I'm going through an issues with trying to put Windows 98 onto an old Packard Bell computer. Having re-formatted the HDD by using "A:\format c:", it tells me I need to run FDISK to partition the drive but then says "No Fixed Disks present". "C" (HDD) drive is there because I can run DIR and it'll show me whats on it. I've looked in Set up as the computer boots and the HDD is shown there as well. The issue seems to be the HDD needs to be partitioned or FAT / FAT32 (??) but it won't re-partition using the recommended method (FDISK). Any ideas please?? I got it!

Error When You Run Fdisk: No Fixed Disks Present How To Ask Questions The Smart Way

There are issues with W98 if your HD is more than 63G requiring an updated FDISK. May not apply but thought it worth mentioning. DerekW

http://www.windowsreinstall.com/

... one thing at a time maybe(?) - at least it's not a cautionary tale ... the interests and rights of some individuals take precedence over the interests and rights of others

Packard bell computers usually have a hidden partition on them for a restore disk to access. I suggest you try looking into packard bells archives and see if there is a way around your problem. You said that you formatted the drive using the format c: command. Check out the size of the drive by typing dir c: /s *.* If the drive is unusually small you have formatted the hidden partition. Also you could find out what kind of drive it is (EG: Maxtor Western Digital) and go to their website and download the installation software for the drive (Maxblast for maxtor, not sure for western digital) if the computer is capable of booting to cd rom you can download a bootable cd in ISO format and I believe older versions are available for floppy discs in an EXE file. Hope this helps. Carrott

If a bootdisk doesn't find a dos partition it'll setup a ram drive at C:. So you'll get a file listing when doing a DIR on C: even though there's no hard drive. Do a DIR/P on C: and post back the VOLUME LABEL. If I'm right it'll be something like RAM_DRIVE.