installing windows
 

i have been given a pc that runs windows 98. the problem is that every time you try and go into my computer, control panel or windows explorer it comes up with illegal operation and closes. i can only get into these parts if its in safe mode. there is so much rubbish on this pc that it needs to be wiped clean. how do i do this and how do i install a new version of windows? also if i wipe it clean does this mean i will lose things like drivers for the cdrw because this pc has come with no discs or anything! i will have to go and get a windows disc! i dont know where to begin!!!!
thanks from jane

Re: installing windows
 

Can you post the exact illegal operation error message?
If you have no Windows 98 CD or drivers for the PC you will need to get as many drivers onto CDR CDRW as possible before doing anything else with it, to do this you will need to find what is inside the pc and visit the manufactureres website for the software and drivers related to them. I would ask the person who gave it to you if they still need the windows 98 CD.
This will help you find out what is inside the PC
http://www.lavalys.com/products/down...?pid=1&lang=en
is it a branded unit at all? Time/ Tiny? packard Bell etc?

Re: installing windows
 

I think the first thing I'd do is run antivirus and anti spyware software on the box.

Re: installing windows
 

It could be that the system is too badly foulled up but I agree, try getting these to run and see if it helps the system stability but if you are getting explorer errors I would think that file corruption may have occured somewhere :(
adaware
http://www.baytsp.com/press/firstsou...ssrelease.html
Spybot S&D
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/mirrors/index.html
Spyware Blaster
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/sbdownload.html
Spyware Guard
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/sgdownload.html
http://free.grisoft.com/softw/70free...ee_300a419.exe
Even if they don't help the windows 98 system they are handy to have on CD ;)

Re: installing windows
 

Depends on how badly the machine is messed up. You may not find it worthwhile loading anything, just starting from scratch.

If you can get it to run in safe mode, you can always find out what drivers you are going to need by using the control panel > Device Manager (often under System Settings - while since I used Win 98 :dozey: ), From there you can trawl through the various devices, note what the hardware definitions are and then trawl the net for matching drivers to download. If the driver definition says it's provided by Microsoft then you don't need to find a new version, that will be on the Win 98 CD.

Re: installing windows
 

If you need to format, the guide that i wrote is here: http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/article.php?a=35

Re: installing windows
 

Probably find what you need on Black vipers site :)

Re: installing windows
 

The poster hasn't got a windows 98 CD at the moment ;) If we can't get the system stable then purchasing a windows 98 CD would be the next step :(

Re: installing windows
 

the drivers are supported by microsoft

Re: installing windows
 

So your basic problem now is the lack of a Windows 98SE CDROM and license? Were you never offered the Windows 98 CD with the computer when you purchased it?

Re: installing windows
 

It's possible the license key is on a sticker on the PC, in which case, you can probably get away with borrowing a CD from someone.

Re: installing windows
 

Some earlier versions of Windows came with the CD key on the front of the book ...

http://nthw.ath.cx:8080/nthw/gettingstarted.jpg

Failing that, would it be possible to use one of those keyfinder programs to look up your existing key? Or do they not work on Windows 98?

Re: installing windows
 

Even if she finds the key via a piece of software she still needs to get hold of a Windows 98SE CD to actually install ;)