Is it possible to buy just a Windows 98 installation disk?

[rivethead]

Ok, maybe I'm screwed (let me know if I am).

I just built a new system after slaving on a Gateway system for the past five years. With the Gateway system I got a licensed copy of Windows 98 SE pre-installed on the computer. They put the sticker with the liscense key on the side of the case, but they didn't give me any installation disks. Just a "Gateway System Restoration CD".

With my new system, I figured I could get away with buying Windows XP Home UPGRADE and first installing my Windows 98 SE on my new computer and then upgrading to XP Home.

However, it appears I cannot move Windows 98 off of my old computer and put it on my new one. I've tried use the System Restoration CD (which also requires inserting Operating System Back-Up CD) to install Windows 98 on my new computer, but it doesn't work. I get the Windows 98 logo, it runs Scandisk, and then......nothing but " c:\ " blinking at me.

My question: Is it possible to load Windows 98 with any installation CD using my license key?

If so, where's a good place to find a Windows 98 Installation CD?

Or did I just waste $50 on a useless Microsoft Upgrade?

 

[daniel49]

doubt if you can find a legit copy of win98 anymore less you buy someones used one.
Think the oldest version I seen around town lately is some ancient copies of windows ME at wally world.

I would just borrow an old win98 from somebody as proof for your xp upgrade and start off with a clean install

 

[Zugzwang152]

as far as i'm concerned (though not sure on the technicalities), that sticker is proof of your license. borrow someone's windows 98 cd, or download it somewhere. do a fresh install of xp, and it will ask you for an eligible disc to verify the upgrade. pop in the windows 98 disc and you're done.

 

[OfficeLinebacker]

Yes AFAIK it's legal to copy Win98 CDs. Someone actually hosted an ISO for me and I DLed it and it worked great with my key. Note you need a startup floppy with a fresh install though.

I started a thread about this a while ago. It sparked a debate on whether Win98 CDs are bootable. Most aren't.

PM me if you want to know more. But by now you probably have some offers anyway.

 

[cubby1223]

I know it is now illegal to sell any Windows license without a cd, most likely the reverse is true too. You can probably still find one somewhere anyways, who knows.

Regardless, you can get all the files you need from most any other Win98 SE computer. Look for a directory called "c:\windows\options\cabs\". If that directory exists & is populated with files, those are all the necessary Win98 SE installation files. Just copy the contents of that directory onto a cd, then during XP installation point the upgrade check to this cd.

 

[Zugzwang152]

Originally posted by: cubby1223
I know it is now illegal to sell any Windows license without a cd, most likely the reverse is true too. You can probably still find one somewhere anyways, who knows.

completely untrue. Volume Licensing agreements typically do not distribute licenses with CD's. Several OEMs don't give out a copy of the media with pre-installed systems, and my school also does not require the user to purchase a copy of the media with their licenses, although it's recommended to buy 1 or 2 copies for emergencies.

 

[rivethead]

I have a working computer with Windows 98 SE running on it (it's the old Gateway I'm using right now). I have a license key that is on the sticker stuck on the side of the case. So I'm confident that I have a legal copy of Windows 98. I just don't have any installation disks and the OS came pre-installed.

I tried buring the Windows/Options/Cabs directory to CD and using that to satisfy the XP upgrade CD. It did not work.

I tried using the burn CD to install/boot Windows 98 on the new machine. That didn't work either (although it did flash the Windows 98 logo screen for about a half a second).

No matter what I do, I end up in DOS with the C:\ prompt.

I searched my 35 year old brain for any remenants of my DOS knowledge and remembered some DOS commands. I tried DIR and sure enough some files were loaded on my new HD when I tried to install Windows 98 using the Gateway Restoration CD & Operating System Back Up CD. A Cabs directory was loaded on my new HD with files in it during that process.

Is there a DOS command I need to use to get Windows to finish installing? That doesn't make sense to me, but you never know.

I've never been asked to input a license key throughout this whole process, so that's obviously where part of the problem lies.

Right now I'm of the opinion that I have been completely misled by Microsoft's Upgrade packaging.

I am a licensed user of Windows 98.

It is not letting me upgrade to Windows XP Home.

That packaging says nothing about having to use the same computer. But it's looking like that's the case. I guess Microsoft just figures that's common knowledge and I imagine for most people it is.

If anyone has any suggestions, I'd really appreciate it. I guess I'm stuck with these choices:

1. Try and take the XP Upgrade back to Best Buy (I doubt they'll take it)
2. Upgrade my old Gateway with Windows 98 on it (even though I was just going to store it away until I could afford to upgrade it to a socket 939 or better). But if I do that, I'll be sitting with a new Socket 939 computer, with an AMD 3000+, PCI-E, dvd burner, etc. with no operating system on it. That'll suck!
3. Find an old windows 98 install CD and see if that works. I have no idea where to look for this. Maybe e-bay?
4. Buy a copy of Windows 98, install it on my new computer and then upgrade to Windows XP
5. Buy a copy of Windows XP, install it on my computer and curse Microsoft for the rest of life.

