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Re-installing Windows9x

Preparation

Your system is doing any number of things it isn't meant to do, and not doing the things it is meant to do. Device Manager has logged 2 modems, 3 printers, 4 sound cards and something it doesn't know how to categorise, so has marked in red under "Other". You've been in Safe Mode so often you've forgotten what a Desktop normally looks like. You've used all the Registry backups you thought might work. You really would like to be able to do something with your computer, if only play a game of Minesweeper without QuickTime complaining it is in the wrong format, won't print and that User.exe has caused a fault anyhow ... Time to do something about it!
What is Formatting? ... and Why Do It?
Formatting a Hard Drive is the same as formatting a Floppy Disk. It deletes all the data on the drive, and offers a fresh, clean disk to re-install to. The advantages are many:
  • You'll get rid of corrupt files and errors you cannot otherwise fix.
  • Your system will be free of unnecessary clutter caused by remnants which didn't get 'uninstalled' properly.
  • Any lurking viruses will be gone (see note).
  • Windows will run faster because it doesn't have to plough through bloated folders looking for files.
  • The new setup will be better organised because it's been done by someone who cares. That "someone" will almost certainly learn something, if only because it will be the (?)first time the Installation Manuals get looked at properly!
  • The proud owner will gain confidence in his/her ability to tackle 'under-the-hood' jobs in the future.
Note: Certain viruses can only be erased entirely by a "Low-Level Format" - see the article on Low Level Formatting.

Page Top      Why Format?      Some Points      Preparations      Final Checks

A couple of points to bear in mind
  • Thousands have already done it quite happily. OK, not happily, but successfully at any rate.
  • Thousands have tried it, and gone wrong. If you know any, please pass this on to them – they need it.
  • Thousands have tried every other tip they can find, and are even now weeping piteously at the size of the bill from the shop they asked to sort it out. They too need a copy.
  • Reformatting your hard drive in order to re-install is an undocumented feature which comes free with Windows95 - less so with Windows98. It was included especially for home users who aren't on a Network, install all sorts of things, and dare to change things to suit where they really want to go today.
  • You must have a Windows CD or floppies to even attempt this. If your machine came with no CDs and all software pre-installed, including the Windows Setup files (which may be in an oddly-named folder), think again!
  • PnP is not known as Plug-'n-Pray for nothing. Don't think you may not still get problems. Keep on Praying!
  • It is not possible to remove all trace of Windows any other way. DOS refuses to change the attributes of certain key files, and cannot delete them. So they will linger, continuing to cause havoc.
  • Reformatting C: and re-installing is a whole lot easier if you have run Partition Magic or similarly good partitioning utility to divide your Hard Disk into separate drives. You can then do things to one drive without affecting the whole disk.
  • If you must use FDisk (which formats the whole Hard Disk), or maybe can't have a partitioned drive, use a different backup strategy to the suggestions below – such as a dozen extra boxes of floppies, or a ZIP Drive.
  • If you are running the original version of Win95 or Win95a and have a "large" hard disk (bigger than 504 million bytes = 480Mb) running in LBA mode, don't use FDisk to partition your HD unless you have installed Dsksupd.exe. (DOS 7 bug-fix, described in Microsoft KB article Q148821. It is possible to run FDisk as fdisk /x to avoid corrupting data on all drives - see article).
  • This is the time you will most regret not having a ZIP Drive or not shelling out for Partition Magic, which is cheaper. Alternatively, upgrade to Windows98 whose partitioning utility does not destroy data.
  • NB: Laptops (which are different, so can be forgiven) and some Brand Name machines (which aren't, so can't) may have hidden partitions on the hard disk with battery power management software and other fancy stuff. Beware of tampering with these until you know how they work, or not. Try the Manual, if supplied. If not examine your Config.sys and Autoexec.bat, which may offer clues.
Note: References to ZIP Drives include JAZ, Superdrives etc

Page Top      Why Format?      Some Points      Preparations      Final Checks

Preparation - Where the Fun does Not begin
You may find it handy to print and make notes on the Check List on the Summary page.
If you do have a partitioned Hard Disk: If you do not have a partitioned HD:
  • Move all your Data to a separate drive. D: is easy to remember.
  • Put as many software installation programs as you can on E:
    Include those downloads you have - spread across 8 floppies - and all your Programs' upgrades.
  • Backup your data in whatever way you can.
  • Get hold of WinZip if you haven't got it.
  • Wonder how you ever managed without it.
Software Files - Some Tips
  • Installation Floppies: If you have enough space on a partition (say, E:) copy Program installation floppies there to save the time and effort of feeding them in one by one again. Create a folder. Then create a sub-folder for each of the disks, and call them simply Disk1, Disk2 etc (which is what they expect to be called). For example:
    ~ Let's say the Program is "MadMen II". Copy the contents of the first (setup) disk to E:\Madmen2\Disk1\, the second floppy to E:\Madmen2\Disk2\ and so on.
    ~ When you come to re-install MadMen II choose Run from the Start menu, browse to E:\Madmen2\Disk1\Setup.exe and click OK.
    ~ When Setup asks for Installation Disk 2, point it at the E:\Madmen2\Disk2\ folder.
  • ZIP Drives can also be used for such software installations - not just Data backups. They too are much faster than standard floppy drives, especially for those large downloaded files to install browsers etc.
  • If you cannot recall what programs or updates downloaded installation files actually refer to, simply rename them; eg 'Netsc407.exe' is a much better name for Netscape 4.07 than something like 'cb32e407.exe' !
    There are two exceptions to this:
    1. Some so-called 'smart' downloads may spread parts of themselves all over the place, creating extra folders as they go. Do not rename these; chances are they'll be lost anyhow if you format C: and thus delete Registry. Try to opt for whole files rather than bleeding-edge, interactive upgrades in future! The initial download may be fast, but staying online while that bit calls in the rest of itself is likely to take longer than the complete 15Mb version, and success depends upon your not getting a glitch in the connection ...
    2. Numerous programs which arrive in zipped form don't just include 'Setup.exe' - of which you may have dozens. Where they include other files which their Setup.exe uses (such as 'Setup.ini', 'Setup.inf' etc) renaming the Setup file to something more descriptive could cause problems.
  • Remember that a ZIP drive cannot be used in Safe Mode. Sometimes even in normal mode Windows insists that Driver disks must either be on a CD-ROM or floppy, so don't try to be over-clever and copy Driver Upgrade floppies to a ZIP Drive. It may not work!
Note: References to ZIP Drives include JAZ, Superdrives etc

