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Upgrading from Win 98 First to Second Edition

Discussion in 'Legacy Windows' started by Salar, 2003/08/06.

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  1. 2003/08/06
    Salar

    Salar Inactive Thread Starter

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    Can anyone give me some advice please? My PC has Windows 98 First Edition, but some software and hardware I want to install wants Second Edition. I think I can get hold of a Win 98SE CD, but is there any danger that if I install it I'll cause problems? Is it a simple upgrade or should I be aware of any pitfalls?
    Thanks in anticipation.....
     
    Salar,
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  2. 2003/08/06
    BillyBob Lifetime Subscription

    BillyBob Inactive

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    First and I think most important.. There are ( or were ) three versions of 98SE.

    Full= a cost of ??

    UPGRADE=$99

    UPDATE=$20

    Check the CD for this. And make sure you have the Key Code along with the CD. An overtop you will not need the 98 CD. For a clean install you will

    The full or Upgrade are fine. Just make sure you do not get the $20 UPDATE version. The Full or UPGRADE will go in clean. The UPDATE will not.

    I put the UPDATE on top of the original and believe me it lfet A LOT to be desired. The CD intentionally disappeared. That is how good it was :(

    I put SE UPGRADE in on top of the original and had no problems.

    But I f you do put SE in as an overtop it is best to boot DIRECTLY from a power off state to the Wi98 Startuo disk. And then just watch during the install to make sure that it installs into the existing Windows folder. Usually C:\Windows.

    If you are only having software problems then this should be OK.

    But, if you are having any hardware problems a format and start clean is better.

    Of course you will need to get some new drivers for SE. I would suggest that you find and download these before even starting the install. And store the somewhere other than the C: drive.

    And other thing that will need to be done as soon as the install is complete. INSTALL any Motherboard drivers that may be required. I would also suggest you check that out also before starting the install.

    I would go for the overtop install first as you will have really nothing to lose.

    BillyBob
     
    Last edited: 2003/08/06
    BillyBob,
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  4. 2003/08/07
    TonyT

    TonyT SuperGeek Staff

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    A key point here is that any software that runs in 98SE shpould also run in 98. There is nothing different about how windows handles software in 98 or 98SE.

    The ONLY exception would be software written in Visual Basic code, in which case one with 98 may need to download and install updated runtime files, which would be available via the windows update web site or elsewhere at MS.

    Drivers are NOT software, per se. They are firmware. But I have yet to see a device CD that supports win98SE and not 98. (this said just in case the software you mentioned was actually a driver)

    Exactly what software and hardware do you want to install that does not support win98 and only SE?
     
    TonyT,
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  5. 2003/08/07
    BillyBob Lifetime Subscription

    BillyBob Inactive

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    Gotta look at this as it it is. Not the way we wish it was. And I have run into the problem.

    Should but may not, Older stuff usually yes. Newer stuff maybe.

    Yes there is a difference ( a lot ). SE has all the patches, updtates etc. built in that if 98FE does not have some some newer software will not run. Some will not even install.

    Plus as Salar says. some of the newer stuff looks for at least SE files ( or dates maybe ).

    Software and Hardware venders are following Microsoft and are dropping support for anything lower than SE. Which actually is in a way a good thing. SE is far better than 98FE. FE needed at LOT of patching and SP1 to get it up to anywhere near SE ( and still not up to it ). But dropping support for SE S***S.

    As I mentioned in my other reply. Just gotta watch that you do not get the UPDATE version.

    When buying hardware or software these days it requires that we read the Box CAREFULLY

    Even stuff for SE is geting hard to find. That is the MAIN reason I have XP on this machine.

    And unless you already have them it may be tough to find 98FE drivers.

    I can write this in all honesty as I have 98FE, 98SE and XP machines. and I have need to be VERY carefull of what software goes into 98FE.

