Reformatting Hard Drive Win98SE

[Guest PaulAndPaulaH]

I recently acquired a Compaq presario 1255 laptop that is nine years old with

Windows 98SE OS. I was told that the hard drive was cleaned. However, I

find leftovers of old un-installed programs such as McAfee from 2003. The

problem is that about every third boot up, I get an error message that a

McAffee file no longer exists. I found a file labeled exactly as the error

message in configsys/startup. I obviously unchecked it in confifsys/startup,

but still get the same error message on startup. I have all the original

RESTORE disks that accompanied the purchase of the laptop. Would I be better

to reformat the hard drive with the FULL FACTORY RESTORE FROM CD or the try

and work around these leftovers. I only intend on using this computer for

printing database invoices that I will create in the Works program that came

on it--that is it. It will never be used for internet, etc. Will I need

updates for Win98 (knowing they are now unavailable) if I do a full restore,

even though I am only using minimal applications? Have I totally confused

the situation? I am leaning towards REFORMAT and take it from there. Any

suggestions would be helpful. Thanks, Paula H

[Guest Ron Badour]

Re: Reformatting Hard Drive Win98SE

 

On any used computer, you would be wise to format the hard drive. You don't

know what type of malware may be on it and how many other problems there may

be waiting to happen.

 

--

Regards

 

Ron Badour

MS MVP 1997 - 2008

 

 

"PaulAndPaulaH" <PaulAndPaulaH@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:174F9631-E1FC-4CAC-96DA-D4A8D0C6397F@microsoft.com...

>I recently acquired a Compaq presario 1255 laptop that is nine years old

>with

> Windows 98SE OS. I was told that the hard drive was cleaned. However, I

> find leftovers of old un-installed programs such as McAfee from 2003. The

> problem is that about every third boot up, I get an error message that a

> McAffee file no longer exists. I found a file labeled exactly as the

> error

> message in configsys/startup. I obviously unchecked it in

> confifsys/startup,

> but still get the same error message on startup. I have all the original

> RESTORE disks that accompanied the purchase of the laptop. Would I be

> better

> to reformat the hard drive with the FULL FACTORY RESTORE FROM CD or the

> try

> and work around these leftovers. I only intend on using this computer for

> printing database invoices that I will create in the Works program that

> came

> on it--that is it. It will never be used for internet, etc. Will I need

> updates for Win98 (knowing they are now unavailable) if I do a full

> restore,

> even though I am only using minimal applications? Have I totally confused

> the situation? I am leaning towards REFORMAT and take it from there. Any

> suggestions would be helpful. Thanks, Paula H

[Guest philo]

Re: Reformatting Hard Drive Win98SE

 

 

"PaulAndPaulaH" <PaulAndPaulaH@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:174F9631-E1FC-4CAC-96DA-D4A8D0C6397F@microsoft.com...

> I recently acquired a Compaq presario 1255 laptop that is nine years old

with

> Windows 98SE OS. I was told that the hard drive was cleaned. However, I

> find leftovers of old un-installed programs such as McAfee from 2003. The

> problem is that about every third boot up, I get an error message that a

> McAffee file no longer exists. I found a file labeled exactly as the

error

> message in configsys/startup. I obviously unchecked it in

confifsys/startup,

> but still get the same error message on startup. I have all the original

> RESTORE disks that accompanied the purchase of the laptop. Would I be

better

> to reformat the hard drive with the FULL FACTORY RESTORE FROM CD or the

try

> and work around these leftovers. I only intend on using this computer for

> printing database invoices that I will create in the Works program that

came

> on it--that is it. It will never be used for internet, etc. Will I need

> updates for Win98 (knowing they are now unavailable) if I do a full

restore,

> even though I am only using minimal applications? Have I totally confused

> the situation? I am leaning towards REFORMAT and take it from there. Any

> suggestions would be helpful. Thanks, Paula H

 

 

Considering that the machine could be full of other problems...

malware and who knows what...

I recommend using the restore CD.

 

Ask the original owner if the "Works" program was factory installed...

if so, it should be on the restore CD

[Guest Brian A.]

Re: Reformatting Hard Drive Win98SE

 

"PaulAndPaulaH" <PaulAndPaulaH@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:174F9631-E1FC-4CAC-96DA-D4A8D0C6397F@microsoft.com...

