Author Topic: Any good advice on reinstalling Windows? (Read 348 times)

eskimo2 · « **on:** September 17, 2002, 09:52:38 PM »

I haven't played in 2 months because my new system is prone to AH CTDs.
I think I'm going to try to re-install Windows. I've never done it before and am not sure where to start. I looked at a MS sight but couldn't find anything of value, too much information almost.

So, does anyone have a good link to a "How to reinstall Windows" site? Or, copy something into this post?

Right now my new system is running Windows ME, but I also have a copy of Windows 98. Which will work better fo AH?
(I've got the Windows ME book, but can't find the 98 book)
This system is dedicated to AH only, so I don't care about fancy stuff, I just want stability. If I go with Win 98, will the Win ME book be a good enough guide?

Thanks,

eskimo

Midnight · « **Reply #1 on:** September 17, 2002, 10:41:34 PM »

Definitely Use Win98.

WinMe = Windows Mangled Edition.

1. Make a bootable 3.5" Win98 disk with your CD drivers on it.

2. Test the bootable disk. (insert into 3.5" drive and cycle power) The system should come up with a DOS prompt ( C:\ )

3. Back up your data files that you want to keep. (Make sure to copy all of the drivers you will need for sound, networking, video, etc. ) <-- burn a CD if you have a burner.

3. Format your C drive.

4. Re-boot your PC with the bootable 3.5" disk (the one you made in step 1)

5. switch to the CD drive ( D:\ ) <-- Win98 CD should be in drive.

6. Run setup.exe

7. Once you get windows and drivers re-installed, go to http://www.microsoft.com and get all the updates and patches.

eskimo2 · « **Reply #2 on:** September 18, 2002, 05:23:02 AM »

Thanks Midnight.

Does formatting the C drive effectively erase all of the old bad info? Or is there an "uninstall Windows" program?

Thanks,

eskimo

Midnight · « **Reply #3 on:** September 18, 2002, 07:53:27 AM »

Formatting the drive erases EVERYTHING.

Once the format is complete, there will be NOTHING on your hard-drive. This is why it is VERY important to make backups of your data files (Documents, drivers or whatever information you store that is not replaceable by re-installing a program.)

Some thing that comes to mind would be your AH setup directory that keeps your .hps (head position save) and .kmp (key map) files. Also, any films, screenshots and custom sounds you may have.

Key point being... make sure you are ready to format before you do it. Once it's done, there is no going back.

AKIron · « **Reply #4 on:** September 18, 2002, 02:48:14 PM »

A shortcut to the above instructions:

1. press f8 when booting pc and choose command prompt only
2. type "c:\windows\command\format c: /q"
3. Set bios to boot from cd (don't do any of this if you don't know how to do this)
4. boot from cd and install Windows

Hussein · « **Reply #5 on:** September 19, 2002, 09:07:09 AM »

Once the format is complete, there will be NOTHING on your hard-drive. This is why it is VERY important to make backups of your data files (Documents, drivers or whatever information you store that is not replaceable by re-installing a program.)

Heheh.. that's not quite true. After format, EVERYTHING on your harddrive is still there. Windoze just won't see it.

jonnyb · « **Reply #6 on:** September 19, 2002, 09:26:00 AM »

Even shorter and quicker method:

Reboot your computer and go into BIOS. Choose the boot menu and change the order your PC boots such that "Boot from CD" is your first choice. Save and exit. Put Windows CD in the drive. Windows setup will walk you through the rest.

By the way...and this is important....

MAKE SURE YOU BACK UP EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO SAVE!!!

There is no getting it back once you format your drive.