Concentrate, please ... We're starting the important part.

  • Make a final backup of Data you want to keep. That does not mean Programs; you will have to re-install them.
    However, you can make copies of lots of useful things which look like parts of programs, like your Address Books, Netscape Bookmark.htm file / Favorites folder, Internet email and news folders, Eudora.ini settings file etc.
    Exactly which files this includes depends upon your setup. Sorry, but I don't know yours well enough to specify exactly which files to backup.
  • You've forgotten your Fonts, haven't you? If they come with Windows or something you are going to re-install anyhow, don't bother. But you have probably collected a few that don't, so you're going to feel foolish unless you do make a copy of Handyman (hanyman.ttf) when you next open the project you have been working on and can't use any more screwdriver symbols. So copy all those you think you might need to E:\Fonts\ (see notes). If in doubt, a few extra won't hurt; they can be deleted once you know what you have re-installed.
  • Have you flash-upgraded anything (Graphics card, Modem ...)? If so, find out which is the correct version of the upgraded Windows drivers.
    Yes, this can be pretty tricky but don't panic. I too have juggled the original floppy, the first flash upgrade, the second Windows driver upgrade, the next flash ... Makes you realise why labelling is so important, doesn't it? Also makes you realise the manufacturers who issue each consequent upgrade with the same name as the first and no 'ReadMe' files to clarify things are a bunch of   [insert your own epithets here]!
  • If you have flash-upgraded your BIOS or modem etc, you don't need to re-flash. They're the same upgraded motherboard and modem you are still using. However, if at the same time you acquired accompanying upgrades specifically for Windows9x (eg for your motherboard's chipset from Intel), then make sure those are to hand.
  • Do you have a USB port and Win95B (OSR2)? If so, dig out the USB Support upgrade you got from the Win95 CD before, or go get it now, and add that floppy to the pile.
  • Do you have the BIOS Anti-Virus enabled? If so go into your BIOS settings and change it to Disabled. If you don't, it will interfere with the re-installation process. (On the majority of PCs you access the setting by pressing the 'Del' or 'Delete' key during bootup. If that doesn't work, look at your manual. If that has lost itself, try an F- key).
  • Find your Windows installation CD. Examine it. If it is the Upgrade version you will need your old Windows 3.x installation floppy to prove you have a right to use the Upgrade, so dig it out - Disk 1 is all you need.
  • If you have Partition Magic and haven't done so yet, make the "rescue" floppy. If you have Version 2 or 4-onward you can stick sufficient on a floppy and use that to format C:
  • Place the hardware installation disks separately, together with any installation instructions.   OK, then - go and find where you put the instructions ... <sigh>
  • Now find where you last left notes on settings for things like DialUp Networking, CD Keys, and the registration / serial numbers for software and add them to the pile. If you haven't got notes of your ISP's settings, and the information you will have to provide again for Internet applications in particular, make them now. Yes, now!
  • Find all your other software installation disks (not the programs and upgrades you can install from E: or a ZIP disk), and place them in a neat pile beside you, in the order in which you think you want to re-install them.
  • Re-read this page and the next, think again, and sort the disks logically this time.
  • Get a larger desk, then. Or commandeer the dining-room table.
Notes: References to ZIP Drives include JAZ, Superdrives etc.
Fonts - see Copying Files in a DOS Box as you can't use Explorer. WinZip will make copies of font files without fuss.

Page Top      Why Format?      Some Points      Preparations      Final Checks

Final Checks
Optional Compulsory
  • Unplug the modem from the phone line
  • Unplug the microphone
  • Make your Will
  • Leave your body to science
  • Ensure you can boot from a floppy (not the "Startup Disk" as created by Win95 - the Win98 one should be OK) and access your CD-ROM drive.   If you can't, or don't know how to test this STOP! Seek Help!
  • Unplug any external SCSI devices, such as a scanner

Page Top      Why Format?      Some Points      Preparations      Final Checks

You're as ready as you'll ever be, so let's do it!

Main Topic Index           Next Page ... Let's Do It!

BobMoCo