xp installed over win98 in boot loop 2

[annestahl]

HELP!
My hubby installed xp home edition over win98 on a laptop (300mhz K6, 128mb, 3g). Then he wanted to uninstall it (it wasn't running) and when told he needed the uninstall file he couldn't find it. So he overinstalled it again!!!
Now when we boot, it seems to go to xp, but then before it you get to the desktop it just reboots. Endlessly. I tried to boot in safe mode, but it does the exact same thing. I tried to boot with my original laptop rescue CD, but it does the same thing. Before it goes into the display giving you options on what kind of safe mode, it lists all sorts of files in a multi(0)/disk(0)/rdisk(0)/partition(2)/windows/system32/... then it starts safe mode, but gives the error that setup cannot be run in safe mode, and - guess what - reboots: loop... so I think it's got a partition. Also when deciding on the kinda safe mode, it only gives the option for xp. doesn't seem to know that win98 is still there somewhere...
All we want is to wipe it clean and start from scratch. But how do I get into dos from here??? And how do I format a partioned drive????
I have all the back up, because I recently reformatted and reinstalled. Sucessfully (but with help).
Please help,
many thanks
Anne

 

[34534534534555]

To format:

Using the windows 98 boot disk that you made (in case of a fatal situation).. [3 1/2 floppy]

Insert it into the computer, start the computer. When you get into DOS, type a: -then type format c: (if c: is your hdd) follow the onscreen instructions. When done:

Put in the xp cd and reboot. Does your comp boot the XP cd? if so follow all the onscreen instructions.

if not, restart with the 98 boot disk in, then goto the cd-drive, type:
d: <enter>
cd i386 <enter>
winnt <enter>

XP installation should start.

Good Luck!

p.s. there are hundreds of instructions on how to do this on these forums try searching in the FAQ's or keywords.. Please let us know what you think of posts, feedback is always appreciated as this will help to further our knowledge as well.
_________________________________________________
Create like a God, Command like a King, Work like a slave..

 

[annestahl]

Hi Cyberwarrier,
thanks for the help. I had an old (but valid) rescue floppy and I got into dos. But when I type in &quot;format c:&quot; it says bad command or file name. C is my harddrive (though I have no idea where the partition is...) Which brings me to my next question: If I manage to format c will that leave the partition stand? I want to just wipe the whole thing clean, all partitions etc...
What now?
A.

 

[smah]

The format command probably isn't on that floppy. You can enter your bios and change the first boot device device to your cd rom drive. Then boot to the cd and when asked about partitioning, delete all the existing partitions. The installer will take care of the rest.

 

[34534534534555]

A.

smah's advice i would follow next; Expanding a little: To boot from the cd.

To enter the BIOS: when you turn your computer on almost immediately press DEL or F1 depending on your BIOS, it will tell you towards the bottom of the screen.

When in the BIOS explore (all are different) until you come to an option that says boot device sequence (or something to that effect) change this so that your cd drive appears first followed by your hdd.

Save and exit, without the floppy in, boot up when you do it should say boot from CDROM (or similar) press any key: DO IT.. follow on screen instructions.

Good Luck! Please let us know what you think of posts, feedback is always appreciated as this will help to further our knowledge as well.
_________________________________________________
Create like a God, Command like a King, Work like a slave..

 

[wolluf]

Anne,

When you are in a position to reinstall, are you intending to install XP or return to win98?

You can delete all existing partitions with XP install's partitioning tools, but if you wanted to do it first, using a valid win98 boot floppy would be one approach. You can download an app to create one from this page

http://www.bootdisk.com/original.htm.

Once booted, you can use fdisk to check what partitions are in place on the disk (its not clear from your original post how many there are). You can then use fdisk's delete partition function to remove them all.

 

[annestahl]

Hi all,
thanks so much for all the advice. I worked on it over the weekend: I changed the bios to boot from cd and entered dos via the cd and formatted c:. However now, it will not accept the windows 98 cd. It tells me that :non system disc in drive and then if I retry eventually it tells me that the drive is no longer available. It also gives me the non system disk error if I do not have a disc in the cd drive and if I change the bios back to floppy. I copied the files from the boot cd to c: hoping that all needed to boot is now on c: but it is not able to boot.
What now?
thank you all so much for your help. It is much appreciated. I will assign stars when I get it running. Or should I assign stars to posts that were helpful even if the situation is still not resolved?
Again, thanks so much!
Anne

 

[wolluf]

Anne,

If you want to wipe drive clean and install windows 98, set the bios to boot from floppy and boot from win98 boot floppy (see my previous post if you haven't one). Type fdisk at a: prompt, enable large disk support. Then use option 4 to display partition information. Make a note. Then use option 3 to delete all logical drives and partitions. Start with logical drives (if any), then the extended partition they were in (if any), then any primary partition(s) (non-dos and dos). When all removed, use option 1 to create a new partition for win98. when complete use option 2 to set it active, exit fdisk and reboot. This time make sure win98 install CD in the drive and CD support is enabled. At a: type format c:. when complete, change to CD drive (probably E: with standard win98 boot floppy) - ie, type E:. Then type setup to start win98 install. Follow instructions, answer the questions and in 40-50 minutes hopefully, you'll have an operating system.

If its XP you want, just do the remove bit, then change bios to boot from CD, and boot from XP CD. Use its tools to create & format a partition (you will be prompted).

PS. Just copying files to C: doesn't make it bootable (and in my opinion, its not a good idea to make C: bootable when you're trying to install an operating system on it - that's what the install does for you) - you need either sys C: (if already formatted) or format c: /s if not (for win98).