Computer guru advice needed - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Palangi · #1 02-08-2003, 11:13 AM

I bought a new laptop about 3 months ago. Of course, they all come with Windows XP nowdays. I knew going in that XP would not run DOS programs. As it turns out, it spits up on quite a few older Windows programs as well. After using XP for a few months, I find it has some good points, but, generally, I feel a lot more at home in Windows 98. XP may be better for net surfing and such, but 98 seems much easier for everyday computing, like working with files and such.

The simplest solution, if it would work, would be a multiple boot setup, like Partition Magic or System Commander. Could somebody please comment on that option? I have been told that you can add an XP partition to a Windows 98 machine, but you cannot add Windows 98 to an XP machine. Would that be true?

Another possible option would be to just blow out XP and install 98 on the laptop. In that case, I have to wonder if 98 will have drivers which will work for the modem, CD/RW, mouse pad, etc.
If neither of the above options are viable, I think I will just dump this XP laptop and find a second hand 98 laptop.
Your comments and suggestions please...

Thanks

#2 02-08-2003, 11:21 AM

To be honest dos runs better in XP than in DOS itself. Do a GOOGLE search on XP and DOS and you will find all the information you need.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/home/using/productdoc/en/default.asp?url=/windowsxp/home/using/productdoc/en/windows_dos_custom_startup.asp

If you still have a problem use VMware. www.vmware.com

Lebenz · #3 02-08-2003, 11:34 AM

Goto support.microsoft.com and spend some time searching for the specific problems you are having. XP is a far more developed, robust, and stable platform than is/was 98. You can also change Windows Explorer (not to be confused with Internet Explorer) to have different appearances than the default. If problems persist, I would bet there is an underlying defect in your laptop. I’ve worked with hundreds of computers with different applications under XP and it just doesn’t have many note worthy problems with DOS or even Windows 3.x and 9.x applications. It does have problems with some utilities that don’t know how to work with the NTFS (NT file system) which is native drive format for Win NT, 2000 and XP. And XP does have problems with applications such as games that try to control the hardware directly. There usually are work-arounds....

Ken300D · #4 02-08-2003, 11:38 AM

Right-click on the program icon that's giving you a problem in XP.

Get the "Properties".

Select the Tab across the top that says "Compatibility".

Give some of those (backwards) compatibility modes a try.

I'm writing this using Windows XP Professional as the reference. If you have Windows XP Home this may not be available.

I don't have any experience with XP Home because the word is that it's a "problem" O/S.

XP Pro is great, once you get over the shock of the "Kiddie Toy" user interface.

Ken300D

DuckMuck · #5 02-08-2003, 11:49 AM

First, in terms of drivers for Win98, you will want to have a good look at what drivers are currently being used for XP, and the model and brand of some of your devices. A lot of these are blatantly stated in your System Manager if you have a look. If the maker of your laptop does not provide the drivers for 98, then you can do some hunting and go to the manufacturer's website and find the drivers for older OS...understand that laptops, although they are branded Dell, Compaq, Sony, etc., actually uses components used by other companies...so drivers for 98 might actually be easy to come by if you are willing to do some hunting...

In terms of running Win98 side-by-side with WinXP, this is a possibility. But as previous people have mentioned, you will need a dual boot setup, you will need to install Win98 first on the primary partition, and you will need at least two partitions. One thing you should note is that XP will recognize both NTFS and FAT32...however, 98 will only recognize FAT32. So if you want 98 to be able to read all partitions, you will need to format the partition on which you install XP in FAT32 also. Now to do this correctly, first destroy all partitions on your computer, then use FDISK to create two FAT32 partitions, one for 98 on (C

, and one for XP (D

...then, format both partitions. Install Win98 onto C: and have everything set up. Then, install XP. The XP installation will recognize that the C: partition already has an existing OS, so it will ask to which partition you want to install, and you should select D:. I believe XP already has a boot manager, so it will handle pretty much the rest. This is actually quite a bit of work, so if you are uncomfortable doin' this sort of stuff, I would suggest finding a friend to help you out. Best of luck...

Trelinski · #6 02-08-2003, 12:39 PM

Generally speaking, win98 must be run off the primary partition, it has to be installed first, or else it will not be happy. With win2k and win98 it is also possible to run off the same partition, because the windows folders are different, I do not know if this is the case with XP, but I assume so.

The easiest set up method would be to format, partition, install win98, then install XP. If you do not wish to format, the partition programs, ie partition magic may have other alternatives, Ive never used them though.

After dual booting for a while (98 and 2k), I found that I only used one system anyway, so I just scrapped it.

Also, going to an only-98 set up, you will not have any problems with drivers.

Thats weird, my post was moved to the bottom.

mikemover · #7 02-09-2003, 12:04 PM

The compatability mode feature that someone mentioned earlier solved almost all of those problems for me when I upgraded to XP...I was able to keep almost all of my old software, and I can now run some software that I previously couldn't use, because it was for Win2000/NT. Very cool.

My only unresolved issue is that there is no XP driver for the sound card in my old Gateway laptop...I have to use an external unit. I can't get any help from Gateway or the Windows people or the sound card manufacturer...everyone just says "Well there's no driver for it...maybe it's time for a new laptop?" That's a lot of help.

So I'll just stick with the external one. It's a better soundcard anyway.

Mike

Palangi · #8 02-12-2003, 10:36 PM

Thanks Guys, for all the words of wisdom.

I may have found a solution. VMWare "Virtual Machine". One of the guys at work had this on his laptop. Not particularly cheap, but seemed to work very well.

Anybody have any experience with this program ?

Ashman · #9 02-13-2003, 01:16 AM

I have used virtual pc, and setup various os's in it, from dos to windows 3.11 to windows 95,98,me,nt,200 etc, all able to be run within windows xp. works well. Allows me to run some of those really old programs that wouldn't even run in windows 95... in a proper dos 6.22 environment.

Alon

#10 02-13-2003, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Palangi
Thanks Guys, for all the words of wisdom.

I may have found a solution. VMWare "Virtual Machine". One of the guys at work had this on his laptop. Not particularly cheap, but seemed to work very well.

Anybody have any experience with this program ?

I have used it for a couple years now with no problems at all. Did you notice the link to it I provided at the top of this thread?

Palangi · #11 02-13-2003, 11:08 PM

Dang, I never even saw that link. I guess I just saw microsoft and didn't read any farther. Guess I really need new glasses.