WinBook Tech Article
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Subject: Fdisk, Format and Reinstall Windows 98 on the WinBook LM
Keywords: install installation recover Win
Tech Article Number: WBTA07080353

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: All data on the hard drive directory will be deleted!

To complete this procedure you will need the following materials:

  • WinBook LM Windows 98 Boot Diskette

  • Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition CD

  • Microsoft Certificate of Authenticity found on the Microsoft Windows 98 Book

  • 1 Blank formatted 1.44MB floppy disk

Changing the Boot Sequence to allow booting from Floppy Disk:

Before starting computer ensure Floppy Drive is in the unit.

Power on unit and begin tapping the F2 key.

This will take you to the Phoenix Bios Setup.  Under Main arrow down to Boot Sequence.  Press the Spacebar until Diskette First is highlighted.

Next press the ESC key.  Save Changes and Exit will be highlighted.  Press Enter twice.  Unit will now reboot.

Using a New Hard Drive:

  1. Power on unit with floppy drive unit and "WinBook Windows 98 Boot Disk for the FX, XP5 Pro and LM notebook computers" in the computer.
  2. At the main menu select option 6 PHDISK /create and press Enter.
  3. When Last Chance to Stop Message appears press Enter.
  4. When this is finished press Enter.   The system will reboot.
  5. At the main menu choose option 1 FDISK and  press Enter.
  6. At the Last Chance to Stop message press Enter.
  7. When the message asking if you wish to enable Large Disk Support  press Y and Enter.
  8. Option 1 to create Dos partition or Logical Dos Drive should be highlighted.  Press Enter.
  9. Option 1 to create Primary Dos Partition  should be highlighted.  Press Enter again.  
  10. After drive integrity is verified, a message will ask  if you want to use the maximum available size for a Primary Dos Partition and make it active?  Y should be highlighted.  Press Enter.  Drive integrity will be verified again. 
  11. Press ESC. The unit will reboot.
  12. At the main menu select option 3 Format Hard Drive and press Enter.  At the Last Chance to Stop prompt press Enter.  At the Warning menu to proceed with format Y should be highlighted.  Press Enter. (This will take approx. 5-10 minutes).
  13. At prompt to enter Volume label press Enter.  Unit will reboot.

Using a Hard drive with existing partitions on it:

  1. Power on unit with floppy drive unit and "WinBook Windows 98 Boot Disk for the FX, XP5 Pro and LM notebook computers" in the computer.
  2. At the main menu choose option 1 FDISK and  press Enter.
  3. At the Last Chance to Stop message press Enter.
  4. When the message asking if you wish to enable Large Disk Support  press Y and Enter.
  5. At the FDISK options menu choose number 3 (Delete partition or Logical DOS Drive) and press Enter.
  6. Next select option 1(Delete primary DOS partition) and press Enter.
  7. Warning there are 2 partitions, a Primary Dos and a Non Dos.  Select the number of the PRIMARY DOS ONLY! and then push Enter.
  8. Next a prompt to enter the Volume Label will come up.  If one is listed under the Volume Label header enter it in EXACTLY as written (If there is nothing there then proceed to step 9).
  9. Press Enter.
  10. A warning will come up asking  Are You Sure?  Enter Y and press Enter.
  11. A prompt will tell you that the Primary Dos partition deleted.,  Press the ESC key.
  12. At the FDISK options screen the number 1(create Dos partition or Logical Dos Drive) should be in the choice by default.  Press Enter.
  13. The number 1(Create Primary Dos Partition) should be in the Enter choice box.  Press Enter.
  14. After drive integrity is verified, a message will ask  if you want to use the maximum available size for a Primary Dos Partition and make it active?  Y should be highlighted.  Press Enter.  Drive integrity will be verified again. 
  15. Press ESC. The unit will reboot.
  16. At the main menu select option 3 Format Hard Drive and press Enter.  At the Last Chance to Stop prompt press Enter.  At the Warning menu to proceed with format press Y.  Press Enter. (This will take approx. 5-10 minutes).
  17. At prompt to enter Volume label press Enter.  Unit will reboot.

Installing Windows 98:

  1. At the main menu press option 10 (Reinstall Windows 98 on to a WinBook hard drive.) and press Enter.
  2. A prompt will come up to power down unit and remove floppy drive and insert CD-ROM drive in unit.   
  3. Place Windows 98 CD in the CD-ROM at the prompt and then press Enter.
  4. At this point files will be copied to the hard drive.  (This will take approx. 10-15min.)
  5. Prompt that Setup will perform routine checks on system appears. Press Enter.
  6. When Windows 98 Setup appears a prompt to Continue or Exit Setup will appear.  Click on Continue.
  7. Windows will prompt to Select Directory to use.  Use recommended selection;(C:\Windows) and click Next.
  8. Setup Options will come up.  Typical will be selected by Windows (Recommended). Click Next.
  9. The Windows Components will come up and prompt to Install the most common components (Recommended). Click Next.
  10. Next the Identification Window appears.  Enter in the required information and click Next.
  11. Establish your location screen comes up.  United States is highlighted.  Click Next.
  12. Next a prompt comes up to create a Startup disk.  Click Next.  Insert a blank disk when prompted and then click OK.  If you decide not to create a startup disk click Cancel.
  13. Start copying files prompt will appear.  Click Next. (This will take approx. 35-60minutes)
  14. After Setup is finished copying files the computer will restart or click on Restart.
  15. After windows reboots a prompt will come up to enter User Information and Company (optional).  After entering the information in click Next.
  16. Next the License Agreement comes up.  You must Accept the agreement to proceed. Click on I accept the Agreement and then click Next.
  17. Next enter in the 25 digit  Windows Product Key found on the front cover of the Windows 98 Book.  When done click Next.
  18. At the Start Wizard click Finish.
  19. Welcome t PC Card Wizard. No should be selected.  Click Next.  At next prompt (No)  click Next.  The final prompt in the PC Card wizard will prompt to click Finish.  Click Finish.
  20. Windows will now detect Hardware and then set it up.  
  21. Next windows prompts to set Date and Time and Time Zone.  Select proper settings and then click Apply then click OK.
  22. Windows will load new hardware and then come up and be ready to go.
  23. Click on Start go up and click  Settings, then click on Control Panel.
  24. Click the Display icon twice (Double click)
  25. Be sure color palette is set to high color 16 bit and screen resolution is 800x600.

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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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