Why not just reformat my win 98 compy?

i've been dealing with what must be multiple problems with my Win 98 computer.

(see here: http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=106122)

i couldnt get it to defrag

cant get scan disk to run all the way thru

my virus scanner hasnt run successfully since oct 15 (i use BSafe)

cant load any version of MSN msgr on it

its laggy

what else... probably more...

right now, i've got it in safemode trying to run BSafe scan. it keeps hanging up...

why not just reformat it?

its the kids computer and there isnt any info i cant get online or from CDs..

(EXCEPTION: i have no idea how to get Outlook or a Word prgm back on it after i wipe it out, so i'd need to be told how to do that first!!)

 

Ok...
Insert 98 CD while in Windows...
"X" out starting window...
My Computer... Right click CD and chose "Explore".
Look for "setup.exe" and activate.
Reinstall. This should leave your installed programs untouched.

To reinstall removed Windows programs...
Start\Settings\Control Panel\ (Activate) "Add or Remove Programs"
Windows tab... (Have 98 CD ready)
There is a list there with installable components...
Chose or explore all until you find the missing things you need to be reinstalled.

Last but important...
Be open to the fact that the hard drive on that computer may be roasted.
Or at least damaged so that it is no longer bootable in normal Windows mode.
You may need a "new" hard drive.
You may still be able to extract any "needed" information off the old HD by setting it as slave on the same cable as the new HD.

 

oy. you're scaring me, but i'm considering this as a very possible possiblity!!!

i just gave up trying to run my virus scanner even in safe mode. it kept hanging up and then i got an illegal operation and it shut down the scan anyway.

so, i wont 'know' if the HD is 'toast' until i try all this? like, it just wont boot back up?

and, from what i see you telling me, i'll only reload the OS, right? nothing else will 'go away' or have to be reloaded??

 

But... you did indicate that you didn't want to reformat for fear of losing data.
If you do reformat... it will remove not only all nasties... but all data.
If your comfortable with that... reformatting is a good first try.

If you know how... I would remove then reestablish the primary partition, make it active and then reformat.
This would just be an insurance policy that all errors are removed.

 

is this different from your first suggestion in this thread? it sounded like your first suggestion was relatively painless and i would only lose/replace the OS.

please correct me if i'm mistaken...

uh, no. i'm NOT computer savvy at all. i'll be begging for help every step of the way...

 

Ok...
I'm trying to piece this together with other posts.
I apologize for the confusion.
I'll be more specific.

As a beginning measure I start by reinstalling OS files by doing a non invasive method.
Or keeping installed games and applications in tact.
The reason for this is to get the OP system stable enough to search down a possible culprit to your problem.
Searching for virii... spy nasties... exploits... etc...
But you have to be fast to remove what the problem is before it reinfects your OP system files.
Next if not successful... a reformat and reinstall may be the only method to recover a viable OP system on your computer.
If this doesn't work and your OP system will not install...
Or if you need files on the old drive...
Best bet is a new HD.

And if you need help with a format... partitions... etc...
Let us know and someone here will help.

Just let us know what decision you make and we'll set you up.

 

If you reformat, (thus losing MS Word) just go and download OpenOffice.org and install that for the kids. Same as word, and the doc's can be saved as word doc. It's all compatable.
As for Outlook, just download a cool free alternative. If it's just for email, download Thunderbird and all will be roses.