Updating An Old Computer Operating System
 

I have my new Dell something or other PC hooked up now. I went from a Dell Optiplex GXi running Windows 98 to this new black one running XP pro. The new one is blisteringly fast. Internet pages load all at once instead of in increments. Heck, big boobs load faster than small ones did on the old one!!:D
But I'm not ready to throw out the old PC. I also got my son a new PC and we are running a wireless server, so I could move the old one to the garage and keep up with you guys while working on my stuff!
Problem is, Win 98 is old hat and won't work with the server. I went to Microsoft Downloads to see if I could upgrade to ,say, Windows 2000 but I got lost in there. Can anyone suggest the best (cheapest) way to change from 98 to 2000?

I did the 98/ME change to Win2K several times. About the only thing that is different is switching the drives from FAT32 to NTSF format, so it's better to backup your old data and software before (which is always a good idea). Obviously, you will need the Win2K install CD and will have to download all the security updates.

Hmm. I have had several 98 machines hooked up to 2000 and XP clients.

The best method would be to buy a copy of Windows 2000, and install it, assuming everything is still compatible with 2000. What are the specs on the box (if you know them), so we can see if it will work or not...

Win 98 won't work with the server.

Sure it will work, if you know how to do it. I have several clients with some
win98 machines in the network with the server formerly running WinNT Server and now running Server 2003.

Steve

Pardon my misuse of terminology. I should have said wireless router instead of server. In addition, my camera software will not work on 98, nor will Flashdrive cards (I think that's what you call them). All I know about the old box is that it has a Pentium MMX with 32 meg of RAM. I have plenty of RAM laying around so I can upgrade that. It says it has an Intel Pentium 82439HX processor to PCI bridge, whatever that means. And I'm on broadband with all of them.
According to MS, they will discontinue support of Win98 this June. So, with all that it seems a good time to change over. I would have thought that as old as Win 2000 is, you would be able to shareware it now. Is that not the case?

Keep in mind that the 'garage computer' will not have to be a beast. All I want to do with it is email, run my service CD's, keep maintenance records and light surfing. I'll use the new one to download big files.

Upgrade the HD and memory..........and this unit does not have a manual oiler;)

The monitor has a kerosene lamp inside it. You can adjust the brightness by turning the knob on the front!:flamethro

Two of the most difficult days of my life was spent trying to get a Linksys wireless router running a couple puters in my house;).
I have heard there are router systems out there that are awhole lot easier to get going than the Linksys system.

Would that be an old or new Poulan?

We're using a Belkin Wireless G Router. My son hooked it up about ten minutes. You can run six ethernet cables from it and supposedly unlimited wireless transmitters.

Hi Cap’n,

You should have no problem connecting the ’98 computer to the wireless router or being able to use the file system on the server from the Windows 98 machine. I suspect that the ’98 machine is on a different network subnet than the other machines and that’s the reason for the connectivity problem.

On the new computer, open a command prompt and type ipconfig then hit enter. Do the same on the ’98 machine. The numbers should be the same except that the ip address of the ’98 machine should be off by a number or 2, in the far right set of numbers while the subnet and gateway should be identical to the xp machine.

If you try to get at the drive on the ’98 machine from another computer, and if the ’98 machine’s hard drive is formatted with the so called Win32 FAT” or FAT 32, system, you won’t be able to get at the drive on the ’98 machine from another non ’98 machine.

Windows 98 machines didn’t make the move to win 2k or win XP with any ease because the combined effects of slower processor speed, comparatively small hard drives and especially no where near enough ram to be functional with the new OSes. Before you run out to buy upgrades, you can usually replace the computer for less than the cost of the parts used to upgrade.

Also, ’98 machines are great candidates for the alternate browsers, such as FireFox, as they are faster and less cumbersome than using the newest version of IE and all the related fixes that goes with.

However, as long as the OS is supported by MS you will or should be able to get device drivers for anything you use. Even if for some reason you can’t, you can still put those devises on the new computer and access them through your network.

The obstacles to get through to permit connectivity with the newer OSes include the xp firewall, and turning on permission for others to access the xp computer from the local network.

my own humble opinion
 

Cap'n

Here are the specs for the gxi:
http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dzer/Specs.htm
You have a pentium chip running at 166Mhz

Here are the windows prof. 2k requirements:
http://www.dewassoc.com/support/win2000/require.htm
You need 64 megs of RAM, and a 2 gig HD, but the chip should work.

