Trying to install Win98 on old Packard Bell

[spork891]

Hello,

I'm trying to install win98SE on an old packard bell that belongs to my friend.

The model number is Platinum 6700, here are specs:
Pentium II 333mhz <-- cartridge type
64MB No name RAM
S3 Virge/GX
AZTECH Sound/Modem board atxxxxxw something or other

Ok, so here's the long sad story:
I began by deleting all partitions on the drive and then formatting, like I always do when I do a fresh install. Then I installed Windows, it seemed to go off without a hitch until it came time to restart the PC at which time I was told that the PC was missing various VXD and/or VCD files and when I tried to install all of the devices such as video card sound card etc, it wouldn't accept the drivers.

So I tried to install Win98 again... this time all through setup it was telling me that I had removed the CD and that I need to put it back in to continue and so forth. This next time it was missing even more files, still wouldn't accept drivers for devices, and kept telling me that I won't have network neighborhood or something.

I suspected the CD-ROM drive, so I switched it out with another one that I know is reliable, and the stupid thing wouldn't post at all, just sat at a blank screen with the little cursor blinking up in the upper left.

I really have no idea what to do, this thing is obviously way past warranty, but it was at least *working* when they handed it over to me... sigh... Can someone rescue me?

[Kubie]

spork891,
Packard Bells are very proprietary machines. You will need to put the cd-rom back in as it works with the sound-mdem card.
To get the pc working you will need the restore disks that came with the pc.
There may be other ideas coming from other members, so have patience.
Carl

[spork891]

I appreciate the reply!

How might I use the master CD? There are no instructions for it, will it still work even though I blasted the HDD? Do I need some kind of boot disk? I've never used a recovery CD like this before.

[Kubie]

If I remember correctly, the PB partition is still there and hidden.
Use a Win98 bootdisk and FDISK. Look at option 4 as that gives you drive and partition status.
If PB doesn't use a hidden partition, you should be able to start over with restore disk.
Carl

[Markoman01027]

PB are a little rough when you want to do a fresh install of Windows 98. That is why you want to use a restore disk if you want to reload the operating system.

One time when I was installing Windows 98SE, when I rebooted, I was told that was missing a lot of VXD and .DLL files. Also, when it asked for a file, I would put in the CD, and it would not find the file(s).

The only thing that I can think of not findin the fies from the CD, when they are suppose to be on the cd(source of file points to CD), is that the CD files could be currupted or the whole CD is bad.

With the VXD files, you probably got them missing from a bad installation. I have had that happen to me before. What I did to solve the problem was, Reformat the Hard drive, Repartition it, and intall OS with minimum(Video, CD-ROM, RAM, CPU, Floopy Drive, and Hard Drive) this wil minimize the chances of IRQ conflicts and other types of conflicts that may occur at anytime of the installation.

Start off small at the installation, once installation is good, go ahead and power down, and put in the other hardware you want to add.

I hope that helps you out with your problem. Your best bet is to use a PB restore disk. Infact, I don't recommend anybody using a stor-bought PC(HP, COMPAQ, etc) to do a fresh reinstall of an operating system where you can just use the restore disk, complete the installation, and remove the unwanted programs that you want. Then you can use programs like REGCLEAN(microsoft.com) to fix those registry errors left over by uninstalled applications.

*Sorry for typos if you see any. I am in Brooklyn, NY right now, and the computer is slow here, aswell as the keyboard.
Will be back home shortly.

[GaryRouth]

Hi all

Well, at least you have the "Master CD". . . Let's see - that model is a "Symphony" Platinum? There's some information for it on the http://www.packardbell.co.uk site. [You can find parts and drivers info in the Product Range area]. From what I could gather from that site, on some models the "Master CD" just boots the pc, and you then switch to a "Recovery CD" set. Do you only have one CD that is marked "Master CD"?

If you have a set of CDs marked "Restore" or "Recovery" - they will usually restore the system no matter how much trauma the hard drive has been through (as long as it's still working). It completely repartitions and reformats the drive - restoring the hidden partition as well at the FAT32 partition, reinstalls your Win98 and all the bundled software. When it works, everything is back to where it was the day it arrived from the factory. If hardware has been changed, however - all sorts of trouble can crop up - but often can still be fixed (with a little Excedrin and time and effort). Do you know whether the hardware has changed since first purchase? (different video, sound, etc?)

I'd recommend putting the original CD-drive back in, seeing if you can enter Bios Setup, and see if you can set the pc to boot from the CD-drive, using either that "Master Disk" or a "Restore CD". Then run whatever recovery it will allow. You may need to enter the serial number for your box (it's usually on a little sticker on the case), and if the serial number begins with a letter, be sure it's a Capital when you type it in.

Best of luck
. . . Gary

[Markoman01027]

Yeah it's best to have original hardware when you do OS restores. That will minimize conflcts, etc. You can ofcourse put the hardware in, once the operating system is nice and running.

[spork891]

Everyone has been of immense help!

First, I put the original drive back in.

I used the master CD to create a recovery boot disk. With those, I managed to get it back to factory settings. Then I used win98 upgrade to get windows 98 on the system...

The thing runs great now, what a headache this has been though! I have never worked with a factory bought system before believe it or not, this was extremely painful I don't see why anyone would ever bother...

Why do they go to such great lengths to reduce customizability of the system?? Do you have to buy Packard Bell Approved (TM) Memory and Packard Bell Approved (TM) CD burners? :-)

-Spork

[GaryRouth]

Just think - you were working on one of the newer ones (really NEC boxes with the Packard Bell label) . . . the older US models were(are) quite an adventure to work on. [They aren't made any more]

Actually, I think the newer models aren't bad, for OEM boxes.

Glad you got it fixed. Nice work
. . . Gary