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General discussion

Can I install driver with no Win-98 cd-rom disk?

Dec 6, 2003 1:27AM PST

I have just bought a JP260 10 button USB gamepad. I have a computer that came without a Win98 cd-rom disk because the computer came with it installed(I was assured this was legal). Anyway, how can I install the driver that Win98 comes with-without the Win98 cd-rom.
Help please.
Stowenrat.

Discussion is locked

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Re:Can I install driver with no Win-98 cd-rom disk?
Dec 6, 2003 1:34AM PST

Let's start with this: Given you don't have a Windows 98 CD, what is your recovery plan if some files get scrambled?

This is a concern either way.

If the OS was installed proper, all the .CAB files will be on the hard disk and you won't have much of an issue. That is, until the hard disk stops spinning or some virus wipes the drive.

I'd work your emergency issues unless you don't feel the need to.

Bob

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no Win-98 cd-rom disk? Your DISASTER PLAN is here.
Dec 6, 2003 1:45AM PST
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Re:no Win-98 cd-rom disk? Your DISASTER PLAN is here.
Dec 6, 2003 2:10AM PST

Thank you for your concern. I was told by the supplier of my computer---If your Windows has crashed, then you can go to the DOS prompt
and type the following:-
CD\WINDOWS\OPTIONS\CABS
Setup
Do you think I was informed correctly? In the meantime I will research your(very appreciated!)suggestions. I would really be gratefull if you could respond again.
Stowenrat.

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No DISASTER PLAN.
Dec 6, 2003 2:54AM PST

"I was told by the supplier of my computer---If your Windows has crashed, then you can go to the DOS prompt"

Which would be more than magic since the hard disk contents tend to vanish or become corrupt.

Let me state that hard disks are not where you keep what you can't lose.

Bob

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Re:No DISASTER PLAN.
Dec 6, 2003 3:08AM PST

I have a boot floppy, I know my computers key. But with no cd-burner I don't know how I can make a recovery disk. Could I occasionaly put my cab files on floppy disks as a back up?
Stowenrat

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Re:Re:No DISASTER PLAN.
Dec 6, 2003 3:19AM PST

Should I buy a recovery disk, Buy a cd-burner and then create an installation disk?
Stowenrat.

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How much is this worth to you?
Dec 6, 2003 3:50AM PST

One false move or delete and it's game over. You have no restore CD, no OS CD and maybe not the Windows 98 product key.

The person who dumped this system on you did you no favors so far.

---------------------

CDRW drives for desktops cost on sale from 10 to 29 dollars. A black disk can be 10 cents to 1 dollar. It's your choice to not expend this money and to continue in your current situation.

This week some DVD recorder was all of 79USD with software, cables and such and includes a DVD+R/W media which holds some 4.7 Gigabytes.

You are the one out on the limb here. Your choice as to what to do next.

Bob

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Re:How much is this worth to you? Thank you RP.
Dec 6, 2003 5:35AM PST

Apart from converting your price guides into British Pounds, plus everything costs more here, I have caught your drift. As you can tell, I am very new to this whole area. If I could just re-cap, I should get a restore/recovery CD. Then with a CD/RW I can create a re-install/install CD (as per your link to the google search?). I think the key is right as I did the Belarc audit, and I did buy the comp. from an established dealer. Should I be able to get by without the os cd?
Thankyou very much for your help-Stowenrat.

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...as Bob wrote...
Dec 6, 2003 6:19AM PST

"1. Go get your Windows 98 key.

The method was Belarc as discussed at http://reviews.cnet.com/5208-6121-0.html?forumID=45&threadID=4058&start=0

2. Create a Windows 98 install disk from the CAB files.
The method is written about at http://www.google.com/search?&q=create+windows+98+install+cd+cab
In closing, it is your choice to fix this issue.
Bob"
If you can buy CD Writer (R/RW)- DVD Writer is more expensive! - than follow step 2 and You will not need recovery CD - you will create install CD! ...and write down on this CD - Windows 98 key number - from step 1.
Good luck!:))

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You're on the right track.
Dec 6, 2003 7:05AM PST

If you get the restore CD, or an OS CD, you've removed the biggest issue. i.e. What to do if files on the hard disk vanish. Your restore CD will have all that you need to put the machine back to the day you received the machine.

Not good news for your files, but will get you back up and running.

Best of luck,

Bob

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Re:no Win-98 cd-rom disk? Your DISASTER PLAN is here.
Dec 7, 2003 5:13AM PST

I still don't see how I can make an install disk from the CAB files without the recovery disk I should have been given with the computer.

