Windows 9x Issues. Long - Confusing - PLEASE HELP!

Tzen

Member
Jan 26, 2001
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In 1997 we bought an IBM Aptiva from Radio Shack - I was just a stupid kid then and didn't know any better. The computer is just like any other computer you can buy like that, it came with a Windows 95 Companion CD (worthless) and two restore discs (full of the usual garbage). Since we've had it, I've done a reformat and restore once. I lost the restore discs in a recent move, and my current install of Windows 95 OSR2 is corrupted like hell. The computer is an AMD K6 200MHz MMX, 64MB RAM, 2GB HDD (845MB free), integrated sound and graphics, and an unknown motherboard.

So now I have a little problem. I recently purchased a TDK velocd 12/10/32 burner, but Windows will only see it as a regular CD-ROM. The device manager will not display driver information for any of my components (Windows is whacked like hell, I tell you), and that's just one of the problems I'm having. I wanted to use the CD-RW to back up about 400MB worth of files before I did a format and did a clean install of an OS (probably 98). I also wanted to be able to have some files ready on a CD so I will have them on hand when I build a new computer soon.

As far as I can tell, these are my options.

1) Hunt down a Windows 95 OSR2 disc (anyone want to send me one? heh, I can't find one anywhere), install it over this current install (will that work?), burn the files, reformat, do a clean install of Windows 95 OSR2 (I will probably have lots of driver problems 'cause I won't be using the restore discs).

2) Buy the Windows 98 Upgrade CD, upgrade this install of 95 (will that work? like I said, this install is fiznucked.), burn the files, reformat... uh... can I do an install of 98 with the upgrade package without installing 95 first? 'Cause I don't have the 95 install CD.

3) Buy Windows 98 SE (I will be using this OS on the computer I am going to build.), install it (will I have to uninstall 95 first?), burn the files, reformat, do a clean install of 98 SE. (again, I think this will cause driver problems because I won't be using the restore discs.)

4) Order the restore discs, do a restore without a format, burn the files, format and restore.

Which is the best way to go about doing this? Will any of these not work? Any advice? I want this to be as painless as possible. All help is highly appreciated.


Tzen
 

Theeoneatwork

Member
Jan 2, 2001
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If you got a second harddrive you could plug it in and copy the files you want over to that. Other than that your best chance is to re-run setup over your existing installation to try and get your burner to work. have you tried installing any recording software? Your burner may actually be working with Windows just not reporting it correctly.

Thee One
 

forkd

Golden Member
Jan 17, 2001
1,122
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I agree. backup the files you may need, don't forget to back-up your current drivers, format and do a fresh install of 98se.
 

Tzen

Member
Jan 26, 2001
75
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I'm going to go buy Windows 98 SE, will it run okay on my system? This is what I plan on doing. I am going to move all the files I want to back up (drivers/favorites/etc.) to a dir on the C: drive. Delete Windows 95. Install Windows 98 SE. Burn all the files to discs. Format C:. Install 98SE. Use drivers/etc. from disc.

Can anyone explain how to do this in a more detailed way? When I delete Windows 95 do I have to delete any other folders on the C: drive? Any tips on formatting? How do I go about installing Win98SE in the best way?

System Specs:
AMD K6 200MHz MMX
64MB RAM
Unknown Motherboard
Integrated graphics and sound
2GB HDD

Tzen
 

jeremy806

Senior member
May 10, 2000
647
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No need to reinstall twice, dude. If you buy 98SE, you should move everything that you want to save to a single folder on the C drive. Copy the Win98 folder off of the Win98SE disk to the C drive (the folder with all of the cabs).

Then boot into DOS and manually delete everything except those two folders. Run setup from the hardrive. Just in case things get ugly, make sure that you make a bootable disk with CD ROM drivers on it ahead of time.

And most importantly, wait for some else to verify that I got this correct (it's what I would do, but I've goofed a system or two in my time).

Lastly, the upgrade version of 98SE requires that you either have 95 installed already or have a 95 CD. So, be sure to buy the full version or find a CD.

jeremy806
 

Tzen

Member
Jan 26, 2001
75
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I am going to install twice because I want to format but not before I back up some files to a CDR. The first install will be to get Windows to recognize my CDRW so I can burn a CD, then I will format (because I want to) and do another install. I think my hard drive is too small to place the contents of the CD on the drive. I plan to do that with my new computer, though.

Tzen
 

AndyHui

Administrator Emeritus<br>Elite Member<br>AT FAQ M
Oct 9, 1999
13,141
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Have you installed burner software? Windows by itself will not allow you to burn a CD as it does not natively support burning....you need to use something like Nero or EZCD Creator to write stuff. Outside of using burning software, Windows will treat your CDRW as a simple CDROM.
 

Tzen

Member
Jan 26, 2001
75
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Yup, I installed Nero 5. I can't actually get it to burn anything. I don't know what's wrong, exactly. Simulation is not on, Write is. In the Device Manager it shows up as a CD-ROM.

Tzen
 

jeremy806

Senior member
May 10, 2000
647
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It will always look like a CDROM in device manager, or at least be listed in the CDROM group.

jeremy806
 

wyvrn

Lifer
Feb 15, 2000
10,074
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My suggestion, if you are going to use Win98SE, get more RAM. 64 on that k6 chip is going to cause a big slowdown over Win95.