Windows 98se

[ruth29]

I have a question about windows 98 either first edition or second edition.
How come when you have reformatted your hard drive and load windows most of the time all of windows 98 doesn`t get loaded in most cases I have to load it at least once more sometimes twice.
I have seen advertised somewhere on the net where their is a disk where it will all get loaded but you have to buy it. Mostly I am curious.
Thought some of you folks may know the answer. Thanks

[EzyStvy]

What do you mean by "doesn't get loaded?"

Are you selecting "custom" installation and selecting the add ons you want?

[ruth29]

Sorry I wasn`t explicit enough I load windows using regular I do not use custom but after I am all loaded things aren`t working that well that is I seem to have problems and than I reload windows again than it works something didn`t get loaded the first time. I have had this happen more than once and not on the same computer and not using the same Cd either so was just wondering why a complete load isn`t done the first time.
I am trying to give you an example but really can`t think of one now other than I was having problems on a computer that the hardware wouldn`t stay loaded after the computer was shut down and each day they had to be reloaded to finally get this to work had to load windows three times twice after the first reload.

[TwoRails]

I don't have a 'how come" for you, but I know what you're saying. It's never really bothered me any, and I always tell people I know doing their first build with it to don't panic, it may take several install attempts to "take."

I would guess that it tends to choke on some of the newer stuff and / or doesn't recognize everything on the first shot. It's also one reason that on new builds I install with just the vid card it to make it a smoother deal...

TwoRails

[GaryRouth]

Hi again Ruth

Been a while since we've heard from you here - hope everything's going well.

It sounds to me like the 1st time round installs weren't finishing quite right. Installations usually have to reboot several times as Windows sets up the hardware. Older hardware will often have to make do with standard, generic driver to run them until you can install a more exact match. It's normal for the machine to reboot about two or three times during the installation. And not too unusual that during the hardware detection of sound devices and modems, some fireworks fly, and Windows goes down in flames. Nothing to worry about, once you've got drivers that match better, things go well.

Best of luck
. . . Gary

[ruth29]

Thanks for all the information I think I understand it now so I am not the only one who has to install windows over again and it isn`t my fault or fault of my windows CD. I don`t mind doing it just thought I might be doing something wrong or that my CD Rom Disk wasn`t working right.
I am doing fine may have some more info I will need later on am going to be cleaning out and fixing up an old computer in a few more weeks.
The questions I think will be in hardware .
Thanks again for such prompt answers.

[reboot]

The first thing that comes to mind, is having the anti-virus enabled in BIOS. If so, it can cause the setup to have fits, and various bits may not get installed, specifically the MBR.
The second is incompatible hardware. During setup, when hardware detection is going on, sometimes two devices get detected at the same time, usually because of a hardware conflict, and only one can be installed in Windows at a time.
I resolve this by disabling the onboard com ports, and LPT1 (printer) if you're using a USB one. This frees up 3 IRQ's (and associated mem addressing) for use by other devices.
Third, if "PnP OS Installed" is enabled in BIOS, then devices may attempt to share resources. Set it to NO, and things will sort out better.
Fourth, ram timings. Too agressive during install can cause the flop. Set things back a bit, install, then tweak.
There are more, but these are a good place to start.