    BillyBob
     
    Last edited: 2003/08/07
    BillyBob,
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  6. 2003/08/07
    Gaucherre

    Gaucherre Inactive

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    One thing to be aware of is that, over time, any Windows setup becomes somewhat "bloated" and tends to slow down at least a little and often a lot! This usually occurs gradually so we don't notice it. Installing and later uninstalling programs causes "orphan" files and entries in the Windows Registry to build up after months and years of use.

    The very best way to get rid of all that is to do a fresh "clean" install of Windows.

    So, use the Windows98 "boot disc" . Say yes TO SUPPORT LARGE VOLUME/HARD DRIVE (BIGGER THAN 512mb), and run the "FDisc" program to wipe out the old "partitions" on your hard drive and then to create new one(s). Then run the "Format C: " command to prepare the computer for a totally fresh setup.

    Finally, insert the Windows98SE install disc. If it's a "full version" you will simply proceed to install 98SE. If it's an "upgrade version" it will also install 98SE but, at some point, it will ask you insert your old, original 98 disc to prove that you are eligible to use the upgrade version, you see?

    Regards
     
    Gaucherre,
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  7. 2003/08/07
    BillyBob Lifetime Subscription

    BillyBob Inactive

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    Gaucherre

    You are correct in your thinking.

    There is much to be gained with an overtop install. An overtop install SAVES a tremendous amount of time and work and possible loss of data files.

    An attempt at an overtop install is not time wasted. If it does not go well and a format is required then there is still nothing lost.

    BB
     
    BillyBob,
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  8. 2003/08/07
    TonyT

    TonyT SuperGeek Staff

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    Let me restate my post slightly. (I am not in disagreement with anything said by others so far)

    By 'key' I mean key to this post. Salar wants to upgrade to SE as a solution to install issues, the software may or may not be requesting 98SE files. This is why I asked what software and hardware in particular he wants to install.

    Very often the needed files may be found at the software or vendors' web sites, or at win update web site.

    Whether or not an application runs in SE and not in 98FE is determined by the code it was written in. Visual Basic (bloated) apps usually require newer versions of the MS Runtime files. C+ & C++ apps usually are backward compatable. Some apps need updated files only available as part of later versions of IE, esp apps that use winsok connections.

    Drivers for win98 may not work (usually not) in SE, which brings up another interesting question:

    Why nstall a newer driver for existing hardware if the hardware already works and if the update only supports SE? And are you trying to load a driver for new hardware?

    The reason I said 'key' was that the solution to the existing issue may not be a reinstall or an OS upgrade, but rather something simpler like check the FAQ's at the software sites and hardware sites, or use a different hardware device, etc etc. I say this because the original post does not state exactly what he is trying to do.
     
    Last edited: 2003/08/07
    TonyT,
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  9. 2003/08/07
    BillyBob Lifetime Subscription

    BillyBob Inactive

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    The main KEY is to read the box or check the specs before buying.

    There is software that WILL NOT run in anything lower than 98SE.

    And if anyone wishes to do much upgrading for either hard or software the better thing to do is to upgrade to Win98 SE at the least.

    And it will not be too very long before new stuff for SE will be disapearing.

    As I said in and earlier post. That is the MAIN #1 ( numero Uno )that I installed Windows XP Pro. And so that I could get used to it before I was forced to. But it is not one dam bit better than 98 SE. ( at least not right now )

    Other wise I would not be wasting my time and disk space with it.

    As things stand right now we need to not only figure our needs right now but needs for the future also.

    BillyBob
     
    Last edited: 2003/08/07
    BillyBob,
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  10. 2003/08/08
    RayH

    RayH Inactive

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    I'll concur with Billy Bob that Windows 98 SE UPDATE gives a wiggy installation. I don't know if now issues around it have been resolved.

    Windows 98SE from the full edition has proven to me to be flawless. I lot of people yammer about it. But I haven't had any problems.

    I've recently moved to XP as I have new hardware that supports XP quite well. XP is a pig. But if hardware supports it, it is a more forgiving OS than 98SE. But it is quite picky about hardware.
     
    RayH,
    #9
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