Microsoft KB Archive/205400

= Hard Disk No Longer Available After Uninstalling Windows 98 =

Article ID: 205400

Article Last Modified on 1/23/2007

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Windows 98 Standard Edition

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This article was previously published under Q205400



SYMPTOMS
When you add an additional hard disk and partition it by using MaxBlast EZ-BIOS, the hard disk may be unavailable if you uninstall Microsoft Windows 98.



CAUSE
This behavior occurs because the Windows 98 uninstall process rewrites the boot sector and Master Boot Record (MBR) with a backup saved during Windows 98 Setup. If you install MaxBlast EZ-BIOS after Windows 98 is installed, the drive is unavailable when you uninstall Windows 98 because the backup does not contain the drive overlay information.



RESOLUTION
To work around this issue, use MaxBlast EZ-BIOS to reset the boot sector and MBR with the correct information. For information about how to do so, refer to the documentation included with MaxBlast EZ-BIOS, or contact the manufacturer.

NOTE: If you formatted your hard disk using the FAT32 file system, use a Windows 98 Startup disk to gain access to the data on the FAT32 drive, or install Windows 98 again. No further steps are necessary if you use the FAT16 file system.



STATUS
This behavior is by design.



MORE INFORMATION
The third-party products that are discussed in this article are manufactured by companies that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding the performance or reliability of these products.

Keywords: kbprb KB205400

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