Reinstalling W98 on a PB Club 40

Hi.

I recently made the mistake of trying to help someone reinstall
Windows 98 on their old Club 40. After the usual backups had been
made, I repartitioned their 3GB hard drive and formatted a 2.5GB
partition using DOS fdisk. I then booted up with a startup disk, and
tried to run the W98 setup program from the Master CD. The program
gave me a screen with options, but no matter which option I choose,
the outcome is the same: nothing happens, and I'm returned to the
command-line prompt. It dawned on me that the OEMSetup program
probably relied on there being some pre-existing file on the hard
drive in order to work properly. I've had a look on the newsgroups,
and have learned that Packard Bell PCs all have a special file
(referred to as a "tattoo") on their hard drive, and that this is
needed (perhaps with other files - I don't know) by the OEMSetup
program. I also understand that it is possible to tattoo the hard
drive oneself.

So to my questions:
1. Must I repartition the hard drive so that the whole disk is a
single 3GB partition, in order for the setup program to work?
2. How do I put the tattoo (and any other required files) back on the
hard drive?
3. I have the two Master CDs and the product key for Windows, but I
don't have a startup disk - would one from my old W95 machine be
usable?

The model of the machine is, as I say, a Club 40: the BIOS string is
2A5IIG5EC, which means it has a GVC FR500 (rev. D) mobo, so I think
that it's one of the earlier Club 40 types.

I'd be very grateful for any information, as I don't know what to do.
Thanks,

Paul.

I do not know whether your unit has tatto as a component
Not enough info
Send me a copy of the restore floppy and I may be able to tell

I would make just one partition and try the restore floppy and the master CD
Did not know PB had the OEM drive partitioned

You can boot to a C prompt
just making sure the partition is active


You always have the option of using another Windows 98 CD OEM FULL INSTALL
if you have it

I do not know for your Master CD
See if the cab files are on the CD
You could use it also if it is not encrypted





"Paul" <> wrote in message
news: om...
> Hi.
>
> I recently made the mistake of trying to help someone reinstall
> Windows 98 on their old Club 40. After the usual backups had been
> made, I repartitioned their 3GB hard drive and formatted a 2.5GB
> partition using DOS fdisk. I then booted up with a startup disk, and
> tried to run the W98 setup program from the Master CD. The program
> gave me a screen with options, but no matter which option I choose,
> the outcome is the same: nothing happens, and I'm returned to the
> command-line prompt. It dawned on me that the OEMSetup program
> probably relied on there being some pre-existing file on the hard
> drive in order to work properly. I've had a look on the newsgroups,
> and have learned that Packard Bell PCs all have a special file
> (referred to as a "tattoo") on their hard drive, and that this is
> needed (perhaps with other files - I don't know) by the OEMSetup
> program. I also understand that it is possible to tattoo the hard
> drive oneself.
>
> So to my questions:
> 1. Must I repartition the hard drive so that the whole disk is a
> single 3GB partition, in order for the setup program to work?
> 2. How do I put the tattoo (and any other required files) back on the
> hard drive?
> 3. I have the two Master CDs and the product key for Windows, but I
> don't have a startup disk - would one from my old W95 machine be
> usable?
>
> The model of the machine is, as I say, a Club 40: the BIOS string is
> 2A5IIG5EC, which means it has a GVC FR500 (rev. D) mobo, so I think
> that it's one of the earlier Club 40 types.
>
> I'd be very grateful for any information, as I don't know what to do.
> Thanks,
>
> Paul.
>

"metronid" <> wrote in message news:<V42dnSCQnPM1NnHdRVn->...

Hi Metronid.

Thanks for the quick response: I'll attempt to answer your
questions...

> I do not know whether your unit has tatto as a component
> Not enough info
> Send me a copy of the restore floppy and I may be able to tell

Unfortunately, as I say, I don't have the restore floppy/startup
disk-thing. Is there somewhere I can download one? I went to
bootdisk.com, but all I could find there was a generic W98 startup
disk. Is there another way I can find out about the tattoo?

> I would make just one partition and try the restore floppy and the master CD
> Did not know PB had the OEM drive partitioned

They didn't: I partitioned it using DOS fdisk. When I boot from a
startup disk and run OEMSETUP.EXE from the Master CD, I just get that
screen with options which don't work (they just return me to the
command-line prompt).

> You can boot to a C prompt just making sure the partition is active
>
> You always have the option of using another Windows 98 CD OEM FULL INSTALL
> if you have it

I'm afraid I don't have another one (I don't use Windows any more):
and the Master CD has all the applications software (Word, etc.) on
it, which the machine's owners do use.

> I do not know for your Master CD

Well, the number on it is 6733870501, if that means anything to you!

