Is it safe to use a bootdisk from one PC on another?

[RussellT]

I'm putting together a new system, and had planned to install my Win98 upgrade version by making a bootdisk on my present system and using it to boot the new system. (Then just slamming in the old Win95 CD when requested for verification.) However, when my new mobo arrived, it came with a sheet warning that Windows should only be installed from a FULL version, and that using a Startup disk from another PC could ruin the mobo by screwing up the bios settings.

Is that more or less true? And, if it is, is there any way to avoid it other than shelling out another $180.00 for a full version of Win98SE?

My present system:
IBM Aptiva K6-2 400
random ALI chipset mobo
128 MB PC100
generic crap drives
Voodoo3 2000

The new one:
Abit KT7 non RAID
T-Bird 900
128 MB PC133 CAS2
Pioneer 16x slot drive DVD
WD Caviar 20.5 GB HD
Voodoo3 2000 (for now)

 

[kmike75]

To be legal about it, pay the $180.00 for another copy.

 

[Workin']

That's one of the biggest loads of BS I have ever heard.

Your plan is sound. Go for it. What mobo company wrote that?

 

[Workin']

It's perfectly legal to use it on your new system - if you take it off your old one.......

But I don't think M$ will come knocking on your door if both computers are yours and you don't sell or give away the old one.

 

[RussellT]

Thanks for your help; I'll give it a try.

The stern warning didn't come from the mobo manufacturer (Abit) but from SMK Internet Components, the folks I bought the mobo from.

 

[Spiff]

they're on crack

... or they are referring to a bios upgrade boot disk and are warning you to be wary of popping in any old disk, particularly one that may have a bios upgrade that kicks off automatically. possible... not very probably, but possible.