Problems with installing Windows 98 SE

233

03-07-2016, 01:13 PM

I discovered an outdated PC built for Windows 98 SE. It also ran XP, so I thought about installing 98 SE directly. I visited a website and downloaded the OEM Full ISO, then burned it onto a CD. After booting from the CD, the installer erased the drive and formatted it. It instructed me to insert the Windows 98 boot disk into drive A and restart, but there were some problems. This machine lacks a floppy bay or even a drive A, and I don’t have any way to create one. Online users suggest you can skip the floppy and install everything from the CD, but I’m stuck figuring it out.

Alexandrea1

03-07-2016, 01:13 PM #1

ivosays33
Junior Member

03-07-2016, 03:03 PM

Consider upgrading to 2000, as it was the initial version that functioned at least reasonably. 98 consistently performed poorly. Alternatively, you could switch to a different distribution.

ivosays33

03-07-2016, 03:03 PM #2

Consider upgrading to 2000, as it was the initial version that functioned at least reasonably. 98 consistently performed poorly. Alternatively, you could switch to a different distribution.

BoxelArc
Member

190

03-07-2016, 08:43 PM

Understood, I'll go all in.

BoxelArc

03-07-2016, 08:43 PM #3

Understood, I'll go all in.

mmpinhead
Junior Member

03-09-2016, 03:33 AM

When instructed to install the boot disk, simply restart the PC, navigate to BIOS settings to set it up for booting from C: drive and remove the disc from the drive. After the installation restarts, reinsert the disc into the drive. As discussed, you should upgrade to Windows 2000—it offers significant improvements over Windows 98 SE and is less demanding than Windows XP, with readily available drivers. Meanwhile, I’m currently at work but have old copies of Windows 98 on my home computer. If you’re interested, I can upload them when I’m back, which should take about 8 to 10 hours.

mmpinhead

03-09-2016, 03:33 AM #4

DrewbyEgg
Member

03-09-2016, 04:33 AM

Alright, I'll take a look. Fingers crossed it works out.

DrewbyEgg

03-09-2016, 04:33 AM #5

Alright, I'll take a look. Fingers crossed it works out.

Banana_Mann
Member

165

03-09-2016, 06:19 AM

Failed to start; system restarted but skipped both CD and HDD drives. Attempted to boot using Intel Boot Agent, which also failed. Installation never completed.

Banana_Mann

03-09-2016, 06:19 AM #6

Failed to start; system restarted but skipped both CD and HDD drives. Attempted to boot using Intel Boot Agent, which also failed. Installation never completed.

Crimson_Ender
Member

149

03-09-2016, 01:23 PM

It seems your storage device is now ready for a fresh start. Try launching from the CD and proceeding through the installation process. My system info isn't perfect, but it looks like you might need to repair the MBR using the fdisk utility found on the floppy. You can execute the command fdisk /mbr to reset or clear the master boot record. Consider creating a bootable USB with FreeDOS at https://www.freedos.org/download/—or use a USB drive that supports USB booting if your computer allows it. The FreeDOS version includes a fdisk tool similar to older DOS versions.

Crimson_Ender

03-09-2016, 01:23 PM #7

Private_HAWK
Member

132

03-09-2016, 06:46 PM

It seems the system handled the task without any issues, keeping all data intact even after execution. That’s unusual and might be puzzling. I’m still trying to figure out what’s going on.

Private_HAWK

03-09-2016, 06:46 PM #8

It seems the system handled the task without any issues, keeping all data intact even after execution. That’s unusual and might be puzzling. I’m still trying to figure out what’s going on.

MinionDavid10
Junior Member

03-10-2016, 02:54 AM

I can't believe I'm staying up late and dealing with this mess. It's been going on for hours, and I'm really tired. I just want to get some rest.

MinionDavid10

03-10-2016, 02:54 AM #9

I can't believe I'm staying up late and dealing with this mess. It's been going on for hours, and I'm really tired. I just want to get some rest.