Hi,

I just restored a Legend 415CD for the very reasons you mentioned. I got a
lot of help from this newsgroup. In case it helps, I'll post the what I did
and the problems and how I got around them.

1. Do a clean install of Windows 98SE -- or Windows 95 if you are a purist.

2. Copy the BU directory from the Master Restore CD to your hard disk.

3. Copy arj.exe and unarj.bat from the DOSMENU directory. Edit unarj.bat
to suit your needs, then run it.

4. Use the INSTALL directory on the CD to install as many programs as you
can. Do not install the ODBC drivers, it f**ks up Navigator.

5. Copy whatever was not installed from the "unarj" directory to the "real"
directories. For instance, when you unarj the ComCentral package, it
creates a CCentral subdircetory and a Windows\System subdirectory. Copy the
files in C:\Unarj\CCentral\Windws\System to your actual Windows system
directory.

6. Restore Navigator from its separate CD. (Or, in my case, Navigator came
on a separate CD.)

My Restore Disk was for a Platinum 55. As I said, I restored a Legend
415CD. Tweaks were necessary. For instance, some packages install specific
drivers that did not match the hardware. The solution was to delete the
device from Device Manager and reboot. Windows 98 had just about every
driver I needed. Those that did not come from Win98 I found on Elector's
Yahoo Group site.

When I first turned on the computer, it would not load drivers for the old
PB CD Rom. I pulled it temporarily and replaced it with a newer CD that
would act as a boot device.

*************

What is funny is that when I first got the Platinum, I couldn't stand all
the "add-on" software including Navigator. Now, I went through all this
work just to have a peak at it. The software is pretty cool for someone new
to computers and I was sorry to see PB pull out of the US market.

Hope this helps,

Rock On

"SonicClub" wrote in message
lkaboutcomputing.com...
I went to use system restore and I get this message:

A valid format number was not found.
Please ensure that the PACKARD BELL MASTER CD is
installed in the CD-ROM drive then enter the format
number found on the System Credentials shipped with
your system. If you can not locate the System
Credentials for your system, please contact PACKARD
BELL software support at 1-801-579-0161.
Format #:

Press the 'Enter' key to exit

The phone number? Lets just say I called it and it is no longer valid, it
said it's been disconnected or is no longer in service. I find out
recently that Packard Bell left the US years ago, I don't need to get into
WHY exactly they left since I am sure most of you are aware of it. I will
get to the point, it seems that Packard Bell has left the US, so I can
forget about getting help by phone or any other way. As for the "System
Credentials" thing that is mentioned? I don't know where that is right
now. I got the restore CD and floppy, they work just fine, I just need a
format number. Here's the CD info: PBMMCD10_R1, 170210 Rev. 1. Like I
stated in the subject I got a Packard Bell Legend 105CD PC, it was bought
new in about 1994 or so, Don't go on about it being old, I don't care, I
have way better computers, it would just be fun to mess around with the
old one, you know? Also, I WANT to restore the PC with the factory
settings, programs and all. I want to be able to use all the old programs
like Packard Bell Navigator, etc. Can someone provide me with a format
number that will work? or tell me how to override the screen that asks for
a format number so I can just simply restore the PC? Or perhaps tell me
where I might find the format number if anywhere on the PC? Another
question too, what does the format number determine exactly? Like what if
I wanted to use the restore CD on another PC which was faster and
everything? Is that possible?

By the way, up at the top in that message I copied, where it says "Format
#:" That's where it wants me to manually enter it.