Starting over with a 98 Box

[tcc2f6]

My friend has a computer just full of stuff causing it problems. And I've been asked to 'fix' it. The hard drive, running Windows '98, is full with clutter, so the easiest way to get it right in my opinion is to just format it and start over. However, I've only formatted with XP. This is a 600mhz celeron with 64 mgs SDRAM, so I figure I'll just stick with Windows 98. Only problem being I've never formatted a '98 Machine and then tried to re-install it.

The Computer is a Dell, and she can't find any of her original disks. My mom has a Gateway running '98, so I figure I can just use that disk. However, I tried to search for the proper way to format and start over, and all I keep hearing about requires a startup disk and the such. I just have a Windows 98 cd-rom. Am I missing something?

So I guess the question is, how do I go about this? Or does anyone know of a site with nice detailed non confusing instructions that you could point me to?

Any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks

 

[JonathanB]

There are many guides out there. This one may help, but read from other sources. If you do not have a boot disk, do a google search and this can be downloaded. http://www.hexff.com/win98_install.html

 

[Abzstrak]

if Ur going through the trouble of reinstalling, tell your friend to buy XP and some more ram, the 600 will hold out fine if U have around 256MB of RAM.....

 

[cleverhandle]

It's really nothing to worry about. The 98 disc is bootable, and that computer should support booting from the CD. So pop in the CD, boot up, and follow the instructions. It handles pretty much everything for you, and let's you pick from a list of optional components (calculator, screen savers, etc.) early on. Just try it out - since you're wiping the disk anyway, you can't mess up too badly anyway.

 

[Buz2b]

You can do the reinstall with the CD or with the CD and a boot disk. No trouble there, but you need to get the correct drivers for the hardware the system has. You will have to go to the Dell site for those. You will need the "Service Tag" number on the back of the system (usually on a barcode) in order to insure the correct drivers are downloaded. Make sure you have all those on disk before attempting this or you will be screwed. Also note that there will be "extra" driver files on the Dell site; they list not only the probable drivers for that particular system but also drivers for "optional" components that may or may not have been installed. You need to open up the box and familiarize yourself with the hardware that is included on that system. Thats my 2 cents worth.