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General discussion

win98 disks missing

Jan 12, 2005 1:12AM PST

I replaced a hard drive on my old Compaq Presario 1200 and cannot find the restore disks anywhere. All I have is an emergency recovery cd and a win98 startup disk that I made on a floppy when I received the computer years ago.

I cannot get a clear answer on how to get a hold of the CD's as they are no longer for sale through Microsoft.

Thanks

Discussion is locked

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My clear answer.
Jan 12, 2005 1:20AM PST

1. Unlikely to be had from Microsoft since Compaq/HP supplied that CD. -> Microsoft didn't sell it.

2. Unlikely HP has replacements.

3. You'll have to look on E-Bay for this old OS.

Best of luck,

Bob

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disk title
Jan 12, 2005 1:23AM PST

I understand there is alot of unnecessary (garbage) disks out there for sale on ebay - I hope this does not sound stupid - what is it that I am looking for - a boot disk? an install disk? or the whole OS?

Can I just move along to an upgrade or do I have to start over with 98 and then go up from there?

Thanks!

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You have to decide what you want.
Jan 12, 2005 1:34AM PST

You can look for "restore CDs" for your machine or a "Windows 98se CD".

This is your choice and I can't tell which you would want from your posts.

Just FYI, the Microsoft 98se CD (the OS) is still sought after but it stresses some that it will not install drivers for motherboard, video, audio, modem and such. The person installing this OS gets to find drivers and more. AND XP is no better in this regard.

Bob

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bootdisk.com
Jan 12, 2005 1:54AM PST

So I need more than what bootdisk.com can provide?
Thanks for your help.

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Bootdisk.com can't supply "Windows".
Jan 12, 2005 2:29AM PST

A Microsoft visition would be the likely fallout from that!

Bootdisk.com is fine for another way to make boot disks to get to some point to look at hard disks, CDs and such but is not an OS.

Bob

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I cannot get a clear answer on how to get a hold of the CD's
Jan 12, 2005 2:21AM PST

You will have to try and buy them on the secondary market. You can try contacting HP/Compaq but I bet they no longer provide the sets even for a fee.

The other option is to try and buy a Windows 98 operating CD on the secondary market since Microsoft no longer sells it either. But the Windows 98 CD will not have the drivers needed for your hardware to run properly. You can check and see if the drivers required are available for download at HP's support site. Unfortunately, this is what happens when people toss or loose important installation CDs.

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No idea...
Jan 12, 2005 2:35AM PST

I had NO IDEA how valuable they were - I can't believe I am the first person this has happened to, do people less persistant than me just junk the laptop - or spend lots of money to a computer repair shop?

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Wondering about something
Jan 12, 2005 2:56AM PST

Do you still have the old harddrive and will it still boot up? You don't say why you replaced it but if it's still around because you only wanted more space and you haven't thrown it out or formatted it, you might have valuable information on it. This also depends on your having a cdrw so that you can burn a couple of cd's.

Compaq vendors were notorious for putting copies of the operating system (W9Cool right on the harddrive for you, along with the drivers.....we just have to find out if you can get to that info and save yourself some money in the process.

TONI

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no luck
Jan 12, 2005 3:29AM PST

The old hard drive had crashed - that it why it had to be replaced.

I have been tearing my house apart - I have the product and the certificate of authencity for win 98 se but no disks - why can't anyone just give me a copy?

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Because it's in the agreements.
Jan 12, 2005 3:31AM PST

I have no rights to give that CD to anyone.

It's much like losing your car keys. Costs a little to start driving again.

Bob

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Your Recovery/Master Restore CD
Jan 12, 2005 4:24AM PST

more than likely has W98SE incorporated into it and if you run that cd, you will know right away if it wants to install Windows 98SE on the harddrive. Since you have the Code key required to do the install, you have nothing to lose by trying the disk.

But you probably have to FDISK and FORMAT the new harddrive first to get it ready for data. Do you know how to do that?

You will need to first get a newer bootdisk for W98SE so go to http://www.bootdisk.com and download the file. Put a clean floppy disk in the drive, click the .exe file you downloaded and a small dos window will appear showing you the progress of creating the disk. It takes about ten minutes to finish it so give it time.

