Computer and Software Support


Install windows ME

 

from CD-ROM

 

The following will permanently delete all data on drive. Make sure you back up any data you want to save before continuing.

Click here  for instructions for using DOS Commands

Instructions for using Setup switches to bypass steps

  • It is recommended that you disconnect all peripheral devices except the keyboard, mouse, and monitor prior to reinstalling the operating system. Peripheral devices may include printers, scanners, zip drives, external modems, or USB hubs. If you have installed additional expansion cards, such as SCSI adapters or IO cards, it is also recommends that you remove these extra cards prior to reinstalling the operating system in order to avoid possible errors or resource conflicts.

You will need

  • Microsoft Windows ME or Windows ME  CD
  • Driver disks
  • Additional driver and utility diskettes or CDs
  • Download Delpart.exe (Optional) Click here for instructions.

Delpart.exe and the debug script does the same thing. They both delete the partition. Delpart.exe is quicker and easier to use than the debug script.

NOTICE: The procedures below require a repartitioning and reformatting of the hard drive. This will permanently erase all data on the drive. Please back up any data you wish to preserve before performing these procedures.

During the directions you will see the following

  1. < >  Indicates what needs to be typed in. Do not type the < and the >. Only type the data inside them
  2. [ ] indicates a key on the keyboard to be pressed
  3. “ “ indicates text you will see on the screen.
  4. {} indicates a button on the screen to click on.

Follow the steps below

  1. If you have a blank drive or the partition has already been deleted, go to step 4.
  2. To delete the partition using the Debug script, click here (This link will open to a separate window leaving this one open)
  3. To delete the partition using delpart.exe, click here. (This link will open to a separate window leaving this one open)
  4. Put your windows Installation CD in the drive
  5. Reboot the computer
  6. If it comes up with a menu, choose with CD-ROM support
  7. When you get to the A:\> prompt type in <FDISK> then press [Enter]
  8. You will see “Do you wish to enable large disk support (Y/N)?”
  9. Press [Y] then press [Enter]
  10. Press [Enter] for Create DOS Partition or Logical DOS Drive
  11. Press [Enter] to Create Primary DOS Partition
  12. Press the [Enter] key to use the maximum available size and to make the partition active. Verifying Drive Integrity will appear.
  13. When it says you must reboot the computer, press [Esc] till your back at the A:\> prompt
  14. Reboot the computer.
  15. If the disk gives you a choice, then choose the option for CD-ROM support.
  16. At the A:\> prompt, type <format C:> then press [Enter]
  17. Press <Y> then press [Enter]
  18. When it is done formatting it will ask you to press enter for none. Press [Enter]
  19. Reboot the computer
  20. When you get to the A:\> prompt, put in your windows ME CD.
  21. Type in <E:> (Or the drive letter of your CD-ROM drive) then press [Enter]
  22. If you downloaded Winme.inf Type <Setup #:\Winme.inf> (The # is the drive the Winme.inf is located in) This file will automate majority of the following steps. You can skip to step 63. If you didn't download Winme.inf, then go to next step.
  23. Type <Setup> then press [Enter] (Some ME CD's do not have a setup file to Start the install from DOS. If that is the case then set your BIOS to boot off the CD-ROM and boot off of the Windows CD. Then choose the option to Start the windows install from there)
  24. A prompt to Start Scandisk appears.
  25. Press the [Enter] key.
  26. When Scandisk has finished checking the hard drive, press the [x] key.
    The Welcome to Windows ME Setup window appears.
  27. Press the [Enter] key.
    The Microsoft Windows ME Setup Wizard window appears.
    1. Make sure the install directory is “C:\Windows”  without the “”
    2. If the install directory is not “C:\Windows” then select other directory and change it to read “C:\Windows” (without the “”)
    3. Then click on Next to install the windows files.  The setup program prepares the Windows directory and checks for available disk space.
    4. The Setup options window appears.
  28.  Click the appropriate option for your computer, and then click {Next}.

     NOTE: It is recommended that you choose Typical for all system types.

    A prompt to install the most common Windows ME components appears.
  29. Click {Next}.
    The Identification window appears.
  30. Type the appropriate information, and then click {Next}
  31. Select your region, and then click {Next}.
    A prompt to create a Startup Disk appears.
  32. Remove any floppy disks from the floppy drive and remove the CD out of the CD-ROM.
  33. Insert a blank, formatted floppy disk into the floppy drive, click {Next}, and then click {OK}.
  34. When the floppy disk has been created, remove it from the floppy drive, and then click {OK}.
  35. Click {Next} to Start copying Windows ME installation files.
    This takes approximately 10-20 minutes.
  36. When the files have been copied, click {OK}.
  37. Take any floppy disks out of the floppy drive.
  38. Click {restart Now} to restart your computer and continue with the reinstallation.
    After the computer reStarts, the User Information window appears.
  39. Type your name and, if applicable, company name, and then click {Next}.
  40. Read the license agreement, click {I Accept the Agreement}, and then click {Next}.
  41. Type the Product Key.

    NOTE: The Product Key is the 25-character, alphanumeric code on the front of the Getting Started/Microsoft Windows ME booklet that accompanied your Windows ME CD. On some computer systems the Product Key is on the right side of the computer (not the monitor).


     
  42. Click {Next}, and then click {Finish} to continue the reinstallation process.
    The hardware-detection phase of the reinstallation process begins and may take a few minutes to complete.
  43. Click {restart Now} to reboot the computer.
    After the system reStarts, the Date/Time Properties window appears.
  44. Click the appropriate time zone from the drop-down list.
  45. Click {Apply}, and then click {OK} to continue.
    The setup program finishes updating the computer settings.
  46. Click {restart Now}.
  47. When prompted, type your name and password, click {OK} and confirm the password.
  48. Click {OK}.

 

Note: Some systems require the chipset to be loaded. The chipset has to be the first thing installed after windows install or the windows install will get corrupted. Because of the number of different types of systems out there, I have no way of knowing what chipset you have. You will need to consult the manual for your system or contact the computer manufacturer on getting the information on what chipset you have. You can E-mail me information about your system and I will be glad to inform you of the steps to load your chipset.

Information about loading drivers click here

Click here if windows will not install