desperate guy with an old laptop

[Guest]

I have an old laptop. windows 98, pentium 2, 333mhz, 128mb memory, 4 gb hard
disk, and i dont have the win98 cd with me anymore. How can i upgrade it to
windows xp? Is there still hope? also, i used to connect the internet thru
dail-up, if i buy an ethernet card, will it work in my windows 98 OS? I would
really appreciate for the help. thanks.

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

I have an old laptop. windows 98, pentium 2, 333mhz, 128mb memory, 4 gb hard
disk, and i dont have the win98 cd with me anymore. How can i upgrade it to
windows xp? Is there still hope? also, i used to connect the internet thru
dail-up, if i buy an ethernet card, will it work in my windows 98 OS? I would
really appreciate for the help. thanks.

Loading WinXP onto your laptop is equivalent to towing
a medium size caravan with a Volkswagon Beetle. It can
be done but you won't like the result. Much better to buy,
borrow or steal a Win98 CD. Have you tried EBay?

When buying a network adapter, make sure that it comes
with a Win98 driver.

 

[rooster]

Broke;

Per <http://mywebpages.comcast.net/SupportCD/XPRequirements.html>

Minimum:
233 MHz CPU *
64 MB of RAM (may limit performance and some features) *
1.5 GB of available hard disk space *
Super VGA (800 x 600) or higher-resolution video adapter and monitor
CD-ROM or DVD drive
Keyboard and Microsoft Mouse or compatible pointing device

Maximum:
4 GB of RAM (4 GB of Virtual Memory)
1 Physical CPU (With Hyper-threading 2 Virtual CPUs)

Recommended:
300 MHz CPU *
128 MB of RAM *
1.5 GB of available hard disk space *
Super VGA (800 x 600) or higher-resolution video adapter with at least 8
MB of video RAM and monitor
CD-ROM or DVD drive
Network adapter
Sound card and speakers
Keyboard and Microsoft Mouse or compatible pointing device

* Actual requirements will vary based on your system configuration and
the applications and features you choose to install. Additional
available hard disk space may be required if you are installing over a
network.

 

[Dan]

Loading WinXP onto your laptop is equivalent to towing
a medium size caravan with a Volkswagon Beetle. It can
be done but you won't like the result. Much better to buy,
borrow or steal a Win98 CD. Have you tried EBay?

When buying a network adapter, make sure that it comes
with a Win98 driver.

I agree fully and 98SE at least still has some life left to it even with
the end of support from Microsoft on July 11, 2006. You have to make
sure that you are well protected if you plan to access the Internet.

 

[Dan]

Broke;

Per <http://mywebpages.comcast.net/SupportCD/XPRequirements.html>

Minimum:
233 MHz CPU *
64 MB of RAM (may limit performance and some features) *
1.5 GB of available hard disk space *
Super VGA (800 x 600) or higher-resolution video adapter and monitor
CD-ROM or DVD drive
Keyboard and Microsoft Mouse or compatible pointing device

Maximum:
4 GB of RAM (4 GB of Virtual Memory)
1 Physical CPU (With Hyper-threading 2 Virtual CPUs)

Recommended:
300 MHz CPU *
128 MB of RAM *
1.5 GB of available hard disk space *
Super VGA (800 x 600) or higher-resolution video adapter with at least 8
MB of video RAM and monitor
CD-ROM or DVD drive
Network adapter
Sound card and speakers
Keyboard and Microsoft Mouse or compatible pointing device

* Actual requirements will vary based on your system configuration and
the applications and features you choose to install. Additional
available hard disk space may be required if you are installing over a
network.

Well, another poster wrote a while back about having only 128 mb's of
ram and wanting to downgrade to 98(or 98SE) because of the slowness of
Windows XP. I think Windows XP really needs at least 256 mb's of ram --
heck that is what my video card has nowadays. <grin>

 

[Leythos]

I have an old laptop. windows 98, pentium 2, 333mhz, 128mb memory, 4 gb hard
disk, and i dont have the win98 cd with me anymore. How can i upgrade it to
windows xp? Is there still hope? also, i used to connect the internet thru
dail-up, if i buy an ethernet card, will it work in my windows 98 OS? I would
really appreciate for the help. thanks.

If I were you I would stick with 98 or move to a user friendly version
of Linux. Windows XP on 128MB of RAM is painfully slow, 4GB of drive
space is not enough for anything today.

Many laptop cards still have Windows 98 drivers, just look on the box
for one that specifically states Windows 98 support.

Stick with 98 until you can get something with at least 256MB RAM, and
at least 12GB of drive space.

