• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Can I just copy Win98 to the new HD?

D

DuckofDeath

Junior Member
I'm sticking an old HD in one of my backup computers and I don't wanna bother with installing Win98 again. (twice in one weekend is my limit) Can I just stick in the new HD, copy over everything from the old one, then remove the old one and it'll go ahead and boot the new?
 
From dos mode: "xcopy c:\*.* d: /s/e/r/c/h/k".
Or dos prompt inside of windows: "xcopy32 c:\*.* d: /s/e/r/c/h/k"
Use "xcopy /?" for switch info.
 
vailr: Though I've never tried it myself, I don't think that method works. First of all, if you use xcopy in DOS, you lose all your long filenames. Secondly, while running Windows, not all files may be copied because some of them (especially system files) may be in use. This method will also attempt to copy the current swap file, which I don't think is a good idea. Lastly, whether or not you do it in dos or windows, you don't copy boot record information with xcopy, so even if all the files are copied, the drive won't boot.

I believe there are programs out there to do this... I think Norton Ghost is one of them? (correct me if I'm wrong, fellow Anandtechers... I've never done this before)

There are benefits in reinstalling Win98 though. You may find your computer running faster more stable since you don't have all the crap that accumulated while installing/uninstalling certain programs on your old HD.
 
the files might be copied if you use xcopy

but the disk wont boot

norton ghost should work tho

i also recoommend reinstall
doesnt take long
 
I agree the re-install is the best option...Norton Ghost is fine also but who wants old junk on a different HDD? JMHO.
 
this is just a backup computer. When hardware gets moved out of my primary computer it gets stuck in this one. I did a reinstall of Win98 on my primary but I just don't wanna have to bother with the backup. (it's just there so other people in the family can mess around on the net when I'm busy on this one) The install isn't really the problem, it's restoring all the settings. (it took me about 1/2 a day on this one) The hardware is the same, except for the HD. I'll check on that Ghost program.
 
Go to your new hd's web page and download their disk utility. I know the ones from Maxtor, IBM, WD, and Seagate all have a copy utility on them and yes the computer will boot provided you put the copy in the same machine you got it from.
 
I got it to work. I set up the new HD as slave and formated it. Then I copied everything from the old to the new. Next I removed the old HD and booted up with a boot disk. I renamed my old Win98 directory to winold and installed Win98 normally. After finishing the install I rebooted with the boot disk again and renamed the windows directory to winnew and renamed the winold directory to windows. Now I have my old copy of windows again. Not that much trouble so I didn't bother with the ghost program after all.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top