Installing Win98 on new computer

R

RoyGBiv

New Member
I have built a new computer. There are 2 HDDs which are SATA but configured in BIOS to IDE. They work seem to be working normally in that configuration.

When I do the install, everything seems fine until the point where the files have all been copied and Windows says: "windows needs to restart your computer." At that point the computer restarts and then the windows logo shows up with the words "starting windows for the first time" and just hangs. I have left it for as long as 30 minutes hoping something will help.

I have tried installing Win98 from both the original CD disk and also from a copy of the entire CD onto the hard drive. Neither way works. It still hangs at that point.

I tried hitting F8 when the computer reboots, and I've done a line by line boot, and it hangs after loading all the drivers and gives an error message and aborts.

I have tried changing some of the BIOS settings, but they don't seem to have made any difference.

Any ideas? I really mostly need this just to be able to boot to a DOS prompt with printer support so that I can use some very old DOS programs and get them to print.

Thanks for the help.

SMK
 
Perhaps 98 is having a hard time recognizing on the newer hardware causing it to hang...

If I were you, I would try to get the old programs you need to print from to work on a newer OS. Three different methods of accomplishing this are explained here: http://filext.com/faq/run_old_program_xp.php

Of course, you could call your local computer repair shop and see if they would just give you an old computer for cheap or possibly free - they're bound to have some laying around in the back.

What sort of programs are we talking about anyway?
 
How much RAM do you have on that computer? Windows 98 can only handle so much prior to 'fixing' it. I had this issue earlier myself.
 
The RAM part is an interesting one. It has 4 gig of RAM.

I will see if I can work something else out.

There are two older DOS programs which I cannot get to work in windows, no matter how I try to configure them, even just at a DOS prompt. The first is called "First Choice," and the second called Nota Bene. They are two old word processing programs, and I need periodically to access files with them and occasionally print old files.

Thanks for pointing me in the right direction!

SMK
 
I looked at the link above regarding memory issues with Vista or Windows98. The issues with memory don't seem to be the problem as I am just trying to install Windows98.

Any other ideas?

SMK
 
The problem is that most likely you have a brand new up to date motherboard with all new hardware correct? New motherboard made in the last 6 or 7 years doesn't support windows 98. You may also have a memory capacity issue since windows 98 only supports up to 512mb or 1gb(not quite sure which) of memory max.
 
If your processor has more then 300 mhz then for example you CANNOT install Windows 95 unless you somehow install the Microsoft Windows 95 fix for the new processor CPU speed.Then if you try to install Windows 98 First Edition on the computer who's processor is stronger then 2.2 ghz,you AGAIN won't be able to install it.In both cases either for Windows 95 or 98 First Edition,you will probably get the error that says "Windows protection error" or it will hang on the screen that says "Starting Windows for the first time...".

What you CAN do is to try to install Windows 98 Second Edition,NOT the First Edition.The Windows 98 Second Edition supports stronger CPU and that might enable you to install it.Also if it's somehow possible,try to put small amount of RAM in your computer.4 GB of RAM also can be the cause that is preventing you to install Windows 98.





Cheers everyone!
 
i ran some old dos games on windows xp outta the dos screen and then set it full screen. not problem. except it was really responsive in the game. the game was designed for a 386 processor. i don't see why a word processor program wouldn't do the same. you can always find an old 386 with windows 3.1 and dos on ebay im sure.
 
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