what exactly would 'reinstalling windows' (not formatting), do?

acidvoodoo

Platinum Member
Jan 6, 2002
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i know that formatting cleans the hard disk and all. but if i run setup on windows98 again, does it just install the original files again, and i'd then have to reinstall my vid card and networks etc etc? the reason is i'm getting errors when installing things and i think the windows installer is messed up so i want to do install a clean one.
 

Dreadogg

Golden Member
Mar 1, 2001
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dont be sillly reformatt the drive! If you are having problems with backing up I recommend that you partition you HD into 2 secs. one C: and one D: put all your backups on D: anything that can be reused MP3's etc.. that way anytime you have to reinstall windows you can just formatt the C: partition and not have to worry about losing anything on D:. Also when you reinstall download all those apps you know those silly little things like aim yahoo etc... to one folder on D: then insatall them to C: and you will have them for the next time! I am sorry if you knew this already but this really helps me when I am reformatting drives and reinstalling Os'S! Good day!
 

aaparkr

Junior Member
May 5, 2002
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Reinstalling Windows 98 "may" do a little good, but it may be a waste of time too. In any event, 98's install is more intelligent than previous versions. It looks at and adopts existing settings to a large degree. It should keep your existing device drivers and installed program settings, including network settings, unless those files are messed up. On the other hand, you can go to Start->Programs->Accessories->System Tools->system Information.
From there, you can select tools and look at (and change) things - System File Checker, Registry Checker, etc. That may be easier than reinstalling and definitely easier than formatting.

Tony