How to Install Windows 98 on a Computer with No Operating

System (Q221829)
The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Windows 98

Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition

SUMMARY
This article describes how to install Windows 98 on a computer with no operating system
installed.
For information about how to install Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition (Me) on a computer
with no operating system installed, visit the following Microsoft Web page:
http://support.microsoft.com/support/windows/readme/winme/cleanhd.asp

MORE INFORMATION
Determine Which Product to Use
To install Windows 98, you must have one of the following products:
The "Microsoft Windows 98 Upgrade" product. This upgrade product is available on CDROM. When you use the Windows 98 Upgrade version, you must have a copy of the
previous version of Windows on CD-ROM or on floppy disks for the compliance-check
procedure during Setup. Make sure that you have your qualifying version of Windows on
CD-ROM or on floppy disks before you run Setup. Note that you must also have a
Windows 98 Startup disk to install this product.
For additional information about how to create a Windows 98 Startup disk, click the
article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
Q187632 How to Create a Windows 98 Startup Disk that Supports FAT32

The "Microsoft Windows 98 for PCs Without Windows" product. This version is available
on CD-ROM. A Windows 98 Startup disk is included with the product.

Minimum Hardware Requirements to Install Windows 98

The minimum hardware requirements include:

486DX 66-MHz or faster processor (Pentium recommended)

16 megabytes (MB) of memory (24 MB recommended)

195 MB of free hard disk space (the required space may vary from 120 MB to 295 MB,
depending on your computer's configuration and the options you choose to install)
CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive
3.5-inch high-density floppy disk drive
Video adapter and monitor that support VGA or higher resolution
Microsoft Mouse or compatible pointing device

For additional information about the minimum hardware requirements, click the article number
below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
Q182751 Minimum Hardware Requirements for Windows 98

System Updates, Device Drivers, and Other Considerations

CMOS Antivirus Utility
It is important to disable any CMOS antivirus utility that is enabled on your computer before you
run Setup. If you are not sure if this feature is enabled on your computer, view the
documentation that is included with your computer, or contact the computer manufacturer.

Drive Overlay Software

If your computer uses drive overlay software to enable large hard disk support, the drive
overlay software must be installed before you install Windows 98. To install the drive overlay
software, view the documentation that is included with the software or contact the software
manufacturer.

System Updates and Device Drivers

To ensure that your hardware and software is compatible with Windows 98, verify that you have
the latest drivers, Basic Input Output System (BIOS), or patches for your hardware and
software before you run Setup.
If your computer uses proprietary hardware and you try to install Windows 98 on a clean hard
disk, you may receive error messages. Before you install the retail or upgrade version of
Windows 98 on your computer, check with the hardware manufacturer and verify that there are
no known issues. Also, if your current version of Windows was preinstalled on your computer
and was bundled with a software package that is on a Restore CD-ROM, you may not be able
install the programs that are on the Restore CD-ROM. If this is the case, use the hardware
manufacturer's Restore CD-ROM to install Windows 95 and the included programs first, and
then run Setup from the Windows 98 Upgrade version. View your original hardware
documentation if you are not sure how to run the Restore CD-ROM.
WARNING : When you run the Restore CD-ROM, it may delete all of the data on your hard
disk.

Real-Mode CD-ROM Support

The Windows 98 Startup disk contains generic CD-ROM drivers that work with most CD-ROM
drives. The Windows 98 Startup disk contains generic, real-mode ATAPI CD-ROM and small
computer system interface (SCSI) drivers that can enable CD-ROM drives after you boot from
the Windows 98 Startup disk. These CD-ROM drivers are not guaranteed to work with all CDROM drives. They may work as a replacement driver if the real-mode CD-ROM drivers that are
included with your CD-ROM drive are not available. If these drivers do not work with your CDROM drive, view the documentation that is included with your hardware, or contact your
hardware manufacturer.

How to Prepare the Hard Disk for the Windows 98 Installation

Procedure

WARNING : The following information applies to preparing an empty hard disk for the
installation of Windows 98. If you use the following steps on a hard disk that is not empty, all of
the data that is on that hard disk is deleted.
Before you install Windows 98 on an empty hard disk, you must first create a primary partition
and then format a file system on that partition. Each allocated space on the hard disk (primary
partition or logical drive) is assigned a drive letter. Windows 98 supports the FAT16 and FAT32
file systems. When you run the Fdisk tool on a hard disk that is larger than 512 MB, you are
prompted to choose a file system.
The FAT16 file system has a maximum of 2 gigabytes (GB) for each allocated space, or drive
letter. For example, if you use the FAT16 file system and you have a 6-GB hard disk, you can
have three drive letters (C, D, and E), each with 2 GB of allocated space.
The FAT32 file system supports drives up to 2 terabytes in size and stores files on smaller
sections of the hard disk than does the FAT16 file system. This results in more free space on the
hard disk. The FAT32 file system does not support drives that are smaller than 512 MB. For
additional information about the FAT32 file system, click the article numbers below to view the
articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
Q154997 Description of the FAT32 File System
Q118335 Maximum Partition Size Using FAT16 File System
More information about file systems is also available in the "Getting Started" manual that is
included with the Windows 98 CD-ROM.
For additional information about the Fdisk tool, click the article number below to view the article
in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
Q66706 The Four Steps Needed to Make a Hard Disk Usable