>I recently acquired a Compaq presario 1255 laptop that is nine years old with

> Windows 98SE OS. I was told that the hard drive was cleaned. However, I

> find leftovers of old un-installed programs such as McAfee from 2003. The

> problem is that about every third boot up, I get an error message that a

> McAffee file no longer exists. I found a file labeled exactly as the error

> message in configsys/startup. I obviously unchecked it in confifsys/startup,

> but still get the same error message on startup. I have all the original

> RESTORE disks that accompanied the purchase of the laptop. Would I be better

> to reformat the hard drive with the FULL FACTORY RESTORE FROM CD or the try

> and work around these leftovers. I only intend on using this computer for

> printing database invoices that I will create in the Works program that came

> on it--that is it. It will never be used for internet, etc. Will I need

> updates for Win98 (knowing they are now unavailable) if I do a full restore,

> even though I am only using minimal applications? Have I totally confused

> the situation? I am leaning towards REFORMAT and take it from there. Any

> suggestions would be helpful. Thanks, Paula H

 

You would be better of formatting and doing a clean install. However, before

you do that check to make sure the apps you want to use were actually included.

HP/Compaq support does state that MS Word and Works were included, yet there is

no mention of McAfee.

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c00255595&lc=en&cc=us&dlc=en&product=95000&lang=en

 

You also could try a Selective Quick Restore, although a wipe/reinstall would be

the way to go.

Click Start , then click Compaq Support.

Click the Quick Restore icon, then click the Selective option.

Select the software driver or application to install, then click OK .

 

HP/Compaq support for the Presario 1255. Make sure you have the correct Model

number, there are 3 different ones.

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/product?product=95000&lc=en&cc=us&dlc=en&submit.y=6&submit.x=5&lang=en&cc=us

 

--

 

 

Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Windows Desktop User Experience }

Conflicts start where information lacks.

http://basconotw.mvps.org/

 

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://dts-l.com/goodpost.htm

How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

[Guest philo]

Re: Reformatting Hard Drive Win98SE

 

 

"Brian A." <gonefish'n@afarawaylake> wrote in message

news:O%23eQ$DHtIHA.1240@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

> "PaulAndPaulaH" <PaulAndPaulaH@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

> news:174F9631-E1FC-4CAC-96DA-D4A8D0C6397F@microsoft.com...

> >I recently acquired a Compaq presario 1255 laptop that is nine years old

with

> > Windows 98SE OS. I was told that the hard drive was cleaned. However,

I

> > find leftovers of old un-installed programs such as McAfee from 2003.

The

> > problem is that about every third boot up, I get an error message that a

> > McAffee file no longer exists. I found a file labeled exactly as the

error

> > message in configsys/startup. I obviously unchecked it in

confifsys/startup,

> > but still get the same error message on startup. I have all the

original

> > RESTORE disks that accompanied the purchase of the laptop. Would I be

better

> > to reformat the hard drive with the FULL FACTORY RESTORE FROM CD or the

try

> > and work around these leftovers. I only intend on using this computer

for

> > printing database invoices that I will create in the Works program that

came

> > on it--that is it. It will never be used for internet, etc. Will I

need

> > updates for Win98 (knowing they are now unavailable) if I do a full

restore,

> > even though I am only using minimal applications? Have I totally

confused

> > the situation? I am leaning towards REFORMAT and take it from there.

Any

> > suggestions would be helpful. Thanks, Paula H

>

> You would be better of formatting and doing a clean install. However,

before

> you do that check to make sure the apps you want to use were actually

included.

> HP/Compaq support does state that MS Word and Works were included, yet

there is

> no mention of McAfee.

 

No McAfee would be *good* news !

 

>

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c00255595&lc=en&cc=us&dlc=en&product=95000&lang=en

>

> You also could try a Selective Quick Restore, although a wipe/reinstall

would be

> the way to go.

> Click Start , then click Compaq Support.

> Click the Quick Restore icon, then click the Selective option.

> Select the software driver or application to install, then click OK .

>

> HP/Compaq support for the Presario 1255. Make sure you have the correct

Model

> number, there are 3 different ones.

>

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/product?product=95000&lc=en&cc=us&dlc=en&submit.y=6&submit.x=5&lang=en&cc=us

>

> --

>

>

> Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Windows Desktop User Experience }

> Conflicts start where information lacks.

