How do I reformat?
I assume I need the disks for everything, I.e. Windows, printer, camera etc which I have, well I'm sure I have everything!
So whats next?!

Make sure you've backed up all files on your hard drive that you want to save.

What OS do you have (What version of Windows)?

You'll need a Startup disk.

I have windows 98. I think I have a start-up disk, its the disk that I put in when it asks for the windows 98 second edition disk, when I try to install hardware and stuff. Is that the same disk?

Syd, I think I need your signature, the not a clue part is very fitting!

I think Syd means a boot floppy, not a CD.
You may not need one if your computer is able to boot off the CD drive. If you're not sure if you can boot of the CD or not, make sure you have a boot floppy.

I'm wondering why you want to reformat your harddrive (HDD)?

If you have Windows98 SE you might need a boot disk (floppy), too.
You can download a boot disk for Win98 from the internet if you don't have one.

You can set your BIOS so you can boot to a floppy, CD drive, or HDD.

If you have a Western Digital or Maxtor HDD you might have a disk that came with it to let you format your HDD or even copy your HDD to another.........if you should ever want to.

I cannot remeber for sure but I think that Win 98 CD-ROM is not bootable. You can download and make a bootable floppy from MadBoot that will help you reload your OS.

The question is why do you want to reformat your hard drive instead of just doing maintenance? If I remember well your computer is relatively new.

Mine are, both the Win 98 FE and the Win 98 SE. Mine are both OEM disks made for custom computers (not name brands).
But there are different versions of Win 98 CD's so they may not all be. It's a good idea to have a boot floppy handy just in case.

In general, Win98 first edition isn't bootable. Only 2nd edition was made bootable (unless you have customized disks).

Jen: And make sure you backup everything that is important for you... like your Favorites in Internet Explorer, etc.


Gamehound

Yes the computer is relatively new but its just not right, there is so much wrong with it! I want to do this to see if it will work before I have to buy a new one!
The main problem I have is that my floppy drive isn't working and you all keep mentioning my needing a floopy to boot up. None of the maintenance things I have tried work, it wont defrag and I cant do the disk clean up because the whole computer just seizes up oh and the scan disk bit doesnt work properly, you know when you turn your computer off not by going into the start menu and it does the check at the beginning, that doesn't work.
Basically, it needs help!!

Have you checked to see if your computer can boot off your Windows CD?

If it can't, and you've checked your computer's BIOS to make sure it's set to boot off the CD instead of the hard drive, you may have to buy a new floppy drive. They don't usually cost too much and aren't that hard to install.

Try booting in safe mode (keep hitting F8 while
the computer starts up) and see if scandisk works
that way.

Oh, there is an option in scandisk (type of test).
If this is set at "Thorough" it will take a LONG
time (its checking the surface for errors). This
may cause you to believe that scandisk is not
working. If that is the case, click cancel, and
let the computer boot to the desktop. From there
you can call up scandisk manually and reset that
option to "standard".

If this is your biggest problem.........have you checked the ribbon cable to see that it is anchored at each end O.K.? Also the power wiring?

Why not just buy another floppy drive and install it? It's not really expensive and very easy to do. Re-formatting your harddrive isn't going to fix the floppy drive so why not start with the easiest thing and go from there?

Hi Jen; Go here, it might help you.
http://www.umt.edu/reslife/reformat.htm

As to your floppy drive sometimes just pulling the cable out & reinserting it & rebooting will make windows recognize it again. Hope this helps. Judy

Thanks Judy thatts gonna be really helpful!
I've brought a new computer YAY! So Now I need to reformatt my old one so hopefully those instructions will work!
Billybob, or anyone...whats this BIOS thing and why would I need to change it..because even though I know you can download a start up thingamy to a disk, I still haven't managed to get my floppy drive to work!
Thank you all for being patient with me!

Hey Jen; two questions. 1- does the light on your floppy drive stay on all the time?
2- I'm assuming you know how to access your bios. If not, restart & hit delete. In standard cmos features, does it show a drive A. If it does, then most likely you have your floppy cable crossed, or upside down. Hope this helps Judy

Nope the lights not on, I've tried taking it out and redoing it on the system but it doesn't like it, it finds it and says its finding the software for the new hardware and the floppy shows in the hardware list but it doesn't go any further than that!

Have you tried replacing the floppy drive with a new one?

Sounds like your floppy has flopped. You might want to consider getting a new one before you reformat.

Inferno

Before I reformatt?!
Thats the best thing yeah?