Please help me!

Hi, this is my first post. Can you please help with a major problem I have?

I have a Packard Bell computer that works great, and had Windows 95 when I bought it.

I got a new hard disk 3 years ago, and it's had Windows 98 on it since last year. Well, I realized that I didn't like Windows 98, so I tried to go back to Windows 95 on it, but it wouldn't allow me to do so.

Then, I reattached the old hard disk I replaced, that supposedly had Windows 95 on it. Well, unfortunately, Windows didn't seem to be on it, so I decided I had to re-install it.

When I installed the new hard disk 3 years back, I took it to CompUSA to install for me. I took my Packard Bell Master CD and Packard Bell restore floppy there, and they installed Windows 95.

Well, I tried it, and it didn't seem to work. When it asked me if I was sure I wanted to erase the hard disk, I said yes, and it said twice underneath Invalid Harddrive specification. Then, a screen comes up. It says: Packard Bell Restore 2.4. Then, I get this popup that says:

"Unable to create directory C:\ on drive C: Possibly out of space on drive C:". The only option there is cancel.

Well, I also should mention that since I couldn't get the old hard disk out of the bay, I left it in place, disconnected the wires, and put the original one sitting on top of the 3 1\2 Floppy bay. I don't know how to attach the brackets; maybe they aren't compatable for that hard disk.

Is there anything I can do so I don't have to take it to CompUSA? The problem here's really strange. I'll be greatful for any help. Thanks!

Welcome!

First you need a Windows 98 bootdisk. Bootup with the disk, and run fdisk. Select yes, then you want to delete all partitions. Create a new partition. Then reboot your PC with the boot disk again. This time, run the format c: (or whatever the actual drive letter is).

After that, you should be all set to install Windows 95.

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Thanks for your help. I tried it, but it didn't work. I loaded the disk up at startup, but it kept saying "Insert bootable media into the appropriate drive". In fact, it won't accept any of the floppy's I put in. The only one it will accept, though, is the PB Restore floppy. Real strange situation. Thanks, anyway.

Are you sure it's a Windows 98 boot disk? In the BIOS make sure booting from the a drive is selected.

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I have it set for Floppy A. It still won't work.

These are the disks related to operating systems that I have:

Packard Bell Restore & Recovery Disk Version 3.41W (floppy)
Packard Bell Master CD Pc-Doctor Diagnostics
Two home-made Windows 98 startup floppies
Two Windows 95 companion CDs

Thanks!

If you go to www.bootdisk.com and download a Windows 98 boot disk, see if that works at all.

Once you can get to a command prompt with it, you can fdisk those partitions and create a new one.

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Sorry to be waisting your time with this, but I downloaded the files, but it still gave me the same message "Insert bootable media into appropriate drive", no matter how many times I press enter.

I don't know what's wrong with the thing. I think I'll open up the chassis and take a look.

Thanks for all your help!

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I have the answer, I just can't find it.

I would say your floppy drive is not hooked up right or bad, I'm with the latter...

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