* Delete This Post * - Win98SE Question

[applesseed]

Message Title: Windows 98SE Problem - Ways to BackUp HD



I have a 98SE computer which just recently lost it's wireless internet connection (updated router firmware, re-installed pci adapter driver, etc.) Computer also has numbers of spywares (installed and ran Ad-aware, Spybot S & D, Spyblaster... whatever... you name it). And now the computer won't even boot up right like... *.DLL is missing... stuff like that. I'm thinking of doing a fresh install... or is reformat a better option?

Unfortunately I misplaced my Windows 98 SE CD-ROM... either it's somewhere collecting dust or fell into the trashcan. However I do have a CD copy of Win98 CAB files... would that work or do I need an actual Win98 CD to do a fresh install/reformat? Anywhere I can buy a Win98 CD for cheap... possibly free?

I don't think the computer has necessary hardware to run WinXP - I don't even know the specs. But in the meantime I still wanna use Win98 as my parents are still glued to it. Any upgrading of OS, they'll be crazier.

Thanks in advance.

 

[KF]

As long as the setup files were from a full W98se version, just boot from a floppy, and run setup from the directory that has the W98se cab files. If you have a CD burner, burn the files to a CD for safe keeping. Make sure you have a serial number handy.

 

[applesseed]

KF... so here's my understanding - without a Win98 SE CD

[1] create and run startup boot disk(floppy), option 2 for use with CD-ROM
[2] insert the CD that has Win98 CAB files
[3] run setup from the CD drive containing the Win98 CAB files...


Is that right? Is that gonna wipe out everything I had? Cuz I really want to wipe everything. I don't have a CD key or serial number for sure also.

This is my first time playing with OS as well so tell me if this is right. The CD-Drive is D:

So on the A:\ prompt, type D:\Setup -- is this how you do it?

 

[KF]

It should work the way you describe, if the CD has all the files on the original CD in the top directory. But if the CD has the files in the W98 directory (like the retail CD would), then type
D:\W98\setup

But to get rid of everything on the HD, you have to format the drive. I'm not sure if there is a format option within the W98 install. I've never done it that way. If not...
----------
If you can find the FORMAT.COM program (It's in the W98 directory on the retail CD), just type
format C:

Or you can find FDISK.EXE, delete the partitions, and then create a new one. Type
fdisk
and follow the instructions.

But the easiest way is probably to download the software to partition your HD from the manufacturer of your HD. It's just like what they put in a retail HD box. They usually have a user-friendly program and complete instructions.
------------

And you have to have a key. No way around it. The installer won't go on without it. A W98se key from elsewhere will work. Somebody you know must have one around somewhere. It's usually on the CD case. There are some on the Internet, as illegal as it may be. There may be a program to find your key in Windows on the Internet. I really don't know. Don't ask me for a key.

In general, don't do stuff like this if you don't have a backup, or else are prepared to accept it going wrong. I know I wouldn't. At least try it first before wiping the HD to see if setup will run.

 

[applesseed]

Lo and Behold I found the Win 98 SE CD-ROM! Fortunately I also found this "Certificate of Authenticity" that I don't know if it's related to the CD... Don't know if it's the Windows Key:

Product ID: 32595-OEM-0006933-37517
[bar codes]
* 069337517 *


I"ll just do a clean install until I find a way to back up the harddrive. I realized that my brother downloaded a Rigestry Cleaner and I guess it wiped out a whole lotta *.DLL files. I kept getting "Cannot find [name].DLL" error messages. This also applies to MS Office, Roxio burning program, damn just everything! So I was thinking...

Is it possible to collect all the *.DLL files and slap it onto the C:\WINDOWS\System folder or what? Where can I find them *.DLLs? What about the Windows 98 Cabfiles?

Again... I can't get no internet connection. Done all the dirty works. Uninstall/Reinstalled driver (Linksys WMP11), remove the TCP/IP, put it right back on... reset DNS and all the troubles. So I can't even browse the web or find other computers in the network. I guess transferring files via network is out of the question.

Roxio burning program won't open due to not having the proper *DLL file... but I guess I haven't done one thing... re-install the software.

I was also thinking of using the Direct Cable Connection. The messed up computer, when I go to Start > Control Settings > Add/Remove Programs ... I see no Windows Component tab... is that gone? The only tab that's visible is the Uninstall/Install tab. So I can't even install Window's components. And tranfering files over a tranfer cable seems out of the question too ain't it?

Heck no I ain't gonna use floppies to copy stuff. In fact even a file won't even fit a single floppy.

I was hoping MS-DOS Shell was installed... but can't get it to work at the prompt. At the C prompt I typed "ver" without the quotes and get like Windows 98 [version 4.11yadda yadda yadda]. Does that mean tranferring via DOS is out of the question too?

And this again is referring to the messed-up computer. Like I want to go to Device Manager... Windows won't even open the Properties Window when I right-click My Computer. Same applies to Network Neighborhood... the Properties optioin doesn't open at all. Even when I click on the desktop, go to Properties... there's no way I can't get into the Display option. Yeah... Control Settings and then Display - no... the icon isn't even there.

Basically I'm a dead guy right? :disgust: