program setting for Explorer was and it =

was
reset to always block. I said all of that to say this, if you have =

Norton
firewall check the program setting for your Explorer.

"barry" wrote in message
...
Does anyone know how to, or where to find detailed
instructions for removing windows 98 and then reinstalling
it? Is this called reformatting, or is that something
different? Something is blocking my browser from the
internet and I have uninstalled every program even closely
related. The tech guy for my router says the problem is
likely embedded itself and has remained even after
uninstall. (the computer is communication with the
internet but the browser is still dead)



  #9  
Old August 15th 04, 04:09 AM
Phyllis
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

I wish!!

"Brian A." GoneFishn@aFarAwayLake wrote in message
...
Wonder if the bad guys would like to pay it off? VBG

--
Brian A.

Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm

"Phyllis" wrote in message
...
The e-mail sent all kinds of red flags for me when I got it. It just so
happens it is a car loan I have with them and not an actual bank account
with my money involved, thank goodness.

"Brian A." GoneFishn@aFarAwayLake wrote in message
...
Phyllis,
The fraud you mention is known as Phishing. When you opened that email

that
asked about confirming your account, you set yourself up for having your
account emptied out if you follow the instructions and click on the link
supplied. That is a scam that has been circulating quite a bit lately.

Once
you perform the confirm you are actually sending the account info to a
separate source other than your bank and they use it at their own will to
clean you out. Blocking it was the best thing you could do along with
contacting your bank and I would not stop there. Double check with your

bank
and make sure measures are put in place to verify that it is you who is
actually the one involved in the account activity so that you will not

wind
up in the poor house.

--
Brian A.

Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm

"Phyllis" wrote in message
...
Something similar happened to me just the other day. Your problem might

not
have the simple fix that mine did, but my problem was caused by Norton
Internet Security firewall blocking Explorer access to the internet. I

had
opened up an e-mail from what looked like my bank (US Bank) asking for

me
to
confirm my account info (I called the bank and they said it was fraud

and
for me to forward it to them). Anyway, while I had the e-mail open

trying
to forward it, Explorer kept trying to access the internet so I kept
blocking it until after about 8 or 10 times it quit asking. The next

time
I
tried to access the internet it wouldn't work, I finally thought to

check
the firewall to see what the program setting for Explorer was and it was
reset to always block. I said all of that to say this, if you have

Norton
firewall check the program setting for your Explorer.

"barry" wrote in message
...
Does anyone know how to, or where to find detailed
instructions for removing windows 98 and then reinstalling
it? Is this called reformatting, or is that something
different? Something is blocking my browser from the
internet and I have uninstalled every program even closely
related. The tech guy for my router says the problem is
likely embedded itself and has remained even after
uninstall. (the computer is communication with the
internet but the browser is still dead)




 




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