Installing an Operating System (OS)

Probably one of the easiest steps of all is to get your newly built computer set up with an operating system.

You have a very wide choice of operating systems: Windows 95/98/NT, Linux, FBSD, OS/2 .... and the list can go on.

I'll be very honest right now. I will not explain how to install any OS except the main basics of getting Windows 95/98 (they both install the same way) installed. If you want to install a UNIX OS, Win NT or OS/2, then you probably know enough about computer to do it without my guidance.

First, you will need to create yourself a system disk. Grab yourself a new or used floppy disk, insert it into your current machine and format it.

To format, go to your desktop, open up the "My computer" icon, then right click on your Floppy drive icon. Then select format. Make sure you select "full", and the "Copy system files" option. Then hit start.

Once done, you may want to perform the following. With your floppy disk still in your drive, go to a dos prompt. If you don't know how to go to a DOS prompt, or if you have no clue what it is, well I'm sorry to inform you, that setting up an OS on your new computer will be nearly impossible. Take an hour or two to learn about DOS ... do a little research about it on the web (a great place to start is Webfreebees.Net of course).

Anyhow, once you get to your DOS prompt, simply type in: SYS A: You can then exit your DOS prompt.

Next, go to your Start Menu, go to FIND then FILES OR FOLDERS.

You will want to search for the following items (no need to be in order):

a) FORMAT.COM
b) FDISK.EXE

Each time when the program file appears in your search window, right click on it, then select the "SEND TO" option, then "send to" your 3 1/4 floppy drive icon.

Once both programs are copied, your all set to boot up your new computer again. Make sure your BIOS is set to read your floppy drive first for the boot up sequence.

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