I have a computer using Windows 98 that has become corrupted beyond repair. So I want to install Windows 3.11 on it (I dont have the 98 install cd and I dont need anything better than 3.11 on it anyway). Windows doesnt work, but I can work from the command prompt.

When I put the first DOS 6.22 disk in and type "setup", though it says I have to reboot and it will install automatically. But when I do that I get the "non system disk" error.

So do I have to first get rid of Windows 98 by formatting the computer or what? I dont want 98 on the computer anymore, but I figured the installation would erase 98 automatically.

No, you'll have to use a bootdisk to format first (if your really sure you don't want anything on the whole drive)
Any bootdisk (with the format.com utility on it -don't assume it's on the bootdisk automatically..check first!) will work, as long as you don't transfer any system onto (sys) the drive.

You'll have to boot with the dos install disks afterwards (you have to anyways to install dos...)

Obviously, i think i believe you think i said what you want to believe, but i think you didn't believe what i think i really said...

If the disk is larger than 2Gb (FAT32), then you will need to repartition into 2Gb (or less) FAT16 sections - 622 won't work with FAT32 partitions. It also only recognizes up to 64Mb of RAM

98 comes with its own DOS which just requires a minor tweak (patch) in order to work with Win3xx

Did you check on your hard drive? On some systems, the Win98 installation files are backed up, either in c:\windows\options\cabs or else c:\win98. If you have the CAB files, you don't need the Win98 CD

Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former.

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I already put the hard drive in another computer and transfered all the files, then put it back so theres nothing on the Windows 98 computer that I need.

And yes, I have a lot of cab files in the windows/options/cabs folder but what program executes them? Only "uninstall" looked remotely relevant.

Setup.exe should be in there as well

The old DOS is fine, but understandably limited - your reasons for wanting to install it aren't that compelling. It will not run on FAT32 drives/partitions (as mentioned)

If you're intent on running Win3x, then you can use the DOS from 98 - - or, you could just reinstall Win98 (after renaming the original Windows folder). A few options, anyways.

Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former.

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Yes, I ran setup and it installed over a few hours but it didn't seem to do anything. It said "running Windows for the first time" and all that, but I still have the same files I had before the install. Also, as I was installing, it said that I was missing two files:

cwbaudio.inf
macxw4.inf

So I skipped them. When I started Windows again I got a screen asking for my name and corporation. When I input any information there I get an error message:

Setup was unable to display the nondisclosure agreement. Setup will now close. (error code = 5001)

The reason Windows corrupted in the first place is because I installed AVG to the computer and every time I started Windows after that it tries to run the DOS version of AVG. So I got a "program too big for memory" or something error. And I still have AVG on the computer.

I tried to get rid of it with the isuninst.exe in the program, but that can only be run from Windows. Is there a way I can uninstall AVG without using isuninst.exe then? I think that would be the first step to solving this.

Nevermind. I just had to copy a file. I got it back working now to it's virus-filled (but still semi-operational) state now and uninstalled AVG. Thanks.