TONI

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I can't believe I am the first person this has happened to,
Jan 12, 2005 6:03AM PST

You aren't. There is usually one or two posts a day from someone who has lost or thrown out a restore set or installation CD.

How old is your computer? Have you tried contacting Compaq/HP? The might be an outside chance you can buy a replacement set.

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Even on Amazon...
Jan 12, 2005 6:19AM PST

But you gotta laugh when you read ... "Fully Supported By Microsoft!"

Isn't it time to move on?

How about Windows 2000? I run that on my laptop that came with 98.

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special trick
Jan 12, 2005 8:49AM PST

Is there a special trick to just putting a different OS onto a computer?

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For me, no.
Jan 12, 2005 9:00AM PST

I had no trouble at all. But then again, I ran NT 4.0 at home for years...

Bob

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no trick needed
Jan 12, 2005 6:50PM PST

You still need the drivers for the hardware installed. They can be found at the HP web site.

I've mentioned calling HP/Compaq as well as others. Have you called? You won't know if they have a restore CD set or not until you do. If you have limited computer skills, it will be a lot easier to use a restore CD than to install everything manually. If you buy either another copy of 98 or upgrade to ME or 2000, you will need some instructions. Here are a couple of sites for Windows 98.

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/221829/EN-US/?

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/188881/EN-US/

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I'm sorry
Jan 12, 2005 9:23PM PST

I thought I answered this earlier - Microsoft no longer supports win98 and HP no longer carries any of the disks for this old computer - I actually called once and had a "chat" with another tech on a seperate occasion. I wish it was that easy...

I guess I am surprised that I can not find the specific cd's for my specific laptop somewhere on the internet - that would make this all so simple. I have the key and the certificate of authenticity - I just need a copy.

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Compaq put the files in a special
Jan 12, 2005 3:37AM PST

directory. It could have been windows\system\cabs\

But do a search. It's much better than my memory.

Search for *.cab

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call or get a hold of compaq
Jan 12, 2005 10:48AM PST

Ihave had luck doing this in the past and they had recover disk'(s) available for my puter. Hope this helps.

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I called 2x
Jan 12, 2005 9:24PM PST

They no longer carry the old cd's - I wish it were that simple! It sound so easy.

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buy a used program
Jan 12, 2005 9:50PM PST

It looks like you will need to buy a used copy of Windows 98 and install everything manually. It isn't that difficult but, it does require some time. You will need to also download the drivers for your hardware. Check the HP web site for the drivers required. If this is beyond your skill level, check with a local computer company or repair shop and find out how much they will charge to do it for you.

You can still try and find used restore CDs for your model on the internet. I seriously doubt you will find any but, you can try. Good luck.

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Your first post indicates that
Jan 12, 2005 11:31PM PST

you have 'an emergency recovery cd' but can't locate the restore cd's. I don't think older Compaq's had both types, and there is some reason to suspect that your emergency recover cd actually has what you need. Have you tried using it? You have nothing to lose at this point even if it isn't what I suspect it to be.

TONI

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I agree with Toni.
Jan 13, 2005 3:10AM PST

Definitely try the Emergency Recovery CD. Let us know the results.

bohig

bhiggins7@yahoo.com

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I tried it already
Jan 13, 2005 3:22AM PST

and then I called and was told I would still need I guess the win part of it, or still the restore cd's.

I was so happy when I found that disk, and it sounds like it should work...but no luck.

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I've owned two Compaqs
Jan 13, 2005 4:44AM PST

And the restore CDs are clearly marked as such. The only option I see is to buy a copy of Wndows 98, if that is the operating system you want to use, download the drivers required for your computer and reinstall everything. It isn't that difficult but it does take time.

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Hey Lisa
Jan 13, 2005 6:28AM PST

I had CNET e mail you about getting the discs you need. I can help. Did you get the message?

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I found this site
Jan 13, 2005 7:11AM PST
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Great Find !!!!!!!!!!!
Jan 13, 2005 7:51AM PST

I actually have a couple of Compaq laptops with base stations from a while back that I think I might take advantage of this site for.

TONI

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really great find!
Jan 13, 2005 8:27AM PST

if they do what they say - I will be up and running for $34.99??

I e-mailed then to double check their claims - but it sounds perfect!