How long do you think It would take to start SimV'ing and Simming from a total Hard Drive reformat? I am asking because I get errors all the time now... Whats the best way to do it, If I can persuade the other users!!??
Dan

Microsoft Windows 98 4.10.2222 A
Clean install using OEM Preinstall Kit /T:C:\WININST0.400 /SrcDir=C:\WINDOWS\OPTIONS\CABS /IS /IW /IQ /ID /IV /IZ /II /NR  /U:xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
IE 5 5.00.2614.3500
Uptime: 0:02:08:08
Normal mode
On "TINYPC" as "Unknown User"
Tiny Computers
GenuineIntel Pentium(r) III Processor
128MB RAM
55% system resources free
Windows-managed swap file on drive C (3158MB free)
Available space on drive C: 3154MB of 12405MB (FAT32)


[Hardware Resources]

[Conflicts/Sharing]

IRQ 9      NVIDIA RIVA TNT2 Model 64/Model 64 Pro
IRQ 9      ACPI IRQ Holder for PCI IRQ Steering
IRQ 9      SCI IRQ used by ACPI bus
IRQ 10      Creative Sound Blaster AudioPCI 64V
IRQ 10      Intel 82371AB/EB PCI to USB Universal Host Controller
IRQ 10      ACPI IRQ Holder for PCI IRQ Steering
IRQ 11      V.90 K56Flex HSP PCI Modem
IRQ 11      ACPI IRQ Holder for PCI IRQ Steering
IRQ 14      Primary IDE controller (dual fifo)
IRQ 14      Intel 82371AB/EB PCI Bus Master IDE Controller
IRQ 15      Secondary IDE controller (dual fifo)
IRQ 15      Intel 82371AB/EB PCI Bus Master IDE Controller


[DMA]

1      SB AudioPCI 64V Legacy Device
2      Standard Floppy Disk Controller
4      Direct memory access controller


Theres my specs. As for my experience, I have around 5 years simming behind me and almost enough hardware knowledge to build my own PC.
Dan

Hi Dan!

I do not recommend doing as Hyvry says. My recommendation is to get a Windows 98 boot disk, restart the computer with the disk in the drive, and type FDISK. Instead of formatting the partition(s), delete them. Recreate them, and then format them. This is a much 'slicker' way of doing it and should be easier, with a lot less problems.

Things to make sure of before you start:
1) Backup everything
2) Make sure you have a Win98 boot disk
3) Make sure you have the 6 Windows XP setup disks. (Because after a clean install the PC will not recognise the CD drive.)

Hi Dan!

Hyvry's solution will only work with some computers. Definitely not mine Trying to format drives without deleting the partitions first completely messed them up. If you think you have not partitioned your drive(s), think again. Even if your drive it not split up, it is still one big partition.

Also, Hyvry's solution involves starting the computer with the disk in, and I assume this is a CD. However after the drive has been formatted the computer will probably not have the drivers for the CD drive, and will therefore not be able to install XP from the CD without the boot disks.

Cheers, Jonathan 8)

Quote:


With your preinstall method AND reconstructing HDD partitions, I had it down to 1-1.5 hours.

    My suggestion is to conduct your re-install of windows, the all Windows updates, then video, audio drivers... etc. Then save an image of your hard drive. There are several programs for hard drive imaging. I had Ghost, but it's no longer working for me.  That way when you have to do this again, just reload the image.

    If you have a CD-writer save the image to that.  It is somewhat a complicated process. But if you love learning, you'll learn a lot.

Joe

Well explained Hyvry (Hi-D). My above post was a little unclear I think