Windows 98 on CD

Step Six: ZIP IT

At this point, restarting windows would be impossible, so be sure you want to exit windows before you actually do. You can do this step from within windows, and it will be faster due to 32 bit disk access)if you have yet to remove esdi_506.pdr.  You will not be able to use whichever zip tool you installed, though.  Instead, you need to use a tool like pkzip so you can do it from dos also, or alternatively, from your primary OS.

There are several considerations to make here. I suggest zipping windows and the programs separately for convenience sake. I frequently update these archives and its easier to work with 25 MB archives instead of 50 Meg ones.  Also, if you consider my suggestions near the conclusion of this tutorial, you would want to zip different programs directories up individually (along with their start menu shortcuts).  There are some good reasons for doing this, which I will not elaborate here. See the suggestions later for who, why and what.

a.       The first zip file will contain all the windows directory and command.com from the root.  Before you zip this up, rename system.dat as system.tat: I’ll explain soon.  Use long file names, recurse directories, and save full paths.  I usually call this windows.zip but that’s just because I’m so clever.

b.      The second file will be your program files directory.  I call this programs.zip.  Bet you don’t know why. . .