Can I get the ME install CD to only reformat the C partition, not theD?

[Joan Archer]

Re: Can I get the ME install CD to only reformat the C partition, not the D?

ROFL

--
Joan Archer
http://www.freewebs.com/crossstitcher
http://lachsoft.com/photogallery

"Shane" <shanebeatson@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:OK1GiCCNJHA.6044@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
> MowGreen [MVP] wrote:
>> Arturo Seis wrote:
>>
>>> So I'm Arturo Seis???
>>>
>>> Not sure how that happened!
>>>
>>> <snip>
>>> Shane
>>>
>>
>> Anything is possible with OE ... even a personality transplant. <w>
>>
>> MG
>
> What if it gets rejected???
>
>
> Arturo

 

[MowGreen [MVP]]

Re: Can I get the ME install CD to only reformat the C partition,not the D?

Then we apply an update and reboot you. That would make you
Arturo Seis V.2. <g>

MG


Shane wrote:

> MowGreen [MVP] wrote:
>
>>Arturo Seis wrote:
>>
>>
>>>So I'm Arturo Seis???
>>>
>>>Not sure how that happened!
>>>
>>><snip>
>>>Shane
>>>
>>
>>Anything is possible with OE ... even a personality transplant. <w>
>>
>>MG
>
>
> What if it gets rejected???
>
>
> Arturo

 

[Gumby]

Re: Can I get the ME install CD to only reformat the C partition, notthe D?

On Oct 22, 1:47 am, "Mike M" <No_Spam@Corned_Beef.Only> wrote:
> I'm sorry but you don't appear to have taken in what I said.  Nowhere did
> I say in my previous post anything about "installing", instead I simply
> stated how to access a laptop drive using a desktop and an external usb
> box and laptop IDE/full size IDE converter.
 In my case I did "install" an
> OS but this was by first imaging the existing system from the old drive
> and then restoring that image to the new drive.  Nowhere did I say or
> suggest that that was something you should consider.

I didn't accuse you of saying I could install that way, Mike ) If
you'll read my post carefully, I simply was commenting that, although
it's "not always necessary to open a desktop", because USB boxes give
you many options, it might be necessary to open it in order to install
an OS. I didn't mean to imply that YOU said that I could install an OS
without opening the desktop. Sorry to give that impression.

> > I read somewhere that it's possible to rename the External Box as the
> > C drive, but I imagine that would make Windows go nuts.
>
> Why do you want to do this? Not that it isn't a simple job with a modern
> desktop but I can't think why you should want to do this.

I don't want to do it, I was just babbling and theorizing )

 >I've in a
> number of posts made a suggestion as to how to clean install Win Me on
> your laptop drive by copying the DOS boot files from the Win Me boot
> floppy and the Win9x folder from the Win Me CD to the laptop drive using a
> desktop and then restoring the drive to the laptop, booting to DOS and
> then running setup.  Shane has also made some suggestions.

Yes, and I'm going to do them, one at a time, starting tomorrow. I'm
very grateful for all the help.

>
> May I make one final suggestion and that is that you now try some of the
> various suggestions that have  been made.

Yes, it shall be done soonly.

 

[Gumby]

Re: Can I get the ME install CD to only reformat the C partition, notthe D?

On Oct 22, 4:10 am, "Mart" <mart(NoSpam)@nospam.nospam> wrote:
> Perhaps a bit late in the day now, but - and I don't want to burst the
> bubble - maybe another 'lateral solution' (yet another skin of the cat!)
> would have been to simply obtain a 2.5 inch IDE to USB enclosure and put
> your 'original laptop' HDD in it to make and add a portable drive to your XP
> box. (Self-powered [USB buspowered]) Secure too. And forget the laptop!

