Reinstalling Windows

[Domin]

Ok, it's not what you think. I recently bought a new Compaq and installed Linux on it. I love it, but I've decided to put Windows on the Compaq and Linux (Mandrake 7.0) on my older computer, because the I want to be able to play some newer Windows games and stuff, but my old machine is too old. So, I first tried to use the Compaq recovery disk but it failed. So, I try to use my Windows 98 CD but it too fails. I do not know what to do. I've tried EVERYTHING (and I mean EVERYTHING). Well, in case it matters I've reinstalled Linux on it for now, but I would really like to have Windows on it.

[Q-Gdoxl]

there was a winblows install on it already?
try using a win/dos boot disk and run fdisk /mbr that should get your MBR to install windows instead of linux. From there you can decided to either delete it from the machine or go with a dual boot option.

[Domin]

No, there wasn't a Windows on it, I'm having trouble installing Windows.

[crika1]

How about this try to use try to use re-install Linux but use dusk druid to set up a small dos partition. Boot from the Windows/Dos floppy then copy the system files using the 'format drive name /s ' dos command then run fdisk from the dos partition. Use fdisk to remove all partitions (DOS and non-DOS) reboot the machine and then use the floppy to format the whole HS into dos format. From there windows installation should be a piece of cake.

[crika1]

pardon my speelin errors dusk druid is disk druid, HS is HD(hard drive)

[VRay]

Or, to completely reset your Hard Drive do this: (Disclaimer - this may screw up your hard drive, but I have done it many times without a problem)

Boot to Win startup disk. Type in "debug" at the A: prompt.
(Below is a combination of prompt info and what you type in. You should be able to follow when you get started)

-F 220 L1000 0 (ENTER)

-A CS: 100 (ENTER)

xxxx:0100 MOV AX,301 (ENTER)

xxxx:0103 MOV BX,200 (ENTER)

xxxx:0106 MOV CX,1 (ENTER)

xxxx:0109 MOV DX,80 (ENTER) <---"80" for hd1, "81" for hd2 >

xxxx:010C INT 13 (ENTER)

xxxx:010E INT 20 (ENTER)

xxxx:0110 (ENTER) <-------BLANK LINE "VERY IMPORTANT" >

-G (ENTER)

Program terminated normally

- (CTRL)-(ALT)-(DEL) to reboot system

Now you have to f-disk and format and reinstall the operating system.

[ 07 February 2001: Message edited by: VRay ]

[Domin]

YES!!! Thank you, that worked!

[FoBoT]

that debug thing it :cool: VRay

another way to do that is with Ranish Partition Manager (http://www.users.intercom.com/~ranish/part/)

it has an option, you highlight the MBR or a partition and hit "E" and it writes zeros out to that partition/mbr

[VRay]

Hehe, thx. Damn, I thought I would get a rating for my moment of brilliance... Oh, that's right, it was windows, not linux :p