SPWynn

I'm using win98 and when I turn on the computer it goes to the windows 98 screen and it doesn't do anything else, I can't get in at all. When I turn it on it says "invalid VxD dynamic Microsoft w98 link call to device number 3 service B your windows configuration is invalid run windows setup again to correct this problem press any key to continue" I press a key and it is stuck on the 98 screen. I'm trying to wipe and reload 98, could someone please help me fix this problem?

elf

If you have the 98 cd you should just be able to put it in and reinstall.

If you'd rather start all over, you could use a 98boot disk. Reboot into dos, and fdisk and format c:

mark3567

Hi,

I am assuming here that you plan to wipe everything off your drive and start with a new clean computer and everything you have on there will be lost. In addition, assuming that you have a full version of Win98.

If that is the case do this:

Go to bootdisk.com and download a boot disk

Start up your computer and enter the BIOS setup menu and set the boot order to Floppy, CDRom, then Hard Drive

Save and exit

Place the boot disk in and when it is done coming up, TYPE FDISK

Remove all partitions

Create a partition

Make the partition active

Shut down

When you boot back up and it comes up type FORMAT

When it is done with that, shut down again (A quirk of mine)

Place your OS disk in the CDRom

Boot up

Select with CDRom support when it asks (I think if you don't, it will default to that)

When it comes back up with the floppy still in the drive type SETUP

and it should go......................

If this is not what you wanted, you need to let us know before you embark on this journey.

SPWynn

So I turn off the computer, stick in the floppy 98 bootdisk and I don't understand reboot into DOS and fdisk and format c, I know I seem stupid but could you please be a little more specific.

Sgt_Grim_Reaper

Well since it is asking you to continue setup I would just set the BIOS to boot from CD and boot from the Windows 98 CD to see what happens. Try choosing 'Boot with CD-Rom support'. At the very least you should be able to to a repair and save your files and not need to wipe it clean.
cheers

elf

Print these instructions out, or write them down as they will be gone once you format. A pre-warning, repartitioning and formating your harddrive, will remove all data from the drive, and it will be unrecoverable. All commands that you need to type have been made bold for clarity.

Create a windows 98 bootdisk, you can download one HERE, when prompted just run it from its current location (no need to save it to hard drive because you will be formatting soon), make sure you have a floppy disk in your drive, and it will format your floppy, and save system, and useful files to it.

Reboot your computer, and it should load up into DOS, when you get there, it should say "A:\>"
type fdisk, and then press ENTER.

You might receive the following message:
Your computer has a disk larger than 512 MB. This version of Windows includes improved support for large disks, resulting in more efficient use of disk space on large drives, and allowing disks over 2 GB to be formatted as a single drive. press Y and then press ENTER

After you press ENTER, the following Fdisk Options menu is displayed:
1. Create DOS partition or Logical DOS Drive
2. Set active partition
3. Delete partition or Logical DOS Drive
4. Display partition information
5. Change current fixed disk drive
Note that option 5 is available only if you have two physical hard disks in the computer.

Press 3, to delete your current partition, follow the instructions on the screen, until your partition is deleted. You should go back to the first menu

Press 1 to select the Create DOS partition or Logical DOS Drive menu option, and then press ENTER. Then press 1 to select the Create Primary DOS Partition menu option, and then press ENTER.

After you press ENTER, you receive the following message:
Do you wish to use the maximum available size for primary DOS partition?
After you receive this message, use one of the following methods, depending on the file system that you selected.

Press Y, and then press ENTER. (unless you want to make smaller partitions, usually for the more advanced user)

Press ESC, and then press ESC to quit the Fdisk tool and return to a command prompt.

How to format the partition:
After you create the partitions, you must format the partitions:

When a command prompt is displayed, type format c: /s, and then press ENTER. This command transfers the system files and should only be used when you format drive C (or your "active" drive).

When you successfully run the Format.com tool, you receive the following message:
WARNING, ALL DATA ON NON-REMOVABLE DISK DRIVE C: WILL BE LOST!
Proceed with Format? Press Y, and then press ENTER to format drive C.

After the format procedure is finished, you receive the following message:
Volume label (11 characters, ENTER for none)?
NOTE: This is an optional feature that you can use to type a name for the drive. You can either type an 11-character name for the drive, or you can leave it blank by pressing ENTER.


IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ASK BEFORE PROCEEDING!