Good idea, Mart, but the only problem is I don't own an XP desktop.
The laptop is my only computer. I put the HD in a USB box and plug it
into XP desktops at cybercafes. Before someone accuses me of
misleading, I challenge anyone to find where I said or implied that I
own an XP computer. )

 

[Gumby]

Re: Can I get the ME install CD to only reformat the C partition,

On Oct 22, 4:32 am, "Mike M" <No_Spam@Corned_Beef.Only> wrote:
> Corday <10Swin...@net.net> wrote:
> > This thread is getting confusing. It seems the problem has been
> > solved if the responses had been tried.
>
> Indeed, and as far as I can tell to date, not one of the suggestions has
> yet been tried.

That's because I'm very busy lately. They will be tried in order of
perceived likelihood of success and ease of implementation starting on
the morrow. )

 

[Mike M]

Re: Can I get the ME install CD to only reformat the C partition,

Fair enough and I wish you the best of luck. I for one didn't realise
that you were posting from an internet café or similar and wrongly assumed
that you were posting from a second PC.
--
Mike Maltby
mike.maltby@gmail.com


Gumby <gumbygum@gmail.com> wrote:

> That's because I'm very busy lately. They will be tried in order of
> perceived likelihood of success and ease of implementation starting on
> the morrow. )

 

[Joan Archer]

Re: Can I get the ME install CD to only reformat the C partition, not the D?

Oh no please not another one <g>

--
Joan Archer
http://www.freewebs.com/crossstitcher
http://lachsoft.com/photogallery

"MowGreen [MVP]" <mowgreen@nowandzen.com> wrote in message
news:#x6TzqENJHA.5388@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
> Then we apply an update and reboot you. That would make you
> Arturo Seis V.2. <g>
>
> MG
>
>
> Shane wrote:
>
>> MowGreen [MVP] wrote:
>>
>>>Arturo Seis wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>>So I'm Arturo Seis???
>>>>
>>>>Not sure how that happened!
>>>>
>>>><snip>
>>>>Shane
>>>>
>>>
>>>Anything is possible with OE ... even a personality transplant. <w>
>>>
>>>MG
>>
>>
>> What if it gets rejected???
>>
>>
>> Arturo

 

[MowGreen [MVP]]

Re: Can I get the ME install CD to only reformat the C partition,not the D?

You've got something against clo[w]nes or bad puns ? <w>

MG

Joan Archer wrote:

> Oh no please not another one <g>
>

 

[Mart]

Re: Can I get the ME install CD to only reformat the C partition, not the D?

Challenge all you like, but in your second post you said :-

> .. If I tried to install it from an XP desktop,
> with the laptop HD connected to USB,
> I don't know if it would work.

That statement, in conjunction with the fact that you seem to be able to
post to and correspond with this News Group, make it pretty reasonable for
one to ASS-U-ME that you implied that you had an XP (or some other) machine
of your own available.

And, you've already got your own solution anyway!
> I put the HD in a USB box and plug it
> into XP desktops at cybercafes.

> The laptop is my only computer.

Perhaps you could have mentioned these facts in the first place. However, as
you only drip the important background details and do not appear to have
tried any of the suggestions yet - and as we are all going around in
circles - then I'm pulling from this thread until or unless you come back
with something more positive than "just babbling and theorizing". The
topic's pretty much exhausted anyway.

Good luck

Mart


"Gumby" <gumbygum@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:0358b4b2-35f8-4386-9669-246bd28ca06d@t65g2000hsf.googlegroups.com...
On Oct 22, 4:10 am, "Mart" <mart(NoSpam)@nospam.nospam> wrote:
> Perhaps a bit late in the day now, but - and I don't want to burst the
> bubble - maybe another 'lateral solution' (yet another skin of the cat!)
> would have been to simply obtain a 2.5 inch IDE to USB enclosure and put
> your 'original laptop' HDD in it to make and add a portable drive to your
> XP
> box. (Self-powered [USB buspowered]) Secure too. And forget the laptop!

Good idea, Mart, but the only problem is I don't own an XP desktop.
The laptop is my only computer. I put the HD in a USB box and plug it
into XP desktops at cybercafes. Before someone accuses me of
misleading, I challenge anyone to find where I said or implied that I
own an XP computer. )

 

[Shane]

Re: Can I get the ME install CD to only reformat the C partition, not the D?

