This procedure will completely erase the computer’s hard disk and master boot record.  Everything.  Back up any data you want saved to a CD, DVD, floppy, or upload site.  Installed programs cannot be saved.  After the reinstallation of Windows and hardware drivers, these programs can be reinstalled using the original software.

The Procedure:  Reformat Drive & Reinstall Windows 98

1.   Insert boot (startup) disk into the floppy drive.  If you don’t have a boot disk, create one by going to:
Start>Settings>Control Panel>Add/Remove Programs>Startup Disk.  Insert blank floppy disk into the disk drive and click “Create Disk”. Follow instructions.

2.   Shut down computer and unplug all peripheral devices (printer, scanner, USB hub, etc.) except for the keyboard, mouse and monitor.

3.   Restart computer with boot disk inserted.  The computer should startup into DOS instead of Windows.

If it doesn't and you are sure your floppy drive is working corectly otherwise, you will need to boot into CMOS (aka BIOS or Setup) to enable the floppy to be the 1st boot device and enable "Floppy Seek".  THIS PAGE explains how to get into BIOS.  And then the boot order can be altered by following instructions HERE.  Ideally, the boot order should be 1. Floppy, 2. CD ROM, 3. Hard Disk.  On this same screen, be sure "Boot Up Floppy Seek" is enabled - I've seen some systems where it wasn't.  Windows will start at the 1st boot device and if it doesn't find any bootable media there, it goes to the 2nd, and so on.

4.   After Windows boots into DOS you will see A:>.  At A:>, type FDISK/MBR [press enter] (this deletes the Master Boot Record - omit this step if you want the Master Boot Record retained).  Nothing will seem to happen.  That's OK.

5.   At A:>, type FDISK [press enter].  Enter Y to enable large disk support.

6.   Select the option to delete partitions.  Follow the steps to delete all partitions starting with the Logical partitions first, the Extended partition, and then finally the Primary partition.  Repeat until it says “No Partition Defined”.

7.   Select the option to “Create a New Partition”.  When asked if you want the full capacity used for one partition, enter YES if you want one partition.  If multiple partitions are desired, answer NO.

If you choose to create multiple partitions, read this page.  Personally, I wouldn't bother with multiple partitions - you're screwing around with the obsolete Windows 98 OS for a good reason... no need to complicate it further by creating multiple partitions.

So to continue on....

8.   Reboot to the floppy again and select the option that enables CD ROM Support.

9.   At A:>, type FORMAT C:/S [press enter], and answer Y if you are sure.  "C" being your C-drive partition.  The system will format itself and this will take some time depending on the size and speed of your hard disk.

Note:  If you created more than one partition, you must format each partition substituting the drive letter with the next consecutive letter (ie: FORMAT D:/S, FORMAT E:/S, etc...).  Repeat formatting drives until all partitions you created are done.  See what I mean?  Please rethink your need to create more than one partition.

10. While the computer is still on, insert the Windows 98 CD into your CD ROM.

11. Restart computer again with CD support.  DOS will load again.

12. At A:>, type “x”: (“x” being whatever letter is assigned to your CD-ROM if you created more than one partition) Usually it will be "D" [press enter].  If you followed my recommendation and only have one primary partition and no others, the CD-ROM device will be “D”.  If you created other partitions, your CD-ROM will be the next consecutive letter  after your newly created partitions.  You may have to try a few letters to find the one that is associated with your CD drive.

13. At your CD drive prompt type SETUP [press enter]

14. Windows Setup should run and Windows will install itself.  Remove boot disk from floppy drive at this point and sit back while 98 installs.  Hopefully, you have a working CD key number.  If you didn't get one before you took down your computer, you will need to obtain one.

Drivers

This is sometimes the most tedious and troublesome part since Windows 98 doesn’t include any except for the most basic drivers like CD ROM and VGA graphics.  Your already installed hardware like the sound, upgraded graphics, modem, Ethernet cards will prompt you to install respective drivers.  Each time you reboot, Windows will prompt you to install missing hardware drivers.  You can cancel driver installation "for this time" until you have the specific driver.  After Windows installs, you can check to see which drivers the system is lacking by navigating to:

Start>Settings>Control Panel>System>Device Manager tab

Items needing drivers will have a yellow exclamation mark next to them.  Driver install procedures vary from program to program.  Many times, running the setup software that came with the hardware will install the driver.  You can usually find drivers and setup software on the Internet.  You need the name and model number of the hardware (found printed on the PCB) and you need to do some searches - either at the manufacturer's website,  general Google results, or at driver websites.

If you want to install the driver yourself without a Windows prompt at restart, go back to Device Manager and expand the device type by clicking on the "+" mark to expose the particular device that needs the driver.  Devices with problems will probably already be expanded.  Right-click on the device and choose "Properties".  Click the Driver tab.  Click "Update Driver", and click "Next".  On the next screen, choose "Search for a better driver....".  You will get this screen:

Uncheck all other boxes except for "Specify a Location".  Use the "Browse" button to navigate to the driver file.  You will need to know where the driver file is.  Usually it will be on the hardware installation CD or floppy that came with the equipment.  One of several things will happen at this point.  Choose the option that will install the driver.

Only work with one device driver at a time.  If you are automatically prompted to install a driver, cancel the installation of any drivers other that the one you wish to install at the moment.  Each time the system reboots, Windows will prompt you regarding a driver for a new piece of hardware.  This process will continue each time the system is rebooted until all drivers are installed.

After you take care of the drivers for installed devices like your modem/Ethernet and sound card, shut the system down and start plugging in your other pieces of hardware.  Only plug in one at a time and restart system so that Windows will prompt you to install the driver.  Use your installation disks to load these drivers.

Although USB devices can be plugged in with the system on, do these one at a time and reboot (if prompted) before installing another USB device.

You're done.... it's 3AM.... go to bed !!

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