You should consider the following questions before proceeding with Windows 95 Setup on an individual computer:
Is the hardware supported?
Check the Windows 95 README file and SETUP.TXT on the installation disks for any notes related to your computer hardware. If any specific computer component is not supported, Windows 95 selects a generic driver or uses the existing driver installed on the computer. If you install support manually for a hardware component that doesn't appear in the installation dialog boxes, select the model that your hardware can emulate or that is of the closest type. (All supported hardware components are listed when you run the Add New Hardware wizard, as described in Chapter 19, "Devices.")
Do the computer components meet the minimum requirements?
Read "Installation Requirements" earlier in this chapter, and check your computer hardware and software components. Verify that all components meet the minimum requirements.
Are all unnecessary TSRs and time-out features disabled?
Disable all TSRs and device drivers loaded in CONFIG.SYS or AUTOEXEC.BAT (or in any batch files called from AUTOEXEC.BAT), except those required for partition or hard disk control, network drivers, or any driver required for operation of a device such as video, CD-ROM, and so on.
Some portable computers (such as the IBM ThinkPad®) automatically suspend operation after a specified time-out interval, or when the cover is closed. You should disable this feature while Windows 95 Setup is running.
Is the installation drive checked and defragmented?
Windows 95 Setup automatically runs ScanDisk to check the integrity of the drive where Windows 95 is to be installed. However, you might want to check and defragment the hard disk drive thoroughly before beginning Setup, using your usual defragmentation software.
Also, be sure to defragment all compressed drives, because a highly fragmented compressed drive reports more available disk space than is available. If you use disk compression software other than DriveSpace or DoubleSpace, be sure to run the disk-checking utility provided with your compression software. For information, see the documentation provided with the compression software.
Tip When you run Windows 95 Setup, ScanDisk performs a quick check of the hard disk. You can skip this quick check (for example, if the computer uses disk compression software from another vendor) by using the /iq or /is switch with the setup command, as described in "Using Setup Command-Line Switches" later in this chapter. If you choose to skip automatically running ScanDisk, be sure to use another utility to check the integrity of the hard disk before running Setup.
Are all key system files backed up?
Any time you upgrade an operating system, backing up critical business or personal data is a prudent precaution. The files you should back up before installing Windows 95 include the following:
Does the networking software work correctly?
Make sure that the network software is running correctly before you start Windows 95 Setup. Windows 95 uses the settings from the existing network configuration to set up the new configuration. Check the Windows 95 README file for additional notes related to your networking software.