Installing Windows OS

scottwithprobs · May 24th, 2005, 09:24 PM

I am trying to install a windows os, windows 98 SE, on a different HD. The HD is a good one for I have already formated the new hard disk and want to do a clean install. When I try to do the install, I am getting an error. This error says; Your computer does not have a hard disk, your hard disk is not functioning correctly, or your hard disk requires a special device driver. Contact your computer vendor for assistance. I had formatted this drive by unplugging my CD Rom drive and put this HD in as a second drive. Then I formatted it for a clean install for Windows 98SE. Do not understand why I am getting this error when the HD is clean.

osprey4 · May 24th, 2005, 09:29 PM

Scott:

Back up a little. Please explain what drives you have and how they're configured (primary, secondary, master or slave)? Why did you disconnect your CD-ROM, since you need it to install 98?

By the way, do you have a boot floppy disk?

scottwithprobs · May 24th, 2005, 09:42 PM

my floppy drive is not installed due to bent pins. the cd rom drive is operating due to me plugging it back in. i unplugged the hd that was in use at the time and plugged in the one that i was trying to install on. the hd is primary or master. it is the only hd in the unit. the cd rom drive works and begins the set up process but then the error shows up.

osprey4 · May 24th, 2005, 09:48 PM

Can you boot into your system setup and check what the BIOS sees by way of drives?

cmptrgydv · May 24th, 2005, 10:00 PM

are they both on the same ide line?

try setting them both to cable select

Bill in SD, CA · May 24th, 2005, 11:11 PM

What osprey4 says.

Bill in SD, CA

scottwithprobs · May 25th, 2005, 08:01 PM

i put a new cable in the unit and to the back of my hd and it worked. I tried to install 98se and it is telling me that it is unable to install because the hd already has an os on it. this is the original 98se disk for complete install not upgrade. not sure what to do now???

meese · May 25th, 2005, 10:54 PM

When you formatted the drive, what was on it before? You may need to wipe it clean first. Most hard drive manufacturers have a low-level format (or write all zero's) utility that will do this. You can download at their website. Then try installing 98se.

How did you format the drive by the way?

scottwithprobs · May 28th, 2005, 10:15 PM

i finally got 98se installed on the drive. i went and put a new cable in on my unit and connected the hd as a slave. i did see that there was still a lot of things on there. i just cleaned the drive and i was fine. when it did the format, it did it through the setup part of the install. i did get it though and everything is running smooth. thanks for all the info and i apologize if i did not give enough info on the questions that were asked of me. thanks again.