win 98, can't reinstal 1

[pilihp]

Have drive partioned thus: C: D: E:
Have reformatted C: with FORMAT C: /s and now there is just one file written - COMMAND COM and no directories.

When I try to set up windows with original disk (not an upgrade disk) the process starts ok but then stops and says 'operating system already detected - cannot upgrade'
(fault code SU0168).

Whats wrong? Could it be that I have some references to an operating system on D: and/or E:? if so how can I hide this info from the setup procedure?
Any help is most appreciated.
Philip

 

[edfair]

You may have sombody's OEM version that detects the formatted hard drive.
You could try the fdisk again, deleting then creating the partitions again but leaving the drive unformatted. Install should pick up the C: with no problem.
Or as an alternative with stuff already on d: and e: would be to get a floppy with attrib and de-attribute the root of c: and delete all the system stuff off. Then try again.

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

 

[TekTippy4U]

you wrote
Have reformatted C: with FORMAT C: /s and now there is just one file written - COMMAND COM and no directories.


The other 2 sys files are there...they're just hidden..
Format doesn't make directories....unless you tell it to.
The MD command does...

Edfairs correct in that the OEM cd probably sees the System files you copied from formatting.....

Once Partitioned, just "Boot to CD ROM"...and it'll know the disc isn't Formatted and take over

Set the BIOS to "Boot from CD ROM" as First boot device, Hard drive second and floppy third(removable media).....Then exit "saving changes".....let the system try to startup and then pop the OEM CD in and then CTRL+ALT+DEL to reboot....

The OEM cd will partition for you as well..it'll tell you to fdisk....Hit Enter to initialize OEM disc.
The Full Retail and Upgrade version of 98 will not..in which case just use startup floppy to partition.....after restart.....then switch from A:\> to probably F:\ as your CD ROM drive letter...and format C:...and setup

TT4U

Notification:
These are just "my" thoughts....and should be carefully measured against other opinions....I try very hard to impart correct info at all times.

 

[pilihp]

edfair: I've had this machine from new and the rom disk is the one originally supplied-is that what is called an OEM disk?. The existing partitions were made with Partition Magic years ago with windows installed. I am very keen not to loose the data on D & E.
Are you saying that I have to 'un-partition' the whole drive then remake the partitions using fdisk?
Your last paragraph sounds a better bet. Could you give me some clue as to where to get the 'attrib' thing from and how to use it?
tektippy4u: I think you are saying the same thing as edfair-that the drive has to be re-partitioned. I had already used a startup floppy to get the tools for Formatting in the first place and had changed the Bios for the relevant boot operation (floppy or CD Rom as appropriate). When booting from rom, Scandisk operates on C,D,E then starts install- then stops as explained; fdisk is never mentioned.

I belive the lesson I have learnt here was not to format in the first place. I should have just deleted everything on C: then installed '98 again. Is this correct?
Thanks both, Philip.

 

[TekTippy4U]

Please read all of this before using commands

OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer).....
You're probably getting that error cause of Partition Magic....your OEM doesn't recognize the altered Master Boot Record..
Fdisk isn't mentioned on bootup w/CD cause there are already existing partitions.....Which I now understand you "definitely" want to keep..

Attrib.exe should be on the Startup diskette.....In Dos you would typeattrib -r -s -h -a Msdos.sys to subtract the file's attributes of Read Only,System,Hidden,and Archive
Similarly you would just use the "+" sign to ADD attributes

However, I'd be careful about altering msdos.sys since you've used PartitionMAGIC....
You would probably use the
attrib command.....then the
deltree command to wipe off C:\...then
Format C: /s.....then
Copy the win98 .cab files over and run setup from the HDD...

D and E are dependent on C:\ being the Primary Active partition....

Here for details

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/tr...net/prodtechnol/win98/reskit/part1/wrkc05.asp

scroll down, or click, to "Removing Win98 from a Computer" with the
"Removing Windows 98 with Command-Line Startup"

I would read a bit , then wait for more input form others here, as I Don't want you to lose your data....and I'm not extremely experienced with Partition Magic's involvement here

edfairare the instructions at this link correct for this situation

TT4U

Notification:
These are just "my" thoughts....and should be carefully measured against other opinions....I try very hard to impart correct info at all times.

 

[edfair]

The error comes from the existing system files. PM isn't involved (at least with the versions I've used).

Technet info is correct but not really appropriate because of the PM.

OEM relates to the CD you have. If there is something with your documentation that says support comes from the manufacturer you have OEM.

The installation will require a clean c:. The partition magic partitioning will still be there when everything is cleaned off. So you attrib -s -h -r *.* to make everything available (I think there were around 5 hidden files involved) then delete them. Shouldn't be any need for deltree since there aren't any directories.

But there is a gotcha coming. 98 is going to take the MBR away for its own use. So D; and E: are going to temporarily go away. My solution is to do a DOS installation first, the same way you did, then load the DOS version of partition magic into a PM directory, then create the emergency boot PM disk and verify that it works. Then blow away the system files leaving only the PM directory. Then do the install. After the last reboot and nothing further detected, then boot with the PM EBD and rework the MBR.

I also would do an install from the hard drive. But put the install stuff on the C: since the D: and E: go away for the duration of the install. My hard disk installs are overkill, I put the 4 root files and the entire win98 subdirectory on the hard drive in their own directory. The install then parallels the CD install exactly.

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

 

[TekTippy4U]

I had a nagging feeling that a "gotcha" was in there....
so I appreciate the proper follow thru..thanx
Then blow away the system files
I've found the 12 guage type preferable in these situations...cleans 'em right out eh......?

TT4U

Notification:
These are just "my" thoughts....and should be carefully measured against other opinions....I try very hard to impart correct info at all times.

 

[edfair]

Depends on the load.

 

[pilihp]

edfair, tt4u: Many thanks for all your help, I've certainly learnt a lot from this experience. The process you describe is rather daunting and open to risks in loosing the valuable data so I decided to get a new much bigger drive and instal win 98 from scratch. I now have the original drive as a secondary and my data is intact.
Thanks again, Philip

 

[edfair]

I can understand the hesitation. I've done it enough times that it is almost automatic but I still worry each time that something will glitch.
Glad you are up and running.

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

 

[TekTippy4U]

Rock On!!!!!

TT4U

Notification:
These are just "my" thoughts....and should be carefully measured against other opinions....I try very hard to impart correct info at all times.

 

[ceh4702]

I thought in Win98 that you could not use the commmand format c: /s?

What type of partition is that?

If you have had a partition program on your hard drive go to the hard drive manufactruers site and get a utility to write zeros to the front of the drive or the whole drive. This will get rid of anything that may be on the drive, and allow you to partition it normally.

If you do not like my post feel free to point out your opinion or my errors.

 

[nato308]

Phillihp

Sounds to me like you have Windows installed or copied to one of the other partions. If you have registry/Windows information anywhere on the harddrive and are trying to use Windows 98SE or Windows ME for re-installation, the process will start and then tell you it cannot continue because you already have an operating system that "cannot be upgraded by this version". A real pain in the a--.

A note: I use to be able to change the name of the Windows directory and reinstall without a problem, but no longer.? Does anyone know, is one of the Windows update downloads now preventing Windows re-installations? If so, this is no doubt Microsoft at it's finest, upgrade because you will not be able to reinstall without wiping the drive.