How to Partition the Hard Disk

After you decide which file system you want to use, run the Fdisk tool:
1. Insert the Windows 98 Startup disk in the floppy disk drive, and then restart your
computer.
2. When the Microsoft Windows 98 Startup menu is displayed, choose the Start
computer without CD-ROM support option, and then press ENTER.
3. At a command prompt, type fdisk , and then press ENTER.
4. If the hard disk is larger than 512 MB, you receive the following prompt:
Your computer has a disk larger than 512 MB. This version of Windows
includes improved support for large disks, resulting in more efficient use of
disk space on large drives, and allowing disks over 2 GB to be formatted as
a single drive.
IMPORTANT: If you enable large disk support and create any new drives on
this disk, you will not be able to access the new drive(s) using other
operating systems, including some versions of Windows 95 and Windows
NT, as well as earlier versions of Windows and MS-DOS. In addition, disk
utilities that were not designated explicitly for the FAT32 file system will
not be able to work with this disk. If you need to access this disk with other
operating systems or older disk utilities, do no enable large drive support.
Do you wish to enable large disk support (Y/N)?

If you want to use the FAT32 file system, press Y, and then press ENTER. If you want to
use the FAT16 file system, press N, and then press ENTER.
5. After you press ENTER, the Fdisk Options menu is displayed. Press 1 to select the
Create DOS partition or Logical DOS Drive option, and then press ENTER.
6. Press 1 to select the Create Primary DOS Partition option, and then press ENTER.
7. After you press ENTER, you receive the following prompt:
Do you wish to use the maximum available size for primary DOS partition?
FAT32 File System:
a. If you chose the FAT32 file system in step 4 and you want all of the space on the
hard disk to be assigned to drive C, press Y, and then press ENTER.
b. Press ESC, and then press ESC to quit the Fdisk tool and return to a command
prompt.
c. Skip to step 10.
FAT16 File System:
d. If you chose the FAT16 file system in step 4, and you want the first 2 GB on the
hard disk to be assigned to drive C, press Y, and then press ENTER.
e. Press ESC to return to the Options menu, and then skip to step i.
f. If you want to customize the size of the partitions (the logical drives) on the hard
disk, press N, and then press ENTER.
g. A prompt is displayed for you to type the size that you want for the primary
partition in megabytes or percent of disk space. Note that for a Windows 98-based
computer, Microsoft recommends that you make the primary partition at least 500
MB. Type the size of the partition that you want to create, and then press ENTER.
h. Press ESC to return to the Options menu.
i. Press 2 to select the Set active partition option, and then press ENTER.
j. When you are prompted to type the number of the partition that you want to
make the active partition, press 1, and then press ENTER.
k. Press ESC to return to the Options menu.
l. To assign drive letters to the additional space on the hard disk:
1. Press 1, and then press ENTER.
2. Press 2 to select the Create Extended DOS Partition option, and then
press ENTER.
3. The option that appears displays the maximum space that is available for
the extended partition. You can adjust the size of the partition or you can
use the default size. Note that the default maximum space is
recommended, but the space can be divided between multiple drive
letters. Type the amount of space that you want, press ENTER, and then
press ESC.
4. The Create Logical DOS Drive(s) in the Extended DOS Partition
menu is displayed. This is the menu that you use to assign the remaining
hard disk space to the additional drive letters. Type the amount of space
that you want to assign to the next drive letter at the Enter logical drive
size in Mbytes or percent of disk space (%) prompt, and then press
ENTER.
5. A table that lists the drive letter that you created and the amount of space
that is on that drive is displayed. If there is still free space on the hard disk,
it is displayed near the bottom of the table. Repeat steps 1 through 4 until
you receive the following message:
All available space in the Extended DOS Partition is assigned
to local drives

6. After you receive this message, press ESC, and then press ESC to quit the
Fdisk tool and return to a command prompt.
8. After you create the partitions, restart you computer with the Windows 98 Startup disk in
the floppy disk drive.
9. When the Windows 98 Startup menu is displayed, choose the Start computer
without CD-ROM support option, and then press ENTER.
10. When a command prompt is displayed, type format c: , and then press ENTER.
NOTE : If you receive a "Bad command or file name" message, you may need to extract
the Format.com utility to your Startup disk. To do this, type the following command at a
command prompt, and then press ENTER:
extract ebd.cab format.com
After the Format.com utility is extracted to your Startup disk and a command prompt is
displayed, type format c: .
11. When you successfully run the Format.com utility, you receive the following prompt:
WARNING, ALL DATA ON NON-REMOVABLE DISK DRIVE C: WILL BE LOST!
Proceed with Format (Y/N)?
Press Y, and then press ENTER to format drive C.
12. After the format procedure is finished, you receive the following prompt:
Volume label (11 characters, ENTER for none)?
This is an optional feature that you can use to type a name for the hard disk. Type an 11character name for the drive, or leave it blank, and then press ENTER.
13. Repeat steps 10 through 13 for any additional drive letters that you created in step i.

