How do I do a fresh install of Win ME without reformating drvie C?

[EvilDonnyboy]

I don't want to do an upgrade install, but i don't want to reformat drive C.

edit: im currently using Win98 first edition, going to Win ME full version.

 

[BCYL]

Is there specific data on the harddrive you want to save?

One thing I used to do was I boot into the PC using win98 bootdisk as usual... But instead of formatting the harddrive, I delete the directories one by one... This way I can pick and choose which directories I wanna delete (Windows, all the program directories) and which I wanna save (documents, etc...). Then I just pop in my Windows CD and install again...

This will give me a clean Windows but I am able to save my data... You might wanna give it a try...

 

[digitalman]

by definition of fresh install, you are wanting to install WinME without any previous OS on the computer. this can not be done without formating your drive. your only option as a work around would be to use a program like partition magic to create a seperate partition on your hard drive. after doing this you could have both Win98 and WinME on two independant partitions that could also be read by each other. ultimately though you could run into some problems if you tried to drag just drag program directories over or run most software unless you then reinstall the software into that new partition (even if you are just reinstalling to the same directory).

It would be far better to back up your stuff and do a real fresh install. The reason for this is when you install a lot of software and download a lot of stuff your resources (and regestry) aren't as effecent as they are after you just install everything. this is why a lot of people do fresh install ever couple of months.

which ever you choice, good luck and i hope this helps
dm

 

[cpebbles]

Win98 has that handy DELTREE command, so when I had to reinstall it fresh about a month ago, I booted from my Startup Disk, DELTREEd everything I didn't want (Documents, old DOS apps, archived porn...) and just ran Windows Setup. I suppose we should tell you to backup, but real men don't put up with that nonsense.

cpebbles

 

[Hawk]

What I do is rename Windows to win or something and Program Files (progra~1) to like pro, then delete win.com from win, and then install and it works fine.

 

[jkdude]

also, one other thing to add to Hawk's comments...

go to the root of the C:\ and delete all the hidden files there like MSDOS.SYS and IO.SYS or whatever else is there. You could also get rid of AUTOEXEC.BAT and CONFIG.SYS (i assume).

this is because they will all be recreated by the WinME installation.

To see what hidden/system files you have on your C:\ just type

dir/a : to see all files
dir/ar : read-only files
dir/ah : hidden files
dir/as : system files

hope that helps and good luck!

 

[easternerd]

hi there,
The Easiest method and the best is ,
To deltree but cpebbles hasnt given the proper Instructions
Firt prepare your computer that is do not leave any wanted files
in the desktop or inside the windows and program files folder
then reboot into Dos.
Now give the command deltree c:\programfiles
and deltree c:\windows ....
Be sure to enter the commands in this order or it may not work
Note :it may take a long time to delete these directories
even upto 10 minutes :Q
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-
Now come back to your where your Installation files dir and
enter the command : Setup
Thats it you are done .....Have a nice time

 

[LongTimePCUser]

Deltree c:\windows will run much faster if you run smartdrv.exe first.
Smartdrv is a dos level disk cache that is left over from earlier Microsoft operating systems. If it isn't installed on your PC you will be able to find it on your Windows install CD.

 

[Hawk]

Well, the system files are recreated, but if you want to keep your old ones or something, you shouldn't delete them (they become backups and you can rename them back later). Also, deltreeing the old windows directory isn't as good as renaming and deleting win.com because (and I know from experience) you probably forgot to back something up, such as ICQ list, or Favorites, or e-mails, and if you rename the directories, you can still go back and get them back later.

 

[LongTimePCUser]

I just completed a clean install to Windows ME on my primary PC. It took a full day. That is why I had been trying to avoid doing this. However a clean istall is really worth while. It will save you time in the long run and make it much more likely that you will have a stable system.

It was a good thing that I renamed the Windows folder and win.com instead of just deleting them.

Here is what I forgot to do first:
1. Save your windows\favorites and windows\cookies folders
2. If you are using Outlook or Outlook Express then you need to know that your messages and settings are being stored inside the windows folder. Open up your email client and export all messages and settings.
3. Just in case, you should export your Windows registry to a file. Thay way you can search it for any other special settings, passwords or software serial numbers that you forgot to write down.

Don't think that because you have a Win 98 start up diskette that you will be able to boot into DOS. It doesn't seem to work. I don't know why. I was able to boot into "DOS", sort of, by using the Win ME start up diskette and choosing the "minimal O/S" setting.

 

[Agar]

When I need to reinstal a 9x OS without loosing all my info, I dot it that way:

First, I boot to msdos using a dos bootdisk. Then:

(do that when you're in the root of c
c:\windows\smartdrv.exe
ren c:\progra~1 c:\backup
attrib *.* -a -s -h -r
del *.*
deltree c:\windows

You are now ready to install Windows again. Your older program files directory will be saved as "backup", in case you need some files from there (bookmarks, saved games, icq contacts, etc...) In most case, you can just reinstall the proram in the newly installed windows, and copy the old directory from "backup" to "program files". It's not the best solution tho, just a quick hack. "My Documents" will still be there with all your stuff. Be sure to backup your mails/address book before proceeding, as those are saved in the windows directory, thus destroyed when you deltree it.

Hope this helps
Agarwal

 

[bigd480]

I prepared for allowing easy clean upgrades by making C: a 2GB partition used mostly for the OS and installing everything else on D: (the other partition)

This way, I can just wipe out the O/S partition and install something new or do a fresh install.

Are there any flaws in my logic?

 

[Agar]

bigd480: I personnaly think that having a seperate partitions for the OS and for data is a good thing, as its safer, cleaner and can result in a faster operating system (if the OS partition is on the faster part of the disk). When doing a clean install with those, you can just FORMAT C: then reinstall windows, and you're all set. Try to have NOTHING besides native applications on that partition, ie not even My Documents. You can use TweakUI 1.33 to change the location of most system directories, including 'My Documents' and 'Program Files'. The tab to change those is 'My Comptuter' when using TweakUI. Change them as soon as windows is installed, so you can be sure you don't install anything in c:\program files or put anything in c:\my documents.

If you're using outlook express (and maybe outlook), you'll have to manually backup your important mails before formatting, as it stores them in c:\windows\application data\blabla, IIRC. I'm not sure if you can change the location of that one, as I don't really use it myself. But, besides that, all your important information will be saved on another drive, so formatting will be safe.

Personally, my drive (2x20 in RAID0) is organized that way:

C: Win98SE - Fat32
D: Windows 2k - NTFS
E: 2K_Stuff - NTFS
F: 98_Stuff - Fat32
G: Shared (For 'My Documents', among other things) - Fat32

That's it. Hope this help!

 

[bigd480]

Yeah I have my Program Files and My Documents on the D: (2nd partition) And mp3's and videos on E: (3rd partition)

This may seem weird but if you think about it, I only have to defrag C and D, I can do it seperately, and if a virus wipes out my boot partition, it's no big deal...

Thanks for the tip about Outlook, I do use that and like to archive all of my mail.