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Windows 98 SE on Optiplex 755 usff
I have a dell optiplex 755 usff with specs of 4GB of RAM and 160 GB HDD (SATA). i also have windows 98 SE and the boot disk on CD but I dont know how to install it on my dell optiplex. I also used dban to wipe the drive and its ready to have windows 98 SE installed on it. how can I do this without any errors or floppy discs. Also do I have to change any BIOS settings to make this work?
speedstep
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December 26th, 2017 03:00
The 755 WILL NOT RUN WIN98SE. It will run the "DOS" non GUI portion but the GUI will crash and go no further. There are NO DRIVERS for the onboard INTEL Graphics and WIN98 SE DOES NOT UNDERSTAND AHCI. The newest Optiplex that supports WIN98SE is the 2003 GX260 or the 2001 GX240. Earlier Optiplex GX1, GX110, Etc will run WIN98SE as will Dimension 4100.
You can run WIN98SE on the 755 if you have Vista Business or XP Pro and Virtual PC 2007. Virtual PC 2007 runs on: Windows Vista™ Business; Windows Vista™ Enterprise; Windows Vista™ Ultimate; Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition; Windows Server 2003, Standard x64 Edition; Windows XP Professional; Windows XP Professional x64 Edition; or Windows XP Tablet PC Edition
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=4580
rdunnill
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December 26th, 2017 19:00
I suggest using a virtual machine.
Techgee
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December 24th, 2017 05:00
You might need to change BIOS settings so it will boot off the CD and do so before the hard drive. Also, you'd want to make sure BIOS drive controller settings match your drive (SATA rather than IDE, for example). Rest you'd have to troubleshoot as you go. After the Windows install you'd need to find/install drivers not included with Windows.
Really long YouTube video and may not be the same USFF form factor, but might be useful as it seems to go through the install - Windows 98 SE on a SSD on a Dell Optiplex 755.
speedstep
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December 24th, 2017 21:00
The newest Optiplex that works with WIN98 was the GX240 and GX260.
You WILL NOT be able to get the 755 working.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Dell-Optiplex-GX260-Gaming-PC-Intel-Pentium-4-2-4GHz-512MB-RAM-No-HDD/282606055170
ieee488
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December 25th, 2017 06:00
Why would you want to install Windows 98 SE?????
If you don't want to pay for Windows, just install Linux.
It will run great on this desktop.
Techgee
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December 25th, 2017 07:00
...the biggest challenge to doing this is likely finding DOS / Windows 98 SE drivers for the optical drive and/or a USB thumb drive (which would also need to be compatible with W98 SE).
ieee488
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December 25th, 2017 08:00
10 years ago I had trouble finding Win98SE drivers for USB flash drives that I had.
I had bought used laptops running Win98SE.
Can't imagine what that is like now!
mcl630
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December 29th, 2017 23:00
Yeah, you'd be better off installing Linux or Windows 10, then running '98 SE in a VM if you really need it for some reason. If you do some googling, there are guides out there on how to get '95 or '98 running in VirtualBox or VMWare Workstation.
Chuck322
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January 2nd, 2018 20:00
To me Win 98 SE is a dirty word. BSOD ***!!