00. Background

Unfortunately, it is a fact of life that in order to keep your Windows computer performing at its maximum potential, you must periodically do a clean install. For the average 'power user' this is about once or twice a year.

A clean install is the best way to transition from FAT16 to FAT32 partitions, correct registry errors, cleanup after botched uninstalls, free up disk space, and get rid of programs you are no longer using.

If you follow these procedures you will find future updating easier (for example, you won't have to reinsert the Windows CD-ROM every time you change your configuration), your system will actually run faster, and you get to choose the components you actually want installed!

Print this page and use it as a checklist, if you miss a step, you may have to start over from the beginning!

We have had e-mail from users all over the world that have had good luck with these instructions. Check out our Testimonials Page here.

01. Before You Begin (This is what you will need)

[ ] Microsoft Windows 98 CD: either Retail or OEM, and either the FULL or UPGRADE version. You can not use a Recovery or Restore CD, but many of the configuration and tuning options described here can be used after installing from one of these CDs.
[ ] Product Key code (XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX).
[ ] Optional: Boot floppy with CD-ROM support! (device drivers to access CD drive from DOS).
The Boot floppy is not needed if your computer can boot from a CD drive (FULL version only, not the UPGRADE version).
[ ] Partitioning Preferences (C:, D:, E:, etc. and partition sizes).
[ ] Name and Organization.
[ ] Optional: Default Printer (Manufacturer and Model).
[ ] Optional: If you are going to use an UPGRADE CD, you will need a Windows 3.1 setup disk #1 or Windows 9x installation CD for the compliance check.
[ ] Device driver CD's or floppies for hardware not recognized by Windows.
If your motherboard uses chipsets that are newer than the version of Windows you are installing (such as the Intel 810), you will need either the CD that came with your motherboard or you will need to download them from either the motherboard vendors web site, or possibly Intel, VIA, or SIS, depending on your motherboard.
[ ] Optional: Floppy disk with a new version of FDISK.EXE, see the following section to determine if you need it!
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02. Hard Drives > 64GB

If you have decided to update your PC with a new, large capacity, hard drive as part of your Windows 98 Clean Install, be aware that Windows 98 was not designed to work with hard drives larger than 64GB!

Please refer to our Windows 98 & Large Hard Drives tips page for special instructions that may allow you to use hard drives that have storage capacities larger than 64GB.
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03. Check the Hard Drive setting in CMOS

For IDE hard drives you want the C: drive to be the 'Primary' device on the 'Master' channel. Most all modern IDE hard drives will work correctly (if they are correc...

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