 

[jackschmittusa]

When using the upgrade cd, it will not ask for the key to Win98. Some older restore cds actually had a standard copy of Win98 on them. Look at your restore cd to see. You could then burn a new cd with just Windows in it. Next best bet is to borrow a copy of 98 from a pal just for upgrade verification.

 

[OfficeLinebacker]

You need to somehow get a copy of a Win98 CD. PM answered

 

[shortylickens]

2 words :
File Sharing.

 

[rivethead]

Good call.

I'll try Kazaa.

Edit: I tried Kazaa. I hadn't used Kazaa in 6 months and the program didn't work. I tried downloading their newest version and installing that, but the installer doesn't do anything. They must have died?

Any other file sharing programs that are good?

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Originally posted by: rivethead
Good call.

I'll try Kazaa.

Oh god no.

- M4H

 

[Dragonbate]

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire

Originally posted by: rivethead
Good call.

I'll try Kazaa.

Oh god no.

- M4H

Oh god no! :Q
Try doing a search for bit torrent. I second the idea f finding someone to sell you their old copy. Alot of people have upgraded and have no use for an old windows 98 cd and would likely part with it very cheaply.

 

[rivethead]

"I second the idea f finding someone to sell you their old copy. Alot of people have upgraded and have no use for an old windows 98 cd and would likely part with it very cheaply. "

That was my initial belief as well. But I searched and searched today with no luck. I tried looking at a Goodwill store, several used books/music/software stores, the local library (long shot, I know) and calling a few friends that have computers.

No luck. :frown:

I live in Kansas City which isn't exactly nowhereville. You'd think I'd have better luck. I'm currently downloading and ISO copy of Windows 98 from another very generous forum member. If that doesn't work, then tomorrow I'm going to hit a few used computer shops I dug up in the phone book tonight. SOMEBODY has a Windows 98 installation CD they don't need.

 

[kamper]

Wouldn't your win98 license be OEM and hence not transferrable away from that machine?

 

[wiin]

OfficeLinebacker said:

Yes AFAIK it's legal to copy Win98 CDs. Someone actually hosted an ISO for me and I DLed it and it worked great with my key. Note you need a startup floppy with a fresh install though.

I've never had to use a startup disk with Windows 98 and i have reinstalled(fresh install)
Windows 98 several times.

Anyone know the mailing address for Microsoft's customer service? I need to request a copy of the Windows XP operating sytem disk. I bought a lappy and the only thing that came with it are six blank disks. I read an article in PC Mag saying you could get the disk from Microsoft.

Thank yaall

 

[jscarrozzo]

I could make you a copy of the CD and send it to you. Email me at jscarrozzo@comcast.net . I can't give you my liceance, but I am sure a copy of the cd could help you. Let me know.

 

[Zugzwang152]

Originally posted by: wiin
OfficeLinebacker said:

Yes AFAIK it's legal to copy Win98 CDs. Someone actually hosted an ISO for me and I DLed it and it worked great with my key. Note you need a startup floppy with a fresh install though.

I've never had to use a startup disk with Windows 98 and i have reinstalled(fresh install)
Windows 98 several times.

Anyone know the mailing address for Microsoft's customer service? I need to request a copy of the Windows XP operating sytem disk. I bought a lappy and the only thing that came with it are six blank disks. I read an article in PC Mag saying you could get the disk from Microsoft.

Thank yaall

call customer support on the phone, they will help you out, for a price.

 

[GregMal]

http://www.directdeals.com/item_OEM-WIN98.aspx

 

[silverpig]

Originally posted by: kamper
Wouldn't your win98 license be OEM and hence not transferrable away from that machine?

Bingo. You can't legally use that key on another computer.

 

[Philippine Mango]

PM Sent

 

[rivethead]

"Bingo. You can't legally use that key on another computer. "

Yes. I've come to that conclusion although I don't know how I would have ever found that out. As a Gateway owner, I never saw a copy of the EULA to tell me that. Or maybe I did when I first booted it up 5 years ago, but don't remember.

I still maintain that Microsoft's packaging of the Windows Home XP Upgrade is misleading. It does not say that's it's required that you upgrade on the SAME computer. Yeah, I'm probably splitting hairs here. I guess it's just common sense which I don't appear to have.

Bottom line: I ordered an OEM version of Windows Home XP last night. I'm going to try and return the Upgrade to Best Buy. If they won't take it back, I'll either give it to my Dad, sell it, or upgrade my old Gateway and use if for something.