> http://basconotw.mvps.org/

>

> Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://dts-l.com/goodpost.htm

> How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

>

>

[Guest Lil' Dave]

Re: Reformatting Hard Drive Win98SE

 

"PaulAndPaulaH" <PaulAndPaulaH@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:174F9631-E1FC-4CAC-96DA-D4A8D0C6397F@microsoft.com...

>I recently acquired a Compaq presario 1255 laptop that is nine years old

>with

> Windows 98SE OS. I was told that the hard drive was cleaned. However, I

> find leftovers of old un-installed programs such as McAfee from 2003. The

> problem is that about every third boot up, I get an error message that a

> McAffee file no longer exists. I found a file labeled exactly as the

> error

> message in configsys/startup. I obviously unchecked it in

> confifsys/startup,

> but still get the same error message on startup. I have all the original

> RESTORE disks that accompanied the purchase of the laptop. Would I be

> better

> to reformat the hard drive with the FULL FACTORY RESTORE FROM CD or the

> try

> and work around these leftovers. I only intend on using this computer for

> printing database invoices that I will create in the Works program that

> came

> on it--that is it. It will never be used for internet, etc. Will I need

> updates for Win98 (knowing they are now unavailable) if I do a full

> restore,

> even though I am only using minimal applications? Have I totally confused

> the situation? I am leaning towards REFORMAT and take it from there. Any

> suggestions would be helpful. Thanks, Paula H

 

The restoration CD will wipe the old partition(s), and create a new one(s).

That will create a new file table for each partition. That will write new

files. All prior to that will be inaccessible from 98SE. Formatting is

entirely not needed as a result.

 

You seem confident that Works is part of the restoration.

 

Before leaving the internet for good, you will need the printer driver

software for your specific printer for the 98SE operating system.

 

You may need the 98SE USB updates if using USB.

--

Dave

 

Parkinson's disease, not easy to define.

Much less cure.

[Guest Gary S. Terhune]

Re: Reformatting Hard Drive Win98SE

 

You statement that formatting is not needed is slightly misleading. At some

point the new partition gets formatted. Either during the Restore or at the

factory when they create the image that is cloned to the HD during Restore

(if that's how they do it.) A partition MUST be formatted in order to use

it.

 

--

Gary S. Terhune

MS-MVP Shell/User

http://www.grystmill.com

 

"Lil' Dave" <spamyourself@virus.net> wrote in message

news:uwWc4APtIHA.4544@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...

> "PaulAndPaulaH" <PaulAndPaulaH@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

> news:174F9631-E1FC-4CAC-96DA-D4A8D0C6397F@microsoft.com...

>>I recently acquired a Compaq presario 1255 laptop that is nine years old

>>with

>> Windows 98SE OS. I was told that the hard drive was cleaned. However, I

>> find leftovers of old un-installed programs such as McAfee from 2003.

>> The

>> problem is that about every third boot up, I get an error message that a

>> McAffee file no longer exists. I found a file labeled exactly as the

>> error

>> message in configsys/startup. I obviously unchecked it in

>> confifsys/startup,

>> but still get the same error message on startup. I have all the original

>> RESTORE disks that accompanied the purchase of the laptop. Would I be

>> better

>> to reformat the hard drive with the FULL FACTORY RESTORE FROM CD or the

>> try

>> and work around these leftovers. I only intend on using this computer

>> for

>> printing database invoices that I will create in the Works program that

>> came

>> on it--that is it. It will never be used for internet, etc. Will I need

>> updates for Win98 (knowing they are now unavailable) if I do a full

>> restore,

>> even though I am only using minimal applications? Have I totally

>> confused

>> the situation? I am leaning towards REFORMAT and take it from there.

>> Any

>> suggestions would be helpful. Thanks, Paula H

>

> The restoration CD will wipe the old partition(s), and create a new

> one(s). That will create a new file table for each partition. That will

> write new files. All prior to that will be inaccessible from 98SE.

> Formatting is entirely not needed as a result.

>

> You seem confident that Works is part of the restoration.

>

> Before leaving the internet for good, you will need the printer driver

> software for your specific printer for the 98SE operating system.

>

> You may need the 98SE USB updates if using USB.

> --

> Dave

>

> Parkinson's disease, not easy to define.

> Much less cure.