Mart,

I don't want to go back through the entire thread to work out what was
justifiable or what was intuitive or whatever else whichmore and insoforth
as can be ascertained, but I have been operating all along on the basis that
Gumby did not have a desktop of his own. A cybercafe did not occur to me as
a possibility - but luckily I get off on learning something new every day,
so I'm quite pleased to have been wrong. I had supposed he'd be borrowing a
friend or acquaintance's computer time to do the deed.

Shane


"Mart" <mart(NoSpam)@nospam.nospam> wrote in message
news:%23LWQM7FNJHA.4772@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
> Challenge all you like, but in your second post you said :-
>
> > .. If I tried to install it from an XP desktop,
> > with the laptop HD connected to USB,
> > I don't know if it would work.
>
> That statement, in conjunction with the fact that you seem to be able to
> post to and correspond with this News Group, make it pretty reasonable for
> one to ASS-U-ME that you implied that you had an XP (or some other)
machine
> of your own available.
>
> And, you've already got your own solution anyway!
> > I put the HD in a USB box and plug it
> > into XP desktops at cybercafes.
>
> > The laptop is my only computer.
>
> Perhaps you could have mentioned these facts in the first place. However,
as
> you only drip the important background details and do not appear to have
> tried any of the suggestions yet - and as we are all going around in
> circles - then I'm pulling from this thread until or unless you come back
> with something more positive than "just babbling and theorizing". The
> topic's pretty much exhausted anyway.
>
> Good luck
>
> Mart
>
>
> "Gumby" <gumbygum@gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:0358b4b2-35f8-4386-9669-246bd28ca06d@t65g2000hsf.googlegroups.com...
> On Oct 22, 4:10 am, "Mart" <mart(NoSpam)@nospam.nospam> wrote:
> > Perhaps a bit late in the day now, but - and I don't want to burst the
> > bubble - maybe another 'lateral solution' (yet another skin of the cat!)
> > would have been to simply obtain a 2.5 inch IDE to USB enclosure and put
> > your 'original laptop' HDD in it to make and add a portable drive to
your
> > XP
> > box. (Self-powered [USB buspowered]) Secure too. And forget the laptop!
>
> Good idea, Mart, but the only problem is I don't own an XP desktop.
> The laptop is my only computer. I put the HD in a USB box and plug it
> into XP desktops at cybercafes. Before someone accuses me of
> misleading, I challenge anyone to find where I said or implied that I
> own an XP computer. )
>
>

 

[Mart]

Re: Can I get the ME install CD to only reformat the C partition, not the D?

Shane (and Gumby), I'm sorry if I appeared to have be 'sounding-off' or
unfairly criticising Gumby and I certainly don't want to get involved in a
flame war. But we seem to have discussed all practicable options to death,
albeit on a somewhat protracted (for whatever reason) thread. We can only
await Gumby's response with his conclusions - either workable or
unworkable - whichever route he chooses, before we can comment (or advise)
further. It's just that we could have saved a few column inches if Gumby's
circumstances had been made a little clearer in the first place.

