Last Updated: 5 January 2020
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This article describes how to format the hard disk of a IBM compatible personal computer (PC) and install Windows 98 SE on it.
Alex Paterson (April 2002)
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The following instructions assume you have:
and that you are going to perform a 'clean' install of Windows 98 SE by formatting the hard disk prior to installing the Windows software.
NOTE 1: The following instructions pertain to a Bootup Floppy/CD-ROM combination that has been scripted to install Windows straight on to a hard disk that has been pre-formatted (i.e. wiped clean) prior to starting the installation process. As this is not the case in the following example, the instructions describe how to FORMAT the hard disk from the DOS Prompt prior to installing Windows 98 SE.
CAUTION: Whilst Windows 98 SE contains
the 'drivers' (i.e. software) for many video, sound and modem cards
fitted to Personal Computers, it does not support all video,
sound and modem cards. This means you may have to obtain from your
computer manufacturer specific drivers (i.e. software) for Windows 98
to interface with the hardware components of your particular
computer. Most PC manufacturers make the 'drivers' for their computer
components available over the internet. It is suggested you check the
availability of hardware drivers for your computer prior to the
installation of Windows 98 SE.
NOTE: Windows 98 runs on most PCs just fine without specific drivers
for computer hardware, but the resolution of the monitor will
undoubtedly be 'locked' in a default generic position and the sound
card and internal modem (if fitted) probably won't work.
PRELIMINARIES
BOOTING UP THE COMPUTER
USING THE FLOPPY DISKThe Computer will bootup off the system written on WIN98 BOOTUP floppy disk.
After the standard PC bootup checks have been completed, the following three options will appear on the screen:
You need to Format the hard disk prior to installing Windows 98, therefore:
You will be presented on the screen with the DOS prompt pertaining to the Floppy Disk (A:) as set out below:
A:\>
NOTE 1: A: represents the floppy drive in MS-DOS.
Important
Note: The System written on the floppy
disk is in a compressed format so that all the files pertaining to
the said system can fit on a standard 1.4mb Floppy disk. On startup,
the 'System' written on the floppy disk 'self-expands' and creates a
Ramdisk of itself (i.e. a pseudo disk created in the Random Access
Memory [RAM] of the computer) This Ramdisk contains the
floppy disk system files in uncompressed format and by default 'it'
(i.e. the floppy disk 'System') sometimes (but not always)
assigns the said Ramdisk the drive designation of D: drive. (It
depends on the computer BIOS settings as to whether this happens or
not) If this happens, the CD-ROM drive (which is normally assigned
the drive designation of D:) is bumped down the drive designation
chain and re-assigned the drive designation of E: drive. It is
recommended you first try accessing the CD ROM drive using the drive
designation E: If you get an "invalid
drive specification" message then try drive
designation D: This is all very confusing of course, but just accept
the situation as being part of the sloppy design of
MS-DOS.
From here on in the instructions assume the CD ROM drive has been assigned the drive designation E: by MS-DOS.
You need to change the DOS prompt to the CD-ROM drive (E:) to access the files on the CD. To do this:
You will then be presented with the DOS prompt pertaining to the CD-ROM drive (E:) as set out below:
E:\>
FORMATTING THE HARD
DISK (C: drive)For a 'clean' install of Windows 98 (recommended), the computer's hard disk needs to be wiped clean of any old files and reformatted prior to running the WIN98 installer.
The FORMAT software is located on the WIN98 CD in the win98 folder.
NOTE: The actual file location of the FORMAT software is E:\win98\format
You will be presented with the following warning
WARNING, ALL DATA ON NON
REMOVABLE DISK DRIVE C: WILL BE LOST!
Proceed with format (Y/N)?
The 'Format' program proceeds to check the hard
disk for bad sectors and upon completion re-formats the hard
disk.
NOTE 1: The formatting/verification process can take up to 15 minutes
depending on the size of the Hard Disk.
NOTE 2: The 'Format' program provides a percentage completion counter
on the screen as it performs its task.
You will be asked to give the Hard Disk a
"Volume Label " of up to 11 characters, which in plain English means
give it a name.
You can elect not to do this but it is recommended you chose
something appropriate like "Hard Disk".
INSTALLING WINDOWS
98After the Hard Disk has been formatted, you need to install Windows 98 on to the hard disk. To do this:
You will be presented with the following words:
"Please wait while Setup initializes"
"Setup is now going to perform a routine check on your system"
"To continue press ENTER. To quit setup, press ESC"
The program 'Scandisk' performs a check on the Hard Disk to make sure it has been correctly formatted.
You will then be presented with the Windows 98 installation window containing the following message:
"Welcome to Windows 98 Setup"
The process will take over an hour and your presence will be required from time to time in order to select various installer options.
Alex PATERSON is an Australian airline pilot by profession. He writes articles and advises on issues pertaining to aviation, politics, sociology, the environment, sustainable farming, history, computers, natural health therapies and spirituality.
He can be contacted at:
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The document, 'Installing Windows 98' is the copyright © of the author, Alex Paterson. All rights reserved by the author. Not withstanding this, the document may be reproduced and disseminated without the express permission of the author so long as reference to the author is made, no alterations are made to the document and no money is charged for it.
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