Trying to install Windows 98 on HP Pavilion with retail Windows 98 CD

[NathanBWF]

So I'm trying to re-install Windows 98SE on an HP pavilion 6535 but the people don't have any of the disks that came with the computer. I planned on just using my retail Windows 98 CD but using their CD key obviously. I've formatted the hard drive and have copied the Win98 files locally. When I run setup it either:

a. Just goes right back to a C: prompt
b. Stays on "Copying files needed for Windows setup..." in DOS

I initially thought the hard drive was bad, so I tried another one but with the same results. Is it possible that this HP will only work with the HP disks it came with and if so does anyone know if HP will send out replacement CD's...?

 

[NathanBWF]

Quick update....

I tried doing:

setup /C /is /nr

...and I got "Error Loading"

 

[lenjack]

Maybe I'm missing something, but don't you need to use the key that comes with the cd?

 

[NathanBWF]

Yes but I can't even get to that point yet. I can't even get to the GUI part of the setup.

 

[redbeard1]

I've wiped and reloaded a number of those type pavilions with a standard 98 disk. It usually ends up running better because it doesn't have all the excess bull loading.

So the drive is formatted, sys'd, and can boot to a c: prompt? Have you tried just booting from the cd and running the install from there. You can always add the cabs to the hard drive later and tweak the registry so that it will look for them.

Is there a setting in the bios preventing modifications of the boot sector?

HP may still send you restore cds for a fee, but you shouldn't need them.

 

[NathanBWF]

Originally posted by: redbeard1
I've wiped and reloaded a number of those type pavilions with a standard 98 disk. It usually ends up running better because it doesn't have all the excess bull loading.

So the drive is formatted, sys'd, and can boot to a c: prompt? Have you tried just booting from the cd and running the install from there. You can always add the cabs to the hard drive later and tweak the registry so that it will look for them.

Is there a setting in the bios preventing modifications of the boot sector?

HP may still send you restore cds for a fee, but you shouldn't need them.

I checked in the BIOS and didn't see anything relating to boot sector modifications or anything of that nature. The only thing that caught my eye was a setting that told it what type of O/S you were running; Win95, Win98/NT, or Other. I tried all 3 but get the same results every time. I'm going to try to find a different Windows 98 CD today and try that. Maybe mine is scratched or something...

 

[NathanBWF]

Update:

Tried a different Windows 98 CD...same results. :frown:

 

[dman]

[edit]nevermind you formatted[/edit]

Why are you copying the files to hte harddrive manually? Can't you run setup from the CD?

 

[Uncle Bob]

Question: Was there a reason why you were reinstalling windows? might help to indicate why W98 setup won't run...

How are you booting the pc b4 running setup (floppy/cd or hard disc) ?

does seem a doozy problem

 

[NathanBWF]

Originally posted by: dman
[edit]nevermind you formatted[/edit]

Why are you copying the files to hte harddrive manually? Can't you run setup from the CD?

I tried from the CD first....kept getting errors so I thought I would try copying the files locally first then trying setup from the hard drive. Same results.

 

[NathanBWF]

Originally posted by: Uncle Bob
Question: Was there a reason why you were reinstalling windows? might help to indicate why W98 setup won't run...

How are you booting the pc b4 running setup (floppy/cd or hard disc) ?

does seem a doozy problem

Re-installing because there is so much spyware/apps n' crap on this machine that it is running terribly. The customer actually asked me to do a fresh install because there isn't anything important on the drive right now anyway.

I'm booting the PC with a standard Windows 98 startup disk.

Also forgot to mention before that I even FDISK'd and did an FDISK /MBR just to be sure, then recreated and reformated the partition and still this damn thing won't install...

 

[vonnoorja]

Hi,
I see you tryed the samething I did . I have a friends hp pavilion 6535 and did fdisk and then reformated and put a version of win 98se. All worked good but I can not find anywhere to get the modem, sound and disply drivers. The reason I did it was because there son had gone in to windows me and deleted some of the files. Then it would not work at all. And they can not find the recovery disks and they are not even sure if they ever got them. Could you help?
Thank you

 

[mechBgon]

Originally posted by: NathanBWF
So I'm trying to re-install Windows 98SE on an HP pavilion 6535 but the people don't have any of the disks that came with the computer. I planned on just using my retail Windows 98 CD but using their CD key obviously. I've formatted the hard drive and have copied the Win98 files locally. When I run setup it either:

a. Just goes right back to a C: prompt
b. Stays on "Copying files needed for Windows setup..." in DOS

I initially thought the hard drive was bad, so I tried another one but with the same results. Is it possible that this HP will only work with the HP disks it came with and if so does anyone know if HP will send out replacement CD's...?

When you FDISK'ed, did you make sure the partition was active? What happens if you boot from CD-ROM and try running Setup from it?

 

[Fern]

The easiest thing to do is get hold of the HP recovery disk. All the drivers will be on there. My father had this prob with his Pavillion and called HP and got the disk for like $10 (shipping fee).

See this LINK for the phone number etc.

Fern