To all: You may want to print this one out.
This will probably end up being a long post, and it may seem confusing at times, but bear with me.
I'll include instructions on how I like to make my boot floppy for 95/98 and get the OS first installed.
There first has to be some clarification on the different versions of Windows 95/98, and the file systems that they use.
MS-DOS, and the original version of Windows 95 (Upgrade, and version A), use what's called FAT16 to control your hard disk. (FAT=File Allocation Table)
In short, FAT16 allowed for partition sizes of up to 2GB. If your hard-drive was larger, and you used FAT16, it had to be split up into different partitions (D:, E:, etc.)
FAT-32 is technically superior, since it allows for partition sizes of up to 2TB (terrabyte). Which we won't run into for awhile on a typical desktop computer.
FAT-32 is an option that comes with the OSR2 release of Windows 95 as well as Windows 98. Before the hard-drive is even formatted, you choose which file system you want.
Although it is technically superior, and recommended for hard-drives larger than 2Gb, a FAT16 system could not read a FAT32 drive, but FAT32 can see a FAT16. I know it sounds extremely confusing, but you should know which one you are using before you begin. You cannot install MS-DOS or any DOS utilities on a FAT32 drive. It either won't install, won't see the drive, or could cause permanent damage to your data if you attempt it.
I realize it's a bad explanation, and I'll try to clarify as I go along, but I had to get it out of the way for now.
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Creating a System Boot Disk
Everyone has their own method for making one, this is just one of them.
From Windows, go to a DOS Prompt, insert a blank floppy and type:
FORMAT A: /U (proceed when finished)
SYS A:
CD\WINDOWS\COMMAND
COPY SYS.COM A:
COPY FORMAT.COM A:
COPY MSCDEX.EXE A:
COPY DELTREE.EXE A:
COPY EDIT*.* A:
COPY FDISK.EXE A:
COPY SCANDISK*.* A:
COPY XCOPY*.* A:
COPY ATTRIB.EXE A:
COPY C:\WINDOWS\HIMEM.SYS A:
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These are some key DOS commands that I like to have handy on a boot disk just in case.
For a CD-ROM driver, you can copy your own (if you know it), or get a good generic one that is included on the Windows 98 Boot disk. It's called OAKCDROM.SYS. Available here:
inlink.com
Just scroll down to OAKCDROM.SYS ... Right click and save the file.
Although it is a generic driver, I've found that it works with the vast majority of standard IDE CDROM's. If you have SCSI, that's a different story.
Make sure you copy that file to your floppy diskette as well.
You can now reboot your system with the floppy diskette in drive A: to ensure that it works.
Once you have rebooted, you should make an AUTOEXEC.BAT and a CONFIG.SYS for your new boot disk. Type EDIT A:\AUTOEXEC.BAT and insert the following:
@ECHO OFF
A:\MSCDEX.EXE /D:CD1
SET DIRCMD=/OGN
PATH=A:
ECHO;
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Save the file and create a new one from the FILE menu. Insert the following:
DEVICE=A:\HIMEM.SYS
DEVICE=A:\OAKCDROM.SYS /D:CD1
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Save the file as A:\CONFIG.SYS and exit the editor.
You can now (and should) write protect your floppy diskette.
Restart the computer, and right off the bat you should know whether or not the generic CDROM driver functioned or not if it allows you access to your CDROM. If it does, you're in business. If not, a specific driver from the manufacturer may be needed, or you could have a SCSI CDROM.
That's it. Sounds like alot, but hey, it works ok for me and the rest of the guys here.
We also have batch files made to get the drive formatted, and the OS installed, but that's getting a wee bit too comlex. If you want them, let me know though.
Just in case you wanted to wipe your drive and re-install your OS, type the following: (from the A: prompt)
FDISK /MBR
FORMAT C: /U (proceed when finished)
SYS C:
C:
MD TEMP
MD WIN9X (X=5 OR 8 depending on the situation)
MD CDROM
COPY A:\OAKCDROM.SYS C:\CDROM
COPY A:\MSCDEX.EXE C:\CDROM
COPY A:\HIMEM.SYS C:\CDROM
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Copy the AUTOEXEC.BAT and CONFIG.SYS files from the A: drive to the C: drive. Open up the Editor once again, and edit the _C: drive_ version of the AUTOEXEC.BAT to look like the following:
@ECHO OFF
C:\CDROM\MSCDEX.EXE /D:CD1
SET DIRCMD=/OGN
SET TEMP=C:\TEMP
ECHO;
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Save the file and edit the _C: drive_ version of the CONFIG.SYS to look like this:
DEVICE=C:\CDROM\HIMEM.SYS
DEVICE=C:\CDROM\OAKCDROM.SYS /D:CD1
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Insert your Windows 95/98 CDROM in your drive and type this:
COPY D:\WIN9X\*.* C:\WIN9X (Replace the X with 5 or 8 accordingly)
When it's done copying, restart your computer without the floppy.
It should boot up and activate the CDROM drive. At that point, you can just change to the C:\WIN9X directory and start your setup.
That's the way I do it, but then again, it's all automated for me now, it's a piece of cake. Now some people will think certain steps are not neccesary or redundant, and that's ok too. Just wanted to let people know of _one_ way of doing things.
Regardless, keep that boot disk handy and write protected! You never know when you might need it!
Hope this helps a bit.
Richard
PS: Questions, comments appreciated... |
