I have an older Windows 98 computer.
I need to compress drive C:, which means I need FAT 16 partition.

The problem is that when I run QuickRestore to factory defaults, it autmatically converts to FAT32. FDISK and FORMAT have been tried. I cannot put Windows 98 back into C: after it has been formatted because the CD "requires Microsoft Windows to be running" to work.

I have tried copying C: drive contents to a separate partition (E:) and then copying it back to C: when reformatted. The result, it changed all my folders and files to MS-DOS Filenames and it deleted a whole bunch of fonts (which I eventually got back by copying them from the Windows 98 CD). Drivers were missing and I didn't know where to find them. The computer didn't work properly after that, so now I'm running Compaq QuickRestore on the computer.

Any other options that I should try? Any ideas would be appreciated.

you might be able to fix your problem FAT32 problem with a program called 'Partition Magic'. Its an excellent partitioner, but I think its a little expensive.

Sorry, but I'm not willing to buy partitioning software just for the purpose of this task. Of course I've heard of Partition Magic. It is by PowerQuest (now Symantec).

I need instructions on using FDISK, FORMAT and/or EXTRACT to this. Or a freeware program that can convert FAT32 to FAT16. Either option will work.

Note: After uninstalling non-essential programs and Windows Components. I have around 470 MB of data (Windows/Compaq/System). I think these files are necessary for the correct operation of Windows 98 with my computer.