Updating Windows 98

[Robin]

I am a very low tech techie but I have some knowledge. My MIL's computer
currently is running Windows 98, not the 2nd edition. This is what it shows
as a 'version': 4.10.1998. Yes, I know it's old but how do I update it or do
we have to buy new software?

Thank you,
R

 

[Roxana]

It's not 'old' it's venerable.

By update, I suppose you mean you're thinking about going to W98 second
edition (or some other microsoft operating system) and not about getting
Windows Updates. <s>

If this is the case, you'll need at least an "upgrade CD", to upgrade from
W98 to W98se, or an XP upgrade CD (same purpose).

These are available at places like Amazon or eBay.

for example:
http://search.ebay.com/windows-98-s...lredZwindowsQ2098Q20secondQ20editionQQrprZ126
(URL / line may 'wrap')

Good luck
"Robin" wrote in message
news:3459C235-77C1-4F47-9C88-963A108D69DE@microsoft.com...
> I am a very low tech techie but I have some knowledge. My MIL's computer
> currently is running Windows 98, not the 2nd edition. This is what it
shows
> as a 'version': 4.10.1998. Yes, I know it's old but how do I update it or
do
> we have to buy new software?
>
> Thank you,
> R

 

[Robin]

I have a Win98 SE CD but it says for computers without Windows. I guess it
isn't an update, huh?

Here's stupid question #2: if I uninstall W98 and reinstall with that CD,
would I lose anything on my hard drive?

"Roxana" wrote:

> It's not 'old' it's venerable.
>
> By update, I suppose you mean you're thinking about going to W98 second
> edition (or some other microsoft operating system) and not about getting
> Windows Updates. <s>
>
> If this is the case, you'll need at least an "upgrade CD", to upgrade from
> W98 to W98se, or an XP upgrade CD (same purpose).
>
> These are available at places like Amazon or eBay.
>
> for example:
> http://search.ebay.com/windows-98-s...lredZwindowsQ2098Q20secondQ20editionQQrprZ126
> (URL / line may 'wrap')
>
> Good luck
> "Robin" wrote in message
> news:3459C235-77C1-4F47-9C88-963A108D69DE@microsoft.com...
> > I am a very low tech techie but I have some knowledge. My MIL's computer
> > currently is running Windows 98, not the 2nd edition. This is what it
> shows
> > as a 'version': 4.10.1998. Yes, I know it's old but how do I update it or
> do
> > we have to buy new software?
> >
> > Thank you,
> > R
>
>
>

 

[Roxana]

I should have added this (a rough copy / paste from Ron Badour's post about
W98se installs and upgrades)

<paste>
RETAIL FULL INSTALL:
This CD will upgrade W95/98 to W98SE or can be installed onto a blank hard
drive.

OEM FULL INSTALL.
This SE CD is designed to be installed to a blank hard drive however, there
is a possibility that you can trick it into upgrading.
An OEM disk might be customized for installation on a particular computer
however, this will probably be primarily with a used disk.
http://home.satx.rr.com/badour/html/upgrade.html

RETAIL UPGRADE INSTALL:
This CD will either upgrade W95/98 to W98SE or you can install it to a blank
hard drive.
When installing to a blank drive, it will ask to see the qualifying system
(the W95 or W98 disk).

UPDATE CD:
This CD will only update a functioning copy of W98 to W98SE.
MS sold them with ProductKey for $20.
Some vendors sell them and advise using the W98 ProductKey, which may or may
not work. Don't get stung.

RECOVERY CD:
Some companies will brand an OEM CD and call it a recovery CD.
You should avoid these unless it is the exact recovery CD you need, as many
will only install on the equipment they were intended for.

</paste>

Good luck

"Robin" <Robin@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:3459C235-77C1-4F47-9C88-963A108D69DE@microsoft.com...
> I am a very low tech techie but I have some knowledge. My MIL's computer
> currently is running Windows 98, not the 2nd edition. This is what it
shows
> as a 'version': 4.10.1998. Yes, I know it's old but how do I update it or
do
> we have to buy new software?
>
> Thank you,
> R

 

[Roxana]

Hello again.

I just posted an "update" to my previous post, which provides more of a
description. It should be there momentarily.

If you have a "retail w98se CD" then that can be used - I suppose - if it's
not already being used on another computer (Microsoft EULA about the
operating system being for only one PC unless one had purchased multiple
licenses).

Well, yes, if you "un-install" the operating system and there's data in
there because the hard disk is unpartitioned, you will lose everything
that's in that part of the drive.

