How do I install win98?

Question

Hi, I have no working knowledge of PC systems. I have an L400 that needs an operating system. I have Windows 98 for PC's without windows. When I insert the installation CD, all I see is C:\>. I don't know what to do next. I've tried the diskette, but of course the computer can't find the CD. The floppy and CD drives are both external and can't use both at the same time.

I really am stumped. Don't assume I know anything if anyone responds. :o)

Thanks very much,

Scott

dfyoung · Answer

Do you know how to access the BIOS screen? That takes care of the most basic of the startup routines that the computer does. In my C800, I start the computer, and as soon as I see anything, I start pressing F2, which takes me to the BIOS screen. Use the Cntrl-P combination to scroll through the BIOS screens until you find one that controls Boot order. Select the CD drive to boot from, and deselect the Floppy and C drive options. Then save the new BIOS and when you restart the computer with the windows CD in the drive, it should boot up from the CD, which should allow you to start the installation. That is assuming that the Win98 CD is bootable, which it should be. Good luck.

scooman · Answer

Thank you for your reply. However, the win98 is not bootable. A starup disk is provided, but unfortunately both the floppy and CD drive are external and connect to the same scsi port. So, I cannot use both at the same time. It's one or the other. While booting from the floppy disk, the installation ends because it cannot find the CD drive, which is not hooked up. :^)

Scott

Akule50 · Answer

If I remember right (from what I've read in the past), the "Retail" Win98SE CDs are bootable and a lot of "OEM" Win98SE CDs are not...

I seem to recall that someone was able to use a USB External floppy-drive to install Win98SE...

I fooled around with trying to create a bootable CD of the Start-Disc/EBD, but gave up after an hour... since I didn't have the time (at the time). I opted to remove the HDDs of a Inspiron 6000 & 9300, stick the HDDs in a Inspiron 8000 with a floppy-drive, used UBD ("click here") to copy the Win98SE CAB files to HDDs, stopped the Win98SE installation setup before the Hardware setup, replaced the HDDs back into the I6k/I9300 and finished the install process.

I haven't tried these (I believe), but here are a few tutorials (on making a bootable CD) that you might be able to use or adapt:
Guide to Creating Bootable CD/DVD's without A:\ Floppy Drive ("click here")

How to make Win98 Boot disks that are actually bootable CDROMs ("click here")

How to create a Bootable CD ("click here")

You can also try to use UBCD ("click here")

Aloha,
Rod

scooman · Answer

Thank you for all of the information. I don't know if the disc was OEM, I bought it at staples. Since win98 isn't going to be supported any longer, I bought winXP, FULL VERSION. :) Booted up and running fine. I may consider a USB floppy drive, but as of right now I don't need one.

Thanks again for all your input.

Scott

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How do I install win98?

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