When you install windows consider why you are reinstalling your OS. If you have a virus you may want to debug your hard drive first to make sure that the virus is really gone. If you just want to start over on a clean slab format is normally ok. If you have data on the drive and you can’t stand to loose it (and your sure you don’t have a virus) you may want to deltree the drive or delete the registry and reinstall.
To delete the registry in Windows 95 or 98:
Boot to a Windows boot disk, you will be at an “a” prompt.
Type “c:” and hit enter
Type “cd windows” and hit enter
Type “attrib user.dat -s -h -r” and hit enter
Type “attrib system.dat -s -h -r” and hit enter
Type “del user.dat” and hit enter
Type “del system.dat and hit enter
To delete the registry in Windows Me:
Boot to a Windows boot disk, you will be at an “a” prompt.
Type “c:” and hit enter
Type “path=c:\windows\command”
Type “cd windows” and hit enter
Type “attrib user.dat -s -h -r” and hit enter
Type “attrib system.dat -s -h -r” and hit enter
Type “attrib classes.dat -s -h -r” and hit enter
Type “del user.dat” and hit enter
Type “del system.dat” and hit enter
Type “del classes.dat” and hit enter