I must admit, I've never tried installing a full retail OS on top of what I
already had. For that matter, I've also never un-installed my W98se
operating system either. Having done a dirty re-install of my OEM OS, I did
manage to lose some stuff just the same. Not everything, but enough.

Someone else will surely enter this thread and elaborate and clarify for you
(and correct any of my errors as well). Sorry that I cannot be more helpful.

Roxana

"Robin" <Robin@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:F209192E-1977-4D80-958A-1375E2EF1B1E@microsoft.com...
> I have a Win98 SE CD but it says for computers without Windows. I guess it
> isn't an update, huh?
>
> Here's stupid question #2: if I uninstall W98 and reinstall with that CD,
> would I lose anything on my hard drive?
>
> "Roxana" wrote:
>
> > It's not 'old' it's venerable.
> >
> > By update, I suppose you mean you're thinking about going to W98 second
> > edition (or some other microsoft operating system) and not about getting
> > Windows Updates. <s>
> >
> > If this is the case, you'll need at least an "upgrade CD", to upgrade
from
> > W98 to W98se, or an XP upgrade CD (same purpose).
> >
> > These are available at places like Amazon or eBay.
> >
> > for example:
> >
http://search.ebay.com/windows-98-s...lredZwindowsQ2098Q20secondQ20editionQQrprZ126
> > (URL / line may 'wrap')
> >
> > Good luck
> > "Robin" wrote in message
> > news:3459C235-77C1-4F47-9C88-963A108D69DE@microsoft.com...
> > > I am a very low tech techie but I have some knowledge. My MIL's
computer
> > > currently is running Windows 98, not the 2nd edition. This is what it
> > shows
> > > as a 'version': 4.10.1998. Yes, I know it's old but how do I update it
or
> > do
> > > we have to buy new software?
> > >
> > > Thank you,
> > > R
> >
> >
> >

 

[Roxana]

You might find these Ron Badour links to be of some use

UPGRADE WITH OEM CD.
http://home.satx.rr.com/badour/html/upgrade.html

W98 RESTORE DISK AND INSTALLATION PROCEDURES.
http://home.satx.rr.com/badour/html/w98_restore.html

So, if you can back-up to some safe locale the items that you don't want to
lose, you should do so.


"Robin" wrote in message
news:F209192E-1977-4D80-958A-1375E2EF1B1E@microsoft.com...
> I have a Win98 SE CD but it says for computers without Windows. I guess it
> isn't an update, huh?
>
> Here's stupid question #2: if I uninstall W98 and reinstall with that CD,
> would I lose anything on my hard drive?
>
> "Roxana" wrote:
>
> > It's not 'old' it's venerable.
> >
> > By update, I suppose you mean you're thinking about going to W98 second
> > edition (or some other microsoft operating system) and not about getting
> > Windows Updates. <s>
> >
> > If this is the case, you'll need at least an "upgrade CD", to upgrade
from
> > W98 to W98se, or an XP upgrade CD (same purpose).
> >
> > These are available at places like Amazon or eBay.
> >
> > for example:
> >
http://search.ebay.com/windows-98-s...lredZwindowsQ2098Q20secondQ20editionQQrprZ126
> > (URL / line may 'wrap')
> >
> > Good luck
> > "Robin" wrote in message
> > news:3459C235-77C1-4F47-9C88-963A108D69DE@microsoft.com...
> > > I am a very low tech techie but I have some knowledge. My MIL's
computer
> > > currently is running Windows 98, not the 2nd edition. This is what it
> > shows
> > > as a 'version': 4.10.1998. Yes, I know it's old but how do I update it
or
> > do
> > > we have to buy new software?
> > >
> > > Thank you,
> > > R
> >
> >
> >

 

[Tim Slattery]

Robin <Robin@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:

>I have a Win98 SE CD but it says for computers without Windows. I guess it
>isn't an update, huh?

No, that's an OEM CD. It won't want to upgrade an existing
installation, it will want to start over from scratch.

>Here's stupid question #2: if I uninstall W98 and reinstall with that CD,
>would I lose anything on my hard drive?

If you just delete the Windows directory, your data would not be
disturbed. But you would probably have to reinstall a lot of programs.
Any program that makes use of the registry - MS office for example
makes *very* heavy use of the registry - wouldn't work anymore.
Everything in your start menu and on your desktop would disappear.
Things in those places are nearly all shortcuts, so the shortcuts
would go, but not what they point to.

Do check out Ran Badour's site (Roxana posted the URL) that talks
about tricking an OEM disk into upgrading an existing system.

--
Tim Slattery
MS MVP(DTS)
Slattery_T@bls.gov
http://members.cox.net/slatteryt