I have a 200MMX, 2.1GB HD, 32MB RAM. Should I install Win 95 or 98?

[TripleJ]

The folks have an old Pentium 200MMX, a 2.1GB hard drive, 32MB of RAM and some kind of onboard Trident video chip. The computer's about 6 or 7 years old.

I wanted to reformat and all to get it running smoothly again but I'm not sure which OS to install. Any idea on what's best? Please give a few reasons because I've got this original recovery disk with Win 95 on it but it doesn't seem to be working. I think it's the new CD-ROM that doesn't seem to be recognised by the computer. Anyway, just wanting to iron out all the probs. Thanks.

 

[CrackRabbit]

I would install 95B on there, 98 would run, but it would bog down seriously with only 32mb ram

 

[MaxImuMAdVaNtAgE]

32 megs of ram is enough to get either one to install but i would recommend 98 because it is faster, and you may need that extra speed on a 200mhz chip (not a bust, i have a 233 in the basement)...the drivers are also better and support more devices than 95, so go with 98

MaxImuM

 

[Wade]

The processor will be fine for either OS, but with 32 megs of ram, Win95 would be the better OS... it's not as "nice" as Win98, but that means it's also got less "bloat".

I just installed Win98 on a "new to us" laptop, with a 233 mHz processor and 32 megs ram... everything works fine as long as you don't mind waiting a lot for things to happen. However for this machine I upgraded to 96 megs ram, which has improved matters immensely.

 

[5mudge]

If you could bump the RAM to 64Mb or better, Win98SE wouldn't be too bad, otherwise Win95B will do. If you go with 95, you'll want to grab all the updates, including a later version of IE from M$.

 

[AndyHui]

Win95B should do nicely.

 

[Shack70]

Get some memory and use 98SE! Memory is suoer cheap right now....

 

[PliotronX]

I'd use 98Lite.

 

[Dyngoe]

Just when I thought I was the only one.......
I'd use 98Lite.
You took the words right out of my mouth. 98Lite will give you better speed than 95B or OSR2 and it will behave like 98 with USB support and all. Check it out.
As Always,
D

 

[TripleJ]

Hmmm, I'm not wanting to spend anything more on the computer because it is obviously not the best computer and it will probably be replaced at the end of the year or midway through the next by the comp in my sig when I hopefully have enough dosh to get a Palomino . I know 64MB would be good for any OS, especially 98, but it is hard to find 66MHz RAM these days. Maybe it is worth getting the extra RAM anyway for later selling or something. Well, these are actually my only two choices for a no-expense clean up. It sounds as though you guys are leaning towards 95 with all the upgrades.


Thanks for your advice so far, much appreciated.

 

[Wade]

TripleJ... I believe you don't need 66 mHz ram... the faster ram will run as long as it fits in the slot... at least that has been my experience. It's using slower ram on a faster system that's bad news... so if you were still thinking of getting more memory, you could get current stock (if it fits) and pull it for your next system (assuming you don't go with rambus or ddr or whatever on your next system).

 

[SendTrash]

what are you going to use it for? it would be a good webserver or router, or firewall or ftp box if you install linux,I believe

 

[Belegost]

98SE will run fine, up til this morning when I installed Linux on it, I had a p5 90 w/32mb running 98SE. Not fast, but good enough to browse the net, run outlook, word, some older games. It had run 95 before, but I found that 98SE was more reliable, and didn't seem any slower.

 

[Dyngoe]

One More Time:
98Lite!!!
If you can get a copy of 98, then this is the only option I would even consider nowadays. 98 IS a superior operating system to 95, but the integration of too many features slowed it down and made it the resource hog we all complain about. 98Lite removes these integrations and streamlines 98 to act much like 95, but with all the current updates already installed. Why even bother with 95 OSR2. 98Lite is SMALL(as little as 40MB), quick, has low resource requirements and has all the features of 98 without the bloatware. Just try it and you will be like me, a virtual pariah for 98Lite.
As Always,
D

 

[CTho9305]

I got much better uptimes with 98se than 95b, but i also have 96 meg ram in my p200mmx

 

[TripleJ]

This is harder to figure out than I thought. Maybe 98Lite is the way to go if I can get it cheap. I'll try putting one of my PC133 128MB sticks in the 200MMX and see how it goes. That's definatly one of its bottlenecks, it's always going back to the hard drive when it could have been stored on RAM. Can anyone verify that PC133 RAM will work on 66MHz bus? Quite a while ago(couple of years ago) I went to a computer store and the guy said PC100 wouldn't work on it.

My parents just use it for word and excel and a little bit of internet, so it's not like they need a top grade system right now. Who knows, maybe I could use it as a webserver one day.

Anyway, thanks again.

 

[Lehmann]

Your best bet is neither Windows 98 SE, Windows 95 osr2, or Windows 98 Lite. Just install Windows 98 SE, install Tweakui, and disable explorer extensions. Except for saving a little hard drive space, that does 90% of what Windows 98 Lite does (in terms of speed and memory).

Later.

 

[5mudge]

Dyngoe:

Is this what you are referring to?

http://www.98lite.net/products.html

$25.00 is pretty good for what's being offered. Of course I'm flat broke so I won't be buying anything soon....

I assume it installs like any other app?

 

[Zach]

<< i would recommend 98 because it is faster, and you may need that extra speed on a 200mhz chip. >>



You believe everything you are told be huge money grubbing companies?

 

[majewski9]

Win 98 is easier to install than 95 ! I hate 95! 98 ensures compatability and great functionality! You definately have the system requirements and you even meet the minium requirements for win 2000! As long as you run older apps you'll be fine! Take it from me I've had 98se on a 100mhz pentium with 32megs ram!

 

[PG]

I've put win98 on a 66 Mhz 486 w/16 MB ram. It was slow, but it worked. I wouldn't waste my time with win95, not even the 95b.

 

[Dyngoe]

Hi,

Yes, that is what I was referring to. However, if you are financially strapped, you can try the preview option for free. The only thing registering gives you is the ability to do a MICRO install. This install is the one that can be as small as ~40MB. I rarely use this option and reserve it for 486/66 or slower, YES SLOWER, processors. For your system, a SLEEK install will work great. I just installed a SLEEK install for my brother on an old 486/100 with 24MB of RAM. It wil SCREAM on your system. Like I said, just try it and you will be sold. My parents have it on their old 233 and even they can't crash it. That's truly a testament because they try every new software craze that comes out and their registry looks like the city dump.
Best of Luck.
As Always,
D

 

[5mudge]

Dyngoe:

You got me convinced - I'm downloading the preview ASAP....

Thanks!

 

[smp]

er.. did anyone say linux? And yeah, dude get more ram, it'll cost you very little, and it'll help so much.

 

[Zach]

<< er.. did anyone say linux? And yeah, dude get more ram, it'll cost you very little, and it'll help so much. >>



I had mandrake 7.2 on a P166, and it was no better than Win98. What window manager and distro would you use? I decomissioned my home file server, I might feel like playing around.