Can I make a complete fresh start? 1

[TonyJollans]

Not sure if I've chosen the right forum here so please point me somewhere else if you think it more appropriate.

I have been having a variety of problems and decided my machine was due for a major overhaul. I have uninstalled most software with a view to doing an image restore using a utility which came with the PC. When I came to do it I found it wouldn't run - as far as I can understand this is because I have had a new motherboard (processor, memory, etc.) so the utility thinks I'm trying to load things on a second machine.

I don't have the Windows 98 CD, but I do have a folder on the D: drive (one physical hard drive partitioned as C and D) called "CABS" which I think is probably a copy of the CD. I copied this folder to CD, created a boot floppy and re-installed Windows 98 from the CD, but ..it hasn't done what I want, it hasn't cleared out all the clutter left behind by 4 years of my tinkering.

I'd like to do a clean install of Win 98 (having got this far I might go for XP - but I presume the issues are much the same). How do I make sure that I lose all the junk that I have gathered, both in the registry and elsewhere? What is it safe to delete and/or what should I make sure I keep?

Having reviewed a few threads here, it seems I should be able to just delete everything and then install Windows (98 or XP). Guess I'm just asking for confirmation of that.

Enjoy,
Tony

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[edfair]

Probably would put deltree on the EBD (from windows\command) then on the boot with it deltree c:*.*. That will clean everything.
Option to do it from the EBD with format c: /u will also clean it out. Once cleaned by either method, move to d:\cabs and run setup.
And if you want to save stuff, deltree c:\windows will fix the windows problems but you will have to reload programs to get the links right. Especially for those that make registry changes.
The one possible problem is whether setup is on the d:. Some do and some don't.
And you may want to verify that you have the CDKEY before you do this. After the format is too late.

Ed Fair
Give the wrong symptoms, get the wrong solutions.

 

[TonyJollans]

Thanks Ed,

Never thought about the cd key! Presumably that's the 25-or-so character code on the 'certificate of authenticity' stuck to the box.

If it works, I'll be back later - if not, who knows

Enjoy,
Tony

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[TonyJollans]

Thanks again, Ed,

I was a bit nervous about deleting everything but have now done it (several times).

Your reminder about the product key is worth a star; it just hadn't occurred to me. I have proper paperwork with keys for all my software apart from what came pre-loaded on the box (a fact which annoys me intensely when I think about it).

Despite a clean install, I am still having problems (which may be driver-related) and may well be back with more questions when I've worked out what I want to ask.

Enjoy,
Tony

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[edfair]

Memory problems can create this type of stuff. Driver errors should be repeatable and reproducable.

Ed Fair
Give the wrong symptoms, get the wrong solutions.

 

[TonyJollans]

Hi Ed,

Tell me more about memory problems - what sort of problems might there be? Could they be physical? Reason I ask is that I swapped out an old 128M SDR for a new 256M DDR a while back - everything appears OK as far as I can tell but as the most recent change it must fall under suspicion.

Enjoy,
Tony

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[edfair]

What can I tell you? One bit that fails to load, or loads in error, will lead to changes in in program execution or corrupted data. Random bits failing intermittently lead to bald headed technicians.
I offered it as more a possibility. Others may chime in with URLs for memory testers.

And if you have loaded the OS multiple times you may have run across one of the finer features of the later Windows. The install sequence of programs can affect how everything works. To eliminate this possibility I document on paper the install steps I take to get the more loaded systems to the run state. That way I can duplicate the install expecting the reinstall to work the same way as the original. (In this respect I am a total optimist)

Ed Fair
Give the wrong symptoms, get the wrong solutions.

 

[TonyJollans]

OK, Thanks; I'm not bald yet, and probably not a technician either, but my symptoms aren't (completely) random so I don't expect the cause to be random

I'll just work slowly through it and ask again when I have a specific question. I can go with optimism, but paper, now there's a novel approach

Enjoy,
Tony

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[jrbarnett]

Tony

If you want a good memory tester, try MemTest86 from

http://www.memtest86.com/

Also if you have interest in updating to a newer operating system, be aware that the system requirements for 2K/XP are far higher than a 98 system, so you may find that a new installation, while rock solid, is a lot slower than your older setup.

John