Subj : Re: Reinstalling Win98
To   : Mick Lazic
From : Alan Zisman
Date : Sun Jan 30 2005 01:01 pm

-=> Mick Lazic wrote to All <=-

 ML> I'm thinking of re-installing Win98 on top of my existing 98 (not SE)
 ML> and I recall some discussion on this subject a while back.

 ML> There was a switch for setup ( setup /m) that allowed for an instal
 ML> that left all drivers, programs and setting intact.

 ML> Seemed to copy only Windows files.
 ML> Any help will be appreciated.

 Simply reinstalling over top of an existing copy should do this... note 
however, that since most of us have OEM copies of Win9x, you need to 'trick' it 
to install over an existing copy. To do that--

1) Boot to DOS.

2) From the DOS prompt:

CD \Windows
REN WIN.COM WINCOM.BAK		(or any other name)

3) Run the Windows Setup

It will find your existing Windows folder and offer to install into a new 
WINDOWS.000 folder. Insist on installing into C:\WINDOWS.

-- Note that I'm leaving out the steps of making sure your DOS boot lets you 
access your CD drive if needed. Personally, if there's enough drive space, I 
always copy the CD's C:\WIN98 folder contents onto the hard drive and install 
from there.

-- Note as well that re-installing Windows over an existing installation, while 
convenient, rarely cures whatever problem is making you want to re-install 
Windows. If you're having serious problems, you're almost always better off 
with a clean install, even though that means having to reinstall drivers and 
applications.
.... Inet mail to: alan at zisman dot ca
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