WIN98 "workaround" (WIN98SE drivers for External HD)

Before I have to completely install a WIN98SE or Newer Operating system on my
CPU, I thought I would at least ask a question. I recently purchased a
SimpleTech 160GB external HD. Its says "minimum req. WIN98SE". I have the
drivers etc. for WIN98SE and was wondering if there is someway that I could
"workaround in the registry" to make this External hardrive run in WIN98
without going through the hassel of installing a new OS and having to
reinstall all of my software etc.? Thank You in advance for your help.

If it says you need SE, then I doubt you are going to trick it by fooling
with the registry. Have you tried setting it up just in case it works with
98? If it doesn't, why not upgrade to SE?

MS can no longer sell W98 disks as an initial purchase so your best bet is
to try to find another source; however, supplies of W98 are becoming very
limited. Go to http://www.pricewatch.com, scroll to the software section,
click on Operating Systems and click Windows 98. They may have listings on
boot up floppy disks, CDs but no license, a license but no CD, OEM versions,
W98 and W98SE CDs, update from W98 to W98SE only and so on. Pay ATTENTION
to what the listings say or you may end up with something you don't want or
need. You can also check on EBay or other auction sites. Be aware that
support for W98 no longer exists. Here's some info about the various types
of W98SE CDs:

RETAIL FULL INSTALL: This CD will either upgrade W95/98 to SE or you can
install it to a blank hard drive.

RETAIL UPGRADE INSTALL: This CD will either upgrade W95/98 to SE or you can
install it to a blank hard drive; however, when installing to a blank drive,
install will ask to see the qualifying system (i.e., W95) disk(s).

OEM FULL INSTALL. This SE CD is designed to be installed to a blank hard
drive; however, there is a good possibility that you can trick it into
upgrading. For info, go to:
http://home.satx.rr.com/badour/html/upgrade.html Be aware that if you buy
an OEM disk, it might be customized for installation on a particular
computer; however, this will probably be primarily with a used disk.

UPDATE CD: This CD will only update a functioning copy of W98 to W98SE.
When MS sold them, they were $20 and came with a ProductKey. Some venders
were selling them and advising customers to use the W98 ProductKey which may
or may not work--don't get stung. This outfit is selling them for $35:
http://www.micronetxp.net/Merchant2/...Category_Code=

RECOVERY CD: Some companies will brand an OEM CD and call it a recovery CD.
You should avoid these unless it is the exact recovery CD you are looking
for. Many recovery CDs will only install on the equipment they were
intended for.


--
Regards


Ron Badour, MS MVP for W98
Tips: http://home.satx.rr.com/badour
Knowledge Base Info:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?pr=kbinfo



"mrbigbry" wrote in message
...
Before I have to completely install a WIN98SE or Newer Operating system on
my
CPU, I thought I would at least ask a question. I recently purchased a
SimpleTech 160GB external HD. Its says "minimum req. WIN98SE". I have the
drivers etc. for WIN98SE and was wondering if there is someway that I
could
"workaround in the registry" to make this External hardrive run in WIN98
without going through the hassel of installing a new OS and having to
reinstall all of my software etc.? Thank You in advance for your help.

You need 98SE for its minimum capabilities with USB and firewire interface.
It is, for these intents, a different operating system than 98.

There are also excalations in ME and XP for hardware oriented requirements.
XP is currently supported by most hardware makers for driver support.
ME/98/98SE is fizzling out for hardware driver support. If it don't work
now or the last year, it probably won't for that reason.

Barring interior PC space restraints, and available PCI slots, a reasonable
alternative is a PCI ide card for interface with a large hard drive.
--
Jonny
"mrbigbry" wrote in message
...
Before I have to completely install a WIN98SE or Newer Operating system on
my
CPU, I thought I would at least ask a question. I recently purchased a
SimpleTech 160GB external HD. Its says "minimum req. WIN98SE". I have the
drivers etc. for WIN98SE and was wondering if there is someway that I
could
"workaround in the registry" to make this External hardrive run in WIN98
without going through the hassel of installing a new OS and having to
reinstall all of my software etc.? Thank You in advance for your help.