Another OS problem

[g_shocker182]

Ok. I have the worst time with Windows OSs. Maybe I did some wrong thing here, but please tell me if I did! (the machine I'm working on isn't the one in my profile).

I want to put Win98 back on this machine I have.

What I've done:
1.) I formatted the HD with an XP computer (as slave).
2.) Put the HD back into the other computer
3.) Put in the Win98 reinstall CD
4.) It says it installed 98, but it only took around 30 seconds.
***During install, it says (while its working) "Invalid drive specification"
5.) When it reinstalls, an error message says "NTLDR is missing, Press Ctrl+Alt+Del to restart"
6.) When I restart, the error message repeats.

[Jeebus_Uk]

Xp uses a different file format from 98... u need to get a bootable win98 cd... unless yours already is... which means u just set bios to boot from cd... then u format the drive.

If not what i would do is find someone with 98 to make a windows98 boot floppy. Theres a site u can dl them from but its been a longtime since i bothered with windows 98.

But i dont think u can format it with XP then install windows, all the windows files are different

[g_shocker182]

Xp uses a different file format from 98... u need to get a bootable win98 cd... unless yours already is... which means u just set bios to boot from cd... then u format the drive.

If not what i would do is find someone with 98 to make a windows98 boot floppy. Theres a site u can dl them from but its been a longtime since i bothered with windows 98.

But i dont think u can format it with XP then install windows, all the windows files are different

Sounds right. After all, NT is closer to XP than 98.

The cd I have is a bootable win98 cd. And when I choose the option to "restore 98, format the drive" it takes around only a minute to complete the task.

[indolikaa]

G,

If I am reading this right, you are trying to install Win98 on a volume that previously had WinXP?

If so, I think you need to erase/delete the Non-DOS partition that will be visible in FDISK. FDISK should be executable from the Win98 CD. Formatting will not remove the NTSF volume header, hence, your problem.

Or you could low-level format the drive...

.indolikaa.
Enforcing Peace through Mutually-Assured Destruction

[Jeebus_Uk]

U gotta delete the original partition first

[mrtristan]

You might have to reformat the drive with the XP computer again, but make sure to choose fat32, for the file system.

I think what happened is that you formatted the drive with NTFS. DOS and win98 can't "see" NTFS partitions, so that's most likely the root of the problem. I can't explain the specifics, like why it's installing in under a minute, but I would definitely try and reformat the disk with fat32.

[g_shocker182]

You might have to reformat the drive with the XP computer again, but make sure to choose fat32, for the file system.

I think what happened is that you formatted the drive with NTFS. DOS and win98 can't "see" NTFS partitions, so that's most likely the root of the problem. I can't explain the specifics, like why it's installing in under a minute, but I would definitely try and reformat the disk with fat32.

How would I do this?

[mrtristan]

If the drive is using a single partition, then you should be able to reinstall the drive in the XP computer and right click on it, when it appears in windows explorer. Select "format" and choose fat32 as the file system.

If the drive has more than one partition, it can get tricky.

[gmatov]

Shocker,

How many partitions are on the drive? Is it your original 20 gig, single partition?

If it is, Win98 Boot Disk, fdisk, delete partitions, create new Primary DOS partition, set as active, create more if you want, Extended DOS and logical. If you do, use all the rest of the space for the Extended DOS, then partition to as many logical drives as you need.

Reboot and format all of 'em. Should be good to go.

You got a Boot Disk? If you don't, I can mail you one if you have hi-speed, or modem even, it's only a meg or so.

Cheers,

George

[g_shocker182]

Whoa thats pretty complicated gmatov. It that lousy 3gb one. I'm pretty sure I used NTFS when formatting through XP. I'll try what you guys have said and get back to ya.

[gmatov]

Shocker,

The 3 gig, boot to DOS with the 98 boot disk, choose the option to delete partition, escape, create Primary DOS partition, use it all, set as active, escape, reboot, format C:\, reinstall.

Not complicated at all.

Complicated is when you set up a bunch of logical drives on 160 to 200 gigabyte drives.

Cheers,

George

[mrtristan]

George,

Will fdisk "see" NTFS partitions? It's been a while since I used the fdisk utility and I can't remember. I was always nervous when using it, since I only had half a clue about what I was doing.

