Formatting a Windows PC and re-installing

[James Smith]

Hi guys.

I am about to format my HD on my windows 98 PC in about half an hour.

I have backed up the files i need onto CD-R.

What do i need to do ? Any steps/tips/neccessities ?

I have downloaded a bootdisk from http://www.bootdisk.com for windows 98 . Is this correct ?

PS, i will still have internet access on my other PC.



-James

[James]

I would recommend making a boot disk from the Add-Remove Programs option in Control Panel, I don't know what tools your boot disk has, but I know the control panel one has everything you need.
Basically, restart your PC with the boot disk in the drive.
Check your CD-ROM drive works, enter "<drive>:" and then key in "dir" to check it works and can read your Win98 CD.
Often the CD drive is one letter further down from what it is in Windows, because Windows makes a temporary drive with some of your RAM to store diagnostic tools on when you use the boot disk.
Then key in "format c:". If you are in a hurry you could do "format c: /q" instead, to do a QuickFormat (if C is your boot drive).
That will wipe your whole hard drive.
Then just change drives to your CD drive (<driveletter>: ), and key in "setup". Then follow the instructions in the wizard .

Hope that helps

[James Smith]

cheers pal, i'll do that.

wish me luck :-)



PS - is the sitepoint IRC server down ?

[Hierophant]

I would just go to the run command and type BootDisk.

[mjames]

Okay, good luck James.

[James Smith]

well your luck wish must have worked, cos it worked no problems !!



now all i gotta do is re-install all the drivers......uggggh


Cheers
james