Reinstall Windows From
Scratch
Part One.
Make A Windows Startup Disk
Breathe new
life into your clogged and cantankerous computer with our guide to reformatting
and reinstalling Windows
It is a
fact of life that your Windows installation can deteriorate. Struggling along
with a system that's unreliable and infuriating is for many the beginning of the
end of their enthusiasm to learn more about their PC. Whether Explorer keeps crashing
or your once responsive system is struggling to open Notepad, there is an answer.
Reformatting the hard drive and reinstalling the operating system can breathe
new life into an increasingly temperamental operating system. However, first ask
yourself if this is really a necessary step. Does your PC function adequately
as it is? Do you experience many problems with Windows? Basically, if it isn't
broken, don't try to fix it.The first instalment of this Workshop makes sure you're
properly prepared for the process of reformatting the hard drive and reinstalling
Windows. Before any reformatting procedure, it is vital to create a fully functioning
Windows Startup Disk. There are several ways to do this and we're going take you
through some of the different processes. If you're running Windows 98, it is unlikely
you will experience any problems, but Windows 95 users will have to approach the
creation of the all-important Startup disk in different ways.
Above all
else, at the end of this Workshop, you must be able to start your computer with
a Startup disk and then access your CD-ROM drive. If you can't, do not attempt
parts two and three. Instead, consult your computer vendor. We have tried to cover
every eventuality over the next three Workshops but there will always be an exception
we cannot account for.
Step
1
For Windows 98 users, go to the Control
Panel, double click the Add/Remove Programs icon then click the Startup disk tab
at the top right of the dialogue box. Insert a blank floppy disk and click Create
Disk. Once Windows has finished making the Startup disk, you may proceed to Step
5. For Windows 95 users, the process is slightly more complicated. Go to the Start
menu, then to Programs, Accessories then to System Tools and finally the option
Create System Disks should be available If it isn't don't panic, go on to the
next step, if it is, click on it, then click Next and there will be a list of
options - choose Win95 Setup Boot Disk you will be prompted to Insert a floppy
disk and then click Next to begin. After Windows has finished making the disk,
go to STEP 5.
Step 2
If
you're running Windows 95 and you are unlucky enough not to have the option to
create System Disks, then the process is slightly different. First you need to
check which version of Windows you have. Right click on My Computer and left click
on Properties at the bottom of the list and System Properties will appear. At
the top of the window it will say System. The first line following that reads
Microsoft Windows 95 and the next line will be a set of numbers ending in the
letter a or b. The a or b denotes which version of Windows 95 you have.
Step 3
If you
have Internet access, go to the site www.bootdisk.com or Alternatively, http://startdisk.com
both of these websites have ready made Startup disks (or boot disks) to download
free of charge, which make suitable alternatives if you can't make your own. We
chose the first site. Click on the first option on the list -DOS 5 to 6.22 Windows
95,98, Me, NT 4/5 Bootdisks. A new page will open - scroll down and look for Windows
9x. Below It is a link for WIN95a.exe or WlN95b.exe. Choose the file relevant
to your windows version (from step 2) and you will be prompted to download this
file to disk. A good way of approaching this section of the workshop Is to download
both WIN95a and b files at the same time. They aren't particularly large and It
might save you a lot of time and trouble in the long run.
Step
4
Once the file has downIoaded, create
a new folder on your Desktop then double-click on the downloaded file. A dialogue
box will appear. In the Extract to box, type C:\Window\desktop\new folder then
click Extract. A new file will be created in the new folder. Now put a blank disk
in the floppy drive. Double click on the new file called Win95a.exe (or WIn95b.exe,
depending on your version) In the new folder and It will write the Startup disk
Information onto the floppy disk.
Step 5
Now comes the acid test whether you're using
Windows 95 or 98, you should now have a functioning boot disk. If you can reboot
your PC with the Startup Disk in the floppy drive and access the CD-ROM, you've
completed this Workshop successfully and you are ready to reformat your hard disk.
Restart your machine with the Startup Disk In the drive. Windows 98 users will
he offered the option of starting the computer with CD-ROM support - choose Yes.
If you're using Windows 95 or 98, after a short while you will have an A:\>prompt
and a flashing cursor next to it. Just above the cursor will he a couple of lines
of text that relate to your CD-ROM drive. The first line above A:\>_ will begin
Drive?: Driver BANANA unit. The letter that follows 'Drive', be it F, R or X,
has been arbitrarily assigned to your CD drive. To find out If it works, put
your Windows CDROM In the drive then type ?:\ (e.g. R:\) and hit Enter. E:\
Drive being the CD rom Drive if you got one hard drive, It was D: drive, it will
drop a letter, when you format. try all letters E: F: G: H: try E:\>dir push
return, when you got the right Drive Letter, You will see
E:\>DIR
Volume in drive E is Win98 SE
Volume Serial Number is 1140-122B
Directory
of E:\
ADD-ONS <DIR> 23/04/99 22:22 add-ons
AUTORUN INF 81
23/04/99 22:22 autorun.inf
CDSAMPLE <DIR> 23/04/99 22:22 cdsample
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Step
6
If the A:\>_ has been replaced with
E:\>_type DIR and press return. A list of files
and
folders should appear, the top line reading "Volume In drive E is WIn98 SE"
or "Win95a" or "Win95b". If your screen resembles the screen
shot above, congratulations, you have a working Startup disk! You are now ready
to continue with the second workshop on reinstalling and reformating Windows.
Go to part two of reinstall Windows