Windows 95/98/Me/NTPost your Windows 95 / 98 / ME and NT questions here. Please make sure you specify your OS version.
Mission Statement
WindowsBBS is an online community dedicated to easily accessible technical support for those using Microsoft operating systems and other Windows software.
Our goal is to become the leading resource for computer users that require assistance with their day-to-day computer usage, including full support for networking PC's, virus & malware removal, system upgrades and general support questions.
I recently tried to upgrade my Packard Bell Club 98 (P3) to windows xp - it crashed and I reverted back to windows 98. I then wanted to reformat my hard drive (I have 3 master cds and a recovery floppy which I have used in the past). Whichever one I try to run, I get the message "Not a valid computer".
I know I could format from DOS with fdisk, but I cannot use any of my master cd's - it is like the computer does not know it is a packard bell anymore.
Can anyone help my computer to remember?
Regards
Robin
Didn't find the information you thought to find? Check out these Similar Threads
Just a suggestion, if you have the manual, there is a jumper on the main board that resets what is known as "Navram" . That forces the computer to use settings in the Rom chip. Usually, you just move the jumper for about 10 or 15 seconds, then move it back....check your maual to be certain of the procedure.......
The reason is, Microsoft started insisting that restore CD's check for an ID string in bios to prevent casual copying ....I maybe wrong, but me thinks that string somehow got corrupted...
Use a windows 98 start up disk. When you installed xp, it probably changed the partition table from FAT32 to NTFS. The 98SE restore disks cannot recognize NTFS drives. Therefore you must boot w/ a floppy and run FDISK and delete the non-DOS partition, create a new FAT32 partition, reboot, & format the drive. Then reboot with the restore disks.
Thanks for all your advice guys, I will try to get some time in the next couple of days to try out your advice. I am a little nervous about creating new FAT32 partitions. The XP disc I used was an upgrade disc and I think it asked me if I wanted to keep FAT32 partitions and I answered yes.
If I check the properties of my C drive now - it states File system FAT32.
