Reformatting Q's

[Dan]

How long do you think It would take to start SimV'ing and Simming from a total Hard Drive reformat? I am asking because I get errors all the time now... Whats the best way to do it, If I can persuade the other users!!??
Dan

[Pcyco]

Need more info. What OS, computer specs, what software do you have, your knowledge level, etc...

[Dan]

Microsoft Windows 98 4.10.2222 A
Clean install using OEM Preinstall Kit /T:C:\WININST0.400 /SrcDir=C:\WINDOWS\OPTIONS\CABS /IS /IW /IQ /ID /IV /IZ /II /NR  /U:xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
IE 5 5.00.2614.3500
Uptime: 0:02:08:08
Normal mode
On "TINYPC" as "Unknown User"
Tiny Computers
GenuineIntel Pentium(r) III Processor
128MB RAM
55% system resources free
Windows-managed swap file on drive C (3158MB free)
Available space on drive C: 3154MB of 12405MB (FAT32)


[Hardware Resources]

[Conflicts/Sharing]

IRQ 9      NVIDIA RIVA TNT2 Model 64/Model 64 Pro
IRQ 9      ACPI IRQ Holder for PCI IRQ Steering
IRQ 9      SCI IRQ used by ACPI bus
IRQ 10      Creative Sound Blaster AudioPCI 64V
IRQ 10      Intel 82371AB/EB PCI to USB Universal Host Controller
IRQ 10      ACPI IRQ Holder for PCI IRQ Steering
IRQ 11      V.90 K56Flex HSP PCI Modem
IRQ 11      ACPI IRQ Holder for PCI IRQ Steering
IRQ 14      Primary IDE controller (dual fifo)
IRQ 14      Intel 82371AB/EB PCI Bus Master IDE Controller
IRQ 15      Secondary IDE controller (dual fifo)
IRQ 15      Intel 82371AB/EB PCI Bus Master IDE Controller


[DMA]

1      SB AudioPCI 64V Legacy Device
2      Standard Floppy Disk Controller
4      Direct memory access controller


Theres my specs. As for my experience, I have around 5 years simming behind me and almost enough hardware knowledge to build my own PC.
Dan

[Delta_]

Back-up what files you need, then:
Restart the comp in DOS mode,
type "format c:" without the "",
it will ask you if you are sure,
press y
it will start doing a X% with X being the amount it has formatted,
when it has finished you need to restart the comp with the OS disk in, then it will give you options, just follow the options and everything will be back up and running in no time!

[GeForce]

Hi Dan!

I do not recommend doing as Hyvry says. My recommendation is to get a Windows 98 boot disk, restart the computer with the disk in the drive, and type FDISK. Instead of formatting the partition(s), delete them. Recreate them, and then format them. This is a much 'slicker' way of doing it and should be easier, with a lot less problems.

Things to make sure of before you start:
1) Backup everything
2) Make sure you have a Win98 boot disk
3) Make sure you have the 6 Windows XP setup disks. (Because after a clean install the PC will not recognise the CD drive.)

[Dan]

I am running Windos 98, not XP. Why Is Hyvry's not so good? It sounds a lot easier, I havent't paritioned my HDD at all?
Dan

[GeForce]

Hi Dan!

Hyvry's solution will only work with some computers. Definitely not mine Trying to format drives without deleting the partitions first completely messed them up. If you think you have not partitioned your drive(s), think again. Even if your drive it not split up, it is still one big partition.

Also, Hyvry's solution involves starting the computer with the disk in, and I assume this is a CD. However after the drive has been formatted the computer will probably not have the drivers for the CD drive, and will therefore not be able to install XP from the CD without the boot disks.

Cheers, Jonathan

[Pcyco]

As already stated, back up all files on cd. Boot to the windows 98 boot disk and run Fdisk. Delete the partition and then recreate it. If your computer recognizes the cd player, then go into dos and run setup from the dos prompt. If it doesnt recognize the cdrom drive, then you need to install MSCDEX.exe from a disk that has it. Install the cdrom drivers next. Then at the dos prompt run setup.exe from your windows 98 cd and follow the prompts. Time wise, if you are familiar with it, it'll take maybe 5 minutes to get win98 installing.  If you haven't done any of this before, be prepared for a long day full of learning.

[Skittles]

How long do you think It would take...

With your preinstall method AND reconstructing HDD partitions, I had it down to 1-1.5 hours.

   My suggestion is to conduct your re-install of windows, the all Windows updates, then video, audio drivers... etc. Then save an image of your hard drive. There are several programs for hard drive imaging. I had Ghost, but it's no longer working for me.  That way when you have to do this again, just reload the image.

   If you have a CD-writer save the image to that.  It is somewhat a complicated process. But if you love learning, you'll learn a lot.

Joe

[Delta_]

What you do with my method is use the boot disk that comes with the comp, if you don't have a disk you will need to get yourself a copy of the net or elsewhere and boot from that and install the os that way, i used this method lots of times uncluding when i put xp on, with the only exception i used fdisk from the boot disk then installed xp.

Also to totally clear partitions aswell i would recommend using the fdisk method and not the format c: method.

[GeForce]

Well explained Hyvry (Hi-D). My above post was a little unclear I think

[Dan]

Can somone walk me through the exact steps, form creating a new 3.5Inch floppy boot disk.
Dan