win98se reinstall

[Norm]

I am attempting an over the top reinstall using oem Win98se.

When I enter the install location C:\Windows I get a message SU0167. The directory specified contains a directory named "desktop" that you must move or rename before setup can continue. What do I need to do to move past this?

[Dark Nova]

solution:
Choose another installation directory, or rename or move the existing Desktop directory. Also, note that having multiple installations of Windows on the same hard drive or partition can lead to confusion and difficulty. We recommend going to the Microsoft Knowledge Base and reading article 289283 concerning multiboot configurations.

this is from:
http://www.smartcomputing.com/techsu...&ErrorID=21418

[GaryRouth]

There's also a short quick fix (renaming a few things) in yet another Microsoft Knowledge Base article for your error. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/187580/EN-US/

Seems to usually involve systems that were upgraded to Win98 from Win3.1 - their quick fix (from their article) =
_______
To resolve this issue, rename the Windows\Desktop folder to Windows\Old.Desktop before you reinstall Windows 98. After Windows 98 Setup is finished, you can move your files or folders from the Windows\Old.Desktop folder to the Windows\Desktop folder. To rename the Windows\Desktop folder at a command prompt, type the following lines, pressing ENTER after each line:

cd\windows
move desktop old.desktop
_______

Best of luck
. . . Gary

[Norm]

Thanks for the help. I was able to reinstall Windows, but have hit another snag.

I am doing the reinstall because I couldn't boot into windows. I had error messages about several files missing needed to run windows. I ran scandisk and it did find errors. I repaired these using the hard drive troubleshooting software. I tried everything I could from the command line, tried to return to a previous registry but it wouldn't load. So I decided to reinstall Windows.

So, first boot after the reinstall of Windows, I have one error message left.
Bi-di.386 is missing. A quick search showed that file to be part of the Brother printer drivers.

After the reinstall of Windows I am now able to boot into safe mode, so I reinstalled the Brother drivers and rebooted. No error messages this time but after the Win98 splash screen the system shut down. I did a step by step confirmation and when it gets to bi-di.386 the system shuts down.

How should I proceed?

.

[glc]

Run Scandisk again, this time also doing a surface scan (DOS) or thorough (Windows). If you have bad sectors, replace the hard drive.

[neochivers]

i resinstalled 98se on a comp 1ce but like 3 years ago but for 98 i found over the top dosent work well ... so into safe mode cloect all the files u want. Now Format the disk. Now install Windys

[Norm]

glc

I ran a thorough scan of the hard drive and it found no errors.

[edfair]

Probably best to delete the brother out, along with any software, then reinstall.

[neochivers]

Originally Posted by neochivers i resinstalled 98se on a comp 1ce but like 3 years ago but for 98 i found over the top dosent work well ... so into safe mode cloect all the files u want. Now Format the disk. Now install Windys

hey dont ignor that i have did this

[GaryRouth]

Hi again

Norm - I like edfair's advice = completely remove the Brother printer (you can remove it from the Printer's folder [Start/Settings/Printers], and if it asks about removing files no longer needed, say Yes to that. Also check that no Brother software is in the Add/Remove Programs (in Control Panel = Start/Settings/Control Panel/Add-Remove Programs). And you can do all this from Safe Mode.

You might want to try the Brother website to see if a different driver is available, too. Is the printer a USB model, by any chance?

neochivers - I think edfair was referring to reinstalling the drivers and printer, not Windows (which Norm has already done - and which seems to be OK with the exception of an aging hard drive and a balky printer driver). I'm sure your suggestion was weighed - there are things that can go wrong in over-the-tops, true enough. But they can also be very handy and work quite well. [I haven't yet had trouble with the procedure]. Glad you pitched in on this, because it's always good to know the full picture.

. . . Gary

[Norm]

Well, I worked out the Brother problems but still one last problem. lmouse.drv.
So, I unchecked it in the msconfig utility and that seemed to do the trick. I was able to boot into Windows. Everything seems to be working pretty well, I am using that machine to post this response.

Neochivers, I definitely wasn't ignoring your suggestion. Normally I would have already resorted to reformating & a clean install. I just thought I would give this a shot. Any more erratic behavior and I will probably go ahead with the reformat.

Thanks all.