What is involved in putting win98 back on a compaq presario 4770 that has win.ME installed on it? I bought it used so I have no software. There is nothing on the hard drive that I want to save. I have a win98 version 2 cd from my other computer if that will help.

As long as you have a full windows 98 disk you should be able to format with a bootdisk and install windows 98. You may need to download drivers for your hardware. Modem and monitor are the most important IMO. They let you see and get online to download others. One last thing.. some older compaqs.. the utility that gives you access to the bios was stored on the HD. Formatting removes this utility. You will need to locate it online. Do google search or visit the hp/compaq website to see if this is an issue for you.

I would look into it just a bit more. What does `format with a bootdisk' mean?' The older op systems did not need a bootdisk to format the hard drive. The later op systems from 95 up had to have the hard disk partitioned as well. Maybe they are partitioned differently? Doing this is not easy unless you're a pc expert, and neither is downloading all the right drivers. You have to have a working pc, able to get you on the internet, before you can download anything.

No need to worry about the setup utility that allows access to the bios using the F10 key unless you use something like Delpart to remove the Non-Dos partition. Just a format will not delete the information on the Non-Dos partition. Don't need to delete or create any new partitions unless you wish to change the current way you hard drive is set up. Download the Win98 modem or Nic drivers from the compaq site for your computer. Save them to floppy disk. As mentioned by SMUOD you can download the others from the net but will need the modem/Nic drivers to access. Download Belarc Advisor, run it and print out a copy so you have a list of the hardware on your computer. This will make finding the correct drivers easier. BELARC ADVISOR Get yourself a bootdisk with cdrom support and ensure that it will work with your cdrom. I would try the Win98 OEM bootdisk in the link below. It needs to be downloaded to your computer not directly to the floppy. After the download is complete click on the download and you will be promted to insert a floppy. The files will then be extracted to the floppy creating a bootdisk. BOOTDISK Test the cdrom using the bootdisk. Insert the bootdisk and start the computer. You will see a menu with several startup options. Select Start with CDROM Support. Insert a cdrom and at the A:\>type E: then press Enter. You will then be at E:\>type dir and again press Enter. If you see a list of files and directories then you are fine. If you receive and error then the bootdisk does not support your cdrom, Stop and post back here if that is the case. Ensure you have your product keycode handy as you will need that to install Win98. When you have accomplished the above start the computer using the bootdisk. At the A:\>type format c: [Enter] Once the format is complete at the A:\>type E:setup [Enter] This will begin the Win98 setup. Follow the instructions on the screen. HTH Happy Holidays Everyone! Mesich

hello to this person DickM you keep says in your posts"Doing this is not easy unless you're a pc expert" why?? people come here for advice mostly because there not experts but know if there pointed in the right direction they can usealy do most computer fixes them selfs. dont need to be an expert. just have to read and follow what advice applys. dont need no doom and gloom. DickM maby you feel you need and expert to fix your computer thats fine.most peaple with some kindly entended help dont have a nice day