serial number on cd lost

my computer crashed to a point to where I am asked for the serial number of
the CD to reinstall Win98SE but that number and the Cd were lost. In order
for me to even boot the computer I need the serial # asked for set-up. Does
anybody have an old # used to install Win98se that was supplied with the CD?
This is the only way I can save all my files which include 2 years of AutoCad
DWG files. Please help. Microsoft does not support Win98se any more.

Someone may come along with the help you desire, but it isn't true that this
is the only way to get to your files. In fact, it isn't really the best way
if they are all you have left. Reinstalling the system over the top of the
existing one seldom results in a decent system, for lots of reasons, and it
risks the data that is on the HD now.

The better way is to get a new HD and OS disk, pull the old one out, put the
new one in, set up the machine properly, (or just get a new machine if you
can afford one) then insert the old HD as a Slave and copy the files off.

Then consider a real backup strategy, OK?

--

Gary S. Terhune
MS-MVP Shell/User
http://grystmill.com/articles/cleanboot.htm
http://grystmill.com/articles/security.htm

"martymusic1" wrote in message
...
my computer crashed to a point to where I am asked for the serial number
of
the CD to reinstall Win98SE but that number and the Cd were lost. In order
for me to even boot the computer I need the serial # asked for set-up.
Does
anybody have an old # used to install Win98se that was supplied with the
CD?
This is the only way I can save all my files which include 2 years of
AutoCad
DWG files. Please help. Microsoft does not support Win98se any more.

Depending on the type of crash, attempting to reinstall or repair Windows
might make recovery of those files more difficult, or even impossible.
Your best option is to install the disk in a second machine, as Gary
suggests, so that you can assess what the damage is, and get a copy of the
files before doing anything else with the disk.

You should only try to reinstall or repair Windows after you know that these
files are safely backed up on another drive.
--
Jeff Richards
MS MVP (Windows - Shell/User)
"martymusic1" wrote in message
...
my computer crashed to a point to where I am asked for the serial number
of
the CD to reinstall Win98SE but that number and the Cd were lost. In order
for me to even boot the computer I need the serial # asked for set-up.
Does
anybody have an old # used to install Win98se that was supplied with the
CD?
This is the only way I can save all my files which include 2 years of
AutoCad
DWG files. Please help. Microsoft does not support Win98se any more.

Happy New Year, Jeff! See you again next year!

--

Gary S. Terhune
MS-MVP Shell/User
http://grystmill.com/articles/cleanboot.htm
http://grystmill.com/articles/security.htm

"Jeff Richards" wrote in message
...
Depending on the type of crash, attempting to reinstall or repair Windows
might make recovery of those files more difficult, or even impossible.
Your best option is to install the disk in a second machine, as Gary
suggests, so that you can assess what the damage is, and get a copy of the
files before doing anything else with the disk.

You should only try to reinstall or repair Windows after you know that
these files are safely backed up on another drive.
--
Jeff Richards
MS MVP (Windows - Shell/User)
"martymusic1" wrote in message
...
my computer crashed to a point to where I am asked for the serial number
of
the CD to reinstall Win98SE but that number and the Cd were lost. In
order
for me to even boot the computer I need the serial # asked for set-up.
Does
anybody have an old # used to install Win98se that was supplied with the
CD?
This is the only way I can save all my files which include 2 years of
AutoCad
DWG files. Please help. Microsoft does not support Win98se any more.

If your primary interest is saving old files, do **not** attempt to
reinstall 98, until after you save those files off of the PC.

How to save without 98 working? There are several ways:

1. As suggested by others, load 98 (or ME or XP) onto a new hard drive
(master), then attach the current hard drive as a slave. Copy from slave to
master.

2. Get a win98 bootable floppy and copy files off of the PC using the DOS
"COPY" command. This is easy, if you have some place that DOS can see to
put the files. But, DOS does not normally recognize CD writers, USB, or
firewire. It does recognize internal hard drives and internal ZIP drives,
and of course, floppies. Bootable floppy images are available free at
www.bootdisk.com.

3. Get an external USB disk. (Borrow one from a friend, if cost is an
issue). Then, download one of several free LINUX bootable CD images to
another PC and burn that image to a CD via "burn-from-image" (not drag&drop,
not cut&paste). Start with your PC off, attach the USB drive, then insert
the bootable CD. Boot the PC into LINUX and then copy all the files you
want to the USB hard drive.

