Upgrading win98 to SE

mikenowo · 5th March 2003

I am trying to update my sound card drivers from Creative Labs but I get a message telling me I have to upgrade to win98SE from win98 (4.10.1998). Is there such an upgrade? If so, where can I get it? Will it upgrade my current version successfully (if it exists)?

Thx,

BillyBob · 5th March 2003

Recheck Creative drivers.

They should have drivers for 98.

I believe certain ones are multi OS capable,

I am using the same drivers in SE that I used in 98 FE.

But I also have the good old more forgiving SB16 card.

And yes there is an upgrade version of SE that will upgrade 98 and do it quite well.

The trick is to fine a 98 SE UPGRADE CD

Just a word or two of caution.

You Do NOT want the UPDATE $20 version of SE

The UPGRADE will go in clean if need be. The UPDATE will not

BillyBob

Abraxas · 5th March 2003

That CD may be hard to find. I don't believe there ever was an "upgrade" CD from 98 to 98SE since it was not a new OS, but the upgrade from 95 may have been the same one and included it.

MS sold the update CD a couple years ago for $4.95 but since they are soon terminating support for Windows 98, that is probably why I can't find it at MS any more. Online auctions are probably a good bet.

This discussion will supply you information on the issue:
http://www.annoyances.org/exec/forum/win98/n1010273443

Maybe it's time to think about a real upgrade-----to XP perhaps?

mikenowo · 5th March 2003

Is it possible to upgrade from win98 to XP seemlessly? Will my VAST amount of installed programs/software work? Will my hardware drivers work? Will my hardware? I have win2000 and win98 on my system: would XP (if I can upgrade to it) and win2000 both be bootable? If so, is there an XP upgrade from win98 available?

SO many questions... <sigh>

Abraxas · 5th March 2003

An upgade from 98 to XP is never a good idea. Upgrades are always iffy, and that one is from the 9x family to the NT family---a change fraught with peril.

It is much better to install to a clean hard drive after saving what you can from 98.

It's safe to say that 100% of your drivers will NOT work in XP. But drivers for nearly everything under the Sun (if not TOO old) exist out there.

Probably 95% of your apps will work when installed in XP. There is a "compatibility mode" that allows you to use software designed for the 9x family. Out of several hundred apps I have installed in XP that were meant for 98, only one didn't work.

Whether your hardware will be supported can be checked here and at the manufacturer's websites:
http://www.microsoft.com/hwdq/hcl/search.asp
http://www.microsoft.com/WINDOWSXP/h...ng/advisor.asp

There are a few places where you can test your system for XP compatibility:
http://www.pcpitstop.com/xpready/
http://www.pcworld.com/resource/arti...d,62963,00.asp
http://www.windows-help.info/xp_ready.htm

It may all look a little daunting, but I thought it was fun.

BTW--my last computer failed the hardware compatibility check and XP readiness test on several categories, but I installed anyway and all went perfectly. All I needed do was search for a couple drivers.

mikenowo · 5th March 2003

As it stands that would be impossible. I have far too many programs installed and to redo everything at this point isn't feasible (time-wise OR financially). Thanks anyway.

As for the Creative sound card drivers, I looked at the ones they have and even dealt with Creative's support, but the ones there won't work on my windows version (even though it says they are for both win98 and win98se). The install program simply stops and tells me I have to upgrade to SE before continuiing <shrug>.

I'm waiting for them to get back to me.

Abraxas · 5th March 2003

That's certainly understandable. What you are experiencing is one of the many reasons Creative sound is headed for extinction.

Really decent sound cards can be gotten for $10-$20 these days:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...lc.asp?id=0513

BillyBob · 5th March 2003

Quote:

That CD may be hard to find. I don't believe there ever was an "upgrade" CD from 98 to 98SE since it was not a new OS, but the upgrade from 95 may have been the same one and included it.

SE had three versions.

Full $190 ( nothing else needed )

UPGRADE $99 ( proof of ownership of a previous version needed ). Or an existing install of a previous version.

UPDATE $20 ( the useless will not go in clean one )

A 98 SE upgrade will go in clean or over top of 95 or 98 FE.

And what ever is done I WOULD NOT let anybody talk you into using Windows ME. With that you may DEFFINETLY have driver problems.

As to Creative. I have not found a version of Windows yet that a SB16 or AWE32 sound card did not work with. Even XP picked up the SB16 and ran with it just FINE. And I used the SB16 CD that shipped with the card to get the extra goodies and it worked fine.

Any sound card problems that I have had, everyone of them was IRQ conflict related. Especially if an Internal Modem was involved. I had a problem when re-installing Windows ( clean ) for a Friend the other day. No Audio or even a Audio card listed in the Device manager. I pulled the stupid Internal Modem out and guess what.

On the FIRST restart of Win98 there was the sound card and audio.

Quote:

An upgade from 98 to XP is never a good idea.

98 to XP I agree with. Otherwise I somewhat disagree.

As to upgrading overtop it may depend on why it was done.

If done to fix problems FORGET IT. Especially hardware problems.

When upgrading overtop, the original must be as error free as humanly possible. If problems do exist. A Wipe it out and start over may be bettter.

The upgrade also works better when the Video is set back to standard VGA setup frist. Then after the install re-install any ( very often forgotten ) MotherBoard drivers BEFORE doing anything. This may need to be done even with an overtop install

To just take say a 98 FE to SE upgrade CD an run it you may well be asking for trouble. There are things that need to be done first.

Anti-Virus Must be Shut COMPLETELY down.

And once the install starts adding its files keep the Ten Fingered Bug away from the keyboard and Mouse . The next room is best. Untill windows makes its final restart. And even then re-start Windows a time or two before doing anything. And make at least one of them a full power off shutdown restart. MB drivers should be installed first.

Windows may not set itself up fully or correctly the first time around. It may make changes on the next few restarts.

You folks can more than likely figure out where and how I learned thiis sutff.

Your guess is correct. My in a hurry, lets get the job done Skkreew ups.

Although I have had very few problems I will admit that a clean install may be better. But MANY times we have a lot of stuff installed and an overtop install may well preserve it. ( 95% of the time it does )

Of all of the Version of Windows that I have tired since Win3.1, 98 SE has been the best, most trouble free and most reliable.

I have tired XP. Had problems. But MOST ( if not all ) of them were due to the way I set it up during the install. ( in a hurry and not reading again )

It is now 2nd cup of coffee time.

BillyBob