Win98SE: installing on a wiped HD (former OS was Linux)

On a 40 GB HDD that once held Linux as the OS, I used KillDisk to wipe the HDD. [After running KillDisk from a floppy in A: (which wiped the HDD clean), I see the HDD size stated by KillDisk as 37.xx GB.] When I try next to use a Win98SE startup disk in A: to run FDISK, and soon say "Yes" to wanting the HDD to be supported as a large HDD, I only get a disk of ~ 5.9 GB in size. Why isn't the full HDD - i. e. a size just under 40 GB - available for formatting for Win98SE? [Incidentally, I'd like to create a logical D: on the C: drive. The C: would be ~ 75 to 80% of the size of the available HDD, and the D: would be the remainder or ~ 20 to 25% of the HDD. So I know I have to create the C: first using FDISK and then use FDISK again to create the D: . My CD burner would be E: and the CD-ROM would be F: .]

What's the exact procedure, step by step, to follow to correctly and fairly easily run FDISK, then FORMAT, and then the Win98SE CD to install Win98SE?


Thanks

 

First let's address the size issue. Since Linux was on the drive I sense the possibility of an NTFS partition. I suggest getting DelPart and copying it onto your 98 boot floppy, it will fit. Boot from the floppy, choose without CDRom support when prompted, type in Delpart at the A:\> prompt and see if it finds any partitions you need to delete. Be sure to Save before you exit and reboot.
http://www.juliatexas.com/delpart/delpart.htm

The official instructions on Fdisk http://support.microsoft.com/kb/255867
http://onecomputerguy.com/install/fdisk.htm#new_drive_multiple

Basically you create the Primary first, you can enter in a percentage of the drive as the size, be sure to set it as Active else it won't be able to be made bootable. Then create an Extended Partition, let it occupy the rest of the drive. It is in this Extended Partition that you then create the Logical Drives [such as your D:]. You do not need to exit Fdisk until you are finished with the drive.
You must reboot after exiting Fdisk.
When booting from the floppy, choose [with CDROM support]. Just before the A:\> prompt appears, there will be a message giving you the letters for your CD drives. It will not be the letters you expect, may be F: and G: for you in this instance.
Format your drives at this time.
format c:

You could now simply enter in the command to start windows setup, use your drive letter in place of the X below.
X:\win98\setup.exe

For my windows installation, I prefer to copy the windows setup files onto the hard drive into a folder, and then run setup from there. It is a minor convenience for later if/when you are prompted to insert the windows CD, it will just go get what is needed instead.
I use these commands to create the folder, copy the files, and start setup. Use the CD drive letter in place of the X below.
md c:\win98 < no confirmation when done correctly
copy X:\win98\*.* c:\win98 < "98 files(s) copied" when done
c:\win98\setup.exe

 

Will do, later. Thanks

Thanks for the help Markp62! I'll do this later today or tomorrow.

 

Hi

If you add the following switches to setup.exe the installation will run a bit faster and better:

\...\setup /ie /iv /is /im /iq /pj

"The above command and switches will speed up the process of loading Windows
by turning off all the goodies such as the annoying scandisk at the begining of
setup, checking for disk space, creation of a startup disk, and turning off those
annoying and time eating splash screens during the install.
The last switch, /pj , changes the Windows power management from APM to a
more stable and useable ACPI interface.
ACPI will make you much happier in the end. "


For further details check also this:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=186111

I was happier