>

[Guest PCR]

Re: Reformatting Hard Drive Win98SE

 

"PaulAndPaulaH" <PaulAndPaulaH@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in

message news:174F9631-E1FC-4CAC-96DA-D4A8D0C6397F@microsoft.com...

| I recently acquired a Compaq presario 1255 laptop that is nine years

old with

| Windows 98SE OS. I was told that the hard drive was cleaned.

However, I

| find leftovers of old un-installed programs such as McAfee from 2003.

The

| problem is that about every third boot up, I get an error message that

a

| McAffee file no longer exists. I found a file labeled exactly as the

error

| message in configsys/startup. I obviously unchecked it in

confifsys/startup,

| but still get the same error message on startup.

 

"START button, Run, SysEdit", & post Config.sys & AutoExec.bat. At least

these two lines (or similar) in the latter should have been eliminated,

if you have uninstalled McAfee...

 

C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\NETWOR~1\VIRUSS~1\40~1.XX\scan.exe c:\

@IF ERRORLEVEL 1 PAUSE

 

| I have all the original

| RESTORE disks that accompanied the purchase of the laptop. Would I be

better

| to reformat the hard drive with the FULL FACTORY RESTORE FROM CD or

the try

| and work around these leftovers.

 

Have you ever done that before? Here is a write-up of my own experience

with that...

 

Well, I don't know whether it would be the same for you, but this is

what I did on my Compaq 7470. Remember, this totally wiped out

everything & restored to factory default condition. This does an Fdisk,

so, if you want to backup first, it must be done to CD or another HDD

altogether.

 

It took a phone call or two to Compaq to run my QuickRestore from double

CD's after an HDD crash, since the instructions that came with the them

were lacking. They are bootable-- BUT I couldn't figure out how to get

them into the CD-R/W drive. It was dumbfounding. Here's the actual

process:

 

1. Turn on computer. (So that you'll be able to...

2. Open CD tray; put in CD 1; close tray.

3. Turn computer off, then on. CD will boot.

(Computer did stuff, some of it twice, maybe. How long?)

4. When asked to insert a Diskette, hold down CTRL and press "R"

three times.

(Big secret? Lucky the guy was still on the line; he wanted to

go; eventually, did.)

5. At the error message (something like "Not ready reading drive

N"), hit "R" for "Retry".

(This took a second phone call; he said sometimes it takes 3

Retry's.)

6. When prompted, put in QuickRestore CD 2.

7. When prompted, put in QuickRestore CD 1, again.

8. When prompted, remove it.

(Windows screen came up; it seemed to go back to DOS; it rebooted

to Windows again; it did some unzipping; it rebooted; it did a

SystemSave; it rebooted; it installed some drivers; it asked some

questions, and I told all.)

 

That's what I wrote, some of it from memory, during & after the process.

The only other item in my notes is, "NEVER NEEDED ANY DISKETTE",

capitalized. I remember wondering what that diskette asked for was

supposed to be. I don't remember how much time passed between steps;

overall, I believe it was less than an hour, maybe much less.

 

This QuickRestore, to "factory", from the CDs, is far more involved than

the one from the D: partition. I don't really want to do it again. So

many reboots! And I may have left some out in the notes! There is a lot

to like about Compaq, but QuickRestore from CD's is not one of them...

well, it did work, though. I hope I haven't given away a big secret.

 

| I only intend on using this computer for

| printing database invoices that I will create in the Works program

that came

| on it--that is it. It will never be used for internet, etc. Will I

need

| updates for Win98 (knowing they are now unavailable) if I do a full

restore,

| even though I am only using minimal applications?

 

The old critical updates are still available at Windows Update. It's

just that new ones won't be written. It also could be wise to go get the

old Compaq SoftPaqs available now at the HP site.

 

| Have I totally confused

| the situation? I am leaning towards REFORMAT and take it from there.

 

MS Works came with my Compaq. If you do your own reformat (I mean not

using Compaq's QuickRestore), you may lose it, if your is like my 7470.

OTOH, if you boot your 1st QuickRestore CD, it may offer to do a

Selective Restore. Mine does-- but I can't recall whether it just offers

drivers or the separate software packages as well.

 

| Any

| suggestions would be helpful. Thanks, Paula H

 

You are welcome.

 

--

Thanks or Good Luck,

There may be humor in this post, and,

Naturally, you will not sue,

Should things get worse after this,

PCR

pcrrcp@netzero.net