Windows Installation Guide

Be Sure to Check out the Windows98 Installation Problems at the Bottom

Also, If you need To Reinstall Windows98

A lot of this applies no matter whether you are going to Windows98 or Windows ME. Here are a few things that you should do Before you undertake to installing or upgrading your Microsoft Windows operating system.

First, Clean up your act !!

Windows doesn't run worth a powder if you are currently having problems in Windows or haven't cleaned up those little problems that you have been ignoring. Are you running Windows95/8 or version 6+ of DOS and Windows3.1?? If so, run   Scandisk and have it clean up those lost clusters, file areas, and make sure no errors are present. You might also want to have it check the disk surface for errors. Now is the time to find these errors and clean them up. If you don't have Scandisk, run DOS CHKDSK and make sure it finds no problems. You will find that Windows9X automatically installs Scandisk in the Accessories Start menu under System Tools.

Next, Get Rid of Old Temp Files.

Temporary files are often left over after Windows or one of its programs crashes and can be a real problem. They are also created when people turn off their computer before exiting Windows or any applications and so it is best to get rid of them all. Do this from DOS and never from within Windows. If you are running Windows95 or 98, Shut Down and Restart in MS DOS Mode. To do this, look for all those *.TMP files hanging about your computer. You can easily do this by typing: DIR *.TMP /S/P where the /S will look in all your subdirectories, and the /P will have the display pause at the end of a full screen. Note down the directory names where they appear and go into each subdirectory and delete them using DEL *.TMP

Also, look for where Windows is keeping those Temp files. While at that DOS prompt, type SET and see what folder it lists for those Windows Temp files. You should see something like: SET TEMP=C:\WINDOWS\TEMP.  When you do, go to that folder and get rid of everything that is there. Also, look for files in your root directory (at the C:\ prompt) and see if you have any files that begin FILE00 and end with .CHK, if so, get rid of them as well.

Is There Enough Disk Space. (no never)

Windows File Manager can tell you how much space is available on your hard disk as can CHKDSK. You need at least 100mb of more space on your computer to load in the new Windows98, preferably more. Personally, I prefer to have at least 200MB of free disk space after loading Windows. If you have been using a drive compression like Stacker, DoubleSpace, DriveSpace, SpeedStor, or one of the others, get rid of it and buy a new hard drive! For $150 you can get darn near 30 Gigabytes. Just Do It! You will save yourself a ton of trouble later on. I speak from a lot of experience here. It seems that while 90% of the people who use a disk compression program have no problems, those 10% or so that do have a problem most always regret that they ever put the compression on. Now, lets think this through for a minute. If your computer was manufactured prior to 1998, you could have a problem installing one of the new large disk drives. Some of the older BIOS systems will not recognize a drive that is larger than 8 Gigabytes. You need to check your hardware mainboard manual if there is one. Something else to consider is to be sure to see if you don't actually have a larger hard drive. Older Windows95 and earlier systems could only see 2GB of disk space at one time and sometimes, the rest became a Drive D and sometimes, they just left it empty! Windows98 will allow you to fix that.

Have You Backed Up Yet ?

Windows98 is a complicated and new operating system (compared to Windows 3.1) and you will do yourself a big favor by backing up your software. The only time you don't need to do this is if the idea of reformating your hard drive doesn't bother you. If you can live with the fact that you might lose everything, then proceed. Also, did you remember to make a Boot Disk so that you can reformat the hard drive ? Boot disks are very handy to have around especially if your computer suddenly decides it doesn't want to start up. It should have been created with a Format A:/S command and it would be helpful to have programs like scandisk, format, fdisk, edit, (don't forget qbasic), sys, and some others. In a pinch, you can use your original DOS diskettes.

Make Sure Everything Is Working.

Your system by now has a CD ROM Drive and Sound Card along with a few other goodies. Make sure that they are all still working just fine. Test the sound, play a few movie clips (use the Media Player Icon), make sure the CD ROM drive is still working. Also, do a final check on your main programs to see that no errors are occuring. If you have problems, you want to find out before you install the new programs so you will have a good idea on who to pin the blame on when it doesn't work. Also, don't forget to check the modem, the printer, joystick if you have one, and finally, one last tip, check for viruses. I strongly recommend you use Symantec's Norton Antivirus program to check out your system. To get there, first, save this location as a bookmark, and then hot foot it over to www.symantec.com or stop in somewhere and buy a copy.

Dual Boot or NOT!

