The PC does not report the size of the drive correctly. Defragging the C drive never completes. It restarts due to a system write, so it reports. This PC has two drives, C = 6 gig, D = 30 gig. I want to start from scratch but I am not familiar with reformating a drive and then getting Windows up and running. Can anyone list the steps?

Hi, 1.Do you have 2 Hard Disk Drives [ Example:HDD-1=6GB and HDD-2=30GB] or two partitions on a single HDD C : and D: [Example: 40 GB HDD with a Primary Partition C:30 GB and extended D: 6GB partition]? 2. Unless your HDD files are too corrupt or you get far too many "Fatal error messages" that it is not worth spending time on an endless troubleshoot and you believe it is better to reformat and start all over again on a 'clean slate, failure to defragment by the usual method, because of repeated restarts on account of bacground programs inteference, by itself, is not an indication for reformat, in my opinion. It will be too drastic a measure for an ailment and would not cure the symptom of 'defrag failure'. After performing a Disk Cleanup and deleting all unnecessary temp files , running ScanDisk and Disk Defragment utilities in Safe Mode, if necessary, using the WinMe defrag (Downloading and installing in place of win98SE Defrag) is a far better alternative to Reformat for "Defrag Delays". If you still want to go for Reformat, make sure you have very careful Pre-Reformat preparation that must include: 1. Saving all imporatant data from the target HDD to a second HDD or removable media like CD-RW/CD-R/Zip disk /many floppies. 2. Have all the Driver files for the various devices ready in easily retrievable media and all the Program Disks . It is EXTREMLEY IMPORTANT Very to have the Video Card driver, Sound card driver, Modem driver etc to avoid the post-Reformat blues. 3. Have a Good Win98SE Boot Diskette proven capable of successfully accessing the CD-ROM drive BEFORE starting the REFORMAT. Test the Boot Diskette now and unless it can show it has all the required drivers to access the CD-ROM drive from Command prompt, DO NOT use its FORMAT tool and cleanup the only path to CD-ROM drive from the HDD! 4. Have the correct version of Windows Installation CD with the Product Key before removing the OS by Reformat from the HDD. 5. Save all the other information like Favotites/Bookmarks, Email Addresses and Messages that you think are worth keeping by Backing them by appropriate methods to removable media. 6. Make sure to have all the ISP/Email settings, Various Login names/Passwords to various computer activities, before they are deleted for good by the Reformat. 7.If all these are done and you are ready, we can give you either a step by step approach to FDISK , REFORMAT and Reinstall or a link to good sources.

Install WinME defrag and run in safe mode. Also, disable screen saver. Try this before a format. Why do you believe the drive size is incorrectly reported? Open My Computer, right click each drive and click properties. Free space and drive size in the pie chart.

If you are going to start from scratch all you need is a boot up disk. Insert the boot disk and turn on the pc. You should get a black screen with a dos prompt a:/ type "fdisk" and hit enter, it will ask if you want to enable large disk support type "Y" and hit enter. Now you will get the options menu, I recommend deleteing the partition first, (option three). After that is done I would beboot, then when you get to the dos prompt a:/ this time type "format c:" it will probably ask if you are sure say yes blah blah. After thats done your hard drive should be wiped clean. Reboot again, at the dos prompt a:/ type "fdisk" (enter)answer "y" to large disk support again and then at the options menu use selection 1 "Creat Dos Partition or Logical Dos Drive. You'll get another menu, you want to use "creat primary dos partition" run that and then when its done you are ready to load your operating system. I dont think I forgot anything but I am going from memory, should be enough to figure out though.

A few more important points to remember before attempting a Reformat: 1. What is your BIOS and how to enter its setup? [What key(s) to press during boot]? 2. What are its current default settings under its various Menu items? 3. What is the Boot sequence in BIOS? How can you change the sequnce to A: first or CD-ROM drive first as needed. 4. What are the current entries in Device Manager? [ a good way to know about what device drivers may need to be ready after reformat and where to go for updated drivers]

Before we start anything make sure you have: 1. A Win98 Boot Disk that works. Check it. 2. The Win98 CD. Check it by tossing it in your CD-ROM and visually; no cracks, deep scratches, peanut butter etc. 3. The driver disks for your motherboard, video card, sound card, modem, network card, and so forth. You may not have a motherboard driver disk or system recovery disk for a machine this old. Since you did not tell us what your machine is we can't tell you where to go to download documentation and drivers. If it's a dell, compaq, hp, gateway or other proprietary machine you may still have a hidden partition on your hard drive that is used to configure your computer. Collect all this stuff and post back

You asked. Lotta good advice here.