> See if the cab files are on the CD

I looked for .CAB files, but all the files have odd extensions: the
files in the PARTS directory are suffixed with either .01 or .XX (they
have names like AAB400AE.01 and ZCB000AA.XX). If it helps, here's a
listing of the root directory of Master CD 1 (sorry about the UNIX
format):

-r-xr-xr-x 1 root root 1868 Oct 13 1998 CONTENT.TXT
-r-xr-xr-x 1 root root 309248 Jan 6 1998 CRC95.EXE
dr-xr-xr-x 1 root root 2048 Oct 13 1998 CRCLOG
-r-xr-xr-x 1 root root 17689 Oct 13 1998 CRCLOG.DAT
-r-xr-xr-x 1 root root 2 Oct 13 1998 DISK1.ID
dr-xr-xr-x 1 root root 2048 Oct 13 1998 LST
dr-xr-xr-x 1 root root 8192 Oct 13 1998 PARTS
dr-xr-xr-x 1 root root 2048 Oct 13 1998 PB_FOR.VER
dr-xr-xr-x 1 root root 2048 Oct 13 1998 SCR
dr-xr-xr-x 1 root root 2048 Oct 13 1998 SETUP
dr-xr-xr-x 1 root root 2048 Oct 13 1998 TSRC

> You could use it also if it is not encrypted

Not sure what you mean here: what's not encrypted? The Master CD?

Hope I've answered everything: I look forward to hearing your
thoughts. Thanks again for helping.

Best wishes,

Paul.

"Paul" <> wrote in message
news: om...
> "metronid" <> wrote in message
news:<V42dnSCQnPM1NnHdRVn->...
>
> Hi Metronid.
>
> Thanks for the quick response: I'll attempt to answer your
> questions...
>
> > I do not know whether your unit has tatto as a component
> > Not enough info
> > Send me a copy of the restore floppy and I may be able to tell
>
> Unfortunately, as I say, I don't have the restore floppy/startup
> disk-thing. Is there somewhere I can download one? I went to
> bootdisk.com, but all I could find there was a generic W98 startup
> disk. Is there another way I can find out about the tattoo?
>
> > I would make just one partition and try the restore floppy and the
master CD
> > Did not know PB had the OEM drive partitioned
>
> They didn't: I partitioned it using DOS fdisk. When I boot from a
> startup disk and run OEMSETUP.EXE from the Master CD, I just get
that
> screen with options which don't work (they just return me to the
> command-line prompt).
>
> > You can boot to a C prompt just making sure the partition is
active
> >
> > You always have the option of using another Windows 98 CD OEM FULL
INSTALL
> > if you have it
>
> I'm afraid I don't have another one (I don't use Windows any more):
> and the Master CD has all the applications software (Word, etc.) on
> it, which the machine's owners do use.
>
> > I do not know for your Master CD
>
> Well, the number on it is 6733870501, if that means anything to you!
>
> > See if the cab files are on the CD
>
> I looked for .CAB files, but all the files have odd extensions: the
> files in the PARTS directory are suffixed with either .01 or .XX
(they
> have names like AAB400AE.01 and ZCB000AA.XX). If it helps, here's a
> listing of the root directory of Master CD 1 (sorry about the UNIX
> format):
>
> -r-xr-xr-x 1 root root 1868 Oct 13 1998 CONTENT.TXT
> -r-xr-xr-x 1 root root 309248 Jan 6 1998 CRC95.EXE
> dr-xr-xr-x 1 root root 2048 Oct 13 1998 CRCLOG
> -r-xr-xr-x 1 root root 17689 Oct 13 1998 CRCLOG.DAT
> -r-xr-xr-x 1 root root 2 Oct 13 1998 DISK1.ID
> dr-xr-xr-x 1 root root 2048 Oct 13 1998 LST
> dr-xr-xr-x 1 root root 8192 Oct 13 1998 PARTS
> dr-xr-xr-x 1 root root 2048 Oct 13 1998 PB_FOR.VER
> dr-xr-xr-x 1 root root 2048 Oct 13 1998 SCR
> dr-xr-xr-x 1 root root 2048 Oct 13 1998 SETUP
> dr-xr-xr-x 1 root root 2048 Oct 13 1998 TSRC
>
> > You could use it also if it is not encrypted
>
> Not sure what you mean here: what's not encrypted? The Master CD?
>
> Hope I've answered everything: I look forward to hearing your
> thoughts. Thanks again for helping.
>
> Best wishes,
>
> Paul.

Paul:

TATTOO PROCEDURE:

Create a Windows 98 Boot Diskette
Locate on Master CD's the folder 'DRIVERS'
From this folder copy to the boot diskette the following files:
Tattoo.exe
Shellhs.dll

Remove old HDD and install your new HDD

Power up the system and boot from the diskette into DOS and at the A>
prompt enter the following command:

Tattoo /createhsfromdmi

This will transfer a copy of the tattoo from the motherboard bios to
the hdd.


If you don't have these files, you need only go to
http://www.bootdisk.com as other suggested and make a bootable disk
and then run the restore process. Ahh I also noted what you wrote, you
don't have the restore cd's for the unit? In that case someone here
may have that cd so you can continue. Just in case I am reading this
correctly. Anyway I gave you the instructions to make a tattoo as per
Simon's instructions.