I work with old dells for a day job. A pentium 1 will not do the job very well at all. I would recomend a p3 at minimum with 256MB of ram and a 4 gig HD. I'm not some psycho-gamer or anything, but I really think this is the minimum you will be happy with for w2k, or you can run winxp with this setup. Don't forget all the security issues you need to deal with.

If you can dig up a Dell optiplex gx110, you will be in hog-heaven. If necessary, spend a hundred and fifty bucks on e-bay to get one that is 'Maxed-out' with 512 RAM and a decent HD, you'll be happier in the long run; they are indestructable, the w123 240d of computers. Also, get a laser-mouse so you dont have to clean mouse-balls.

If you are worried about price, use linux. It is infinitely more secure, it is usually faster and it is free.

cheers,
dan r.

p.s did I mention linux was free?

I think you are out of luck with the actual processor. If you can, open it up and look to see if it has a BIG BLACK doohicky that looks like this.

http://subastas.psredstore.com.ar/im...iumII_7_ed.jpg


If it does, you are in luck. If it does not, dump it and go for something with a bit more power. You can buy Pentium III boxes now for nothing.

I have run Windows 2000 on computers that are 400 megahertz and they also had 256 ram. Not exactly the fastest thing, but it got the job done. I got a box of computer crap from a friend that had a buch of CDs and just computer parts in it. He was going to dump it so I took a look. I am glad I did. I got a copy of Windows 2000 with the key and all. Its a legit copy too. Its got the cool holigram CD and a legal CD key. I paid him 10$ for the whole box, as a legal copy of 2000 is expensive.

Warning!
 

You will find that Win 2000 is a lot slower on the older computer. If you have Win98SE I would stick with it. There's no reason why it won't work with your wireless router. I still use Win98SE on 2 old laptops and they have wireless pcmcia cards in them no problem.

What's the benefit of running Linux? Is it compatible with XP?
BTW, I'm not trying to network my three computers. As a matter of fact it would be best if they were NOT interfaced. The ones inside are taken care of, and if I have to I can run a hardwire to the one for the garage. It won't matter to the two inside running XP what I'm using on the garage puter. I would just like to be able to run my camera software on the garage unit and listen to internet radio. Also I don't have 98SE, just plain ole 98. Justin, I don't see anything inside that looks like your picture, but, I just might be able to get my hands on a GX110!!

If you did the updates for 98 then you do have the SE version.

You can still get USB devices that support '98. those ought to let you connect the devices you mention. Now if the devices themselves work with '98 is another question.

As far as sharing connectivity with the internet, all you need to do is have the garage pc on the same subnet as the rest of the computers, and also a different ip address. so for example if the rest of the house uses

ip 192.168.1.2
subnet 255.255.255.0
gateway 192.168.1.1

Also you'll need the dns numbers as provided by the isp

Then make the garage computer

ip 192.168.1.12
subnet 255.255.255.0
gateway 192.168.1.1

and use the same dns numbers as the others.

You should be able to get to the internet at that point.

I'd buy an OEM copy of Windows XP. Don't waste time buying W2K, it is no longer fully supported by Microsoft. It has gone into "extended" support. If you are bored, you can read about it here.

Pop in the Windows XP CD into your old PC and it's pretty straight forward - it'll update your Win98 OS for you, as well as offer to update your file system (to NTFS), etc. A couple of reboots and updates later, you should be good to go. As long as your old PC has decent enough hardware (just check out the min. requirements for Win XP), it'll run fine for internet and e-mail use.

In the long run, I think this will be the easiest and cheapest route. All IMHO of course...:D

I second this. Newer software will bog down the old hardware and you will have a total bow-wow for your time and money. Dell will sell you a new laptop for less than $400.

Capn'

The benefits of running linux are similar to those of running a grease car. Its cheap as sin (free for linux) and it is a hands-on in an enjoyable sort of way. Also, some aspects of linux are as well designed as a 240d. Asking if linux is compatible with windows xp is like asking if a diesel car is compatible with a gas car; they fulfill the same purpose in different ways. Yes, you will be able to share documents, .mp3 files, e-mail, etc and do all the same things.*

Your computer won't run windows xp, and you can't upgrade it in any normal sense of the word. And why the devil would you want to spend 150 bucks on a copy of windows xp for a machine that you only want to e-mail and surf the web with? On the other hand, if you want to remain in the loving grasp of Bill Gates (who has you by the balls, incidentally), buy a gx110 on ebay for 70 bucks (including shipping) with XP loaded already (try to get the xp CD too, you are in trouble without it, go for 256mb of RAM or higher). Theiving XP is not only immoral, but pretty hard to boot.

cheers,
dan r.
(repairs dells, uses an apple)

*you'll also be able to write coercive and elitest e-mails like this one! Flamesuit on!

