Help required with ancient laptop

[The Grand Wazoo]

I could really do with a hand here guys.

My Dad is trying to get an old laptop going again for a fairly low-tech project. He's upgraded three times since this was his main laptop - it runs Windows 98, but we're having trouble getting out of a loop of error messages because some of the OS files have got wonkiefied. We tried to put a legit copy of XP on it today, but it seems like it won't do the upgrade without 98 working properly.
He's got a proper official MS disc with the correct code for it, but he can't find it. (We have the code, but not the disc). He's very particular about honouring licences & stuff, but I reckon, as he has the code, he owns a valid licence & therefore any disc will do.

So, does anybody have an old Windows 98 disc lying around that they could lend us for a few days please?

Thanks in advance.

[Tim]

Hmmm, I thought I had an ISO image in my software store, but it seems not. I will see if I have one at work somewhere, but it won't be for a few days. Hopefully one of us will be able to dig one up Chris?

[bobbasrah]

If you have a valid code, it should be easy enough to reinstall either OS from any disc, but beware that updating it may be impossible.
Dare I suggest that downloading a naughty copy may be the simplest way? I have had to do this before when MS ceased support for XP SP1 etc. on my second desktop. As the legitimate licence is registered it will fly through validation.
Unless there is a good reason otherwise, XP would the better OS.

[The Grand Wazoo]

Thanks Tim.

Bob,
Installing XP with a kosher disc & code is not working - we tried that yesterday. It throws us into this loop of error messages that's impossible to get out of. We're pretty convinced that we need to re-run a 98 disc to fix the problems with that. Naughty copies are out of the question.

[Jonboy]

Hi Chris,

Just had a look for my old one but i think i chucked it out :doh:,

Are you down here or up there?

i can make a phone call to see if my cousin still has his, he's just down the road from me

[bobbasrah]

Thanks Tim.

Bob,
Installing XP with a kosher disc & code is not working - we tried that yesterday. It throws us into this loop of error messages that's impossible to get out of. We're pretty convinced that we need to re-run a 98 disc to fix the problems with that. Naughty copies are out of the question.

That is a strange one right enough unless there is a fault with the CD Rom or some corruption going on. Even a prehistoric machine I would have thought capable of XP, but no expert. If it is an old copy of XP no longer supported that would be a different issue (as it was in my own case - ie it installed but would not permit validation/update originally)
If you have the licence to the OS, then the legal requirements are met, even for a copy with all up-to-date service packs. A naughty download copy ideally with all Service Packs is the software would be a quick solution, as the licence you already have. It is no different to using an OEM or someone else's disc. I am not 100% whether Win98 is supported any more.
Good luck, and season's greetings...

[The Grand Wazoo]

Are you down here or up there?


I'm oop in't frozen north this year matey.
Thanks, but please don't go bothering other folks.

[Alex_UK]

Sorry Chris, oldest I have is 2000. When you did the xp install, did you change the BIOS to boot from the CD and do a "clean" install?

[DSJR]

I think I have both a 98 pre SE and a 98SE disc I could burn for you. Understand about getting 98 sorted before a full upgrade, but it may be better overall to transfer all the files you need out of this machine, insert and boot from the XP disc if you're able (if it has to be floppy, there are simpler XP boot floppies out there that enable you to use just one floppy to boot into setup as long as you follow the instructions). Once into setup, clear and re-partition the drive and format in NTFS.

I have a ancient Dell latitude XP/CD which is pentium MX166. It does run 2000 and XP, but painfully slowly, as the memory is fixed max at 80MB. Internet pages now are so complex that it struggled to compose these too, where it was tolerable several years ago. You know, as a mid 90's P4, or (my preference) AMD Athlon XP/Sempron laptop can be got for well under £100 in great order, it might be worth just getting one of these as at least it'll happily run XP at moderate pace, may be upgradable here and there with possible processor and memory upgrades and will have a better screen too.......

[aquapiranha]

Linux is the answer! Runs great on older hardware and will breathe new life into the old laptop.

[spendorman]

Linux is the answer! Runs great on older hardware and will breathe new life into the old laptop.

+1

[The Grand Wazoo]

We've been trying on & off today to get it booted up with the XP disc, but to no avail. It looks like the files have been copied but they won't install without hanging up with an error pretty quickly. The machine has already been cleaned out of all files, folders & unnecessary software removed.

