Given that this thread probably attracts more knowledgable people I have a thread creep question please. Over the years I've re-built the software on 'clean' hard drives many times - but I've always struggled with it. I have about 20 PC's to to configure for Sudanese refugee families in Brisbane and my hit and miss methods are too time consuming. I try to buy HP's if I can but in auction job lots I wind up with many different brands. I don't (generally) have problems with: - Creating a new DOS partition - Loading Win 98 or 2000 - try to buy machines that already have an OS licence. - Loading basic applications such as Open Office suite, Adobe Acrobat and WinZip. - Finding and loading drivers for monitors and occasionally (if I can get 'em cheap enough) modems. I get into strife with: - Configuring the CD-ROM so that I can load applications from CD. - Do I need to format after I've partitioned? - What's this R:BANANA drive that get's created in DOS? - PC's that CAN'T accomodate a floppy drive (not relevant for the moment). - COMPAQ diagnostic partitioning (not relevant for the moment). As a few will know I'm now legally blind but I can with a bit of help manage the hardware side of replacing HD's/cards/memory etc that are a bit of a lottery in used PC's. There are many sites devoted to this topis in very specific ways but I would appreciate recommendations for a comprehensive look at the subject - preferably online. Regards, John PS I've never encountered the need to modify the BIOS in these nachines. My current crop of machines vary from 166 to 500 MHz.
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