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

Broke;

Per <http://mywebpages.comcast.net/SupportCD/XPRequirements.html>

Minimum:
233 MHz CPU *
64 MB of RAM (may limit performance and some features) *
1.5 GB of available hard disk space *
Super VGA (800 x 600) or higher-resolution video adapter and monitor
CD-ROM or DVD drive
Keyboard and Microsoft Mouse or compatible pointing device

Maximum:
4 GB of RAM (4 GB of Virtual Memory)
1 Physical CPU (With Hyper-threading 2 Virtual CPUs)

Recommended:
300 MHz CPU *
128 MB of RAM *
1.5 GB of available hard disk space *
Super VGA (800 x 600) or higher-resolution video adapter with at least 8
MB of video RAM and monitor
CD-ROM or DVD drive
Network adapter
Sound card and speakers
Keyboard and Microsoft Mouse or compatible pointing device

* Actual requirements will vary based on your system configuration and
the applications and features you choose to install. Additional
available hard disk space may be required if you are installing over a
network.

Win2000 will survive on 64 MBytes but runs like a dog unless
it gets 128 MBytes.

WinXP will survive on 128 MBytes but runs like a dog unless
it gets 256 MBytes.

I recommend you try this for yourself. I did.

 

[Guest]

so, which is better to buy? the Full version or the Upgrade? will the UPGRADE
requires the win98 cd during installation? coz i dont have it with me anymore.
thanks.

 

[Leythos]

Win2000 will survive on 64 MBytes but runs like a dog unless
it gets 128 MBytes.

I completely agree, and most apps now require their own minimum of 128K
or more.

WinXP will survive on 128 MBytes but runs like a dog unless
it gets 256 MBytes.

XP, in default video modes, is not nice on 128MB, normally, after you
load the AV and other software, at startup the machine will sit around
169K, which means it's already in the swap file.... Slower than a
witches xxx. Even if you set all the performance settings to best
performance, XP likes to have 190MB just to start with normal installed
apps, 256 is what I consider the minimum for machines that don't do
much, 512MB is where they should start with XP.

 

[Guest]

if i stick with win98, can i still connect the internet if i use ethernet
instead of dial-up? coz im planning to buy a network adapter for my old
laptop. would you advise it? big thanks.

 

[Richard in AZ]

DONT UPGRADE TO XP! You will not like the results. This was the message you should have gotten.

 

[Malke]

I completely agree, and most apps now require their own minimum of
128K or more.


XP, in default video modes, is not nice on 128MB, normally, after you
load the AV and other software, at startup the machine will sit around
169K, which means it's already in the swap file.... Slower than a
witches xxx. Even if you set all the performance settings to best
performance, XP likes to have 190MB just to start with normal
installed apps, 256 is what I consider the minimum for machines that
don't do much, 512MB is where they should start with XP.

Besides, there's another problem we haven't addressed - drivers. Unless
the laptop mftr. created drivers for XP for that laptop, it will be
useless. This laptop is not a good candidate for XP.

Far better to get a Win98SE cd on eBay, add the ethernet adapter, and
don't connect to the Internet without a firewall and antivirus in
place.

Malke

 

[Dan]

if i stick with win98, can i still connect the internet if i use ethernet
instead of dial-up? coz im planning to buy a network adapter for my old
laptop. would you advise it? big thanks.

I have a dual-boot with 98SE and XP PRO. and both are connected to the
Internet via broadband and an ethernet cable. I would make sure the
network adapter is 98(or 98SE) compatible and please make sure that you
use the appropriate safeguards to protect yourself on the Internet. I
would suggest you start posting in the 98 general newsgroup for all of
your 98 needs since this is an XP newsgroup after all. It is at
microsoft.public.win98.gen_discussion

 

[Dan]

so, which is better to buy? the Full version or the Upgrade? will the UPGRADE
requires the win98 cd during installation? coz i dont have it with me anymore.
thanks.

The following courtesy of Ron Badour, MVP should help you:

<quote>

MS can no longer sell W98 disks as an initial purchase so your best bet is
to try to find another source; however, supplies of W98 are becoming very
limited. Go to http://www.pricewatch.com, scroll to the software section,
click on Operating Systems and click Windows 98. They may have listings on
boot up floppy disks, CDs but no license, a license but no CD, OEM versions,
W98 and W98SE CDs, update from W98 to W98SE only and so on. Pay ATTENTION
to what the listings say or you may end up with something you don't want or
need. You can also check on EBay or other auction sites. Be aware that
support for W98 no longer exists. Here's some info about the various types
of W98SE CDs:

RETAIL FULL INSTALL: This CD will either upgrade W95/98 to SE or you can
install it to a blank hard drive.

RETAIL UPGRADE INSTALL: This CD will either upgrade W95/98 to SE or you can
install it to a blank hard drive; however, when installing to a blank drive,
install will ask to see the qualifying system (i.e., W95) disk(s).

