Hi, Group ! Since the IBM Aptiva forums are down, maybe I could find
answers from you...

Have Aptiva 2170, Windows 98 SE, with original IBM recovery CD.
My question is, what will the CD authorize/ not authorize in
reinstalling the original software ?

Specifically : may I use the CD to recreate the original Windows
system BUT to a different (larger btw) hard disk than came with the
machine ? May I (re)install to a preexisting PARTITION instead of to
full disk, that is, can I be sure the CD will not start partitioning
this disk as it sees fit ? (maybe without even asking me... gulp!)

TYVMIA

--
Passer-by (e-mail address is fictitious, please answer to the ng only)

You should be able to install it on a different drive.
The only thing that might pose a problem is the
size of the C partition.

Don't know about the partition thing but I would
assume that it would ask you before doing any
kind of formatting or re-partitioning.

If you don't use a lot of the preloaded software,
it is best to just install Windows clean.

Sorry I wasn't much help but I don't have
experience with a 2170 but since no one else
replied ...



Have you gone here to look to see if there are
recovery instructions?
http://www-3.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/