Upgaded from 98 and Failed

BillyBob, when upgrading 98 to 2K Microsoft say to start the upgrade from inside Windows - so no problems with things in memory or having to specify the install folder. I have read that trying to do it by booting from the CD is most likely to fail, but I can’t confirm this. 2K doesn’t have a Windows folder, but a Winnt folder.

Zander, it won’t matter if he has an upgrade disk or Full disk, as both versions will do an upgrade install. Both will also do a full new install, if in the case of the upgrade disk you have a previous version, either installed or on CD.

Quiz......

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=232123

Follow my previous instructions and you will then be able to start the upgrade.

 

Zander, the disc I bought will do an upgrade or an install as McTavish correctly said, but for now I have given up.
The person that sold me the disc has kindly offered to swap it for an xp pro disc and feels that I may have more luck with that?
Thanks for the advice on files to delete McTavish I had only deleted the WINNT and documents and settings files.
This bit probably sounds really dim, but what is a windows 98 floppy and why should I have 1?
Quiz.

 

McTavish

Thanks for the info on 2K.

Now I have more than ever decided to stay away from it. I do not really need it anyway for anything other than something new to work ( fight ) with. XP Pro is doing just fine for me.

BillyBob

 

Quiz….Don’t delete those 2K files before you fix the bootsector with the 98 startup floppy – you won’t be able to boot 98 if you do. I’ll be back later.

 

I realize that they are both the same but I was thinking that if it was a full version instead of the update version that it might be necessary to rename win.com in the 98 OS before it would install over it. When you use a win98 full install disk (as opposed to an upgrade disk) it'll stop with an error when trying use it as an upgrade disk for win95. The same goes for upgrading from win98 to win98se. The error message is something to the effect that a previous operating system has been found. You need to use an upgrade disk. To get around this you have to first rename win.com in the windows folder.

Quiz said this.

I was just thinking that perhaps it wasn't an upgrade disk and was finding the 98 system and stopping with the same error that previous OS's did. If that was the case, next step would be to try renaming win.com and then try the install. If it still didn't work you could always rename it back in DOS. So ends the method to my madness.

 

Ok then I won't
these ones are still there.

Bootsect.dos
Ntdetect.com
ntldr
boot.ini
pagefile.sys

I suppose that they can all go except the boot.ini file?
But I am off to bed now ready for the early shift tomorrow.

 

Boot.ini, ntldr and Bootsect.dos are all now needed to boot 98. That’s because 2K changed 98’s boot sector to boot ntldr instead of 98 itself. The ntldr file then (among other things) reads the boot.ini and gives you the boot menu. When you choose 98 the ntldr will load Bootsect.dos (which is a copy of the original 98 boot sector) which will then boot 98.

You can create a startup floppy in 98. You will need your Win98 CD. If you don’t have a 98 CD then you can download a little program that will make you a floppy.

Boot the computer from this floppy and you will first get an option to select either with or without CD support. It does not matter which one you choose but without will be quicker. Once it has loaded and you see A:\> with a flashing curser, type sys c: and press enter. Wait till you see the message 'System Transferred' and reboot the computer. You will know if it has done the job if you no longer see the boot selection menu at bootup. Then you can safely delete all those files.

Probably best you’ve decided to go for XP, it will do most things for you, but you should still check drivers after the install.

Zander – I see your logic. Both 2K and XP don’t suffer from that problem.

BillyBob – 2K is not all bad. With a fresh install as long as you know how to source and install drivers then most motherboards in the last 4 to 5 years should not give any problems. It’s old 98 machines and upgrades that catch out the unwary. Still as the very first thing install the latest chipset drivers.

 

Thanks McTavish

Ta very much
done all that, worked fine, now waiting for my xp c/d to turn up