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"Aww Re-install (Win98) help please.."

I’m not too sure about what to do.

My box is busted. Well, Windows 98 needs a re-install. Now. I have a few options.

1) Format (Dunno how/what/where to do) use the boot disk (Which crashed on me last time..) and re-install that way. But I don’t have a Win98 disk, I have 2 “Master Cd’s” which Packard Bell kindly gave me (grr..) So, I don’t think this option is good, although if you know how, prove me wrong.

2) Use smart restore. I have never used this, and want to know how it works, what it does and if anyone has used it before. I want to know if this will fix my box, or will it just like “Help” it a bit. But not actually doing anything.

Right, I know my box needs a re-install because..

Anything that I download from the internet, like WinAmp won’t work. Not even a Quake 2 demo would work. Hmm, something’s wrong.

Norton has totally crashed and burned on me. I tried re-installing it from the “Master Cd” but no good. It crashes when I run, then the whole system locks up, and I have to re-boot.

Disk Defrag and other important System tools are becoming broken. Etc.

Now, when I re-installed last time, I lost all my internet connections and stuff. I’m on BT, so if I put the whole BT folder on a floppy will it still work? Last time I had loads of trouble, I had to pay for like 2 connections and everything, a nightmare. So, I already have my account and the number to dial so even if it didn’t work (The floppy on BT thing) could I just set up a new connection using the details that I recorded?

Thanks in Advance. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Please helpy helpy a poor bloke!

Cheers :o)

What you've got there is a Windows bootdisk. It's useless for what you want to do.

The IRC DNS servers are down. just /server 216.85.48.26

Garin.

I had a look at PB's site but I dont know what version it is.

Smartrestore didn't work for me, but the boot disk it made does. But, its not the same as the original one which is like

*Put in RB floppy*
*Reboot*
*Type 1*
*Installs...*

The one it made is like

*Put in floppy*
*Type 1*
*Watch it do stuff*
*Stare at a:\ prompt*

..

Thats it. I checked dir and is like some tools. Like scan the disk, which I dont want. And.. FDisk or FSDisk or something. Format, and some other stuff.

So, I dont have a clue what to do from the prompt.

And Phil, is IRC broken?

Actually, That should be Gary. Or Garre. Meh.

Gaz, I said you could download one from there. Honestly, if you're not even going to bother looking I don't know why I should help you.

Oi, Rob, yet yourself back on IRC..andi wants you, I believe.

GasMask wrote:
> Nah didn't work.

> So, what do I do.

> Format my hard drive?

Erm...
just visited www.packardbell.co.uk and looked in the support section. It seems you can download the boot disk software and create another one that way, so if your original is damaged...

But was never totally clear from your posts if smartrestore worked anyway, smartrestore will apparently create a bootdisk for you too.

-G

Well I'd advise against it. AFAIK, you can't use your PB discs without the PB floppy. That means you not only have to find a copy of Windows from somewhere, but also all your software too.

Nah didn't work.

So, what do I do.

Format my hard drive?

I bloody hate computers sometimes.

cheers Ash. Will try that now..

Yeah, then you can pay £1/min for technical incompetance!