help on formatting the computer

[smokingweed3000]

Sup
I have a computer with Windows 98 SE and I want to format the whole computer and re-install Windows 98 SE. Is there anyone who knows how to do it, casue it didnt work for me.
thanks a lot

[d4n13l]

Make sure that you make a fresh Start Up disk before you begin ( Start>Settings>Control Panel>Add Remove Programs>Start Up Disk )
It would be easier if your BIOS could boot from your CD-ROM drive, so go into the BIOS settings and change the boot options so that it boots firstly from the CD-ROM, then C, then A. (Or CD-ROM,A,C -Options may vary, depending on your BIOS)
Restart in MS-DOS mode, then simply type in:
FORMAT C:
then enter.
It will ask you if you want to continue, press y, then enter to go ahead, then it will begin formatting your HD. This may take a while depending on the size of your HD. After it has finished, put in the Win98 CD into the CD-ROM and reboot. It should then boot to DOS from the CD, choose 'start with CD-ROM support'. When you get the prompt "C:\", type in:
SETUP
then enter. And that's that. It will begin taking you through the setup for installation and begin installing after you choose a few simple options.
A word of warning, if you format your HD you lose all data held on it. It may be possible to unformat (type "UNFORMAT C:" at the DOS prompt), but dont rely on it. So, before you format your HD, backup all the files that you want to keep. And make sure that you have all the drivers for you hardware.

[wellmashed]

Just don't forget that when it has finished installing the files off the CD and it reboots you will have to jump back into your bios and reset the boot option to something other than cd rom....C only is recommended.

This is because when it reboots it will look for the cd rom first and you need it then to start configuring itself and not trying to install windows again.

[d4n13l]

I knew I forgot something.

[wellmashed]

I knew I forgot something.

My mate asked me the same question a couple of years ago and I forgot to tell him the same thing....

He phoned me up when it had installed about 8 times to ask me what was going on......