Win98 Fat32 Hard Drive Maxed Out!

Hi! I have a problem: I have a Win98 computer at my mother's house, and its 2.1GB FAT32 hard drive is more than 3/4 full. So far, I did the following to get some more free space:

* Compress large executables using UPX
* Compress small programs using DriveSpace and put them on floppies
* Compress large programs using 7Zip and use batch files to temporarily decompress them and, when finished, re-compress them.
* Use a flash drive as a second hard drive. It is a little more than 1/2 full, but much of its data is unrelated to this particular computer.

I am currently working on my own compression technique, but, in the mean time, how can I extract some more hard drive space?

 

I honestly think you are working in a hard place.
Windows 98 is so old, and should never be used on the web.
A 2gb hard drive--so small- alright in its day.
I could suggest you get another larger hard drive,if you can-probably be an ide hard drive in those days, and use something like xcopy to copy the old drive to the replacement. I have not used that tool for years, but I believe it is stillabout

 

Actually, I do have a replacement hard drive, but I'm afraid that, if I upgrade it myself, I might break something, so I'm waiting for money to hire a repair person.

BTW, the Win98 computer is not on the web. I use a Win10/64 laptop for the internet.

 

Tell Mum she needs to upgrade.......kick 98 to the kerb.

 

It's my fault she still has the Win98 computer. I want to keep it. If nothing else, it's fun to use.

 

Yep, great to geek with offline.

I remember when we used to load 95 from a floppy.

3mb hdd was the ants pants, and it cost $$$ in the day.

 

Have you tried to compress the whole hard drive instead of just the large files. It might give you more space on the HDD

 

I can't compress the whole hard drive because it's a FAT32 hard drive, and DriveSpace doesn't compress FAT32 drives. I've been using 7Zip to compress the files, and the files compressible left are very small. Thank you for the tip, though.

 

Any other ideas?

 

Remove the HDD and connect it to the laptop using an IDE to USB connector.
Make an image of the HDD and restore that image to the other HDD.
Connect the other HDD to the old PC.
If it doesn't work, put back the old HDD.

 

Again, I'm weary about handling the hardware of the computer myself. The new hard drive will only help so far, as it's 6.3GB IIRC, but it will be an improvement.

 

Win 98 is OLDE but OK, you will be better off with a LARGER HARD DRIVE. At least one TETRABYTE in size.
40 to 60 GB for the OS, the rest divided into two or three partitions as you desire. Then you will NOT have any storage problems.
BTW; you do use a firewall & good AntiVirus, correct?

 

Remove any static electricity by touching a COLD water pipe before your hard drive or electronic hardware (printed circuit board). There are long wires with a wrist strap & connector on the other end available IF you desire one, Google for them & check the price, use, where to buy IF you think you might want/need one.

(cold water pipes are connected to the dirt/ground around your building on the way to your water supply out under your street.)

 

I use Win 7 Pro 64 bit. Works well for me, no need for more money for little, if any, improvement in the corn-puter's operation.

 

??? WHY ought win98 "never be used on the web"? It might EXPLODE? I have used Win 95 forward on the net since the '80s.

98SE was my favorite for years.

 

Using this sort of docking station, you can do it from the w98 pc https://www.amazon.co.uk/Tccmebius-...rive+copier&qid=1585992612&s=computers&sr=1-9

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61VjpPh2ryL._AC_SL1500_.jpg
A 6gb will be sufficient for w98- You just need to save any large data to dvd/ usb if possible to keep it slimmed down/.
Otherwise it is a bit more complicated
Basically- rules for working on a pc
Turn of, and unplug - then press the start button to discharge the computer completely
Earth yourself - either by touching a metal pipe-radiator/water pipe etc: or use a wrist strap - like this
https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/81-vOWdmDkL._AC_SL1500_.jpg
If removing a hard drive, leave for around a minute after shutting down, before touching it,- there are usually 4 screws (2 each side,or, just one side if both side panels are not removable)
There are two leads on it, one is the large ide cable, and the other the power cable
To copy you will need an external hard drive enclosure, like this-- https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51w7IbjUYmL._AC_SL1300_.jpg or,

 

Virus attacks, and difficult brousers, and too easily attacked
The poster wants to use this old computer off-line- Not upgrade it.

 

Windows 98 supports a max. of 137 GB.

 

I thank all of you for your input. I'm still weary about upgrading the system myself, though.