Mart


"Shane" <shanebeatson@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:O0xYjIGNJHA.5428@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
> Mart,
>
> I don't want to go back through the entire thread to work out what was
> justifiable or what was intuitive or whatever else whichmore and insoforth
> as can be ascertained, but I have been operating all along on the basis
> that
> Gumby did not have a desktop of his own. A cybercafe did not occur to me
> as
> a possibility - but luckily I get off on learning something new every day,
> so I'm quite pleased to have been wrong. I had supposed he'd be borrowing
> a
> friend or acquaintance's computer time to do the deed.
>
> Shane
>
>
> "Mart" <mart(NoSpam)@nospam.nospam> wrote in message
> news:%23LWQM7FNJHA.4772@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
>> Challenge all you like, but in your second post you said :-
>>
>> > .. If I tried to install it from an XP desktop,
>> > with the laptop HD connected to USB,
>> > I don't know if it would work.
>>
>> That statement, in conjunction with the fact that you seem to be able to
>> post to and correspond with this News Group, make it pretty reasonable
>> for
>> one to ASS-U-ME that you implied that you had an XP (or some other)
> machine
>> of your own available.
>>
>> And, you've already got your own solution anyway!
>> > I put the HD in a USB box and plug it
>> > into XP desktops at cybercafes.
>>
>> > The laptop is my only computer.
>>
>> Perhaps you could have mentioned these facts in the first place. However,
> as
>> you only drip the important background details and do not appear to have
>> tried any of the suggestions yet - and as we are all going around in
>> circles - then I'm pulling from this thread until or unless you come back
>> with something more positive than "just babbling and theorizing". The
>> topic's pretty much exhausted anyway.
>>
>> Good luck
>>
>> Mart
>>
>>
>> "Gumby" <gumbygum@gmail.com> wrote in message
>> news:0358b4b2-35f8-4386-9669-246bd28ca06d@t65g2000hsf.googlegroups.com...
>> On Oct 22, 4:10 am, "Mart" <mart(NoSpam)@nospam.nospam> wrote:
>> > Perhaps a bit late in the day now, but - and I don't want to burst the
>> > bubble - maybe another 'lateral solution' (yet another skin of the
>> > cat!)
>> > would have been to simply obtain a 2.5 inch IDE to USB enclosure and
>> > put
>> > your 'original laptop' HDD in it to make and add a portable drive to
> your
>> > XP
>> > box. (Self-powered [USB buspowered]) Secure too. And forget the laptop!
>>
>> Good idea, Mart, but the only problem is I don't own an XP desktop.
>> The laptop is my only computer. I put the HD in a USB box and plug it
>> into XP desktops at cybercafes. Before someone accuses me of
>> misleading, I challenge anyone to find where I said or implied that I
>> own an XP computer. )
>>
>>
>
>

 

[Shane]

Re: Can I get the ME install CD to only reformat the C partition, not the D?

MowGreen [MVP] wrote:
> Then we apply an update and reboot you. That would make you
> Arturo Seis V.2. <g>
>

That would be ironic as I was born where the first V2 of the blitz fell! I'm
not sure whether that makes me a poppy or a mushroom though.

Shane

 

[Gumby]

Re: Can I get the ME install CD to only reformat the C partition, notthe D?

Just to bring everyone up to date on my fascinating problem... )

I have been emailing Shane and he has heroically provided me with the
files I need to try to boot DOS. But I am still unclear as to whether
I should format the C drive or not, and, if so, how. I have read that
Windows might not install well if you don't format first. But Shane
points out that if I format C on an external USB box, it might not be
bootable afterwards. So I think now I will just copy his files to my C
drive without deleting the Windows folder and other files that are
currently on the C drive, and see what happens. Shane has also said
that I probably need a Ramdrive to format C from files that reside on
C. And I don't know how to make a Ramdrive, though Shane has said he
would explain how. So...I just want to show you all that I'm really
working on this, so you'll stop getting impatient with me.

 

[Gumby]

Re: Can I get the ME install CD to only reformat the C partition, notthe D?

I am happy to report that Shane's solution worked, and I am very
grateful to him and the rest of you. As it turned out, I didn't need
to know how to make a ramdrive -- The startup menu that Shane's files
created included these options:

1. Windows ME
2. Safe mode
3. Command prompt
4. Command prompt, ramdrive, CD-ROM support
5. Command prompt, ramdrive only
6. Command prompt, minimal boot

I wasn't sure which command prompt option to choose, so I chose
ramdrive only. Then I switched to D and issued a format c: command.
It worked, even though this would cannibalize Shane's MS-DOS files. I
guess it worked because the MS-DOS went into RAM.

Then, again from D, I activated the setup.exe from the install CD that
I had copied to D. It installed to C and i now have a running Windows
ME installation (i understand that, with ME, "running" is a relative
term, it being regarded as the world's worst OS...however it does
start, although I haven't really tested it out yet )

My only regret is that the magical Shane startup files, having
performed their miracles, then apparently vanished into the ether. I
guess they went to that ramdrive in the sky where all good boot files
receive their reward.

