WinBook Tech Article
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Subject: Fdisk, Format, and Reinstall Windows 98 on the WinBook FX (MP5/6) 3 GB or smaller hard disk
Keywords: install installation
Tech Article Number: WBTA07050392

NOTE: You, the customer, are solely responsible for data security. WinBook strongly recommends that you perform a backup of all personal data contained on your system prior to performing this procedure. Warning: WinBook will NOT be held responsible for any data loss incurred during this process.


Warning: Following this WinBook Tech Article will remove all data from the current hard drive. If possible back up all critical data before proceeding with the instructions below.

To complete this procedure you will the following materials:

  • WinBook FX Windows 98 Boot Disk

  • Microsoft Windows 98 CD

  • Microsoft Windows 98 Users Manual with Product Key

If you have a new hard drive:

  1. Put the floppy drive in the computer, put the WinBook Windows 98 Boot Disk in the drive and turn on the computer.
  2. Type 6 (Phdisk /create) and press Enter.
  3. When Phdisk is finished skip to Create a New DOS Partition.

Removing the existing partition:

  1. Put the floppy drive in computer, put the WinBook Windows 98 Boot Disk in the drive and turn on the computer.
  2. Type 1 (Fdisk) and press Enter, when prompted press any key to continue.
  3. Type Y and then press Enter to enable 32bit FAT.
  4. Type 3 (Delete partition or logical DOS drive) and then press Enter.
  5. Type 1 (Delete primary DOS partition) and then press Enter.
  6. Enter the number for the PRI-DOS partition and then press Enter.
  7. Enter the volume label and press Enter, just press Enter if there is no volume label.
  8. Type Y and then press Enter when prompted.
  9. Press Esc 3 times and then the computer will restart.

Create a new DOS partition:

  1. Type 1 (Fdisk) from the menu, press any key when prompted.
  2. Type Y to enable 32bit FAT.
  3. Type 1 (Create dos partition or logical DOS drive) and press Enter.
  4. Type 1 (Create primary DOS partition).
  5. Type Y and press Enter for maximum available size.
  6. When Fdisk is finished press Esc three times to restart.

Reformatting the drive:

  1. Select number 3 (format) from the WinBook boot disk menu and Press any key when prompted.
  2. Press Y and then Enter when prompted.
  3. When finished it will ask for a volume label, enter one if desired, if not press Enter.

Installing Windows:

  1. Type 10 (reinstall windows 98 onto a WinBook hard drive) and then press Enter.
  2. When prompted turn off the computer, put in the CD-ROM and restart the computer.
  3. When prompted put in the Windows 98 CD and it will begin copying files.
  4. Follow the prompts to begin setting up Windows
  5. When prompted for the install directory select C:\Windows and click on next.
  6. When prompted select Typical setup and click on next
  7. When prompted select Install the most common components and click on next

Setting up Windows:

  1. When prompted enter your computer and workgroup names and if desired enter the computer description.
  2. When prompted enter the country you are in and then click on Close.
  3. When asked to make a startup disk select no.
  4. Now Windows will be copying files, this may take up to 45 minutes depending on the CD-ROM speed, after which the computer will restart.
  5. When prompted enter you name and company name.
  6. In order to continue you will need to Accept the license agreement and click on next.
  7. When prompted enter the product key from the Certificate of Authenticity (located on the front cover of the Windows 98 booklet).
  8. When prompted click on continue.
  9. Windows will search for plug and play devices.
  10. When asked if you are using a PC card, for now click on no even if you plan to use one later, then click next.
  11. Windows will ask you to review your settings, make sure no is selected and click next.
  12. When prompted click Finish.
  13. Windows will now detect non-plug and play hardware, this may take a few minutes.
  14. When prompted select your time zone, click Apply then Ok.
  15. Windows will set up control panels and updating settings. This may take several minutes.
  16. When prompted enter your name. At this point a password is optional. If you choose not to use a Windows password, leave that space blank and click on Ok
  17. Windows will now install devices, this may take several minutes, then Windows will restart.
  18. You should now have the Welcome To Windows box. If you have already registered Windows you may close this box without registering.

Setting up the Display:

  1. Click on Start, Settings, and then Control Panel.
  2. Double click on Display, and click on the Settings tab.
  3. Click on the Advanced button, then on the Monitor tab.
  4. Click on the Change button.
  5. Under the manufacturer list choose Standard Monitor Types.
  6. Under the models list click on Laptop Display Panel (800x600).
  7. Click ok to close this box then click on Apply and then ok.
  8. Change the colors to Hi-color 16 bit and the screen area to 800x600.
  9. Click on apply, you will get a message stating that making changes may cause errors. Choose the option to apply these settings without restarting and click on Ok.
  10. If the screen looks ok- click on Yes in the box that comes up.
  11. Click on Ok to close the Display Properties box.

Setting up the internal modem:

  1. Click on the Start Menu, go to Settings, and select Control Panel.
  2. Double click on the System icon, in the system properties box click on the Device Manager tab.
  3. Look down the list for the Other devices category. If this has a plus sign next to it then click on the plus sign. Underneath you should see an unknown device. Click on this to highlight it and click on the Properties button.
  4. Click on the Drivers tab, and then on the Update Drivers button
  5. Click on Next on the first box that comes up, then select Display a list and click on next.
  6. Select Modem from the list and click on next.
  7. In the manufacturers list click on Zoom Telephonics
  8. In the models list click on Zoom V.34I and click next.
  9. You will get a message saying that the driver you have chosen was not written specifically for the selected hardware. Click on Yes to continue.
  10. Click on next to install the driver.
  11. Click on Finish, then click on Close and then on Ok to close the Device Manager.

Enabling infrared support:

  1. Click on the Start Menu, go to Settings, and select Control Panels.
  2. Double click on the Infrared icon.
  3. Click on the Options tab.
  4. Put a check mark in the box that says Enable Infrared Communication.
  5. Click on Apply then on Ok.

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Disclaimer: This information is being provided to you as a service from the Technical Support Department of WinBook Computers. It is intended to assist you in the resolution of your technical problems or questions. If you feel uncomfortable implementing any of the information or suggestions contained herein then you should e-mail the WinBook Technical Support Department. WinBook will not be held responsible for any loss of information, data or programming as a result of the use of this TechNote.

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