How to Install Windows 98

After you partition and format your hard disk, you can install Windows 98:
1. Insert the Windows 98 Startup disk in the floppy disk drive, and then restart your
computer.
2. When the Windows 98 Startup menu is displayed, choose the Start computer with
CD-ROM support option, and then press ENTER.
3. If CD-ROM support is provided by the generic drivers on the Startup disk, you receive one
of the following messages, where X is the drive letter that is assigned to your CD-ROM
drive:
Drive X : = Driver MSCD001
Drive X : = Driver OEMCD001
NOTE : If your CD-ROM drive is not available after you boot from the Windows 98 Startup
disk, install the CD-ROM drivers that are included with your CD-ROM drive. For
information about how to obtain and install the most current driver for your CD-ROM
drive, view the documentation that is included with your device, or contact your
hardware manufacturer.

4. Insert the Windows 98 CD-ROM in the CD-ROM drive, type the following command at a
command prompt, and then press ENTER
X :\setup
where X is the drive letter that is assigned to your CD-ROM drive.
5. When you receive the following message, press ENTER, and then follow the instructions
on the screen to complete the Setup procedure:
Please wait while the Setup initializes. Setup is now going to perform a
routine check on your system. To continue press Enter.

REFERENCES
For additional information about the Windows 98 Setup process, click the article numbers below
to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
Q195568 Description of Windows 98 Setup Process
Q188881 How to Install Windows 98: Helpful Tips and Suggestions

Description of Windows 98 Setup Process (Q195568)

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Windows 98

SUMMARY
This article describes the different phases of Windows 98 Setup.

MORE INFORMATION
Windows 98 Setup can be divided into the following phases:
1. Pre-file copy phase
2.
3.
4.
5.

File copy phase

Enumeration/detection phase
Configuring system settings
Configuring Internet Explorer settings

Pre-File Copy Phase

During this phase, Windows 98 Setup runs ScanDisk on the hard disk, sets up the Windows 98
Setup Wizard, determines the folder in which to install Windows 98, prompts you for your CD
Key number, and determines the components to be installed with Windows 98.
Windows 98 Setup first displays the End User License Agreement (EULA). When you accept the
EULA, Windows 98 Setup prompts you for your CD Key number. The CD Key number is a
twenty-five digit value located on the back of the Windows 98 CD-ROM sleeve.
When you run Windows 98 Setup from within Microsoft Windows 95, Setup automatically
installs Windows 98 to the same folder in which Windows 95 is installed. When you run Windows
98 Setup from Windows 3.1 or MS-DOS, you are prompted for the folder in which to install
Windows 98.
Windows 98 Setup then runs ScanReg to test the integrity of the registry. ScanReg also makes a
backup copy of the registry at this point.
You are then prompted to save system files from the previous operating system. Saving these
files enables to uninstall Windows 98. Note that if you convert your hard disk to FAT32, you no
longer have the option to uninstall Windows 98.
Windows 98 Setup then determines what components to install based on the following criteria:

If you run Windows 98 Setup from within Windows 95, Windows 98 Setup automatically
installs the same components that are installed in Windows 95.

If you run Windows 98 Setup from MS-DOS or from within Windows 3.1, you are prompted
to perform a Typical, Portable, Compact, or Custom Setup.

After you select a Setup option, you are prompted for the locale for the Internet channels.
You are then prompted to create a Windows 98 Startup disk. After you create a Windows 98
startup disk, Setup proceeds to the file copy phase.

File Copy Phase

During this phase, Windows 98 Setup copies the files needed to complete Setup. This involves
copying files from the Windows 98 CD-ROM or shared network drive to your local hard disk.

Enumeration/Detection Phase
During this phase, Windows 98 Setup determines what hardware components are installed in
your computer. This phase requires you to restart your computer either once or twice,
depending on the type of hardware in your computer. This Setup phase can be identified by the
Setting Up Hardware screen.

Configuring System Settings

During this phase, Windows 98 Setup configures Control Panel, prompts you for the appropriate
time zone, and finalizes system settings in preparation for the first time Windows 98 is started.

Configuring Internet Explorer Settings

During this phase, which occurs when Windows 98 Setup restarts for the last time, Internet
Explorer configures personal settings and any other optional Internet utilities installed with
Windows 98.