Jim, I assume you've got a boot disk with generic CD drivers, FDisk and Command.com?  If not, get one here:
http://freepctech.com/pc/002/files010.shtml

I suggest you also add xcopy32.exe and xcopy32.mod to the floppy - I don't know that they're included on the FreePCTech disk.  You may have to look around the net for these, if you haven't already got them.

Then boot with the floppy, run FDisk and say Yes to Large Disk Support.

Delete any existing partitions, starting with Logical, then Extended then finally Primary.  Then you need to create a new partition or partitions.

There are zillions of sites with more explicit details, here's one:
http://www.compguystechweb.com/troubleshooting/fdisk/fdisk_scr.html

You may know all this, as I see you asked for the format command.  It's basically just:

'format c:' (enter)

You can also do 'format c: /s'  which will make c: bootable but it's not neccessary - it'll be made bootable during the Windows install process.

Here's an extra tip which makes for an easier install and subsequent efficiency.

After the format finishes, restart with the boot floppy and type 'md c:\winstart' which will create a folder on C.  

Then type 'xcopy32 d:\*.* c:\winstart /s /e' where d is your CD drive.  

This will copy the whole Windows CD to the winstart (or whatever name you want to use) folder but in fact you only need to drill down and copy the contents of the Win98 folder.  

Even then, you don't need the 'ols' and 'tour' sub-folders from Win98 folder, delete them from the HDD afterwards is the easiest way.

Once that's done, reboot, go to winstart\win98 and run setup.exe.

Ian Porter
Computer Guys Inc.
Arrowtown
New Zealand
[log in to unmask]

The NOSPIN Group
http://freepctech.com

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: james ashley 
  To: [log in to unmask] 
  Sent: Wednesday, November 05, 2003 4:24 AM
  Subject: [PCSOFT] followup to compaq presario reformat question


  Hi All: Can anyone tell me the DOS prompts in order to run a hard drive reformat for a Compaq Presario 5000. I want to wipe out win ME and install win98 se. Thanks i advance.
  Jim

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