We need help figuring out how to install new hard drive for a Windows 95 computer.

[truedelphi]

I was able to buy a Hard Drive identical to the other older one for $ 45.

The problem is that it came with a partitioned drive. I have no idea how to make the conversion of all my files off the old HD and onto this new one.

I would not have any trouble if it was not partitioned, but it is.

how do I handle this partitioning?

[canetoad]

1. Is this a second hard drive?

Or just extra storage?

Either way, you need to use a command prompt to execute 'fdisk'.

If it is to be your main operating system disk, you will need a boot floppy. Have a look here, I'm sure they'll have something http://www.bootdisk.com/

If it's a second drive, you should be able to run DOS prompt and run fdisk from there. You can Google for lists of fdisk commands to print out as reference.

Good luck.

[truedelphi]

4. See response three.

It is a replacement for the main C Drive.

[BlueJazz]

2. Go here and download the home addition. (it's free)

http://www.partitionwizard.com/download.html
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.
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Then Go HERE and learn about partitions. :)
http://www.partitionwizard.com/video-help/index.html

[truedelphi]

3. We are dealing with a Windows 95 computer. Not available on the site you show.

It is a little work horse of a computer, and I like the simplicity of Windows 95. Even after Ml. bought the Windows XP machine home, the Windows 95 was always my machine fo preference - except of course for internet or large media files. But for writing my short stores, etc, it was really fine.


Now the big problem for both of us here is that we are writers, and yes indeedy, much of what was on it was backed up. But of course, I imagine that much on it WASN"T backed up.

When the computer failed, we were able to use a start up strategy that let us see that all the files are on it. In other words the information on the computer is intact. (We had the computer run in DOS and it flashed screen after screen of file names. So I am not worried that the crash of the computer knocked out our data.)

This all happened one time before. By using a cable and having obtained a new HD identical to the one that failed, my spouse got everything sent from the failing HD over to the new one.

We cannot do that this time because of the partitioning. Or so we believe.

[canetoad]

5. I'm not so sure truedelphi

It's quite possible that the partitions are of a convenient size and you could install Win95 on the C: drive and save the other partition/s for your own files.Now there is a huge advantage to this; you can then wipe and reinstall the operating system if you ever need to, without disturbing your own files.

I'm assuming that the new drive is FAT32 and not NTFS. What's the state of play at the moment; is the new drive installed, have you tried to install Win95 on it? If so, what kinds of messages are you getting.

[truedelphi]

7. As far as your question about Fat32 or NT - it is Fat 32.

I will have to check with the spouse tomorrow as to what the actual prognosis is so far.

BTW, in yr PM to me - you were a great help on the Avast virus suggestion for our Windows XP - that is working out great so far.

We have out off the Windows 95 new HD for at least six months and I am eager to0 get it together.

[BlueJazz]

6. I see and sorry for not seeing the 95 thing. You know 98 second edition is only slightly..

..larger then 95 and offers the same "Look" while being much more stable.

[hunter]

8. If you are interested in Windows 95 forever...

...you need to know these guys:

http://www.msfn.org/board/forum/8-windows-959898seme

http://www.mdgx.com

Personally, when I want to recreate or revive an old Windows 95 machine I use Windows 98 SE + ME extensions (MDGX's "98SE2ME") underneath and replace the infamous Windows 98 / Internet Explorer integration with the Windows 95 program manager. That gives you quite a bit of USB support -- for memory sticks and even some other stuff. There are even extensions (hackeded out of XP itself, no doubt, so don't tell Microsoft!) that let some XP apps run.

First you'll need an fdsk / partition utility that'll handle whatever partitions are on the drive you got. IIRC the win95 boot floppy fdsk chokes on most everything new.

Edit to add this about FDSK:

http://www.mdgx.com/secrets.htm#FDPT