Can I make a BU copy of my W98SE?

I did not get a W98SE CD with my used computer. Can I burn my own copy and how?
If this sounds really stupid please forgive me, but if I don;t ask I won't know.

 

No, because that would be pirating.

With the age of the OS, you could contact the OEM, if it is an OEM machine, but its unlikely they would have what you need.

 

you can get programs like ghost or drive image and back up your system. Since it is a used system it is hard to say how the install was done, some people put all the files from the cd in a 'win98' directory or whatever name, just so you don't need the cd when insalling sevices, ect.. look around the drive for a folder with the setup & cab files. But if you never got a cd & the system is used chances are pretty good that it may be pirated. It depends on how reputable the dealer is.

 

You could try a used computer store or Ebay for a copy, or you might consider upgrading to Win 2000 or XP, if possible.

 

I believe there is a folder with set up files.
Could I just burn it to a CD?

 

Maybe you could, but it's hard for anyone here to say if that is the full cd or not. It all depends if the guy who setup the computer put it there.

Also you should be aware, if you don't know your cdkey it would be completely useless to make the CD. Also it is only legal to burn the CD if you actually own a legally obtained CD key.

 

Yeah, there is. the files have a .cab extension. Usually (I can't remember for sure) the files are in the Win98 folder, and you can copy them right off the CD onto your hard drive (it's good to do this anyway, because then you don't need the CD everytime Windows needs those files; you navigate it right to that Win98 folder).

There's about seventy and some-odd .cab files and some other misc files. For that matter, you might already have them on your system. Try looking in c:\windows\options\cab(s), or look for a Win98 folder somewhere on your system. Finally, try searching for Win98_54.cab (or substitute the 54 for another number between 1-70).

Frankly, though I can't advocate it, if you burned a copy of the OEM cd you got (strictly for backup purposes), I hardly think the Software Police will ransack your home! As far as I'm concerned, computer manufactures who won't give you a Windows CD have no business telling someone that they can't copy the CD that they do give their customers; a CD that is so over-worked in order to avoid customers being able to do anything on their own without contacting customer support...and we all know how expensive that can get!

Good luck,

Starkman

 

This is off MG's homepage. WinkeyFinder http://www.majorgeeks.com/download4481.html will give you your product key. Also, you will need some way to run the CD at boot-up in order to install anything.

 

This is off MG's homepage. WinkeyFinder http://www.majorgeeks.com/download4481.html will give you your product key. Also, you will need some way to run the CD at boot-up in order to install anything.

 

The windows 98 install can be launched from DOS mode. So running the cd isn't a huge deal, as you can just use a standard boot disk. Which you can just copy the cd itself if you like.

 

At the end of the day Adrynalene is correct. You do not buy a computer with an OS installed unless it includes the OS on a CD. Go back to the seller and tell him/her that you want the W98 installation CD. Else all you have bought is a computer not the OS. That said I do sympathise with your dilemna and I hope you can sort it out.
Regards
Robert

 

O.K., I do have a file labeled Win98. It has many folders within it including many .cab files. I also have a Dell folder with Set-up and etc. I burned both of the folders onto a CD-R using Nero.

Should I have put the Dell and W98 on seperate disk?

Should I have opened the folder and then select all and paste onto the CD or is just copying the primary folder sufficient?

Thanks!