Install Windows 95/98/ME on a hard drive formatted with the FAT32 File System.
This assumes very limited MSDOS knowledge and you are able to download the following self extracting WinImage files.
Windows 98SE Boot Floppy
MSDOS CDROM Setup Floppy
Boot the Laptop with the created Windows 98SE Boot Floppy without CD support, at the A:\>_ command prompt type:
Follow instructions to create a FAT32 Primary Active C: partition (bare minimum say 2GB though 4GB would be preferable) and any further partitions you may require, for more details see Microsoft Knowledge Base
After creating partitions reboot. Then after reboot you need to format the created C: drive, at the A:\>_ command prompt type:
Insert the CDROM Setup floppy, at the A:\>_ command prompt type:
Shut down the Laptop and swap over to the CD Drive and after rebooted you will have a screen showing the CD drive has been found by MSDOS and a drive letter assigned, lets assume it is drive D:
Insert the Windows 9x/ME CD and at the C:\>_ command prompt type:
Just follow instructions on the screen to install.................................................voila!
Also see Windows 2000/XP, Windows NT4 and Windows 95/95A installations