about some file system stuff

[FantasySoul]

Recently I formatted a 3GB harddisk with WINME.I want to install WIN98 os in this HD.
I set up everything and ready to install WIN98 but all I got was a "Invalid Disk System" message.I've check the floppy but the boot up files that I created was fine.
After that I hook it up as slave drive with my com and saw from the properties that it was a RAW file system!
Usually it was FAT or FAT32 right?Can any1 tell me how to format as a FAT/32 file system with WINME/98?

[GaryRouth]

It can't hurt to do a complete system scan (both drives) just to make sure that the Win95_CIH virus isn't lurking about. It can erase hard drives, which can result in them showing up as "raw" (non-DOS formatted - such as UNIX [and opposed to data that's been "cooked" -wry UNIX wit I suppose] - or simply not formatted at all). Here's a link describing that virus' payload:
http://www.trendmicro.com/vinfo/viru...me=PE_CIH.1003

If there's no virus, you can try to reformat again. Use fdisk, or perhaps even better zero-write the drive with the diagnostics/format utility downloaded from it's manufacturer's website (just to make extra sure nothing's in the boot sector). If you're not going to dual boot, might as well just use a Win98 startup disk and fdisk from there. As you probably already know, "Y" to "Large Disk Support?" yields FAT32.

Best of luck, hope there's no virus involved.
. . . Gary

[FantasySoul]

Well I think it is not the work of virus since I can format it using WinXP and only XP..
But I'll try scanning the drives to make sure none of that virus lurking around the drives.
Thanks............

[andyms18a]

you nead to deleat the partition and then make a new dos partition and set it active use fdisk. if you nead help post back and i will talk you throu it

[GaryRouth]

Andyms18a has a good point. To install Win98 you're going to need a primary partition marked active.
. . . Gary

[XP doesn't care whether it's active or not]

[FantasySoul]

andyms18a,I've try fdisk and set the drive active but it still remain as RAW .Yes I've delete the primary partition.
Does the partition divide a drive into 2 separate drives?Coz when I start it up it up as slave I saw 2 drives as RAW and 2 of them was 3GB!!?I don't understand...

[GaryRouth]

Hi again

I'm not sure exactly where the Win98 3gb disk is destined to live: are you setting up a dual boot? Or?

If you aren't going to dual boot, put the drive into the box that it's going to house Win98 for, boot the PC with a Win98 bootdisk, use fdisk to delete ALL partitions, create one Primary DOS partition, format it with FAT32 and mark it active.

If you are going to multi-boot, post a reply as to what operating systems are involved and what bootloader you plan to use.

It really sounds to me like you are viewing partitions from WinXp that have partitions that haven't been formatted yet.

Best of luck
. . . Gary

[FantasySoul]

Thanks for the input.
But I'm not getting it to dual boot.I guess what I really want to ask is after deleting all the partition using fdisk,then create a primary DOS partition and later format it with FAT32.The main question is how should the formating be done??Is it just type in format and the drive parameter and it's all done?Yes I know I have to set it active..
But somehow I think it is the drive's fault,It's quite old and data corruption will happen if I put it as slave....

[edge345]

You need 2 partitions for dual booting. always install the operating system in the order they were released. win98 then put win-me on the second partition.... then on boot-up you shoud see a dual boot option asking whitch op you want to boot from....

Thats the way microsoft recomends. there are other ways but its not as easy....

[GaryRouth]

Hi again

I like to let the Win98 Setup format the disk. If you create a single Primary DOS partition, it will see it and know that it needs formatting & will offer to do that early in the Setup. I like to let the OS that will live on the drive do the formatting partly because it's easier, and partly because there are often little differences in the file systems from one version to another (such as the different versions of the NT file system: it's different in NT, Win2k, and XP). Truthfully, I think there is only one version of FAT32 - but I could be wrong (that's why I like to keep the formatting simple by using the OS). Easier on my memory, which can use all the help it can get.

If the drive dies in the process, at least you can take comfort in the fact that 40 to 60 GB drives go on sale nowadays for $50 USD.

Best of luck
. . . Gary

[FantasySoul]

Thanks Gary,I think I will buy another HD and get this 3GB @#$
in the trash bin