I need to install Windows 98 on a new laptop that is currently running Windows NT. Do I need to remove NT before installing 98? What's the best way to do this?

Preusmably the laptop has a single partition (which is fairly typical...)?

Probably NT = ntfs if C: is greater than 4Gig; or if the C: partition = 4Gig (certainly over 2Gig) either fat16/ntfs. If C: is 2Gig or less and fat16 (not very likely) then you could just reformat it to fat32...

But as it's more than likely over 2Gig...

Use a '98 boot-disk; use the Fdisk command to delete the c: partition. If it is ntfs then it appears under Fdisk inspections as non-DOS; delete that partition; then reconfigure drive for '98 (Fdisk/format utils); install '98.

Fdisk tutorials:

The MS KB way:

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q255/8/67.ASP

Other similar info + installing '98...

http://www.btinternet.com/~robert.bale1/formatinstall.htm

http://www.compguystechweb.com/index.html

If drive has two or more partitions (Primary/Extended + logical-drives) and anything in the Extended area = ntfs then first boot to NT and use Disk Admin to remove the Extended ntfs areas; afterwards use '98 Fdisk util to remove rest of partitions (as outlined above) etc. Fdisk will 'not' remove ntfs from Extended partition areas.

Quick 'n dirty way to clear out NT (regardless of what partitions/formats present) - use delpart.exe util. T'was part of NT3.1 RK, omitted from subsequent RK's; freebie download at:

http://hercules.lss.ksu.edu/download/MSSTUFF/index.htm

To use: transfer it to a floppy; boot up with '98 (or DOS) boot-disk; change floppy at a:>\ prompt; run util - follow on-screen prompts. Afterwards reconfigure drive etc... (You can also add the util to the boot-floppy and save a disk change.)

Anything (data) on the laptop that you want to keep... save it somewhere safe - off the drives - first...

If laptop does have two (or more) partitions and there is data there perhaps post back with details. There 'may' be a way to preserve it on the drive and yet remove NT; although a back-up is still preferable.

The drive is 20 GB (NTFS) There is nothing on this computer that needs to be saved.
I think the down and dirty way is best, but I'm not sure how to reconfigure the drive after running delpart.exe.

Once delpart has done the deed... you reboot with '98 boot-disk; run Fdisk, create partitions, and then format them. Afterwhich install '98 etc.

Check out the two sites that include " other info + installing '98 ". Both detail similar routes to configuring the drive and installing OS etc. (although I think they go the sigle partition route...). Saves going through it all here in detail; and they both do it well - why duplicate excellent presentations?

The 'current/popular' arrangement is a single partition - for everything... Personally I dislike that approach. I favour having both Primary and Extended partitions; Primary for OS/apps etc...; Extended for data etc.; and Extended can be further sub-divided into two or more logical-drives - better/easier organisation/access etc. of data? If the Primary goes down (need to re-install there, even reformat) data in Extended is safe...

A single partition is a bit like putting all your eggs in one basket; or all your hard-earned cash in one stock/bank (and if it crashes - you lose the lot...) - not worth the risk - even with external backups?

Presuming you opt for the two partition route, when you run '98 setup you point it to install to c: (the default location), and keep d: (etc. ?) for data. If only one partition then logically that's where it will go (into c: )...

The Fdisk tutorials all detail how to create partitions, also logical-drives. But pay attention to the large disk support offered under '98 Fdisk. You can decline it and the Primary partition will be limited to 2Gig max as fat16; or accept/opt (for it) and you can create a Primary partition over 2Gig as fat32. Also once an Extended partition has been established it can be either a single fat32 area; a series of logical-drives fat32 or fat16 (each fat16 limited to 2gig max).

With only a single 20gig ntfs partition the Fdisk route would be just as easy as using the delpart.exe. Removing partitions is one of the first items covered in most Fdisk tutorials.

Have a read of all three sites above (for Fdisk); they all contain pretty well the same route - although they may present it slightly differently?.

The drive = 20Gig; I'd go along the lines:

Primary partition:

c: = 3-5Gig = fat32 = '98 (OS/apps/utils);

Extended: 17Gig overall (balance of drive);

Subdivide into perhaps two or three logical-drives; each would be fat32.

It worked! I got it switched over and 98 up and running. I was really unfamiliar with the drive partitions part, but it worked out. Thanks for the help!
Jon