Reinstalling Win98

[tottie]

can someone teach me how to restore my drivers(if possible} & programs without reinstalling after deleting windows directory & reinstalling windows98. i want to delete my windows directory to clean install my win98 without deleting files/folders outside windows directory, e.g. mydocuments, program files, etc. help appreciated. thanks.

 

[edfair]

You delete the windows directory you delete the registry and all the program tie-ins contained therein.
If you reinstall over the top (not removing windows) you overwrite the windows files that may be corrupted but without losing the registry stuff that may be corrupted.
There isn't a way to do a real clean install keeping selected stuff. Everything is a trade off.

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

 

[micker377]

Backup I.E. (a program called E-Backup) and My Documents to other media. Delete ONLY Windows directory. Install Windows normally and copy back the files you backed up. Some programs (non-Win98) will give you errors because you removed the "dll's" that went with Windows. Just re-install any programs that won't run. All your data will still be there.

 

[TekTippy4U]

delete the win directory and your screwed.....delete anything else and it's replaceable - do an over the top to backup your data, as edfair says, then clean install

TT4U

Notification:
These are just my thoughts....and should be carefully measured against other opinions.
Backup All Important Data/Docs

 

[tottie]

i think im infected w/ a virus w/c my antivirus cant detect. tried reinstalling(overthetop) several times already but my pc still is acting weird sometimes. my ultimate solution is to reformat my hd but im not that desperate yet especially that my hd is not partitioned. im too lazy to backup data. im with the IT support group & i always have this problems from my clients thats why i want to get a little short cut. what i usually do if reinstalling overthetop wont do, i backup "favorites, fonts, start menu"(only) in the windows directory, deltree windows directory, restart, reinstall win98, paste the backed up files back to the windows directory, reinstall drivers and finally reinstall programs(w/c i want to get rid of if possible bcause its already there). i want to backup the directory where the links of the programs are and maybe restore it back to the win directory. i think that's not possible but im just trying my luck thanks anyway...


ok, my boss told me to install deepfreeze. its a nice utility w/c i want to get rid from my pc bcause its going to expire anytime now

 

[edfair]

Have you considered an online scan for a virus. Housecall from TrendMicro is one choice. That should put the virus question to rest.
One possible solution in the future is to "ghost" the drive to CD when you get everything loaded to your satisfaction. Then pull it back when things go bad. Will require you to do some backup but that is a small price to pay.
Also would suggest some partitioning. Get the critical restart stuff on c: and install the windows on d: or higher. Gives you the option of formatting and reloading from the hard drive, which with SE involves about 20 minutes. And gives you the backup space independent of the operating space.

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