Windows95 gives you the option of setting up your system to boot in either old Windows/DOS or Windows95. I strongly recommend just allowing the Windows95 and 98 upgrade to replace your current DOS and Windows environment. For a couple of reasons. One is that If you think you might need to go back to the old Windows, give up the idea unless you find you have a program that just wont work under Windows98/95. And to that end, if you have something that is critical to your using the computer, then call the manufacturer to see if the current version you are using will run under Windows98. Be sure to tell them which version you are running. Windows98 when it is installed will ask you whether to save your old DOS/Windows startup files so besure to tell it Yes. This way, if you have to uninstall Windows98, it will bring your system back the way it was before you started. This does work. Now to why not to do the dual boot option. Because if you start adding applications to your computer, you will have to set them up twice, once in old Windows, once in Windows98 and that can be difficult and cause further application problems.

Check out the Program's Requirements.

My recommendations to allow you to run Microsoft Windows98 are as follows for your IBM Computer:

Microsoft Windows ME requirements are as follows:

Microsoft will allow you to run Windows98 on a system with much less resources but for business applications, I strongly recommend the above.

If you are upgrading to Windows98, you really should allow Windows98 to be installed over the existing Windows programs. This way, you will save all of your windows configuration settings, program groups, and more important, all of your programs will continue to work. Which brings me to another point, don't count on Windows98 bailing you out of trouble if something is not working correctly in Windows. You will simply bring your troubles along with you.

For troubleshooting hardware conflicts, the Control Panel in Windows98 has an icon that says SYSTEM. Go into it and then look at the Device Manager. You will find all your devices listed there. If you see any hilighted with a yellow exclamation point, or worse, a little red x, you have found a trouble spot.


If You Need To Reinstall Windows:

Microsoft Windows 98

Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition

SUMMARY

This article contains information and tips about how to reinstall Windows 98 and Windows 98 Second Edition.

MORE INFORMATION

Before you run the Windows Setup.exe program to reinstall Windows, you may need to complete the following steps:

Disable programs and tools.

Disable any programs or tools (such as screen saver programs, antivirus programs, or system tools that run automatically). In addition, uninstall any programs or tools that protect or encrypt the Master Boot Record (MBR) or partition table (such as uninstall Bootlock included with Symantec Norton Your Eyes Only). For information about disabling these programs or tools, contact the manufacturer.

Back up the data.

Back up all critical data on your hard disk. Although it is unlikely that you will encounter a serious problem when you reinstall Windows 98, it is always a good idea to perform a complete system backup before installing a new operating system. When you upgrade your computer's operating system, it is possible that an error can occur (such as incompatible hardware or a power failure) that temporarily or permanently prevents access to the data on your hard disk.

Installing Windows

When you are ready to run the Setup.exe file to reinstall Windows, use the following steps:

Start Windows, and then insert the Windows 98 CD-ROM into the CD-ROM drive.

Click Browse This CD, and then double-click Setup.exe.

Follow the instructions to complete Windows Setup.

NOTE: If Windows does not start and you need to run Setup from an MS-DOS prompt, please click the Installing Windows 98 From MS-DOS link on the following Microsoft Web site:

http://support.microsoft.com/support/windows/readme/98/W98setuptxt.asp

Troubleshooting After the Installation

After the installation is finished, you may need to complete the following steps:

Replace updated Microsoft files.

You may need to reinstall some of the Microsoft updated files on the computer. To update these files, click the Product Updates link on the following Microsoft Web site:

http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/

Reinstall Microsoft Outlook Express.

When you reinstall Windows 98, it may place Microsoft Outlook Express 4.x on the computer. If you were previously using Microsoft Outlook Express 5, you may need to reinstall the program. For additional information about reinstalling Outlook Express 5, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Q186218 How to Remove and Reinstall Outlook Express in Windows 98

REFERENCES

For additional information, click the article numbers below to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Q188881 How to Install Windows 98: Helpful Tips and Suggestions

Q193902 How to Install Windows 98 Into a New Folder

Q221829 How to Install Windows 98 on a Computer with No Operating System

Q232681 Windows 98 Second Edition Updates Setup.txt file


Windows98 Installation Problems (Courtesy of Microsoft)

A fatal exception 0E has occurred at 0028:C02A0201 in VXD   IOS(04)+00001FC9.

CAUSE

This issue can occur if Corel CD Creator 2.0 is installed on your computer. Windows is incompatible with the Draspi.vxd file installed by Corel CD Creator 2.0.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, follow these steps:

  1. Start Windows 95/98 in Safe mode. To do so, follow the steps in the appropriate section below:

    Windows 95 ----------

    Restart your computer. When you see the "Starting Windows 95" message, press the F8 key, and then choose Safe Mode from the Startup menu.

    Windows 98 ----------

    Restart your computer, press and hold down the CTRL key after your computer completes the Power On Self Test (POST), and then choose Safe Mode from the Startup menu.

