From XP to 98 Help....please...

I am running Windows XP and want to run Win98 instead. Simple. Save for a few problems.

1) I do NOT have a XP disk of any kind, because my loving brother in-law so kindly installed XP without asking/informing me.

2) There is not a remove XP option in add/remove programs, though WindowsXP Service Pack 2, and WindowsXP installer 3.1 are.

Also itching at my brain is this : When you install XP over an old os don't you partition the drive so that Win 98 is somewhere?? How do I know if that's what he did?

Is it even feasible to install 98 from this point? I have some things I need to add to this computer, that I can't without disk support (hence my need to return to 98).

I do have a genuine Win98 disk, and am at best marginally literate, so I suppose that is something.

I've tried to wade through various other forums with no success and a headache as a reward, I'm not sure why I didn't come here first, I should know better by now. (Long time reader first time poster) Generally if you read back enough in MG forums you can find answers to just about everything, but I couldn't find anything for this, so if this question has already been answered, my apologies. Thanks in advance for any help at all, even if its to tell me I'm SOL.

 

Do you have important data that you have to keep ???

If NO then just boot from your win98 cd and format and re-install win98....

For booting from the cd goto bios and first boot make it cd-rom...

 

You can't uninstall an operating system from within itself. So you need to re format the partition which it is on.

My guess is that XP was just installed over the top, which means it probably formatted the disk drive to NTFS, which is bad new for you as win98 wants the FAT32 file system to run.
You may be able to find something which will let win98 boot on an NTFS partition, but I have no idea what that may entail.

May I ask why you wish to go back to win98?
If you do need to, at least install win98 Second Edtion. Much more stable and better usb support.

As anlternative, you could find a copy of win2000 and install that, as it will runs on NTFS.

If performance is the issue, add some morer RAM, go to control panel and use the performance option (which will make it look like win98/2000 anyway).

 

I would strongly recommend against going back to 98!
It is now an old and outdated operating system which does not contain the same amounts of 'security protection' as XP does, and cannot support the latest editions of internet security software.(ie antivirus, firewall etc). This is critical in todays online enviroment and essential for the protection of yourself and your family whilst online.

What exactly do you need to add to your system that requires disc support?

Do yourself a huge favour and obtain a genuine edition of windows XP SP2!
Update your system requirements to support the OS if necessary.....

Regards

 

Thanks for the help.
I have to add a foot pedal, and no cigar without a Windows disc.
The Win98 I have isSE so thats something as well.

This computer only has to hang on for another month or two before I take it out in the back yard and pull some sort of Office Space showdown with it. I am it's 7th owner! It's a '96 and pleads with me constantly to be put out of its misery.

Thanks again!

 

Okay, so the installation of piece of hardware needs something off an XP disc. Drivers or whatever. Do a search for the drivers at DriverGuide the username is driver and the password is all, or borrow an XP disc from someone, it doesn't have to be the same disc you installed with.

Tell us what you are trying to install, someone might have more suggestions or answers.