I am trying to reformat my hard drive. I am not an expert and thought I would try it. I asked a buddy and he said just type format c:/ so I did/ It finished formatting and now wants me to insert the correct disk and press any key/ it wants a floppy. I dont have any way to run my cd rom, because i cant get a dos prompt. Do I just insert the boot disk, if I do, will that give me the chance to run my Win98 cd to reinstall? Please help me. Thank you!!

Enter the bios setup routine and set the floppy as first in the boot sequnce. Then boot from the win98 startup floppy. Select `with' cdrom support.

Hi kuhl1, gary, hi everyone, Simpler! - mount your Full install Windows 98SE CD into the drive, - go to the Bios setup and ask for booting with CD-Drive as first device, - validate the setup change... the computer will boot from CD: --- destroy partition(s) --- rebuild partition(s) --- format every partition --- install Windows - install additional drivers (video, audio, modem, network) - Windows update for every critical update - install AntiVirus and other security software - install utilities and applications Have a good day, Gérard from Paris, France

Thanks for the help guys, I appreciate it!

Hi Frenchie... I know an XP CD will format and create partitions and all that, but I'm not aware that Win98 CD has that capability. But then, I've always installed starting with a boot floppy. I would be pleased if you would enlighten me. Ray

Hi kuhl1, gary, Ray, hi everyone, Ray, I don't know whether it's only with my computer makes (CompaQ and Dell), but from Windows 98SE on, I always do everything (from partitioning to first drivers) with the CD prepared by MicroSoft for Dell/CompaQ. The same for Windows 2000 and XP. Have a good day, Gérard from Paris, France

Frenchie It all depends on the following: 1. If it's a Win98 OEM CD 2. If the drive your starting with is "virgin" (no partitions defined) If the CD is an OEM and the drive is "virgin" then the setup will partition the drive (with options), format and install Win98. If the CD is an OEM and the drive is just Partitioned (no format), then it will format the Active partition only. If it is already formatted but doesn't have Windows on it, then it will install Windows. Otherwise, in most cases it will do either an over-the-top reinstall of Windows (if Win 98 is already installed) or offer to install a copy of Windows to a new directory (Windows.000, by default). HTH Don M.