 

Understood

 

The whole WIN98 is not safe for the Internet, just how many hackers do you think are still out there targeting Win98? Why? They would likely be more focused on an OS that has the numbers.. like Win 10 or Win 7, maybe to lesser extent XP, but why waste time with 98? When I go fishing it ain't for minnows, I want the big fish. That being said I would err on the side of caution. Anyways he said it is not for surfing.

Harry have to tried to find out how the space is being used with a disk space analyzer?
Might help to know what you have on there, so you can make a plan to deal with it.
http://www.321download.com/LastFreeware/page2.html#FolderSizes

 

I thank you for the URL. Unfortunately, I can't install the program, as the Win98 computer is at my mother's house, and I can't go to my mother's house due to the coronavirus.

 

Other than what I stated in the beginning of this thread, what can I do to increase hard drive space on my Win98 computer?

 

Do you not know one person who can remove the HDD?

 

No, I don't.

 

The Win98 computer has a RAM drive which I compressed using DriveSpace. I put some stuff on it. Does that help?

 

I can assure you, removing a hard drive is not a daunting task. Usually the only tool you'll need is a standard-size Phillips-head screwdriver. However, setting jumpers can be fun and games. 'Jumpers?' I hear you ask. No, not clothes - little 'clips' that have to be put on the correct pins on the hard drive to make things work properly - they look a lot like very, very, VERY tiny, black Lego bricks, with two holes, both of which go through from one side to the other, and if you look in decent enough light, you'll see metal inside the holes.

Quite honestly, I'd skip completely with copying over the hard drive to a new one, if you can; I'd just bung the new one in as an extra, and move all files to it that aren't essential to the correct working of Windows and programmes. That depends on whether you have the space inside the box and the necessary connectors, and the only way to know that is to open up the box and have a look.

If you do decide to go that route, then you will definitely find yourself having to deal with jumpers. Come to think of it, whichever route you take, you'll have to concern yourself with jumpers. The only way you can get out of that is by using an external USB drive, and you'd probably have to format it to FAT32, and then partition it - not really worth the hassle, when you can just insert another drive and play around with jumpers.

So, jumpers - hard drives can be slaves, or masters. If you only have one hard drive installed, it's a master - no question. If you have two or more, then the one the operating system is on is the master and the others are slaves (usually).

NORMALLY, the drive will have a little diagram or information on it to tell you where to put the jumper, according to what you want the drive to be. Some have not one shred of useful information on the subject, but thankfully not very often.

If you go the route of replacing the drive, you'll need to set the new one to run as a master.

If I recall my jumper-setting days correctly, there are three possibilities for how a jumper needs to be set:
- master disk with no slaves.
- master disk with slaves.
- as a slave.

How you have to set the jumper depends on how the manufacturer decided to set up the hard drive. Some drives, you just set the jumper on 'master' and leave it there even if you add a slave. Others need the jumper moved to a different pair of pins when you add a slave. If you need help figuring it out, give the make and model of the drives (both) and someone here will be able to work it out and tell you.

If you do this yourself, make sure you have a clear working area in case you drop the jumper - they are tiny little things, easily lost or dropped back into the computer to disappear heaven-knows-where. Putting a towel under your working area will help dampen down any jumping the jumper decides to do, if you accidentally drop it (and you probably will!) but don't use a blanket because they tend to help you build up static easily - cotton is best.

Have you thought of asking your mother if she's game to try pulling open a computer? She might surprise you.

One other thought on putting that drive in as an extra - it most likely will show up as the D drive, so any shortcuts you have that point to a CD/DVD would then be wrong, as the CD/DVD drive would get pushed down to E.

EDIT: Almost forgot, if you need another jumper and you don't have an old machine, dead motherboard, whatever, to pinch one from, a computer shop can supply you with one.

 

Further thought just occurred to me - it's not a Dell desktop, is it? If so, there's a very good chance that you can only fit one hard drive. On the other hand, if there's a floppy drive and you don't use it, you might be able to remove that and use that bay for the hard drive, but then you'd want a cover for the slot, if you can. It's not essential, but it's definitely preferable, especially if there are little fingers or paws around.

 

It is a Dell desktop. If I upgrade the hard drive myself, how do I copy all the information? I want to replace the drive.

 

Try this old version of Partition Wizard -free and will clone w98
http://www.oldversion.com/windows/partition-wizard-home-edition-7-0-bootable-cd-imag

 

Uhh...the CD drive is broken. I have a USB one, but it doesn't seem to work.

