robinheat

Hello all

One of my Friend is facing this problem. He is using a pc with win98 OS and the problem he faces always is that whenever after formating the c drive he wants to setup the win98 it doesnt really continue and stops for a long time. and this problem continues for him till now. He uses a Recovery Disk to install the win98 again but again the problems are this being the recovery disk , Can anyone tell what exactly the problem is, is it in the Motherboard, Harddisk or the operating system

Please Help
Thank You

Zazula

1. How to Install Windows 98 on a Computer with No Operating System: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/221829/en-us

2. Windows 98 Setup Hangs During File Copy Process: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/195647/en-us

3. Setup Stops Responding at Scanning System Registry: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/300026/en-us

4. Please post back if you found helpful solutions after having reviewd above links, and additionally include answers to the following questions:
a. How was originally the hard disc formatted?
b. Has the pc's memory been tested before starting the procedure?
c. Have the Bios settings been set in accordance with the pc's configuration?
d. Do you have a legit Win98 installation disc?

If you don't know how to find any of the above answers, please ask for further explanations.

robinheat

I know the basic installation process, and it was formatted in MS dos using the startup disk. Everthing works fine till here. The setup asks for the directory to install the win98 and then the screen stops there.

The Pc memory is tested and it is very much compatible with 1.2 duron cpu, 40 gb HDD, 128 mb RAM, and the installation CD is Legit, the same cd i tried with the other pc and it does install in that pc and not in his pc

Zazula

Did either link #2 or #3 in my previous post provide any useful insights?

robinheat

Yes
i got to know about installation problems and stuff. But i had already tried this before this is not helping me out.

Zazula

1. Please confirm that you are not the victim of an either failing or plainly insufficient power supply. Post back its spec, and try to get hands on another one that is newer and more powerful than the one you currently have.

2. Visit the website of the manufacturer of your hard drive, and download the zero utility he provides. Select the dos floppy version that corresponds to your type of hdd. Create the appropriate floppy disc according to his instructions.

3. If you don't see any difference with the other psu, be ready to zero your hdd, and then start re-installing Win 98.

robinheat

Hi

Thanks for your suggesstions . I checked my power supply but its a good one and there are no errors in that. I tried this operation with a new harddisk in that particular tower and the same problem is appearing.
Surprising this harddisk if attached to a different CPU and when tried the windows installs wihtout any problems so i am now totally confused with the exact problem

Please help me out with the problem

Zazula

Look, since you've successfully ruled out the hdd, consequently the culprit most certainly lurks somewhere among the common denominators of the remaining configuration.

I would not hasten so much to let the psu off the hook, though - IMHO it still remains a "suspect" until you check again your tower with another one. Now, you've also stated that you've run a successful memory diagnostic on your chips - so these are out, as well.

What's left (apart from the psu mentioned above)? The cd drive, the cpu and the mobo. Of course, the prime suspect here has to be the cd drive [you can't imagine the horror stories where a cd-drive can be the leading (f)actor] - and it's most probably the easiest for a user to substitute and see what happens.

So, let's now see what the cd-drive (and, after that, the psu) sustitutions and ensuing tests have to reveal.

robinheat

Hi

Thanks for all the help. I Changed my PSU yesterday and tried to install windows again , but the same problem continues. Is it that there is some error in the RAM or MB or some deep menu settings in the Bios or something like that. I dont know what the problem is but if this continues then i will have to run the system with the windows registered on some other name and that creates a problem when registering for other services so Please help me.

To tell exactly the problem is i will write down the steps that might take you to the exact problem,
1. After formating in MD Dos mode i.e
Format c:/
delete all files (y/n)
here i press y and enter

after formating
2. i restart the system using startup disk
for this i use a startup CD cos recently i discovered that the floppy drive eventually not working dont know the problem beacuse this works good on other systems and here it doesnt.

3. i insert the win98 cd and via DOS move to cd drive:
cd:/ win98
setup and press enter

at this moment the setup starts the scan disk and at the end gives report
I press on exit then it moves to the next screen where a DD box appears where a blue line makes it up to 100% and actual procedure is to move to next screen and ask the specific drive for installation but actually the problem lies here. The bar completes 100% and the computer turns busy and the screen stays there for hours or untill i restart the system and use my professor's recovery Disk and Install windows and so all i have is his set of drivers, his antivirus versions and all. But actually i want to have a Clean and Fresh windows where in i can use all my files and other version of other Softwares

Please help me and also tell me any other alternatives that whether i have to change any parts of the system of someting like that

Please Help

Zazula

For Win98 & 98SE, I believe you have to type format c: /s.
Please confirm if this is what you're actually typing.

robinheat

I have tried both the ways

whereas if i use c:/s i need not use a startup disk again while restarting and if i just c: the i have to use the startup disk after restart.

But both the ways the problme remains the same

Zazula

I believe we've ruled out the RAM, since you've successfully run the Memory Diagnostic utility.

What else is ruled out? I think we can leave out of our "suspect" list the PSU and the HDD itself.

Who are our other suspects? Let's see...

A. Your Win98 installation cd.
To determine whether the Windows installation cd is really damaged due to scratches, follow these steps:
1. Boot to DOS.
2. Insert it into the CD-ROM drive.
3. At the command prompt, change to the CD-ROM drive (usually drive D:) and type the following command: dir /s
4. If an error message appears, the compact disc is damaged or the CD-ROM drive cannot read the contents of the entire compact disc.

B. Your CD-ROM drive.
Try finding another one that is OK, and replace it to see if your installation will then work.

C. Your BIOS settings.
Clear the CMOS. To do this, switch off your pc, unplug it, locate a small round battery on your mobo, and remove it for at least 10 minutes (with the power cord unplugged). After this time, replace it and boot.

Please post back the results of aforementioned troubleshooting procedure.