Elector

Here is the link foe the restore floppy
http://www.pbnec.nl/support/itemnr/6760030000.html

Your unit may also boot from the master cd
Do not know

Make sure you return the HD to 1 partition first
Formatted and bootable toi a C prompt


"Elector" <> wrote in message
news:ew9Hc.16622$...
>
> "Paul" <> wrote in message
> news: om...
> > "metronid" <> wrote in message
> news:<V42dnSCQnPM1NnHdRVn->...
> >
> > Hi Metronid.
> >
> > Thanks for the quick response: I'll attempt to answer your
> > questions...
> >
> > > I do not know whether your unit has tatto as a component
> > > Not enough info
> > > Send me a copy of the restore floppy and I may be able to tell
> >
> > Unfortunately, as I say, I don't have the restore floppy/startup
> > disk-thing. Is there somewhere I can download one? I went to
> > bootdisk.com, but all I could find there was a generic W98 startup
> > disk. Is there another way I can find out about the tattoo?
> >
> > > I would make just one partition and try the restore floppy and the
> master CD
> > > Did not know PB had the OEM drive partitioned
> >
> > They didn't: I partitioned it using DOS fdisk. When I boot from a
> > startup disk and run OEMSETUP.EXE from the Master CD, I just get
> that
> > screen with options which don't work (they just return me to the
> > command-line prompt).
> >
> > > You can boot to a C prompt just making sure the partition is
> active
> > >
> > > You always have the option of using another Windows 98 CD OEM FULL
> INSTALL
> > > if you have it
> >
> > I'm afraid I don't have another one (I don't use Windows any more):
> > and the Master CD has all the applications software (Word, etc.) on
> > it, which the machine's owners do use.
> >
> > > I do not know for your Master CD
> >
> > Well, the number on it is 6733870501, if that means anything to you!
> >
> > > See if the cab files are on the CD
> >
> > I looked for .CAB files, but all the files have odd extensions: the
> > files in the PARTS directory are suffixed with either .01 or .XX
> (they
> > have names like AAB400AE.01 and ZCB000AA.XX). If it helps, here's a
> > listing of the root directory of Master CD 1 (sorry about the UNIX
> > format):
> >
> > -r-xr-xr-x 1 root root 1868 Oct 13 1998 CONTENT.TXT
> > -r-xr-xr-x 1 root root 309248 Jan 6 1998 CRC95.EXE
> > dr-xr-xr-x 1 root root 2048 Oct 13 1998 CRCLOG
> > -r-xr-xr-x 1 root root 17689 Oct 13 1998 CRCLOG.DAT
> > -r-xr-xr-x 1 root root 2 Oct 13 1998 DISK1.ID
> > dr-xr-xr-x 1 root root 2048 Oct 13 1998 LST
> > dr-xr-xr-x 1 root root 8192 Oct 13 1998 PARTS
> > dr-xr-xr-x 1 root root 2048 Oct 13 1998 PB_FOR.VER
> > dr-xr-xr-x 1 root root 2048 Oct 13 1998 SCR
> > dr-xr-xr-x 1 root root 2048 Oct 13 1998 SETUP
> > dr-xr-xr-x 1 root root 2048 Oct 13 1998 TSRC
> >
> > > You could use it also if it is not encrypted
> >
> > Not sure what you mean here: what's not encrypted? The Master CD?
> >
> > Hope I've answered everything: I look forward to hearing your
> > thoughts. Thanks again for helping.
> >
> > Best wishes,
> >
> > Paul.
>
> Paul:
>
> TATTOO PROCEDURE:
>
> Create a Windows 98 Boot Diskette
> Locate on Master CD's the folder 'DRIVERS'
> From this folder copy to the boot diskette the following files:
> Tattoo.exe
> Shellhs.dll
>
> Remove old HDD and install your new HDD
>
> Power up the system and boot from the diskette into DOS and at the A>
> prompt enter the following command:
>
> Tattoo /createhsfromdmi
>
> This will transfer a copy of the tattoo from the motherboard bios to
> the hdd.
>
>
> If you don't have these files, you need only go to
> http://www.bootdisk.com as other suggested and make a bootable disk
> and then run the restore process. Ahh I also noted what you wrote, you
> don't have the restore cd's for the unit? In that case someone here
> may have that cd so you can continue. Just in case I am reading this
> correctly. Anyway I gave you the instructions to make a tattoo as per
> Simon's instructions.
>
> Elector
>
>
>

Hi folks.

Well, it's fixed! All I did was download the Club 40 bootdisk and
boot with it! I didn't even have to repartition: I now have W98 & the
apps cleanly installed, but on a 2.5GB partition (and the installation
takes up less than 1GB). Thanks, Metronid for the link - and thanks,
too, to you, Elector, for your suggestions.
Now I can give the machine back to its owners...

Cheers,

Paul.

I have same problem. Where did you download?