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Re:Re:no Win-98 cd-rom disk? Your DISASTER PLAN is here.
Dec 7, 2003 5:55AM PST

What exactly do you mean with 'recovery disk'? A CD, a diskette? And what should be on it? And what do you want to do with it?

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Re:Re:Re:no Win-98 cd-rom disk? Your DISASTER PLAN is here.
Dec 7, 2003 3:49PM PST

I mean a Restore CD, usually supplied with a pre-installed windows system.

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Interesting discussion, but ...
Dec 6, 2003 10:09PM PST

not exactly to the point.

You seem to assume that Windows 98 comes with a driver for a just bought JP260 10 button USB gamepad. That's a highly questionable assumption. The gamepad should come with its own drivers on diskette or CD (or a link to the manufacturers site on the Internet to get the latest version). There is a fair chance you can install the drivers then without need for the Windows 98 cab-files.

If, however, the installation procedure ask for the Windows 98 CD, it tends to do so in a dialog window which lets you browse to the options\cabs-folder on the hard disk. Or, very well possible, that location is already filled in as a default or even chosen automatically. The location of the cab-files is stored in the registry and used by the installation procedure.

So the answer to your question should be YES.

Of course, the presence of the cab-files on the hard disk won't help you if the hard disk crashes. That's why it's so nice to have them on a Windows 98 CD or a restore disk. But that's a problem way beyond your current question.

Kees

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Re:Interesting discussion, but ...and...
Dec 6, 2003 10:35PM PST

Having just dealt with 4 people in a row that have no OS CD and no CAB files on the hard disks stuck in some install _ell, I am over-sensitive to the issue.

These poor souls were sold some machine with 98 preloaded and not even ripped off correctly.

Since I can't hand out copies of Windows 98, their repair bill jumps by about the price of the OS, if they want it fixed.

The answer is not a simple yes.

Bob

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One last point
Dec 7, 2003 5:29AM PST

I still don't see how I can make an install disk from the CAB files without the recovery disk I should have been given with the computer.

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Re:Interesting discussion, but ...
Dec 7, 2003 5:38AM PST

On the makers site it states the driver is in Win98, so they don't have a downloadable one. Yousay in your post'The location of the cab-files is stored in the registry and used by the installation procedure.' I tried using c/windows/settings/cabs which does contain some CABs but not what I needed. So how can I direct the wizard to the CABs in the registry?

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Re:Re:Interesting discussion, but ...
Dec 7, 2003 6:11AM PST

Do you mean settings-folder, or options-folder, as you wrote earlier?

And what cabs do you have, and which one do you need? If you don't have them anyware, you can't use your new USB-device, I'm afraid, without having a Windows 98 CD first. Try to find one on eBay?

For your information: I copied all the win98 cabs from the cd to the hd, and now I have base4-base6.cab, catalog3.cab, chl99.cab, driver11-driver20.cab mini.cab, net7-net10.cab, precopy1-precopy2.cab and finally win98_21-win98_68.cab (and some other files) in, well, not windows\option\cabs, but in program files\win98, but that's my own choice, of course.

If you've got less, you're incomplete and then you can forget everything you've read here about making your own win98-cd from the information on your hard disk. Just go and buy one, I should say. You need it for your gamepad now and you might need it later on in case of disasters.

Buying a PC without either recovery CD or Windows 98 CD or at least a copy of the Windows 98 cd on the hard disk, makes about as much sense as buying a car without the key you need to open the gas tank: it only goes as long is it goes. And it seems that you can't trust everybody selling you a secondhand PC, like you can't trust everybody selling you a secondhand car.


Kees

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could there be a win98 on my hard drive?
Dec 8, 2003 6:42AM PST

I have been in touch with the seller of my computer, he says'I am told there may be a directory on your hard drive called c:\win98'
If there is I can't find it. I have tried the Find, and Run boxes and used ms/dos prompt with commands:-
dir\win98, c:\win98 etc..Some are bad commands, but some said file not found. Any suggestions on finding it if it is there, Please?
Stowenrat.

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NT - Search for *.CAB files.
Dec 8, 2003 6:45AM PST

.

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Re:NT - Search for *.CAB files.
Dec 8, 2003 6:53AM PST

I am sorry-but how?
Stowenrat.

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(NT) Right-click on C: (explorer), find files or search...
Dec 8, 2003 9:02AM PST

.