How to reformat a computer with Windows 98 or ME

Is your Microsoft Windows computer running slower than it should? Do you have an older version of Windows? Do you receive a lot of errors, pop up messages or virus warnings? Is your Antivirus software really out of date? Then it's probably time to back up your data and wipe your hard drive clean. This will give your computer a fresh start and could have it running at like-new speeds in no time.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Microsoft Windows 98 or Windows ME computer disk that came with your desktop or laptop computer (PC)
• Floppy Boot disk or CD
• CD or DVD drive that is in good working order
• Backup media such as a USB flash drive (in Windows 98 Second Edition or Windows ME only), floppy disk, removable hard drive (Windows 98 SE or ME only), or CD-R.

How to reformat your Microsoft Windows 98 or ME computer

1. Make an emergency Microsoft Windows boot floppy disk (if you do not already have one) by pressing F1 on your computer. This will bring up the help function on your computer screen.
2. Get to the DOS prompt by booting the computer with your floppy (either the one you made in the first step or one you already had in storage).
3. At the A:> (DOS prompt) type: FDISK in all caps with no spaces
   
   It will look like A:>FDISK on your monitor.
4. A menu will pop up on the computer monitor, select choice number 4 on the screen to begin finding and deleting the active DOS partition on your hard drive. It is easiest if you just follow the numbers as below.
5. Then select option 3,3 on that menu and hit enter.
6. Respectively, then select choice 3, 2 on that same menu and hit enter.
7. Finally, select choice 3, 1 on that same menu on your computer screen and hit enter. This will be your last step in deleting the active partition in DOS. Now you are ready to create a new partition on your hard disk.
8. Go to create a partition by selecting:
   Choice 1, 1
   then 1, 2 and make this the active DOS partition (This may take a few minutes).
9. You will then hit your ESC (escape) key on the upper left hand side of the keyboard and restart your computer by turning it off with the button. You will not hurt anything by doing this.
10. Ensure the floppy (or Windows CD) is still in the drive, then turn the computer back on using the same button you did to power it down.
11. At the DOS prompt type (After the A:, which is already there)
    A:>format C:
    
    (This begins the format process on your hard disk drive). Depending on the size, this process can take around 45 minutes.
12. For your final steps, when format is complete do NOT give the hard drive (volume) a name when prompted. This will only complicate this process.
13. At the DOS prompt, type sys C:
14. Then insert the Microsoft Windows CD (either 98 or ME) in the CD drive and type in setup.exe. This should take you to the Windows Installation home page.
15. Your Windows setup should now start. If it does not, repeat the above steps as needed until it starts. It may take a few tries.
16. Follow the prompts to restart, etc as needed. Then, when Windows is installed, remove the disk and begin reinstalling the Internet and Software programs as needed. You can then drag and drop your backed up items in the folders, again, as needed. It does not all have to be done right away.

Tips & Warnings

• It is not necessary to back up actual software programs. You will be able to reinstall them using the CDs provided by the manufacturer.
• These steps are not necessary if you have been given a "recovery" or "restore" CD from the computer manufacturer. If you have that CD, insert that into the drive and restart and follow prompts as needed.
• Make sure you back up all your home and family pictures, documents, favorites, addresses and any other items you wish to keep if possible. Use the media described in the materials needed section. If you need assistance, consult the Internet or a knowledgeable colleague or friend for further guidance.
• You will need to reinstall all drivers (hopefully you have a CD or disk that came with the computer). You need drivers for sound, video, peripherals, devices, USB drives, motherboard and more. If something does not function, chances are the drivers have not been installed. You can also go on the Internet and download from software and computer manufacturers support websites.
• Do this backup and restore only as a last resort, OR if you are going to dispose of the computer.
• This format process ERASES your entire hard drive and will alert you of this when it happens.
• If you get stuck, go to the phone and call your computer manufacturer or a knowledgeable associate or friend.

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