  2. Click Start, point to Find, and then click Files Or Folders.
  3. In the Named box, type "draspi.vxd" (without quotation marks), and then click Find Now.
  4. In the list of found files, right click the Draspi.vxd file, and then click Rename.
  5. Type a new name for the Draspi.vxd file (such as Draspi.xxx), and then press ENTER.
  6. Restart your computer normally.

SYMPTOMS

While you are installing Windows 98, your computer may stop responding (hang) during hardware detection or when your computer is restarted for the first time.

CAUSE

This behavior can occur if a 3Com Fast EtherLink XL PCI network adapter is installed in your computer.

RESOLUTION

To work around this behavior, follow these steps:

  1. Turn off your computer, and then turn it back on to continue Windows 98 Setup.
  2. Once Setup is completed, click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
  3. Double-click System.
  4. Click the Device Manager tab, and then double-click the Network Adapters branch to expand it.
  5. Click "3Com Fast EtherLink XL PCI Ethernet Adapter," and then click Remove.
  6. Click Yes when you are prompted to restart your computer. Windows 98 should identify and install your network adapter.

SYMPTOMS

When you install Windows 98, you may receive one of the following error messages when your computer first restarts during Setup:

   MPREXE.EXE caused an exception 03H in module USER32.DLL at <memory address>

   USR32.EXE caused an exception 03H in module USER32.DLL at <memory address>

CAUSE

This behavior can occur if a program is running that prevents Windows 98 from upgrading files on your computer. 

RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, follow these steps:

  1. Restart your computer using the Windows 98 Startup disk.
  2. On the Windows 98 Startup menu, choose the correct CD-ROM support for your computer.
  3. Type the following commands, pressing ENTER after each command
          c:
          cd <windows>\system
          ren user32.dll user32.dlx
          ren gdi32.dll gdi32.dlx
          ren winmm.dll winmm.dlx
          a:\ext.exe

    where <windows> is the name of your Windows folder.

  4. Type the following line, and then press ENTER
          <CD-ROM drive>:\win98

    where <CD-ROM drive> is the drive letter assigned to your CD-ROM drive. Note that this letter may be different when you boot your computer with the Windows 98 Startup disk.

  5. Type the following line, and then press ENTER:
          user32.dll gdi32.dll winmm.dll
  6. Type the following line, and then press ENTER
          <drive>:\<windows>\system

    where <drive> is the drive on which Windows is installed, and <windows> is the folder containing Windows.

  7. Review the information displayed. If it is correct, press Y.

When Ext.exe has finished extracting the files, follow these steps:

  1. Remove the Windows 98 Startup disk, and then restart your computer.
  2. Press and hold down the CTRL key as your computer restarts. On the Windows 98 Startup menu, choose Safe Mode.
  3. After Windows 98 starts, click Start, point to Settings, click Control Panel, and then double-click Add/Remove Programs.
  4. On the Install/Uninstall tab, click any utility that you have installed, and then click Add/Remove to remove the utility. Repeat this step to remove any utilities you have installed.
  5. Click Start, point to Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, and click System Information.
  6. On the Tools menu, click System Configuration Utility.
  7. On the Startup tab, click the check boxes next to any utilities that are installed to clear them, and then click Close on the File menu.
  8. Restart your computer.
  9. In Microsoft System Information, click System File Checker on the Tools menu.
  10. Click Settings, click the Advanced tab, click Restore Defaults, and then click OK.
  11. Restart your computer.

SYMPTOMS

If your computer has a Hauppage Win/TV card installed, your computer may stop responding (hang) with an "Unrecoverable page fault" error message when you start Windows.

CAUSE

This behavior can occur if older S3 video adapter drivers are installed on your computer. Some older versions of the drivers for S3-based chip sets have compatibility problems with the drivers for the Win/TV hardware.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, install the Windows 98 S3 drivers, or the most current drivers provided by the display adapter's manufacturer. To install the Windows 98 drivers, follow these steps:

  1. Restart your computer. Press and hold down the CTRL key until the Windows 98 Startup menu appears, and then choose Safe Mode.
  2. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
  3. Double-click Display, click the Settings tab, and then click OK.
  4. Restart the computer normally.
  5. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
  6. Double-click Display, click the Settings tab, and then click Advanced.
  7. Click the Adapter tab, and then click Change.
  8. Click Next, click "Display a list of all the drivers in a specific location, so you can select the driver you want," and then click Next.
  9. Click Show All Devices.
  10. In the Manufacturers box, click S3.
  11. In the Models box, click the appropriate model, click OK, and then click Next.
  12. Click Next, click Next, and then click Finish.
  13. Click Close, click Close, and then click Yes to restart your computer.

