Win 98 Installation Problem

Doggan · 11-20-2004, 10:26 PM

Hi! My computer had been working happily with it's XP/Linux partitions, but I decided to mess everything up so that I could play some older games that require Win 98.

I backed up all my data. I deleted the entire hard drive. I formated the first 5 gb of memory to FAT32. I use my Windows 98 boot disk. It loads my Windows 98 installation CD. Installation goes smoothly. It reboots my computer a couple times. Here is where the problem occurs.

A window comes up saying:

Windows 98 Setup.
- Windows is now setting up the following items:
_Time Zone
_Control Panel
_Programs on Start Menu
_Windows Help
_MS-DOS program settings
_Tuning Up Application Start
_System Configuration

It gets through the first 2 ok. On the 3rd one, Programs on Start Menu, a window pops up showing the extraction of files, and a few seconds later, when it gets to a file called Group 35 (or something like that), it freezes.

I've rebooted, and it gets me back to this spot, and does the same thing. I've rebooted about a dozen times. I've tried doing the entire process over again twice (re-formatting, re-installing), and it freezes every time here.

My cd is Windows 98 SE. My system is a Dell Inspiron 9100. There are only 2 partitions: The C: for Win 98, and another partition for basic Dell utilities.

I'm clueless as to what the problem is. I don't see why it should freeze here.

Thanks for any help. Let me know if I need to supply any more information.

Volt-Schwibe · 11-20-2004, 11:10 PM

well, i want to mention that every time i have ever installed windows 98 or 98se, it has hung at that same spot for as long as 20 minutes, depending on the speed of the machine.

how long have you waited for it?

and, is the hard disk doing anything during all this?

does your mouse also freeze?

Doggan · 11-20-2004, 11:12 PM

Mouse freezes. Hard drive is not making any noises. It's been ~2 hours :(

edit:

Machine specs -

Pentium 4 3.2 ghz
1 gb ram
ati radeon 9700
60 gb memory
etc etc... :)

So yea, I ruled out the machine speed as for why it's taking so long. Hehe.

CTSNKY · 11-21-2004, 07:26 AM

Any chance you have a damaged installation CD on your hands?

Prophet · 11-21-2004, 06:30 PM

Ok I've had the same problem on some newer machines like yours. Alot of times you have no choice but to use win ME but occasionally you can load win 98se. What you'll need to try is this
1 disconnect everything from your puter except keyboard and mouse (this includes removing any additional pci cards and even additional cd/dvd drives)
2. go into bios and restore to default and make sure that your pci/irq settings are set to auto not OS.
3. Reformat hard drive and then try to install again also use a different install disk if you can get ahold of one.

The reason your having this problem is ussually a resource sharing problem also if you have a newer video card installed you might want to put an old 8mb card in until OS is installed plus note that if your system came with win xp installed you might have to get a hold of new system drivers. And also did you happen to try to run these older games with win 95 compatibility mode enabled in win xp? It works for some older games not Duke Nukem or shadow warrior though.

Doggan · 11-21-2004, 09:57 PM

Thanks for the tips. I'm going to try to get a new installation cd, and I'll try that first.

In response to prophet - "And also did you happen to try to run these older games with win 95 compatibility mode enabled in win xp?"

Unfortunately, yes. I've tried all other modes. The game I'm trying to run atm is System Shock 2. It freezes randomly in any mode it is in it seems. I'm hoping running completly on 98 will fix it. :(

Doggan · 11-22-2004, 04:29 PM

Well, it's not the cd :) I just tried another one, and the exact same problem occurs.