Tell me more. I haven't done any updates, or at least none that I intended to do! How do I get these 'updates'?

To update windows, go to internet explorer.

Tools Menu>Windows Update.

I love my macintoshes. :D

I love my 200 inch monitor.

Did that. It doesn't give you the option to upgrade to Win98 SE.
BTW, my camera software says I need at least Windows 98 SP1, whatever that is.

You have to purchase the copy of Windows 98SE in order to have SE. If you have 98, there is no way to just download and install the 98SE. You actually have to go and buy windows 98 Second Edition.

I haven’t taken a journey down this relic lane for a while but here is what I recall of the progression. While there is no update to transform ’98 into “98 SE,” by using the windows update site and maybe some poking at another ms site (listed below), you can make the products somewhere between 98% and 100% identical.

First here are some discussion about the difference between the two. I liked the 2nd article.

http://kb.iu.edu/data/agli.html

http://thetechnozone.com/pcbuyersguide/software/system/Win98SE.html

here is a detailed discussion of ’98 SE regarding the updated components.

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=234762

next this site lists most of the updates, hot fixes, security patches, added capabilities.

http://www.microsoft.com/windows98/downloads/corporate.asp

lastly, go to windowsupdate.microsoft.com

The drill is to run through the windows updates until it doesn’t offer any more. Then try the devices you want. If it still doesn’t work, go to the site above for additional updates/hot fixes and so forth.

Note that not everything that manufacturers say will run with ’98 will actually run with ‘98. The specifications for many components continued to change after the primary support for ‘98 ended, and of course Microsoft has no interest in supporting a product when they can sell you a new one instead.

Thanks all! Lebenz, I had already dowloaded all the applicable updates you mention. Still won't do what I need. It takes way more time to decipher what I need and don't than I'm willing to spend. I'm gonna have the PC re-imaged and load whatever OS it will accept without a whole lot of upgrades. I could well end up with a new $700 Toshiba laptop from Wal-Mart!;)

If cost is at issue, go for one of the used Dell items on ebay as suggested by others. If you buy new definitely get the extended replacement warranty. It costs more but after you throw, er drop, the notebook on the floor, they will replace it free of charge and even come to your home to do it. Consider it a rare opportunity to vent frustration and get rewarded for it….

Thanks for the advise, but it's a little disconcerting that you would think me so clumsly as to oiWJE'OJVRPRJQJMERT90049580954KMLKF...................... 'CUSE ME A MINUTE, i JUst tUrned MYYY beRR ovRR ONNN mY kEyyBord.........

Were you able to get your hands on that dell? If not, I am hatching up a plan to undermine Microsoft. (It involves selling you my Windows 98 SE cd for the lovely price of FREE!).

Actually, you can have my copy of 98SE because I got rid of the computer as it had died. I kept the CD and key, and if you are interested, let me know. I have to look for them if you want em.

Are you sure that's the least you'll take for it? Cm'on, old OS etc. Who's gonna pay you more than negative nothing for it??? ;) ;)

Don't drink n' type.

"I am hatching up a plan to undermine Microsoft."

You are obviously an agent of the European Union!

I tried to install a router board in the old PC. It looked like it was doing the installation and then it reset itself to 16 colors mode. When I tried to reset the color to true, it wouldn't let me. When I turned it off and on then on it comes up "diskette drive 1 failure" and freezes up. After a minute it beeps and prompts me to go to "setup" via F2. Once I get there everything is set to default . I ran scandisk and chkdsk in all their forms but it tells me "no problems found". What's up??

BTW. I can get it to start in MSDOS from the backup start diskette but no Windows in directory.:confused:

One more thing. If I hit F1 it tells me "no boot drive available".

Windows 98, LOL
 

http://lolbsod.ytmnd.com/

sorry cap'n, we only kid because we feel for ya! time for a new machine though...

On the other hand, you could try going into the BIOS and removing the diskette drive from the boot list. You didn't just leave a diskette in there by mistake, did you? Seriously, that machine ain't gonna do what you need it to, or at least do it well.


cheers,
dan