[gmatov]

If fdisk can't see it, it isn't there. It will just say something like no partitions to delete.

Bad thing of that is it could be a full disk of NTFS and you'd fdisk/format. Boom goes your data.

I almost always have more than 1 drive in machines I put new disks into, and I will tell you, I make damn sure I pick disk # 2, under "Change Fixed Disk, check to see under, "Show Partition Information", or something like that, for no partitions on disk.

Just be a little careful. For safety, install it as the only disk. Then, move it and put the C:\ back in.

Not difficult.

Cheers,

George

[808smokey]

FDISK doens't read NTFS. It only reads FAT partitions. That's why Xp doesn't come with it. Use partition magic and covert it to FAT32. It should only take a couple minutes and you won't loose any info. To get it to boot just copy the NTLDR file back to the hard drive from your Xp install CD-ROM.

[redwudz]

Download a win98 startup disk here:http://www.bootdisk.com/bootdisk.htm
Set Bios to boot to floppy. Insert floppy disk. At the A> prompt type 'fdisk' and partition the drive. Then type 'format c:/s' Which will format the drive as a startup. You should be able to put the w98 CD disk in the drive and type 'D' or the letter of the CD drive. Then type 'dir' to see the W98 directory. Should see a startup file. Type 'startup'. I hope this is all right, been a while since I've done 98. NTLDR stands for NT Loader, a sure sign youv'e formated for a NT or XP system. Wont't work for 98.

[g_shocker182]

You might have to reformat the drive with the XP computer again, but make sure to choose fat32, for the file system.

I finally have time to do this.

Are there any programs (EXEs) out there that will work as a utility to do this to the drive if it is a slave?

[gmatov]

Shocker,

Have you found or made a 98 boot disk?

Boot from it, to an A:\ prompt, type fdisk, you will get a dialogue that your OS has large disk capability (FAT32), type "Y" or "YES", next screen will be 4 , I think, options, choose #1, Create Primary DOS Partition, it will give you a maximum size, hit Enter, will check the disk, next option is set partition as "Active". Escape, Escape.

Reboot with disk still in drive, at A:\ prompt, "Format c:", don't forget the semi-colon, "Are you sure", "Y" for yes, sit back for 5 to 15 minutes. When done, escape to A:\ prompt, type "sys c:", it will copy system files to the C:\ drive, returns to A:\ prompt.

If CD is in D:\, type D:, type dir, hit enter, will show you contents of D:\ drive. If it is Win98 disk, type "cd:win98", type "setup" , hit enter, you will now get the Win98 setup running, will do Scandisk, ask for install code, unless you have an OEM Restore Disk.

If it is a restore Disk, still do a D:\, dir:, either a "Restore" or a "Setup". In this case it will not ask for an install code, as the restore disks read the BIOSto see if it is the same OEM as the disk has been created for.

If it is a restore disk, Gateway, for example, and you try to install to a home built, you will get a splash screen that says the disk is for a Gateway machine, only.

I ddon't think you have any optionss with a restore disk. It WILL setup to factory spec, meaning a whole shitload of progs you don't want, or I don't, anyway.

Partition Magic is all well and good, but you can screw up a disk that is in use if you are not careful. It also goes for 50 bucks or more, and you do not DL a trial that will do anything. You spend half an hour doing all the things you would if it worked, and it says ssomething like "See what you could have done if you had paid for this program?".

If you have already done your stuff, ignore this post.

Good luck,

George

Edit: fdisk will do this if it is the 6th drive on your machine, let alone the slave If you have more than 1 drive, you will get another option: "Change Fixed Disk, Disk 1, 2, 3...6, whatever is in there.

[Doggiedaddy]

There are many ways to do what you are doing but if you have access to partition magic this will solve all the multi-boot problems. I fought multi-boot systems for years, Linux/XP/95/98 etc. and with boot magic [part of PM] it is simple to multi boot any combo and or drives. Even more important the way you manage your drives will be so much simpler you will not believe it.

[mrtristan]

If you haven't already tried the win98 method, then all you need to do is plug the drive in and reboot the XP machine.

The drive will show up as "d," or some other letter, in windows explorer. Right click on it and select "format." A little window will pop up. Select "fat32," under the file system tab.