Well well well. For some reason it works now. Thank you for all your help. :))))))))))))))

11-20-2004, 10:26 PM	#1 (permalink)
Doggan Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 5 OS: xp	Win 98 Installation Problem Hi! My computer had been working happily with it's XP/Linux partitions, but I decided to mess everything up so that I could play some older games that require Win 98. I backed up all my data. I deleted the entire hard drive. I formated the first 5 gb of memory to FAT32. I use my Windows 98 boot disk. It loads my Windows 98 installation CD. Installation goes smoothly. It reboots my computer a couple times. Here is where the problem occurs. A window comes up saying: Windows 98 Setup. - Windows is now setting up the following items: _Time Zone _Control Panel _Programs on Start Menu _Windows Help _MS-DOS program settings _Tuning Up Application Start _System Configuration It gets through the first 2 ok. On the 3rd one, Programs on Start Menu, a window pops up showing the extraction of files, and a few seconds later, when it gets to a file called Group 35 (or something like that), it freezes. I've rebooted, and it gets me back to this spot, and does the same thing. I've rebooted about a dozen times. I've tried doing the entire process over again twice (re-formatting, re-installing), and it freezes every time here. My cd is Windows 98 SE. My system is a Dell Inspiron 9100. There are only 2 partitions: The C: for Win 98, and another partition for basic Dell utilities. I'm clueless as to what the problem is. I don't see why it should freeze here. Thanks for any help. Let me know if I need to supply any more information.

11-20-2004, 11:10 PM	#2 (permalink)
Volt-Schwibe Asst. Manager, Automotive Forums; HJT Trainee Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Behind you, watching you as you type. Posts: 7,372 OS: Click "My System" to view details My System	well, i want to mention that every time i have ever installed windows 98 or 98se, it has hung at that same spot for as long as 20 minutes, depending on the speed of the machine. how long have you waited for it? and, is the hard disk doing anything during all this? does your mouse also freeze? __________________ <signature> TSF is funded by our Admin's pocket, care to help? Power Tip: Subscribe to your thread (Thread Tools) to receive an instant email notification when you get a reply. New Members: Creating a single new thread in the correct section is the best way to assure your thread will receive a reply. </signature>

11-20-2004, 11:12 PM	#3 (permalink)
Doggan Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 5 OS: xp	Mouse freezes. Hard drive is not making any noises. It's been ~2 hours :( edit: Machine specs - Pentium 4 3.2 ghz 1 gb ram ati radeon 9700 60 gb memory etc etc... :) So yea, I ruled out the machine speed as for why it's taking so long. Hehe. Last edited by Doggan; 11-20-2004 at 11:14 PM.

11-21-2004, 07:26 AM	#4 (permalink)
CTSNKY Knower of all that is MS Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 10,755 OS: (multiple machines) 95, 98, 2K & XP Home & Pro	Any chance you have a damaged installation CD on your hands? __________________ GO BIG BLUE!!

11-21-2004, 06:30 PM	#5 (permalink)
Prophet Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Illinois, USA Posts: 145 OS: win xp pro	Ok I've had the same problem on some newer machines like yours. Alot of times you have no choice but to use win ME but occasionally you can load win 98se. What you'll need to try is this 1 disconnect everything from your puter except keyboard and mouse (this includes removing any additional pci cards and even additional cd/dvd drives) 2. go into bios and restore to default and make sure that your pci/irq settings are set to auto not OS. 3. Reformat hard drive and then try to install again also use a different install disk if you can get ahold of one. The reason your having this problem is ussually a resource sharing problem also if you have a newer video card installed you might want to put an old 8mb card in until OS is installed plus note that if your system came with win xp installed you might have to get a hold of new system drivers. And also did you happen to try to run these older games with win 95 compatibility mode enabled in win xp? It works for some older games not Duke Nukem or shadow warrior though.

11-21-2004, 09:57 PM	#6 (permalink)
Doggan Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 5 OS: xp	Thanks for the tips. I'm going to try to get a new installation cd, and I'll try that first. In response to prophet - "And also did you happen to try to run these older games with win 95 compatibility mode enabled in win xp?" Unfortunately, yes. I've tried all other modes. The game I'm trying to run atm is System Shock 2. It freezes randomly in any mode it is in it seems. I'm hoping running completly on 98 will fix it. :(

11-22-2004, 04:29 PM	#7 (permalink)
Doggan Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 5 OS: xp	Well, it's not the cd :) I just tried another one, and the exact same problem occurs. Well well well. For some reason it works now. Thank you for all your help. :))))))))))))))