The BIOS allows the computer to perform certain functions in order to facilitate loading the operating system. It also controls the basic hardware components of the computer.

Make sure the monitor, keyboard, and mouse cables are properly connected. The BIOS is accessed during power up when the computer performs various self-tests. Usually all it takes is pressing the delete or F2 keys on your keyboard but check your motherboard manual just to make sure.

Once you are in the BIOS setup screen you will see a table of contents. Although the BIOS seems like an intimidating place to be, it's actually fairly easy to navigate and change options. Almost too easy. If you are a novice think twice and then once more before you start messing with the BIOS settings. It can get you into major trouble.

The first place to go to in the BIOS is the CMOS setup screen.

Set the time and date and let the BIOS auto-detect your peripherals.Exit the CMOS setup screen and scroll to the IDE HD auto detect screen and have the BIOS auto-detect your hard drives.

You might want to browse through the other BIOS screens and settings to make sure that its default settings are in line with the way your computer is should be configured. If you are using a jumperless Motherboard then you need to set the CPU and bus speed settings through the BIOS. The thing to remember with a BIOS is this...when in doubt, leave well enough alone, you can seriously hamper your computers performance by unwittingly changing a setting you shouldn't have.

When you are satisfied with your BIOS settings move your cursor to where it says Save & Exit Setup and press enter.

Now it is time to install your Windows 98/ME Operating System.

Before you install your operating system be sure to turn off any anti-virus program that might be active on your BIOS (you can usually find it in your CMOS settings).

You can install Windows the easy way or the hard way. (The easy way is obviously the recommended approach.) The easy way is to set the CD-ROM drive as the boot device in the BIOS Features menu in your BIOS program. Then simply insert the Windows 98 CD into the CD-ROM drive and restart the computer. The computer will automatically go into setup mode. From there just follow the prompts to finish installing windows and YOUR SET!!!

.

If you cannot boot from your CD then you need to create a Startup (or Boot) floppy disk. In this disk are a few basic programs that will allow you to format and partition your hard drive as well and load your Windows from your CD. To create a boot disk you can download it by going to your control panel and clicking on the add/remove programs button. Then click on the upper right tab labeled Start Up Disk and download the files. Start up the computer with the start up disk in the floppy drive.

• Run the Fdisk tool to partition your Hard drive. You will be asked if you wish to enable large disk support. Typically you should choose yes.

• Restart you computer with the Windows 98 Startup disk in the floppy disk drive.

• When the Windows 98 Startup menu is displayed, select the Start computer without CD-ROM support menu option, and then press ENTER.

• When a command prompt is displayed, type format c:, and then press ENTER.

• When you successfully run the Format.com utility, you receive the following message: WARNING, ALL DATA ON NON-REMOVABLE DISK DRIVE C: WILL BE LOST! Proceed with Format (Y/N)? Press Y, and then press ENTER to format drive C.

• After the format procedure is finished, you receive the following message: Volume label (11 characters, ENTER for none)? This is an optional feature that you can use to type a name for the hard disk. Type an 11-character name for the drive, or leave it blank, and then press ENTER.

• After you partition and format your hard disk, you can install Windows 98:

• Insert the Windows 98 Startup disk in your floppy disk drive, and then restart your computer

• When the Windows 98 Startup menu is displayed, select the Start computer with CD-ROM support menu option, and then press ENTER

• Insert the Windows 98 CD-ROM in the CD-ROM drive, type the following command at a command prompt, and then press ENTER X:\setup where X is the drive letter that is assigned to your CD-ROM drive.

• When you receive the following message, press ENTER, and then follow the instructions on the screen to complete the Setup procedure:

  Please wait while the Setup initializes. Setup is now going to perform a routine check on your system. To continue press Enter.

  Here are a few helpful links to the Microsoft web site that should help you through the setup process.

• Description of Windows 98 Setup Process
• How to Install Windows 98: Helpful Tips and Suggestions

ENJOY YOUR NEW COMPUTER!