There's some extra memory on the way, which may help I suppose.

Now then, Linux - I hadn't thought of that.

[spendorman]

It might be worth setting the bios to default settings, just in case someone has accidentally adjusted something. I had this on a friends machine where processor cache was turned off.

I seem to remember that some W98 machines struggled with XP though lack of RAM , so your extra RAM should be a good thing.

Perhaps try a Linux Live CD, Mint is very "Windows like" to use. Mint 9 has a low(ish) recommended minimum specification requirement.

Runs a bit slow booting from the CD, but will prove that everything is working, you can then install it on the HD.

System requirement shown here:

http://blog.linuxmint.com/?p=1473

[DSJR]

I had to attempt a repair on our "office" PC and it was doing the same, loading the XP files and then hanging on the necessary reboot. In my case, it was a badly seating PCI device which I'd disturbed when delving inside. I ended up removing all PCI cards, making sure all dust and fluff was removed, putting 'em back in different positions and re-formatting the drive for a "raw" install. Set up perfectly, and this is a P3 1100Hz PC with 520MB max memory designed for 98SE..... Does fine for basic work, but could do with more RAM if only it could take it.

[Alex_UK]

Chris - assuming you are happy to wipe it clean (and then probably have to bu66er around with finding drivers etc...) Then have you tried a clean install? I've personally always got round problems this way (even password protected) as well as completely wiping everything back to "new" (obviously no good if you have stuff you want to keep not backed up...) http://pcsupport.about.com/od/operatingsystems/ss/instxpclean1.htm

[jostber]

+1

+2

Go with Slackware, that will work on most old hardware much more efficiently than Windows.

http://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=slackware

OpenSuse is also great:

http://software.opensuse.org/121/en

[The Grand Wazoo]

It's a nice idea in theory, but I think just the idea of trying out Linux might just be enough to see my old man off to his grave!

I'll take a look at the link Alex, thanks.

[spendorman]

It's a nice idea in theory, but I think just the idea of trying out Linux might just be enough to see my old man off to his grave!

I'll take a look at the link Alex, thanks.

Linux Mint is very user friendly, especially if one is used to Windows.

[Jason P]

+1 for Linux. Mint looks easy to learn, and Ubuntu is great too. More media-oriented I'd say. Had it running like a charm on a very decrepit old laptop, before the motherboard died. Windows XP wouldn't even install. You can boot from CD or USB AFAIK so there's nothing to lose - he can try it and see!

[Tim]

I'm back at work today Chris, so I'll go and have a rummage through the store room for you...... no promises, but hopefully we should have one.

[Tim]

:eyebrows:

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w63/greatgig/98.jpg

PM sent Chris.

[DSJR]

Disc sent as well in first class post this afternoon, with both 98 and 98SE on it. Hope one of them works properly for you :)

[StanleyB]

If all else fails, there is always Linux :D.

[spendorman]

If all else fails, there is always Linux :D.

Windoze will fail, it's just when lol!

[The Grand Wazoo]

Thanks a lot for all this help guys - I'll keep you posted on progress.
Cheers

[Tim]

Looks like Dave has pipped me at the post Chris, let me know if you need anymore help :)

[The Grand Wazoo]

Thanks Tim.

[Jac Hawk]

well I'm a little late it seems, i too have a legit copy of 98 with codes, but like alex I would just format C: and go for a fresh install, especially if you have corrupted files, also make sure you have the correct drivers for your new operating system before you start as drivers for laptop hardware can be hard to find and sometimes not available, which could put the scuppers on the whole thing.

[The Grand Wazoo]

Just a quick note from me, guys to say thanks for all the help - especially Dave.
My Dad went back home down south what seems like months ago now, but left the offending laptop here for me to try to sort. Today, I finally received the memory that we ordered on Christmas Eve(!) - after two lots getting lost in the post, the second one eventually turned up.

So, with extra memory muscle & one or two other little niggles sorted, the machine is now working well on Windows 98 SE as of just an hour or so ago. I still really don't know what the problem was, but there were certainly some tiny but essential elements of Windows that had gone out with the bathwater when the machine was cleaned up for it's new purpose.

Anyway, all is good, so thanks to everyone for offers and actual help.
Cheers