On Wed, 27 Jun 2007 12:40:06 -0700, DanT

I have a windows 98 CD version, but my laptop won't boot from a cd and
there's no way to make it.

Is there any way I can make or get Windows 98 on floppy disks?

Yes; generically, the process becomes one of unlinking the copying of
the pre-installation file set from the installation of it.

But there's an easier way; just boot the laptop from a DOS mode
diskette that can drive the CD. Win98 CDs are generally not bootable,
so this is in fact the "standard" way it is done.

However, I always prefer to unlink the two processes, so that:
- failure to copy source doesn't confuse with failure to install
- all links to the OS source are effortlessly met without disks

First, make sure you have an effective boot diskette. That's easy in
Win98, as (unlike Win95) it can make these; see "create EBD".

Second, make sure your HD's suitable (should be 137G, BIOS should
see full capacity) and prepared (at least an active primary partition,
plus I prefer an extended partition with at least one logical volume).

Third, make the primary partition bootable, i.e. do a Sys C: (or
Format C: /S) and test that it boots to DOS mode prompt.

Fourth, copy the Win98 insytallation file set from the CD to the HD,
preferably the logical "D:" on the extended partition, as this:
- prevents constant head travel over this large cold "lump" in C:
- allows C: to be wiped and OS rebuilt without repeating above steps

Copy the WIN98 directory and its files, but you can leave aout the
subdirectories with it (e.g. OLS etc.).

Fifth, install the OS. Boot the HD, select the drive letter where the
files are stored, e.g. D:, then CD into the directory, e.g. CD \WIN98.
Then enter the Setup command, and off you go.

Sixth, install your hardware-specific drivers, either directly from
their disks, or by first copying to HD volume D: etc. as above.


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Never turn your back on an installer program
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