How to replace Windows ME with Windows 98? (1 Viewer)

[Richard Travale]

My family just got a new computer that has Windows ME installed on it. Hell, It didn't even have the disc, just everything pre-installed. Anyway, there are some compatibility issues with different hardware and software. Things like gamepads and Norton Systemworks not being compatible with the new OS. So, how do you do it if you have access to a Windows 98 disc? Do you have to get rid of ME and then install 98, or can you just install 98 over top of ME? If it's going to be too much bother then I just won't. If it is a pretty easy process then guide away.
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Rich
"A) You can never go too far and B) If I'm going to get busted it is NOT going to be by a guy like DAT."
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[Rob Gillespie]

Richard, by far the safest way is to save whatever data you need, format and install 98 from fresh. I have doubts that Me would even let you try and go 'back' to 98, but even if it worked there could be driver problems and godknows what else. MS OSs aren't good at upgrading (or downgrading). Much better to install anew.

 

[Richard Travale]

Thanks Rob. I kind of figured that was going to be the case. So be prepared for many posts when I totally screw things up

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Rich
"A) You can never go too far and B) If I'm going to get busted it is NOT going to be by a guy like DAT."
My Website

 

[Rob Gillespie]

Richard, you can make your job a lot easier by gathering all the Windows 98 drivers for the hardware now rather than when trying to install. You'll need a boot floppy to get the system into DOS before the Win98 installation can start.

 

[Brian Harnish]

As Rob said, be SURE to make a boot disk before reformatting ANYTHING. If you don't have a boot disk, you will never be able to get your system back up. To create one, do this:
Start > Settings > Control Panel > Add/Remove Programs > Startup Disk tab > insert floppy disk into Floppy drive > click create disk button
That's all there is to it
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- Brian
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[Rob Gillespie]

Wowahahaah. I'm not sure you can even create a boot disk in Windows Me. They took out most of the DOS support. I seem to remember a lot of people on AnandTech going ballistic over this very issue.
However, you can go to www.bootdisk.com and get one there. Or I could always mail you over a .zip file of my original 98 installation floppy.

 

[Richard Travale]

Thanks for the tips fellas. I just got the boot files and am in the process of getting all of the drivers. Cross your fingers for me would you?

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Rich
"A) You can never go too far and B) If I'm going to get busted it is NOT going to be by a guy like DAT."
My Website

 

[CRyan]

If the computer is you regular store-bought fare, then expect a difficult time figuring out what hardware you even have. It can be tough reformatting a drive on a store-purchased PC.
C. Ryan
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[Joel Mack]

Wowahahaah. I'm not sure you can even create a boot disk in Windows Me. They took out most of the DOS support. I seem to remember a lot of people on AnandTech going ballistic over this very issue.

Creating a startup disk is still an option under Add/Remove Programs in the Control Panel. I haven't actually done it, but it's there...
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[Rob Gillespie]

Right, that's something then. I heard that MS had disabled the use of the /s parameter in FORMAT, which stops you creating your own DOS startup disks.

 

[Richard Travale]

Well, I found out that since it is a Cicero computer, they basically use their own "version" of Windows ME. This means that the drivers for the sound card are only on the Cicero Windows ME disk(which I actually do have only it doesn't have a Windows logo on it

). Anyway, I re-installed Windows ME and somehow worked all of the bugs out of the system. I also found an updated driver for my gamepad(very good

)
So, long story short, I have decided to go with the ME (at least for the time being). Thanks for all the help fellas.
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Rich
"A) You can never go too far and B) If I'm going to get busted it is NOT going to be by a guy like DAT."
My Website

 

[Graeme Clark]

Right, that's something then. I heard that MS had disabled the use of the /s parameter in FORMAT, which stops you creating your own DOS startup disks.

They did. I suppose to force you to use the Startup disk. Seems silly to me. I hate using Startup disks.
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