Trigunx2021
03-01-2005, 06:14 PM
How do I format a computer with Xp Home Edtion and install an older OS without the Xp disc? I'm guessing the Command Prompt, but I don't know any commands for that?
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rraehal
03-01-2005, 06:23 PM
What OS do you want to put on the system? If it is windows 2000 you can format the drive from set-up. If it is Win9x or WinMe you will need to use a boot disk and manually format the system.
Yu can get a boot disk from www.bootdisk.com or set your system to boot from the CD rom.
You can use the fdisk utility to erase the XP partitions and use the format command to make the disk ready to install the old versions of windows.
FDISK is on the A drive (when booting from cd or floppy).
FORMAT is usually win the CD ROM dirve in the windows setup folder. C:\WIN98 or WIN9X etc
A search on goolge for "FDISK FORMAT DOS" should reveal instructions for you.
Basically use FDISK and tell it to treat NTFS partions as large. Select the right option to delete partions and it will ask you which ones to delete. Erase all of them. You can then select an option to create a FAT32 partition and make it the maximum size and active. (or choose a size if you want multiple partitions)
Reboot the PC and use format. Once the format is complete you can install windows by going to the CD drive and running setup. Be aware that there are issues with new hardware and older versions of windows.
Yu can get a boot disk from www.bootdisk.com or set your system to boot from the CD rom.
You can use the fdisk utility to erase the XP partitions and use the format command to make the disk ready to install the old versions of windows.
FDISK is on the A drive (when booting from cd or floppy).
FORMAT is usually win the CD ROM dirve in the windows setup folder. C:\WIN98 or WIN9X etc
A search on goolge for "FDISK FORMAT DOS" should reveal instructions for you.
Basically use FDISK and tell it to treat NTFS partions as large. Select the right option to delete partions and it will ask you which ones to delete. Erase all of them. You can then select an option to create a FAT32 partition and make it the maximum size and active. (or choose a size if you want multiple partitions)
Reboot the PC and use format. Once the format is complete you can install windows by going to the CD drive and running setup. Be aware that there are issues with new hardware and older versions of windows.
Trigunx2021
03-01-2005, 06:39 PM
Win ME is what I want to put on the system. So I need a boot disk. But, I don't know the command to get the disk ready for another OS. And the fdisk is on the boot disk or win ME install Cd?
Trigunx2021
03-01-2005, 06:41 PM
The File system is already FAT32.
rraehal
03-01-2005, 06:47 PM
Boot off your WinME CD. You simply need to set the boot order in the BIOS to CDROM first then floppy or hard disk.
Tell the system to boot from CD. Tell your computer to boot to the DOS prompt with CD support.
Once the system boots to the dos prompt (A:\>) you will be ready to format.
Your CD rom drive will most likely be D:. Type D: at the prompt and press enter. Next type cd win9x and press enter. type format c: and press enter. note: the folder may not be win9x. if you get an error when you type the cd command use dir /ad to see the folders on the CD. The WINME folder will star WIN and be 6 digits long.
Formatting will take a while. When it is done type d:\setup and press enter. Follow the prompts to install winme.
Tell the system to boot from CD. Tell your computer to boot to the DOS prompt with CD support.
Once the system boots to the dos prompt (A:\>) you will be ready to format.
Your CD rom drive will most likely be D:. Type D: at the prompt and press enter. Next type cd win9x and press enter. type format c: and press enter. note: the folder may not be win9x. if you get an error when you type the cd command use dir /ad to see the folders on the CD. The WINME folder will star WIN and be 6 digits long.
Formatting will take a while. When it is done type d:\setup and press enter. Follow the prompts to install winme.
Sterling_Aug
03-01-2005, 07:41 PM
Why would anyone want to go back to the stone age WinME?
WinME is one of Microsofts WORST OSs ever.
WinME is one of Microsofts WORST OSs ever.
Trigunx2021
03-01-2005, 08:25 PM
Because the system was built for it and the system only has 64 MBs of RAM. I think Xp needs 124Mbs. I've also been thinking about Win 2000. Oh and plus the system has the Sasser Worm and I'm not wait for the thing to download the stuff it needs with a dial up connection.
Trigunx2021
03-01-2005, 08:35 PM
Ok, Thank You rraehal:)
rraehal
03-02-2005, 02:45 PM
Originally posted by Trigunx2021
Because the system was built for it and the system only has 64 MBs of RAM. I think Xp needs 124Mbs.
I would recommend less than 256 MB's RAM for Windows XP. I prefer 512MB or 1GB on my systems depending on their use.
Windows 2000 runs slow with 64MB RAM. I would go at least 128 if you go that route or 256.
If you have sasser why didn't you patch the system? You can order an SP2 CD from MS and eliminate these types of problems. Just add an Antivirus and software firewall since you have dial-up.
Because the system was built for it and the system only has 64 MBs of RAM. I think Xp needs 124Mbs.
I would recommend less than 256 MB's RAM for Windows XP. I prefer 512MB or 1GB on my systems depending on their use.
Windows 2000 runs slow with 64MB RAM. I would go at least 128 if you go that route or 256.
If you have sasser why didn't you patch the system? You can order an SP2 CD from MS and eliminate these types of problems. Just add an Antivirus and software firewall since you have dial-up.
bruceb
03-02-2005, 03:01 PM
here a some utilities to fix a bunch of pesky windows problems
including the Sasser problem
It is actually a Winzip Archive, but forum won't let us upload
it that way .. just change .txt back to .zip after you download it
and then extract the files
including the Sasser problem
It is actually a Winzip Archive, but forum won't let us upload
it that way .. just change .txt back to .zip after you download it
and then extract the files
Trigunx2021
03-05-2005, 10:15 PM
I didn't install the patch for the Sasser Worm because XP can't see the system modem. I think it's because the modem is more made for ME than XP and it not a card modem it part of the motherboard. I can get it to work, but I think it's stupid but funny at the same time. I have to take the modem out of my computer and put in the other and then it looks for the drivers on the Internet for it own modem. I've done this before with this system. The reason I gave the system XP was because ME was too damaged from viruses and stuff and it was the only OS I had access to at the time. The first time I installed XP everything was good but slow. About one year later my friend (the owner of the system) got a USB modem and that messed it up. So it needed to be reformatted. After reinstalling and setup the modem it got the Sasser Worm. And about the Upgrade disc I’m 15 so money is kind of short. And I don't know how find the right RAM that a system can support.
crossedup
03-05-2005, 10:40 PM
W/O the right tweaking, ME really needs more than 64MB as well. Seems XP already has some of the tweaking done.
After ME install there are not many tweaks that will help you with 64MB. Doubling that now days will cost you $15 or so. If the video is onboard I would add 128MB, still less than $30.
Right click " My computer", properties, advanced, file system. Turn off system restore.
Start>run>msconfig
Turn off pchealth under startup tab
In the system.ini tab add a new setting in the 386Enh section "ConservativeSwapfileUsage=1"
Thats not all of them but thats the easy ones. Can provide full details if required
After ME install there are not many tweaks that will help you with 64MB. Doubling that now days will cost you $15 or so. If the video is onboard I would add 128MB, still less than $30.
Right click " My computer", properties, advanced, file system. Turn off system restore.
Start>run>msconfig
Turn off pchealth under startup tab
In the system.ini tab add a new setting in the 386Enh section "ConservativeSwapfileUsage=1"
Thats not all of them but thats the easy ones. Can provide full details if required
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