Downgrading from Windows Xp...

[funkio1988]

I just bought a used computer, P3 650MHz, 256 MB RAM, dual hard drives (15GB and 60GB). It currently has Windows XP (Professional, I think) on it, and I want to get rid of it, completely wipe everything from both the hard drives, and install Windows 98SE. I also want to have both hard drives acting as 1, if possible. I have a Windows 98SE Startup disk, and the CD. How would I go about doing what I am hoping to do? Thank you in advance.

[bailey]

it can be as simple as just formating the drives and install w98 new.
you may have trouble formating the drives if there ntfs, then you will need to use fdisk to remove the non dos partition and start over with a new dos partition.

[funkio1988]

Ok, but there is a problem. I don't know how to use fdisk.

[Panama Red]

Here's an easy to follow tutuorial for installation of 98. Download a boot disk from www.bootdisk.com.

http://www.waynescomputerworld.com/cleaninstall.html

[funkio1988]

As it turns out, the OS I found is actually 2000 Pro. Would it work to use a 98 boot disk run fdisk, then install 2000?

[Panama Red]

With 2000, you shouldn't even need fdisk. Just boot from the 2K cd and reformat from the install screen.

[funkio1988]

How would it work to reformat 2 hard drives? The bigger one is partitioned into 2.

[Panama Red]

Each partition can be formatted separately. Do you want to keep the 2 partitions or change it? I think you'd have to use a third party software like Partition Magic to remove an existing partition. PM's cd functions as a boot disk too so you can clear the partitions and reformat using it if you prefer.

[funkio1988]

Thanks for all the help. I just put in the 2000 Pro disk, and it let me delete everything off the hard drives, including the partition, and I installed Windows on the smaller hard drive. The only problem is that the bigger hard drive now says it is unformatted, but that should be an easy fix. Thank you guys again.

[Panama Red]

Thanx for the feedback. Glad it's working out for ya.

[funkio1988]

Now I'm stuck with a different problem. I have 2000 Pro on the smaller hard drive and working good, though I haven't downloaded the sound or video drivers yet, and the bigger hard drive is not formatted. When I tried to format it in FAT32, just before it finished, it said it was unable to complete the formatting. I'm trying formatting it in NTFS, but I'm not sure if that will work either.

[glc]

You cannot format with FAT32 any larger than 32mb with 2K or XP. If you are running 2K, just use Disk Management (not a bootdisk, not FDISK, etc.) to make the 60gb drive NTFS.