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

UPDATE CD: This CD will only update a functioning copy of W98 to W98SE.
When MS sold them, they were $20 and came with a ProductKey. Some venders
were selling them and advising customers to use the W98 ProductKey which may
or may not work--don't get stung. This outfit is selling them for $35:
http://www.micronetxp.net/Merchant2...ct_Code=WIN98SE&Product_Count=&Category_Code=

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 are looking
for. Many recovery CDs will only install on the equipment they were
intended for.


thanks to Ron and Haggis

--- (you could also try contacting Microsoft for a possible free solution)

Microsoft used to provide a replacement disk if you had some of the other
information. However, that was several years ago and they may not anymore.

Try MS at 1 800 426 9400


Courtesy of -- Jon Hildrum DTS MVP

 

[Bob I]

yes, Windows 98 supports "ethernet" connections.

if i stick with win98, can i still connect the internet if i use ethernet
instead of dial-up? coz im planning to buy a network adapter for my old
laptop. would you advise it? big thanks.


:

 

[Leythos]

if i stick with win98, can i still connect the internet if i use ethernet
instead of dial-up? coz im planning to buy a network adapter for my old
laptop. would you advise it? big thanks.

Windows 98 supports ethernet adapters. You just need to make sure that
the adapter supports 98. The outside of the box should clearly state
what operating systems are supported.

Windows 98 will work fine over ethernet, it won't know the difference
once you install it.

 

[Guest]

Thank you so much to all of you.

Windows 98 supports ethernet adapters. You just need to make sure that
the adapter supports 98. The outside of the box should clearly state
what operating systems are supported.

Windows 98 will work fine over ethernet, it won't know the difference
once you install it.

 

[NoStop]

If I were you I would stick with 98 or move to a user friendly version
of Linux.

Finally Leythos speaks some sense! Why go back to such an old o/s like Win98
with all its inherent problems when a modern Linux distro will breathe new
life into that older laptop and provide the OP with both a secure and
stable computing experience?

I suggest the OP look at some distro that provides a LiveCD (like Ubuntu),
so that he can test out things before committing to it. If he likes what he
sees he can go the full route and install the o/s on the hard drive. The
LiveCD will no doubt run pretty slow considering it is doing it all from a
CD and within the restrictions of the laptops' memory, but it'll at least
indicate the promise that lies ahead.

Windows XP on 128MB of RAM is painfully slow, 4GB of drive
space is not enough for anything today.

Many laptop cards still have Windows 98 drivers, just look on the box
for one that specifically states Windows 98 support.

Stick with 98 until you can get something with at least 256MB RAM, and
at least 12GB of drive space.

--
A Windows user finally clues in and sets up a dual boot system and loves
it!:

http://www.winxperts.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=1377

The ULTIMATE Windoze Fanboy:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2370205018226686613

The New and Improved Ballmer:

Is this a modern day equivalent of a Nazi youth rally?:

http://www.ntk.net/media/developers.mpg

A 3D Linux Desktop (video) ...

View Some Common Linux Desktops ...
http://shots.osdir.com/

 

[Leythos]

Finally Leythos speaks some sense! Why go back to such an old o/s like Win98
with all its inherent problems when a modern Linux distro will breathe new
life into that older laptop and provide the OP with both a secure and
stable computing experience?

I've always liked Linux, but many people won't be able to easily switch
to it and keep their existing apps/document formats, they will have to
transition them to apps that are close, but not always good enough for
working with MS formatted documents.

Oh, and he's not GOING BACK TO 98, he already has 98 on a working
system, he just wants to have ethernet instead of dial-up, so making an
OS change is a large move for just adding ethernet.

You would have looke more mature if you had not made the personal
statement.

 

[Dan]

I've always liked Linux, but many people won't be able to easily switch
to it and keep their existing apps/document formats, they will have to
transition them to apps that are close, but not always good enough for
working with MS formatted documents.

Oh, and he's not GOING BACK TO 98, he already has 98 on a working
system, he just wants to have ethernet instead of dial-up, so making an
OS change is a large move for just adding ethernet.

You would have looke more mature if you had not made the personal
statement.

I agree that there is nothing wrong with 98 especially 98SE which I use
frequently and actually prefer to XP Pro. Sure, XP Pro. has more
settings and you need it for many modern programs and hardware but
overall I have found it to be overrated. The thing that makes 98SE so
nice is that it has DOS (Disk Operating System) and so you have a real
maintenance operating system, like Chris Quirke, MVP mentions. I feel
that I can really get into 98SE since it is so user friendly. XP Pro.
does and can support the new technologies but I am one user who plans to
continue to dual-boot for as long as possible because I like 98SE and
need it for older legacy programs that XP simply cannot run even with
the compatibility mode.