Yes. You need to debug the hard drive. Run Fdisk and Format the drive. Then install 98.

MS-DOS® and Non-DOS Hard Drive Partition Removal Debug Script

Discussion

The following Debug script removes the partition information (both DOS and non-DOS) on the hard drive. The script is intended for use on Dell systems with Dell provided operating systems and hard drives. The Debug script allows you to convert a drive from one incompatible partition structure to another, such as from Linux back to MS-DOS®. In the process all your data will be lost; you must repartition the drive, reformat the drive, and reinstall the software.

If you have installed additional hard drives that required the use of a special hard drive overlay utility and the Debug script below does not seem to have successfully cleared the partitions, you may wish to refer to an alternative Debug script available from Microsoft. Please note that Dell does not recommend the use of the Microsoft Debug script with Dell-provided operating systems and hard drives. For more information on the alternative Debug script, refer to the Microsoft Knowledge Base at:

http://support.microsoft.com/directory/

Article ID: Q106419 Title "Removing Non-DOS Partitions with Debug."

In order to run the Debug script you must have a bootable diskette that contains the Debug command or be able to access the command files installed by Windows 95, 98, or Millennium Edition (Me). For more information, refer to Dell Knowledge Base Article: FA1026410 Title "Why Do I Receive the Error Bad Command or Filename When I Attempt to Run the Debug Command?"

Solution

NOTICE: This debug script is for advanced users only. Its purpose is to remove all formatting and partitioning information from your hard disk when FDISK is unable to do so. THIS WILL ALSO REMOVE ALL DATA AND PROGRAMS FROM THE DRIVE. REPEAT: The next steps will remove all data from hard-disk drive. We URGE YOU to make a backup of any data and programs that you wish to save before proceeding. REMEMBER: ALL DATA WILL BE LOST! Be sure you have the necessary bootable media and files to reboot your system and install your operating system (boot disk with CDROM drivers, MSCDEX, FDISK, FORMAT, SYS, etc).

Turn on the computer.
Insert your boot diskette that contains the Debug command, or in Windows 95, 98, or Me use the Startup options to boot to Command Prompt Only.
At the DOS command prompt, type the following commands and press the key after each command:

NOTICE: Performing the following will remove all data from your hard disk drive.

NOTE: Type the following bolded text only. You will receive an error if you type anything other than the bold text. The non-bolded text represents the system response that will appear on your screen once you press after typing each command.

debug
-F 200 L1000 0
-A CS:100
xxxx:0100 MOV AX,301
xxxx:0103 MOV BX,200
xxxx:0106 MOV CX,1
xxxx:0109 MOV DX,80 (Type 80 for the main hard drive - hd 0, or type 81 for the second hard drive - hd 1)
xxxx:010C INT 13
xxxx:010E INT 20
xxxx:0110
-G


The message Program terminated normally appears.
Turn off the computer.
On the next startup the hard drive must be partitioned and formatted.

---------------------------------------
Creating a FAT32 Partition

1. Boot to your bootable media.
2. At the DOS prompt, type:
fdisk
3. Press the key.
The following message appears:
Your computer has a disk larger than 512 MB. This version of Windows includes improved support for large disks, resulting in more efficient use of disk space on large drives, and allowing disks over 2 GB to be formatted as a single drive.
Do you wish to enable large disk support (Y/N)?

NOTE: This message is asking which addressing scheme you want to use on the hard drive: FAT16 or FAT32. This refers to the actual number of physical sectors that can be configured onto the hard drive. Early versions of Windows 95 (OSR 1 and earlier) support FAT16 only. Later versions of Windows 95 (OSR 2 and beyond) and Windows 98 support both FAT16 and FAT32.

NOTE: If you have a hard drive larger than 8 GB, FAT32 is required in order to gain access to the entire capacity of the drive.


4. Press the key.
5. Press the key.
The FDISK Options menu appears.
6. Press the key to Create DOS partition or Logical DOS Drive.
The Create DOS Partition or Logical DOS Drive menu appears.
7. Press the key to Create Primary DOS Partition.

NOTE: If you receive the message: Primary DOS Partition already exists, then you must refer to Delete Primary DOS Partition section.


8. Verifying Drive Integrity will appear, and then the Create Primary DOS Partition menu will appear.
9. Press the key to use the maximum available size and to make the partition active.
Verifying Drive Integrity will appear.
10. Press the key until the DOS prompt appears.
11. Press the + + keys simultaneously to restart the computer.
12. Use the FORMAT command to format your newly created partition.

For additional information on formatting, refer to Dell Knowledge Base Article: FA1011783 "How do I use the Format command to format disks?"

----------------------------
Please go to the following link for assistance in reinstalling Windows 98.

How do I delete my hard drive DOS partitions, recreate the partitions, and reinstall Windows® 95 or 98?
http://support.dell.com/us/en/kb/document.asp?DN=TT1024679

How do I install Microsoft® Windows® 98 or Windows 98 Second Edition (SE)?
http://support.dell.com/us/en/kb/document.asp?DN=HO1026820

tiger21,

While the information above is correct, much of it is simply unnecessary. If you are satisfied with the partitions on your hard disk there is no need to debug or fdisk. Simply format the C:\ partition (assuming that is where the Windows ME is installed) and then install Windows 98 on it. I don't have a Dell ME system, but I presume that the hard disk is already formatted for FAT32. The link for the installation of Windows 98 given assumes that you are installing the operating system from a Dell Recovery disk (in violation of the End User License Agreement). If in fact you have bought a retail copy of Windows 98 the installation procedure is straightforward. After formatting your C:\ partition (any data that you have on any other partitions will not be disturbed) you merely change to your CD-ROM drive (add one letter to compensate for the RAMdrive that Win98 creates during installation--if your CD-ROM drive is normally D:, type E: at the command prompt from your emergency boot floppy) and then type setup. Follow the on-screen prompts.

Are you a new computer owner, or simply new to Delltalk? You may find some helpful information on how best to use this forum here. Want to make a hyperlink in your post, want to add a graphic or sound file, need to troubleshoot a non-working Java applet, want to build an attractive signature? These capabilities can be yours if you visit Denny's DellT@lk Tutorials. For help in deciding what can be eliminated from your Startup list, take a look here. Want to get rid of Network Neighborhood, change your Registered Owner name? Check out the little utilities at Delltalk Tweekz. Ready to sign up for Web server space? Want to learn FTP? Visit Web Presence for Beginners. For new users (or veterans who would like to help a new user), a number of basic Windows tasks are illustrated in Denny's Tutorial Viewlets. Note: I do not answer Instant Messages but I do answer email. Message Edited on 12/14/01 02:48PM by Denny Denham