HELP: Installing an OS (On CD) using a CD-ROM BackPack

[The It]

Ok, I've been trying to figure this out for over a week now. I'm trying to install Windows98 Second Edition (I have a licensed version on a CD) on a laptop. The problem is, the laptop doesn't have it's own D-drive (CD-ROM drive). So I've got this BackPack. It's basically a portable D-drive. I just cannot seem to get it to work, it won't install Windows.

Now, I've actually tried quite a few things. For a full list, please click here (http://pcpitstop.ibforums.com/index.php?showtopic=68014). This was a board I was referred to awhile ago, and they've helped me quite a bit, but I seem to be stuck on the last part. If anyone could help me, or refer me, or tell me exactly what to do to help resolve this, I'd be extremely greatful.

Thanks very much,
-Paul

[Archer]

Hi TheIt
Whas this had one brain drain now trying it on another forum? :D:D

OK Read some of it [not reading all 5 pages].
Quickest way if you can mount it as slave in your desktop with an adaptor is to copy the install folder for 98 and any drivers you have to the hard-drive.
Put it back in the laptop and with the windows 98 boot disk,load the system files to the drive [ A:\> SYS C:] which will make it bootable.
Reboot and at the c:\> prompt open your windows install folder you put on the hard-drive before and run the setup from there.

Does the backpack not include instructions on there website on how to reinstall with the drive[if not post make and model for more info]?

[The It]

Thanks for replying.

I followed the instructions on this site: http://kb.indiana.edu/data/ajgd.html.

Could you perhaps be a bit more specific with you method, and possibly explain it step by step?

Much appreciated...
Thanks,
-Paul

[Archer]

Use one of these (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=170&item=5129397881&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW) to mount the laptop drive in your desktop as slave drive.

Use explorer to copy the windows cab file folder from your CD to the harddrive along with any drivers you have for the system.

Put it back in the laptop and boot up with the windows 98 start up disk providing the bootable media.

Copy the system files to the harddrive A:\> SYS C:

Reboot at the C:\> prompt change to the windows install folderC:\>CD\WIN [ENTER]assuming win is the folder.

At the prompt type setup C:\WIN>SETUP [ENTER]

Windows install will now run but you will have to laod the CDRom drivers as provided after wards.



And this hadnt better be your homework were doing [enter]:D

[The It]

Use one of these (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=170&item=5129397881&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW) to mount the laptop drive in your desktop as slave drive.

Use explorer to copy the windows cab file folder from your CD to the harddrive along with any drivers you have for the system.

Put it back in the laptop and boot up with the windows 98 start up disk providing the bootable media.

Copy the system files to the harddrive A:\> SYS C:

Reboot at the C:\> prompt change to the windows install folderC:\>CD\WIN [ENTER]assuming win is the folder.

At the prompt type setup C:\WIN>SETUP [ENTER]

Windows install will now run but you will have to laod the CDRom drivers as provided after wards.



And this hadnt better be your homework were doing [enter]:D

Ok, but could you be a bit more specific on HOW to do these things? I fell really dumb at this.

The site for the BackPack is http://www.micro-solutions.com/. From there, you can access the Downloads page. I've downloaded 2 files, one is the very first one on that page, the "driver" I think it is. The other is something to do with DOS, it's called "bpcd_dos.exe" assumably to install the CD-ROM BackPack in DOS mode. Here's a screenshot of the one I'm talking about:
http://img72.exs.cx/img72/6296/scrnsht_011.jpg

Anywhoo, I've got the "boot98.exe" bootdisk on a floppy. I've got the "bpcd_dos.exe" also on the same floppy. I tried running the "bpcd_dos.exe" setup when I got to the A:\ prompt (After selecting "Start computer WITHOUT CD-ROM support). It came up, and asked me what drive the installation files were on. It gave me 3 choices:
A drive
C drive
D drive
I tried selecting A (since that's the drive the "bpcd_dos.exe" file is on) but it said it wasn't right. I then tried the other 2 drives, but again it said they weren't correct either.

PS - This was all done with the CD-ROM BackPack NOT connected to the laptop.

Maybe you could explain what I'm doing wrong. Or, take me through your method step by step. You'll have to explain how I can achieve each step, since I'm not understanding it how you explained it (Sorry).

Thanks if you can help again!
-Paul

[FatalException0E]

You should be able to get DOS drivers for that backpack CD-ROM. I imagine you already have them. Boot to your Win98 bootdisk and run sys c: to make your hard drive bootable.

Remove the floppy and boot from the hard drive

Plug in the backpack CD

Install DOS drivers that you downloaded for the CD

That should get the CD working in DOS.
Now you should be able to boot from the laptop from its own hard drive (NO BOOT FLOPPY) and just type D: <enter> at the command prompt. Let us know if that gives you a problem.

Then the simple (but bad idea) way is to enter

CD WIN98
SETUP

The better way is to copy the dir to your hard drive, because you'll need it later

MD c:\win98
COPY d:\win98\*.* c:\win98
C:
CD win98
SETUP

[The It]

Great, but I'm not understanding it.

1. Do I have the right file(s)? This "DOS driver" you're referring to, is it the "bpcd_dos.exe" file, or do I have the wrong one?

2. How do I boot the DOS driver to my "boot98.exe" floppy? Do I just copy and paste it, or do I actually have to launch it? If so, will it take me through the proper steps to get it to boot to the floppy?

3. What am I booting from the hard drive, and how would I go about doing it?

4. Again, is that the "bpcd_dos.exe" file on the same floppy as the "boot98.exe" file? If so, how do I go about installing it?

Please don't get frusterated, I'm sure these are all questions that can be answered easily. If you could take the time to answer them so that I can understand them, that would be great. I really appreciate the help, I'm just not quite grasping what it is you're telling me to do.

Thanks again,
-Paul

[The It]

...Anyone? PLEASE! This would REALLY help me out!!

[The It]

Please, I'd really appreciate you time. It won't take long to explain this for me.

[hudsonsmith]

Here is a link to the 98se boot disk: http://www.mirrors.org/archived_software/www.bootdisk.com/winfiles1/boot98se.exe

It comes with cd rom support. After you download the file, run it to create a bootable floppy. Connect the cdrom and reboot the computer with the floppy in the a: drive and the 98se cd in the cd rom.

[The It]

I've already done that mate.

I got my bootdisk from http://www.bootdisk.com/bootdisk.htm. I downloaded the "boot98.exe" file an booted it to a floppy.

I'm past that point, I would just like to know what the other users were telling me to do. If someone could explain to me HOW to do it, I can.

[hudsonsmith]

Did you just copy boot98.exe to a floppy disk or did you actually run the file from your hard drive to create the bootable floppy? Re-read what everyone has said and try again. Everyone has been very explicit. If you have created the boot disk properly, it should load the cdrom drivers and you should be able to launch the windows setup program from the cd. If you are in over your head, bring the computer to a reputable repair shop.

[FatalException0E]

If you're having trouble with all of this, you should probably just take it to a shop and have it done.

[The It]

^^I don't want to spend any money on it >_<

[Tekboy]

^^I don't want to spend any money on it >_<

Part of your problem is that you need a glossary. No one here is going to have the time to teach you the terminology involved, such as "boot", and the difference between and exe file and a .drv or .inf file.

Sadly, TheIt, it seems that you seem to be unqualified to come here for advice.

Sorry.

You may wish to start here: http://www.sharpened.net/glossary/index.php

Good luck. ALL the information you have requested is already here. You may be able to use it if you look up the terminology. :)