I would love to have those wonderful Command prompt options back on
the system now that it's working. Dare I try to copy them once again
to my HD? You know that old biblical admonition, if it ain't broke,
don't fix it! (was that the Bible or Yogi Berra?)

Once again may I express my gratitude to you blokes, especially Shane.
You're the best!

 

[webster72n]

Re: Can I get the ME install CD to only reformat the C partition, not the D?

"Gumby" <gumbygum@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:ac522aab-413d-4d4e-a107-563c3a755bd5@p10g2000prf.googlegroups.com...
> I am happy to report that Shane's solution worked, and I am very
> grateful to him and the rest of you. As it turned out, I didn't need
> to know how to make a ramdrive -- The startup menu that Shane's files
> created included these options:
>
> 1. Windows ME
> 2. Safe mode
> 3. Command prompt
> 4. Command prompt, ramdrive, CD-ROM support
> 5. Command prompt, ramdrive only
> 6. Command prompt, minimal boot
>
> I wasn't sure which command prompt option to choose, so I chose
> ramdrive only. Then I switched to D and issued a format c: command.
> It worked, even though this would cannibalize Shane's MS-DOS files. I
> guess it worked because the MS-DOS went into RAM.
>
> Then, again from D, I activated the setup.exe from the install CD that
> I had copied to D. It installed to C and i now have a running Windows
> ME installation (i understand that, with ME, "running" is a relative
> term, it being regarded as the world's worst OS...however it does
> start, although I haven't really tested it out yet )
>
> My only regret is that the magical Shane startup files, having
> performed their miracles, then apparently vanished into the ether. I
> guess they went to that ramdrive in the sky where all good boot files
> receive their reward.
>
> I would love to have those wonderful Command prompt options back on
> the system now that it's working. Dare I try to copy them once again
> to my HD? You know that old biblical admonition, if it ain't broke,
> don't fix it! (was that the Bible or Yogi Berra?)
>
> Once again may I express my gratitude to you blokes, especially Shane.
> You're the best!

The truth must come out, finally and independently too, except for WinME
being the worst OS: it performs wonders for me and I don't consider myself
as 'the only one'.

Harry.

 

[Mart]

Re: Can I get the ME install CD to only reformat the C partition, not the D?

Well done and congratulations Gumby, good to hear that your efforts have
resulted in a successful conclusion.

As Harry has reported elsewhere, WinMe - if looked after properly - runs
perfectly well, as other regulars here can attest. It's just had some bad
press.

Good luck with it.

Mart


"Gumby" <gumbygum@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:ac522aab-413d-4d4e-a107-563c3a755bd5@p10g2000prf.googlegroups.com...
>I am happy to report that Shane's solution worked, and I am very
> grateful to him and the rest of you. As it turned out, I didn't need
> to know how to make a ramdrive -- The startup menu that Shane's files
> created included these options:
>
> 1. Windows ME
> 2. Safe mode
> 3. Command prompt
> 4. Command prompt, ramdrive, CD-ROM support
> 5. Command prompt, ramdrive only
> 6. Command prompt, minimal boot
>
> I wasn't sure which command prompt option to choose, so I chose
> ramdrive only. Then I switched to D and issued a format c: command.
> It worked, even though this would cannibalize Shane's MS-DOS files. I
> guess it worked because the MS-DOS went into RAM.
>
> Then, again from D, I activated the setup.exe from the install CD that
> I had copied to D. It installed to C and i now have a running Windows
> ME installation (i understand that, with ME, "running" is a relative
> term, it being regarded as the world's worst OS...however it does
> start, although I haven't really tested it out yet )
>
> My only regret is that the magical Shane startup files, having
> performed their miracles, then apparently vanished into the ether. I
> guess they went to that ramdrive in the sky where all good boot files
> receive their reward.
>
> I would love to have those wonderful Command prompt options back on
> the system now that it's working. Dare I try to copy them once again
> to my HD? You know that old biblical admonition, if it ain't broke,
> don't fix it! (was that the Bible or Yogi Berra?)
>
> Once again may I express my gratitude to you blokes, especially Shane.
> You're the best!

