Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum
Main => Software Forum => Topic started by: mpm32 on April 12, 2002, 08:04:30 am
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I just got a computer from work and it has win nt on it. I'd like to strip it clean and install a new OS on it. 98 or 2000, whichever I can get my hands on. I've never done that before so I'm clueless as how it's done. Can someone help me out or point me to a site that has easy to understand instructions?
Thanks in advance!
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This is how I do it:
1/ Create a boot disk for the chosen new OS.
2/ Type 'format c:' at the DOS prompt.
3/ Reboot the machine with the boot disk in it. Follow instructions until CD drive is installed for the OS disk.
4/ Make sure you have all the necessary drivers (most will be on the OS disk anyway).
It's much easier than I thought it would be.
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You'll probably need to fdisk it, too, to remove the NTFS partition(s) if you install an OS that doesn't recognize them.
Regardless if it is necessary or not, I always blow away the old partitions and create new when reinistalling an OS, just in the event there is an error in the old partition table. It only takes like an extra 5 minutes or so (probably less) to set up new partitions, so it isn't a huge deal.
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...and doing an fdisk /mbr can't either, just in case any not-too-stubborn boot managers or either boot record-type things were installed before you got it.
Use a WIN98 boot floppy...it has everything you need to boot and get access to the DOS prompt. You can then run the .exe (\setup.exe, \i386\winnt.exe, etc) from the CD.
DO NOT USE A WIN-ME FLOPPY TO BOOT FROM WHEN INSTALLING WIN-2K/XP. Trust me on this...I won't go into the explanations why, but believe me when I say it's a bad thing...
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Yes, Win98 boot disks should be part of everyone's toolkit. (At least windows users.)