Reinstalling Windows

    If Windows is not working correctly, first try shutting down and restarting your computer. You may also try reinstalling device drivers and software before reinstalling Windows. For more information about reinstalling device drivers and applications, see Reinstalling Device Drivers and Reinstalling applications.

    Under normal circumstances you should not have to reinstall Windows 98, Windows 95, or Windows NT. However, if the operating system is not working correctly, you may have to reinstall Windows.

    This chapter provides instructions for restoring your computer back to the original operating system installation. If you are not comfortable with the procedures covered in this chapter, seek help from a more experienced computer user or a computer service technician.

Reinstalling Windows 98 or Windows 95

    The System Restoration CD steps you through reinstalling Windows 98 or Windows 95. It automatically reinstalls the hardware device drivers and some software. The remaining software is installed using the CDs that came with your computer. To reinstall Windows 98 or Windows 95 you have three installation options:

Install Windows. This option installs Windows over the current Windows installation and may correct simple Windows problems and get Windows working correctly by replacing files that are missing or corrupt.
Delete Windows and reinstall. This option deletes Windows from the hard drive and reinstalls Windows. Try this option if the Install Windows option does not correct problems with Windows.
Format the hard drive and reinstall Windows. This option formats drive C:\ of the hard drive and reinstalls Windows. Try this option if the Delete Windows and reinstall option does not correct Windows problems. All files on drive C:\ are deleted. Be sure to back up all important files before using this option.

    You need these items during the installation:

System Restoration CD
Windows 98 or Windows 95 CD
Windows 98 or Windows 95 Product Key/ID located on the front
of the Windows 98 or Windows 95 manual

To reinstall Windows 98 or Windows 95 and the device drivers:

    1. With the System Restoration CD in CD/DVD drive, restart your computer.
      The Gateway System Restoration CD Boot Menu opens.
    1. Select 2 Boot from CD-ROM.
      The Main Menu opens.
    1. Select Install Windows 95 or Install Windows 98, then press Enter .
    2. Select one of the three installation options for installing Windows, then press Enter .

      Important

      If you select the Format the hard drive and reinstall Windows option, then drive C:\ will be erased. Back up important files before selecting this option.

  • Follow the on-screen instructions.
        The remaining instructions step you through the operating system and device drivers installation.

    Reinstalling Windows NT

      To reinstall Windows NT you will:

    Delete the bootable partition. The bootable partition contains the files your computer uses when you turn it on.
    Reinstall Windows NT

      You need these items during the installation:

    Windows NT Workstation CD
    Windows NT Service Pack CD
    Windows NT Product ID, located on the front of the Windows NT manual.
    Windows NT Workstation Start Here guide for additional information about reinstalling Windows NT

    To delete the bootable partition:

    Important

    Deleting the bootable partition erases all files from the hard disk drive. Back up important files before deleting the bootable partition.

      1. Place the System Restoration CD in the CD/DVD drive.
        If you have an additional recordable/rewritable CD drive, make sure you do not put the System Restoration CD in it.
      1. Restart your computer.
      2. Select 2 Boot from CD-ROM.
        The Main Menu opens.
      1. Select Exit program.
        The DOS prompt appears.
      1. Type fdisk, then press Enter .
        A message appears explaining large disk support using the FAT32 file system. Use, the FAT 16 file system boot partition for the Windows NT operating system.
      1. Type N, then press Enter .
        The FDISK Options menu opens.
      1. Type 3, then press Enter .
        The Delete DOS Partition or Logical DOS Drive menu opens and a warning message appears.
      1. Type 1, then press Enter .
      2. If a volume label was assigned to the partition, type it when prompted, then press Enter . The volume label is case sensitive. Make sure you type it exactly as shown on the screen.
        - OR -
        If no volume label was assigned, press Enter .
      1. Type Y, then press Enter .
        The partition is deleted.
      1. Exit FDISK by pressing Esc three times.
        A DOS prompt appears.

    To reinstall Windows NT:

      1. With the System Restoration CD in CD/DVD drive, restart your computer.
        The Gateway System Restoration CD Boot Menu opens.
      1. Select 2 Boot from CD-ROM.
        The Main Menu opens.
      1. Read the onscreen information, then press F1 to continue.
        The system tells you that you are about to partition your hard drive.
      1. Press F1 .
        The Partitioning Options menu opens.
      1. Select Partition Using a FAT16, then press Enter .
        The system asks you if you want to partition your hard drive automatically.
      1. Press F1 , then follow the on-screen instructions.
        Your computer restarts and the Gateway System Restoration CD Boot Menu opens.
      1. Select 2 Boot from CD-ROM.
        The system formats the drive and starts the auto-detect devices utility.
      1. Press F1 .
        The Main Menu opens.
      1. Place the Window NT Workstation CD in the CD/DVD drive and restart your computer.
        The Windows NT Workstation menu opens.
      1. Press Enter .
        Follow the remaining on-screen instructions and refer to the installation section in the Windows NT Workstation Start Here manual to select proper options throughout the installation process.
      1. When prompted, remove the Windows NT Workstation CD, then press Enter .
        Your computer restarts.
      1. When prompted, select NT 4.0 Operating System, then press Enter .
      2. Complete the remaining Windows NT Setup screens.
      3. When the Setup Option dialog box opens, select the type of Windows load you want: Typical, Portable, Compact, or Custom.
        We recommend that you select Typical.
      1. When the Display Properties dialog box opens, skip the display adjustments by clicking OK.
      2. When prompted, remove the Windows NT Workstation CD, then click Restart.
        Your computer restarts Windows NT. When your computer restarts, the screen may display at 640 ×  480. This corrects itself after the proper display driver is reinstalled.
      1. After you have reinstalled the operating system, go to Reinstalling Windows NT device drivers and Reinstalling Windows NT Service Pack CD.

    Reinstalling applications

      If you are having problems running an application or if you have reinstalled your operating system, you can reinstall software from the System Restoration CD and the application CDs. Follow the installation instructions on each CD.

      The System Restoration CD also contains electronic documents that you can view or reinstall on your computer. See the insert included with the CD for information about viewing or reinstalling these electronic documents.

    To reinstall software from the System Restoration CD:

      1. Place the System Restoration CD in your CD/DVD drive. The System Restoration CD application starts.
        If the application does not start automatically, double-click the My Computer icon, double-click your CD/DVD drive icon, then double-click the cow-spotted box icon.
      1. Click the Software or Applications tab.
        Backup software is available on both tabs.
      1. Select the software you want to reinstall.
        Depending on the software you are reinstalling, you may only need to restart your computer to complete the reinstallation. However, for some reinstallations, you may also need to use a setup wizard after your computer restarts. If a setup wizard opens when you restart your computer, follow the on-screen instructions.

    To reinstall an application from a CD:

      1. Place the application CD in your CD/DVD drive.
      2. Complete the reinstallation by following the instructions included with the CD.