 

[Greegor]

Re: Can I get the ME install CD to only reformat the C partition, notthe D?

I noticed that this thread was badly fractured
because "alt.windows-me" got dropped from the
crosspost list.

I'm glad Shane helped you get it worked out, Gumby!

Did you replace the broken hard disk ribbon cable?

 

[Shane]

Re: Can I get the ME install CD to only reformat the C partition, not the D?

Glad to see you have it back, Gumby. I'm not absolutely sure of what you did
but figure that is probably irrelevant.

If you want the DOS hack back, just unzip it to the C: drive again (followed
by the US keyboard layout autoexec.bat and config.sys - or edit the ones in
the first zip by right-click/Edit, or double-click/Open With/Notepad and
read the comments in the lowest section of each). The only way they threaten
to cause problems is if you're superstitious - and there are backups of all
files anyway.

Shane


"Gumby" <gumbygum@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:ac522aab-413d-4d4e-a107-563c3a755bd5@p10g2000prf.googlegroups.com...
>I am happy to report that Shane's solution worked, and I am very
> grateful to him and the rest of you. As it turned out, I didn't need
> to know how to make a ramdrive -- The startup menu that Shane's files
> created included these options:
>
> 1. Windows ME
> 2. Safe mode
> 3. Command prompt
> 4. Command prompt, ramdrive, CD-ROM support
> 5. Command prompt, ramdrive only
> 6. Command prompt, minimal boot
>
> I wasn't sure which command prompt option to choose, so I chose
> ramdrive only. Then I switched to D and issued a format c: command.
> It worked, even though this would cannibalize Shane's MS-DOS files. I
> guess it worked because the MS-DOS went into RAM.
>
> Then, again from D, I activated the setup.exe from the install CD that
> I had copied to D. It installed to C and i now have a running Windows
> ME installation (i understand that, with ME, "running" is a relative
> term, it being regarded as the world's worst OS...however it does
> start, although I haven't really tested it out yet )
>
> My only regret is that the magical Shane startup files, having
> performed their miracles, then apparently vanished into the ether. I
> guess they went to that ramdrive in the sky where all good boot files
> receive their reward.
>
> I would love to have those wonderful Command prompt options back on
> the system now that it's working. Dare I try to copy them once again
> to my HD? You know that old biblical admonition, if it ain't broke,
> don't fix it! (was that the Bible or Yogi Berra?)
>
> Once again may I express my gratitude to you blokes, especially Shane.
> You're the best!

 

[Gumby]

Re: Can I get the ME install CD to only reformat the C partition, notthe D?

On Oct 24, 5:47 am, Greegor <Greego...@gmail.com> wrote:
> I noticed that this thread was badly fractured
> because "alt.windows-me" got dropped from the
> crosspost list.
>
> I'm glad Shane helped you get it worked out, Gumby!
>
> Did you replace the broken hard disk ribbon cable?

No, that can't be replaced, but this fellow did a fine job soldering
the three broken conductive thingies, and it works, though I wouldn't
dare put any pressure on it.

Now if only someone could do something about the fact that my
display's hinges are completely broken and the display is totally
loose and looks like it will fall off and break in a minute...and I
tilt it by tying a string to it and the other end to a window
gate...but it only has to last another 2 months! )

Truly, this laptop has to be seen to be believed! But I'm a strong
believer in using something until it dies, as long as it gets the job
done for me.

 

[Shane]

Re: Can I get the ME install CD to only reformat the C partition, not the D?

> chooses, before we can comment (or advise) further. It's just that we
> could have saved a few column inches if Gumby's circumstances had
> been made a little clearer in the first place.

Possibly. But then it seems to me I waffle on so much myself that when I
read my own posts back *I* can hardly tell what I was talking about!

Shane