SYMPTOMS

When you are installing Windows, you may receive a general protection (GP) fault error message after you accept the End User License Agreement. The error message you receive is similar to the following message:

Suwin caused a GPF in 256_1280.drv at 0002:0D7B

CAUSE

This problem can occur if any of the following conditions exists:

RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem, use the appropriate method:


SYMPTOMS

When you start Windows, you may receive either of the following error messages:

CAUSE

A Windows Protection Error means that an error occurred loading a virtual device driver (VxD) before the desktop is loaded. In many cases you can tell from the error message which VxD did not load, but in other cases you may not be able to determine which VxD caused the problem.

Windows Protection Errors are generated when any of the following conditions occur:

RESOLUTION

To resolve a Windows Protection Error, try the following steps:

  1. Start the computer in Safe mode. If the error does not occur in Safe mode, see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
          ARTICLE-ID: Q136337

    TITLE : Troubleshooting Windows 95 Startup Problems

  2. If your computer is a Plug and Play computer, reinstall Windows using the following command:
          setup /p I

    For information about installing Windows 95, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

          ARTICLE-ID: Q129260

    TITLE : Windows 95 Setup: Description and Troubleshooting Steps

  3. Make sure that the computer's CMOS settings are correct. For information about changing CMOS settings on your computer, please refer to the computer's documentation or manufacturer.
  4. Install a clean copy of Windows in an empty folder. Choose the Custom installation option and do not let Setup detect the hardware in your computer. Install only a mouse, a VGA video adapter, and a keyboard.

If the error still occurs, it is most likely caused by faulty hardware.


SYMPTOMS

One of the following symptoms may occur:

After you restart the computer, you receive the following message:

   Windows Setup was unable to update your system files

   This may be caused by virus detection that is built-in to your machine,
   or by virus detection software running on your system.

   To disable built-in virus detection you will need to run the
   configuration program for the CMOS that came with your machine, or
   contact your machine manufacturer.

   To disable virus-detection software that you have running on your
   system, you may need to remove the lines that start the program from
   your AUTOEXEC.BAT or CONFIG.SYS files.

   After you have disabled the virus detection software, re-start your
   machine and re-run Windows Setup. Once you have successfully completed
   setup, it is okay to re-enable the virus detection software.

CAUSE

Some computers include a feature that prevents applications from writing to the boot sector. Such features are normally in the form of anti-virus protection set in your computer's CMOS settings. If anti-virus protection is enabled, Windows cannot complete its installation, or it does not load properly.

RESOLUTION

Disable the anti-virus feature in your computer's CMOS settings, and then reinstall Windows. Once you have successfully installed Windows, re- enable the anti-virus feature.

For information about accessing your computer's CMOS settings, please consult your owner's manual or your computer manufacturer.

NOTE: In order to disable Compaq's SafeStart Manager in the CMOS settings, you must upgrade the BIOS to at least version 2.26b.

MORE INFORMATION

The following computers have been found to display this problem:


SYMPTOMS

During Windows 98 Setup, you may receive the following error message when the computer first restarts:

This version of Windows does not run on MS-DOS 7.00 or earlier.

CAUSE

This error message can occur for any of the following reasons:

RESOLUTION

To prevent this problem from occurring, disable your anti-virus software before you install Windows 98. For information about how to disable your anti-virus software, please consult the program's documentation or manufacturer.

To resolve this issue, use the appropriate method:

Anti-Virus Software Is Running

Disable the anti-virus software, and then run Setup again. For information about how to disable your anti-virus software, please consult the program's documentation or manufacturer.

The System Files Are Damaged

Transfer the system files to the hard disk, and then continue Setup. To do so, follow these steps:

  1. Insert your Windows 98 Startup disk in the floppy disk drive, and then restart your computer.

    NOTE: If you do not have a Windows 98 Startup disk, you need to obtain one from any Windows 98-based computer. To create a Windows 98 Startup disk on a functional Windows 98-based computer, follow these steps:

    a. Click Start, point to Settings, click Control Panel, and then

          double-click Add/Remove Programs.

    b. On the Startup Disk tab, click Create Disk, and then follow the

          instructions on the screen.
  2. At the command prompt, type the following line, and then press ENTER:
          sys a: c:

    NOTE: If your hard disk is compressed, transfer the system files to the host drive for the compressed drive. Typically, the host drive for compressed drive C is drive H. For example, if drive C is compressed on host drive H, use the following command:

          sys a: h:
  3. Remove the Windows 98 Startup disk from the floppy disk drive, and then restart your computer. Windows 98 Setup should continue normally.

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Copyright 2001 Sanborn Software Systems LLC
This Page Last Updated: February 5, 2001.