I have the Windows 98 CD-ROM that came with the computer but had it upgraded to W98se at a computer retailer and don't have a CD-ROM for the W98se.

If I see debugging instructions that include "inserting the Windows CD-ROM into the CD drive, if prompted", can I use the W98 CD-ROM for the W98se operating system?

The first thing you want to do is extract the KEY for Win98se. Use this program to do that. http://www.magicaljellybean.com/key...

You could then try the Win98FE but I don't think it will work. With the KEY you can "borrow" a friends Win98SE and copy it. Use YOUR key. The only caviat is that the friends copy needs to be the same type. By that I mean UPGRADE, if that is what was use one your rig.

OtheHill.....Thanks for the response but I found out that I have W98se on my hard drive per the CAB files.

Now I have to find out how to get access and use the CAB files when I am prompted to insert the CD-ROM that I don't have.

Help would be appreciated.

With luck you will be presented with a Browse button or some similar facility. You will have to send it via the correct path to your cab files location, instead of the CD drive. Popular places are:

c:\win98

or

c:\windows\options\cabs

or

c:\cabs

DerekW

If necessary, you can change the default location with RegEdit:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Setup

... and edit the entry for

SourcePath

This allows Windows to access those files without the need for user interaction (automagically)

I'm not one of those who think Bill Gates is the devil. I simply suspect that if Microsoft ever met up with the devil, it wouldn't need an interpreter.

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jboy....Thanks for the info, I'll consider it for the time being because I noticed something strange when I was in the process of making a new Startup Disk, which I did successfully before even though I didn't have the W98se CD-ROM.

Using Add/Remove, the Startup Disk tab and clicking Create Disk, I got the message to insert the W98se CD-ROM that I didn't have.

After clicking OK, I got a dialog box of "copy files from". In it were two selections; D:/Win98 (I clicked OK on it but it couldn't find W98se, which I suspected) and C:/PROGRA~1/HEWLET~1/DIGITA~1/(B......),(couldn't read the rest). As I seem to remember, I believe this was location where I was able to connect to the CAB files for W98se.

I didn't click OK for the C:/ file because I wasn't sure of what could have happened.

Is the C;/ file is a connector to the CAB files?

One other note, I just installed a new Hewlett-Packard printer that makes me suspicious of the HEWLET~1 in the C:/ file because I had some problems in installing it.

For the record it's "backslashes".

The HD path to the CD copies will start with C:\ because D will either be another HD drive, or more likely your CD drive.

As you implied, the cab files will not be in any location with "hewlet.." in the path.

The best bet is to just boot normally to Windows and establish the path before you start, by using Find/Files or Folders. There should be quite a number of .cab files together if you are in the right place.

The easiest way is to just search for one of them. This one will do:

Win98_30.cab

If you find that one then follow the path to see if there are a whole stack more at the same location (almost a certainty).

Armed with this information you will know what to type in, but make sure you get the backslashes and format correct because you have to be "exact" in these situations - see the format I gave in #3.

Alternatively you can do as jboy suggested and it should then just work without even asking you for a CD. I've had my W98SE set up that way for years - just didn't happen to cross my mind.

DerekW

Sure - it's a timesaver, and really comes in handy if you're trying to do a fix from Safe Mode (for instance)

Of course, best to establish the actual location before applying, but no real harm if you get it wrong

If Windows was originally installed from the hard drive, that location would be the current default

"Is the C;/ file is a connector to the CAB files?"

Not in so many words - - that's DOS drive & pathname convention and (as mentioned) incorrect as written

I'm not one of those who think Bill Gates is the devil. I simply suspect that if Microsoft ever met up with the devil, it wouldn't need an interpreter.

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I would be upset if I paid to have a computer store "upgrade" my machine from 1st to 2nd Editions without receiving a copy of the CD. Wouldn't it be illegal for a shop to do so without passing on the CD and License Key?

Who gave you people access to a computer?

I guess I mis-worded the place of the installer. A computer repairman installed it in his shop.

Derek, I followed your instructions and it worked out successfully, C:/WINDOWS/OPTIONS/CABS. I copied it into the Startup Disk’s “copy files from” box and ran it. The only problem is that if I want to run it again, I will have to re-designate the path again because I couldn’t find a way to apply it when I entered it into the “copy files from” box.

Jboy, I went through your procedure to find the default location with RegEdit. SourcePath shows “D:/WIN98/”. What do I change it to? “C:/WINDOWS/OPTIONS/CABS” ?

I am assuming that if the change is made successfully and if the Windows system files are needed, rather than asking for the CD-ROM, they will automatically be accessed. Correct?

Thanks to the both of you. It's a great learning process for me.

Bob
(Derek, because of these floundering messages, you probably knew it was me.)

Hi Bob

Have you been using Linux? You are still showing forward slashes on here but they don't apply on MS Windows, so you must have actually used backslashes - sorry to nag!

No that manual input doesn't stick.

Yes indeed, in the registry you just replace:

D:\WIN98\

with

C:\WINDOWS\OPTIONS\CABS\

(note, one backslash at the end of the line)

Good luck

DerekW

Derek,

Maybe the / and the \ are compatible and do the same thing because I used / in the file to download the Startup Disk and also in other commands like C:/downloads in Run.

I did notice some data in the registry that had / within the command so I better go according to the books and use \ from now on.

One other question, hopefully the last one, the data for all C: and D: in the SourcePath has quotes around it like "D:\WIN98\". Appears that I should maintain them, right?

Bob

Yep, follow the pattern already existing, quotes and all.

Maybe in certain areas a deliberate attempt has been made to ensure that / also works, as this is an easy mistake to make. It certainly doesn't work in DOS generally though, so it's best stick to the \ convention for paths.

Forward slash IS used for "switches" (qualifiers) after DOS commands. For example dir /p means "display directory (folder) contents with a pause when the screen is full". Forward slash also appears in the registry but not when referring to directory paths.

In Linux, paths use the forward slash, as I hinted at earlier. I hope that clears it up - all a bit confusing I realise.

DerekW