98 SE over the top reinstall problem

My computer is running extremely slow and has crashes as well as blue screens in 98 SE (have dual boot system 98 SE and XP). When trying to do an over the top reinstall of 98 SE (98SE is open) I get a message "Not enough conventional memory to install". (reformat and clean install is my last ditch option as my dual boot will be wrecked as 98 SE has to be installed first for it to be recoznized, would have to reformat and reinstall XP also). Athlon 1 gig processor, FIC AU 11 mbrd, 1 gig ram, ati radeon 7000 64 mb AGP. Any suggestions ? Thanks in advance.

Bill

 

Are you trying to re-install in the same c:\windows directory? If you are, try re-installing into a differently named directory (C:\win2 for instance). And when you try the re-install make sure nothing bar Explorer and Systray and are running.....

 

Will I still have all programs and settings this way? will the computer boot into this one and will all programs from the other install open or will I have to reinstall everything again?

 

It's always a good idea to back up as much as you can BEFORE you start major works on your PC. Bazza

 

Go here for a good description of what happens.

 

They're,talking there about backing up dat a reinstalling everythng. that's exactly what i'm trying to avoid. Is there anyway of reinstalling and maybe get rid of the sluggishness without losing a thing. I've done this before but now keep getting that conventional memeory message.

 

Best of luck, without backups. Bazza

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