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August 28th, 2004 11:00
Formatting computer with 98SE and XP Pro
I have a computer with two partitions (c: with 98SE and d: with XP Pro) and I want to remove both of them and format the whole thing. Then install XP Home.
I just don't know how to do this. I'd like to merge the partitions to only have one but when I tried that with Partition Magic it said I can't do that in a way that XP partition would be the primary (?) partition and 98 partition the one to merge into it. It might work the other way but then new problems might arise. 98 isn't working at all. It's only in safe mode that I can access 98 at all. In normal mode the screen is unreadable. It also doesn't "see" my dvd-rom and cd-rw rom at all. In xp I can work with those.
I guess I could live with two partitions but I definately want to format the whole pile of junk (I've spend quite a lot of time with this...). The size of hard drive is 13 gigabytes (or is it bits?).
Can I use ntfs or should I go with fat32 like the XP manual (all 15 pages of it) says if the hard drive is under 32 gigs.
So, how can I remove everything and start from the bottom?
simpswr
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August 28th, 2004 11:00
Enter BIOS ( Setup ) and make sure the CD/ROM the first boot device. Put your XP CD in the drive and disconnect all external peripherals except the keyboard and mouse, and be sure those are not USB.
Once you set your BIOS to boot first from cd ,. . when it restarts you will see a black screen with a prompt "Strike any key to boot from cd" . . do that and you will be able to delete partitions and recreate the ones you want and proceed to formating and installing XP
That message can pass quickly, so have a finger on the keyboard when you boot. This will delete all data on the drive so be sure you have your important data backed up.
You can get a reinstallation guide specific to your Dell here
http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/software_reinstall/en/index?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&~ck=mn
This is a good guide to reinstalling XP . . you might want to print it for reference during the install.
http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_sg_clean.asp
also http://www.djdenham.com/Install%20Procedures.htm
You will have to reload drivers and applications, After the installation, you will need to download and install the MicroSoft Critical Updates. Alternately, this would be a good time to install SP-2, while windows is clean. Prior to connecting to the internet you should enable the XP firewall.
If you want to save your files and settings, you can use the XP Files and Settings Transfer (FAST) wizard to create an image of them and save to cd or other removable media. This is a good guide to using the FAST wizard
http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_sg_fstw.asp
Have fun . . wrs
Message Edited by simpswr on 08-28-2004 07:48 AM
Message Edited by simpswr on 08-28-2004 07:55 AM