My favorite bootable LINUX-CD ismage is KNOPPIX. That is a large download,
but is "full-featured" and is easy to use. link to KNOPPIX:

http://www.knopper.net/knoppix/index-en.html

how to use: http://www.shockfamily.net/cedric/knoppix/

Link to a site with other free LINUX options:

http://www.frozentech.com/content/livecd.php

Once you have saved your files, then worry about re-installing 98. To
reinstall 98 you will need a win98 CD and its associated serial number. If
you can not find yours options include:

1. Contact PC maker and try to get replacments. Note that there may be some
charge for this service.
2. Get a new copy of win98. (a) Have any friends about to throw away a
win98 PC, and who have their CD and serial number? (b) I have seen retails
boxes of win98 still on the shelf at major PC stores, and they are certainly
available on the web.
3. Instead of 98, buy a copy of XP. If your PC can handle it, you might
like some of its features. However, be sure that you exceed (not just meet)
the minimum hardware requirements for XP, or you will not be happy with the
performance. Also, some 98 software will not work under XP, and will need
to be replaced with newer versions, and that will generally not be free.


"martymusic1" wrote in message
...
my computer crashed to a point to where I am asked for the serial number
of
the CD to reinstall Win98SE but that number and the Cd were lost. In order
for me to even boot the computer I need the serial # asked for set-up.
Does
anybody have an old # used to install Win98se that was supplied with the
CD?
This is the only way I can save all my files which include 2 years of
AutoCad
DWG files. Please help. Microsoft does not support Win98se any more.

On Sun, 31 Dec 2006 18:40:00 -0800, martymusic1
wrote:

my computer crashed to a point to where I am asked for the serial number of
the CD to reinstall Win98SE but that number and the Cd were lost. In order
for me to even boot the computer I need the serial # asked for set-up. Does
anybody have an old # used to install Win98se that was supplied with the CD?
This is the only way I can save all my files which include 2 years of AutoCad
DWG files. Please help. Microsoft does not support Win98se any more.

If Windows is still installed.
To get the ProductKey before you do anything. Boot to Dos by holding
down the CTRL key or tapping the F8 key while booting. Select
Command Prompt Only.
If Windows is still installed enter this from the Dos prompt:
C:\windows\command\Find /i "ProductKey" c:\windows\system.dat
(that's an "eye" in /i)
There are 3 spaces, 1 before and after /i and 1 before c:
You can also try this if the System.1st file has not been deleted.
C:\windows\command\Find /i "ProductKey" c:\system.1st
There are 3 spaces, 1 before and after /i and 1 before c:
The ProductKey is 5 groups of 5 letters and numbers.
Not all SE and ME systems have the key in System.1st.

You can also try this from Dos if the System.1st file in the root
has not been deleted and you can't access FIND.
Enter: Edit System.1st
Then use the search feature for ProductKey (one word). Use the ALT
key to access the menus.
Use Alt+F then X to exit the Editor.

Then consider the other replies before you do anything.

Happy New Year !!

Regards,

Bill Watt
Win98 Computer Help & Other Information http://home.ptd.net/~bwatt/

Happy new year to you too. If that second comment was a question, the
answer is no, unfortunately. However I note that my standard response to
the very last item on the survey (plus wherever else I can get it in) has at
last had some effect, which makes it easier for us foreigners, so perhaps
2008.
--
Jeff Richards
MS MVP (Windows - Shell/User)
"Gary S. Terhune" wrote in message
...
Happy New Year, Jeff! See you again next year!

I'll be looking forward to it! Unfortunately, I'm not sure I'll be making it
to the conclave this year, either.

--

Gary S. Terhune
MS-MVP Shell/User
http://grystmill.com/articles/cleanboot.htm
http://grystmill.com/articles/security.htm

Jeff Richards wrote:
Happy new year to you too. If that second comment was a question,
the answer is no, unfortunately. However I note that my standard
response to the very last item on the survey (plus wherever else I
can get it in) has at last had some effect, which makes it easier for
us foreigners, so perhaps 2008.
Happy New Year, Jeff! See you again next year!