XPost: comp.os.ms-windows.misc, alt.windows95, alt.windows98   
      
   me@privacy.net wrote:   
   >   
   > DaveC wrote:   
   > >   
   > > I've upgraded W95 to W98 only to find that on this 2 GB drive "barely" 20   
   MB   
   > > remains free.   
   > >   
   > > I've trashed all the applications (plan to reinstall from Office 2000 CD   
   > > later) but didn't uninstall them. Which is why, I think, so much disk space   
   > > is still unavailable -- all the numerous associated files for those apps   
   are   
   > > still on the HD.   
   > >   
   > > So, I'm thinking the easiest thing to do is to initialize the HD and   
   install   
   > > W98 from scratch.   
   > >   
   > > But a friend is warning me away from this decision saying that things like   
   > > the drivers that are already on the HD will be a pain to add back. Other   
   than   
   > > the keyboard and mouse, all that is in this PC is a common 10/100base-T LAN   
   > > card, the original CD-ROM drive, and a new-ish HP DJ932 printer. I've got   
   the   
   > > drivers for the printer and LAN card on CDs, but not the keyboard, mouse,   
   and   
   > > CD-ROM drive (which are all original).   
   > >   
   > > Original CDs for this PC are gone.   
   > >   
   > > Can anyone help me decide if it is going to be straightforward to wipe the   
   HD   
   > > and install W98 and the few drivers needed? Will I need to add new drivers   
   > > for the CD drive and keyboard and mouse? Shouldn't these be included in the   
   > > W98 install?   
   > >   
   > > This is on an old HP Vectra P1(?) PC.   
   > >   
   > > Thanks,   
   > > --   
   > > DaveC   
   > > me@privacy.net   
   > > This is an invalid return address   
   > > Please reply in the news group   
   >   
   > Dave,   
   >   
   > Been there, done that.  (See the thread in this NG at "MEMSYS.CPL/CDEX   
   > PROBLEM--LONG"--you may have to do search in Google Groups if your news   
   > server doesn't have the articles any more.)   
   >   
   > Shep posted several suggestions there, and referred me to a page of his   
   > that talked about repair installs vs. fresh installs.  I tried the   
   > repair install, and it didn't help--left too much garbage around.   
   >   
   > His suggestions re: fresh install were essentially: save some specific   
   > folders from within your Windows directory.  These folders don't contain   
   > program or executable elements.  Rather, they contain user information   
   > which, if you save them, you won't have to reinstall all your   
   > applications, unless you WANT to.  I believe the folders were: All   
   > Users, Application Data, Desktop, Favorites, Local settings, Profiles,   
   > SendTo, and Start Menu--particularly this one, to avoid reinstalling   
   > apps.  Then, you can delete your Windows folder, and do a fresh install   
   > of Windows.  Once done, copy the saved folders back to Windows   
   > (overlaying any created during your install) and your system looks like   
   > it did before, but is clean!   
   >   
   > Your concern about drivers is well founded.  There is a little freeware   
   > program called WinDriver Backup (I think) that can save all your   
   > drivers, to be restored after a new install.  BUT, if your system has   
   > been around for a while (as was mine) you are well advised to go load   
   > NEW drivers for your more critical hardware, such as the video card and   
   > sound card, also any unique hardware you might have.  As pointed out by   
   > another poster, mouse and CD-ROM drivers from Windows will work for the   
   > most part (once again, any unique hardware such as an optical/wheel   
   > mouse or CD burner will require the maker's drivers/software).   
   >   
   > Now, I did a wipe clean format and reinstall of W98FE in a bit over 2   
   > Gig on a 3.5 Gig partition on a 5 Gig drive.  I still have almost 1.4   
   > Gig spare room!  I had some of my apps on other partitions, however.   
   > But, things such as Windows, IE, OE, Netscape, Mozilla, Winamp, Winzip,   
   > Irfanview, software for my CD burner, Spybot, Norton AV, and apps for my   
   > scanner and digital camera are all on the 2 Gig C:\ drive.   
   >   
   > Sorry about the long answer, but what you want to do IS possible.  You   
   > might even consider Win98Lite--I used their free package, and put W98FE   
   > on an 800 MB drive.  No apps much, but it ran Netscape and a dialup   
   > connection!   
   >   
   > Hope this helps.   
   >   
   > Lakeside   
   > --   
   > "Intelligence is a myth; competence is real."   
      
   OOPS!!!  Should have read  MMSYS.CPL/CDEX.....   
      
   Geez, I posted it!  I should remember the subject.   
      
   Sorry 'bout that.   
      
   Lakeside   
   --   
   "Intelligence is a myth; competence is real."   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)