 

You can otherwise bite the bullet- take out that hard drive, buy a docking station, and use another computer, by putting both hard drives in the docking station, and use Partition Wizard to copy the old to the new-

 

I could easily take out the CD-ROM drive, insert the new hard drive, start in MS-DOS mode, copy the contents, remove the old hard drive and put the new hard drive in its place. Two issues: what about the BIOS settings? And what about long file names?

 

It should start up without problems- w98 was far more liberal with changes, and probably will just fire up. It may be worth noting the name of the new hard drive name, and seeing if there is a driver for it, in case - Trouble is without cd rom, or, usb working, you may find that awkward- and going on-line with w98 is really a no-no.

 

I'm thinking about upgrading and repairing myself, but, in order to copy the contents, I need to preserve the long filenames. I also have some software issues that need fixing. I need a driver to be removed from the registry--the computer keeps stating that the driver is not found. I know some things about the registry but not that particular part of the registry. I also get a lot of pop-ups upon log in, most of which I don't want. I can't do this now, as I don't live with my mother--where the Win98 computer is--, her immune system is compromised, and, if I go out at her house, I may bring home the virus.

 

I would suggest that you attempt the copy first, then worry about anything else.
The long file names could be asked as a separate post to keep this post shorter, and jsut about the hard drive upgrade.

 

I'm glad to announce that, in spite of the pandemic, I was able to visit my mother this weekend. I'm also pleased to announce that I cleared off a lot of disk space this morning: I deleted files that were left over from a previous repair attempt of my DOS laptop and SNES games that were already on a Zip100 disk. Any other ideas?

 

BTW, I can't upgrade my Win98 computer today because my mother is not up to helping me upgrade the computer.

 

Once you have cloned the hard drive, shut down, and remove original hard drive, and it should boot from the new hard drive, if everything went right

 

Both my mother and I are weary of handling the computer by ourselves, so, for now, I'm stuck with a 2.1gB hard drive. Any tips on optimizing on what I have?

 

I'm sorry for bothering you, but what else can I do to increase hard drive space without upgrading the hard drive?

 

How much milk can you get into a litre bottle ?
If you are determined tore-use this old W98 computer, then I can only suggest that you take note of the model, and any numbers on the case, and come back with it, so that we can check it out, and guide you through changing the hard drive.
You see, if you follow guidance, and take necessary precautions, you can do it.
It would be at your own risk, as you must ensure computer is disconnected completely from the power socket, before starting anything, and during any change inside the pc. Then make sure case is closed before connecting back to the mains.
Here is an example , and pictures of typical pc hard drive change
https://www.wikihow.com/Remove-a-Hard-Drive

 

I made up my mind not to upgrade my Win98 computer until I get enough money to pay for a professional. That said, what can I do to maximize my hard drive space that I haven't already mentioned?

 

Only thing I can suggest is purchasing an external hard drive connected by USB and move programs you don't use to the external hard drive and that will free up some of your main bootable hard drive.

 

I'm using a flash drive as a second hard drive.

 

Did I mention that I deleted some waste files and now have 2/3 full hard drive space?

 

Are there any other ideas that could help my hard drive space issue?

 

Good news! I compressed some SNES games, and now, my hard drive is ~1/2 full!

 

With what you have, that may be the best you can hope for. Just not much help for such a small drive. That is a small drive even for win98, IMO. 98 by it self takes about 500mb's. You can get smaller, but it will take work, some know how and time. You can delete font sets not used, wallpapers, unused icons, any pics stored, music, temp files, screen savers, more that I cant remember. If you never use dos, you can decrease windows footprint a little by converting it to fat32, if not already done, with the built in Drive Converter tool. Possibly, a lot of work and time doing all this, and you will be smaller, how much depends on the level of install when it was originally installed and how much time you want to spend searching for unused files. My advise, pay to have a larger drive installed, use the 9.?GB drive you have if that is all you can do. But 20-40gb HD's can be had for almost nothing, maybe even nothing. Ask family, friends for their old PC in the closet. I personally love the old OS's and tinkering with them. One thing for sure, even if you break it beyond what you can fix yourself, you are not out much.

 

Hi! I can delete the screen savers, as I'm using After Dark. I can also move the wallpaper off the hard drive and use just one at a time. I have plenty of icons on the computer, and I can probably delete some. How do I delete the screensavers? I can just use the delete option in Explorer, but what if the screensavers have extra files attached? I use DOS often, but FAT32 format works fine. I thank you for your advice.