Trying to install WIN 98SE on new 40 gig Maxtor drive in DELL Dimension 4100. After using FDISK to create logical drive and then formating drive I run the 98SE setup. When the setup util scans the drive it locates approx. 15 gig of files (which I can see if I do DIR on the drive. If I let the scandiak utility delete the files and then continue the 98SE install causes a DPMI error and quits. (I saw another thread suggesting the the DPMI error was caused by bad battery, which I replaced -- no change.)

Any ideas?

The 15GB of files were on the new Maxtor drive? If so, it doesn't sound like a new drive to me. I would yank that drive ASAP and RMA for replacement, or if bought locally, return for replacement. 15GB is alot of data. Can't be a new drive. I hope you didn't delete the files on your existing drive accidently. Fdisk can get confusing sometimes. Can you still access your old OS and files? Some info for you. Dell installs a hidden partition on their machines. If you check with Fdisk and go to other drives you should see it there. I don't know how they keep it from showing in windows, but I'll bet it's there.

Run fdisk, option 4. What does it say?

A logical drive is created in an extended partition. You need to create a primary dos partition instead.

If it's a new drive, it should have come with MaxBlast installation floppy...use that for partitioning & formatting...it works great & is simpler than using Fdisk. If you don't have the disk, go to Maxtor.com & download a copy....