Whether you need to perform steps 3 and / or 4 depends on whether or not you are trying to preserve existing files (e.g. your documents or data files). If not, just directly proceed with step 1 and follow on through to step 6. If you do want to preserve some files, then read on in this section before you proceed.
What software do you want to install, what will be the machine's name, what user accounts (e.g. User or Student).
Microsoft Windows needs to be installed from a CD. It can be an INTERNAL CD drive or an EXTERNAL drive (e.g. Backpack model - connects through parallel port).
The installation CD should be bootable and if your PC's BIOS allows it, you can get into setup mode and configure it to boot first from CD drive. Then, with the MS Windows 98 installation CD in place, it should be able to boot from that CD, and then run the Windows 98 installation.
(Note: "==>" means "Click on" or "Select" or "Type in")
Preparing a Windows 98 Startup floppy disk ==>Start ==>Settings ==>Control Panel ==>Add/Remove Programs Insert your Windows 98 CD (if you have it here). ==>Startup Disk ==>Create Disk You should get the message: "Please insert the disk labeled "Windows 98 Second Edition CD-ROM" and press OK to continue:" ==>OK If you don't have the Win 98 CD inserted here, but the cabinet files (.cab files) are in a location such as C:\WINDOWS\OPTIONS\CABS, or C:\WIN98 then you will get the following message: Copy files from: ==> C:\WINDOWS\OPTIONS\CABS (or where ever they are e.g. C:\WIN98) ==> OK (If it cannot find them, you will be prompted for their location again. If they are not there, then cancel. Go get your Win 98 CD, and try again.) "Label a (floppy) disk "Windows 98 Startup Disk" and insert it in Drive A" (Caution: this will erase anything on the disk) ==> OK Now, you can use this floppy disk to boot your system. Then you can proceed with steps 3 and 4 (if necessary) and then step 5.
As mentioned above in the PLANNING section (STEP 1), there is one way to partition your hard drive(s), but it is something that must be done. It may be already done and you may be satisfied with the partitioning, but you still should check.
Use the program called: FDISK to partition. (It is located on A: and in D: (the "RAM disk" created by booting from the startup floppy).
There are three actions you will take with FDISK:
Do you wish to use the maximum available size? ==> y
Do you wish to make this partition active? ==> y
==> ESC ==> Reboot (with CD support)
boot from startup floppy, choose Option 1, with CD support
==> format c: /s (pay attention to spaces and "/" (not "\")) /s means "add the system files (COMMAND.COM) Warning...Do you want to format: => y Volume Label: ==>Win98se (or nothing or anything you want)
If you see a directory called Win98 there, you then E: is your Win98 CD. Keep doing a dir F: or dir G: or whatever until you find which drive letter refers to your CD drive with the Win98 CD in it.
E:SETUP or E:\SETUP or E:\WIN98\SETUP or E:\WIN98\SETUP\SETUP will be all that you must do to start the installation.
A:\> ==> E:\WIN98_SE\SETUP\SETUP ==> ENTER (Scandisk): ==> x (for exit) License agreement: ==> I accept ==> Next Windows Product Key: ==> Enter your product license key (5 strings of 5 letters/numbers in the 5 boxes) ==> Next Select Directory to install to: ==> C:\WINDOWS ==> NEXT Setup Options ==> Typical ==> Next User Information: Name ==> User (or your name) Company ==> (or your company name) ==> Next Windows Components. Do NOT "Install the most common components" This will leave out some good stuff ==> Show me the list of components so I can choose Select Components (things checked will be included) list of categories are shown if category is checked, but name is Gray instead of black, then not all components in that category are selected) Scroll down list if necessary using arrow on edge of Components List window. Things to be added (a bunch of stuff is already selected by default) ==> ==> Accessiblity ==> Accessibility Options ==> Accessibility Tools ==> OK ==> ==> Accessories ==> Calculator, Desktop Wallpaper, Document Templates Games, Imaging, Mouse Pointers, Paint Quick View ==> Screen Saver ==> Additoinal Screen Savers ==> OK ==> Windows Scripting Host, Wordpad ==> OKNow, for the installation cookbook.
STEP 6: CONFIGURE Microsoft Windows 98