I have a set of Win 3.1 install disks, and I'd like to set up the OS on my computer's second hard drive, which is 3 gigabytes. I know nothing about it, so does Win 3.1 have to be an upgrade, or can it be installed from scratch? I ask because every time I try to install, after the installer has finished setup in DOS mode, a message appears stating it will load Windows, but the system just hangs. This occurs while the second installation disk is in the drive. Thanks for any and all help, -aero

Install the MS-DOS 7.1 Patch to allow WIndows to install under MS-DOS. You can use FAT32, but you gotta disable your SWAP file (AKA, virtual memory, page file). YOu could use FAT16 on your 3GB Hard DIsk if you make a 2.1GB partition and a 900Mb partition or so..FAT/FAT16 unlike FAT32 can have partitons bigger than 2.1GB or something like that. its somewhere between 2 and 2.5GB. With 256M, you have no need for a page file under Windows 3.11. Just install the patch, exit to DOS mode, then install from floppys into a DIFFERENT folder such as C:\WIN31, NOT the same place as Windows 98. PS: The PATCH I can not find nor remember the name of. Im SURE someone here can help you. It was on Powerloads website, but the URL powerload.shorturl.com just leads to oldfiles network. It was win3xstart or something like that.

I feel rather dumb now. Does Win 3.1 have to be installed on the same partition as Win 98? If it's possible I'd rather just keep them separate.

Win3.1 and Win98 can be installed on the same partition, as long as WinDOS7 will see and access it. 3xStart is used to patch WinDOS from Win98. You can use TEMPORARY SWAPFILE on FAT32 drives, but you cannot create a PERMANENT SWAPFILE on FAT32 drives! Or, you may install another DOS for better compatibility with Win3.x. --------------- Long Live DOS!

One major point to bear in mind if you install Windows 3.1 and 98 on the same partition, is that they both cannot be installed in directories (folders) called 'Windows' When last I did this I had 3.1 in a directory called 'Win31' otherwise Win31 will overwrite core 98 files... What Wengier writes about Swop Files is also of vital inprotance... 3XSTART is available on the PowerLoad Win3x Resource Page for anyone that wishs to try it. Please reply with a message to let us all know we are on the right track...

Thank you, everyone. I've got Windows 3.1 running and accessible through Windows 98's DOS now. Have a nice day.

IBMWarpster and others. Link to PowerLoad has been corrected. I can also be found via OldFiles Network. 3XSTART can be found on my Win3x page. Thanks Please reply with a message to let us all know we are on the right track...