Windows 98SE - Missing EVERYTHING It Seems

Mad Jack · 06-13-2008, 06:18 PM

Hi all:)

Let me give you specifications on my system:

(Hand-me-down computer)

Gateway Essential 400 (Mfg. date - 1999)
64MB RAM
Intel Pentium II 400 MHz
Windows 98SE

I am missing the original Windows 98SE disc, but I was able to retrieve the product ID and product key from the registry.

Here is my problem:

Every time I try to install new hardware it needs the original Windows 98SE disc which I obviously do not have.

Someone in another forum suggested that I browse to C:\Windows\Options\ and look for the Cabs folder. There is no Options folder in Windows! I go to My Computer > C: > Windows > and there is NO folder called Options. I found another "Cabs" folder which is empty in a place completely off the map. There are no organized drivers folders or anything and I'm just about to go insane:( There was talk of a setup.exe file in the Cabs folder which I don't have...and therefore can't reinstall Windows:(

I can't even get Windows to detect the internal modem that is clearly installed in the computer itself...it refuses to detect it as it only lists COM1 and LPT1 ports:( I don't know what to do. If anyone has any suggestions that I can do without having to go and buy another Windows 98SE disc on ebay please please let me know :( Blessings to you.

**sobeit** · 06-13-2008, 06:25 PM

sounds like you need to purchase that win98 cd.

Mad Jack · 06-13-2008, 06:27 PM

lol For real...would save the headaches *sigh*

**OldGrayGary** · 06-13-2008, 11:40 PM

Hi Mad Jack

Since the .cab files can be placed pretty much anywhere that a user wishes to put them, why not try one more Search from Windows Explorer -- this time searching all of your hard drives for "*.cab" --- should you find a large group of them all in one folder, that's likely what you nee.

Should that be unsuccessful, Win98 prices on eBay run from $10 to $50.

Best of luck
. . . Gary

Jlp1928 · 06-14-2008, 05:16 AM

Hi Mad,

Little help, but all motherbd resident modems still use a com port.

Luck, Jim

Mad Jack · 06-14-2008, 09:46 PM

Hey all thanks for the responses!:) I searched for the .cab files and there were only a few that related to just video and sound. I couldn't find any files for the actual OS. I don't know...all the Source path tells me is that the files are on the stupid disc.

Anyway I fixed the modem issue. It was a PCI modem and I removed it and reinserted it and rebooted letting Windows detect the new hardware (as was suggested I do from another forum). Anyway it detected the modem but it didn't have the drivers...so I took the card out again and found the model...went online and downloaded the driver for it and then it worked so woot lol

06-13-2008, 06:18 PM	#1 (permalink)
Mad Jack Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Location: USA Posts: 7 OS: Windows XP SP2	Windows 98SE - Missing EVERYTHING It Seems Hi all:) Let me give you specifications on my system: (Hand-me-down computer) Gateway Essential 400 (Mfg. date - 1999) 64MB RAM Intel Pentium II 400 MHz Windows 98SE I am missing the original Windows 98SE disc, but I was able to retrieve the product ID and product key from the registry. Here is my problem: Every time I try to install new hardware it needs the original Windows 98SE disc which I obviously do not have. Someone in another forum suggested that I browse to C:\Windows\Options\ and look for the Cabs folder. There is no Options folder in Windows! I go to My Computer > C: > Windows > and there is NO folder called Options. I found another "Cabs" folder which is empty in a place completely off the map. There are no organized drivers folders or anything and I'm just about to go insane:( There was talk of a setup.exe file in the Cabs folder which I don't have...and therefore can't reinstall Windows:( I can't even get Windows to detect the internal modem that is clearly installed in the computer itself...it refuses to detect it as it only lists COM1 and LPT1 ports:( I don't know what to do. If anyone has any suggestions that I can do without having to go and buy another Windows 98SE disc on ebay please please let me know :( Blessings to you.

06-13-2008, 06:25 PM	#2 (permalink)
sobeit TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: NEAR Posts: 5,267 OS: windows/linux	Re: Windows 98SE - Missing EVERYTHING It Seems sounds like you need to purchase that win98 cd. __________________ Do not feed the trolls.

06-13-2008, 06:27 PM	#3 (permalink)
Mad Jack Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Location: USA Posts: 7 OS: Windows XP SP2	Re: Windows 98SE - Missing EVERYTHING It Seems lol For real...would save the headaches sigh

06-13-2008, 11:40 PM	#4 (permalink)
OldGrayGary Mentor, Microsoft Support Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Woodland Hills, CA Posts: 1,979 OS: Windows 98se/2000/XP/Vista	Re: Windows 98SE - Missing EVERYTHING It Seems Hi Mad Jack Since the .cab files can be placed pretty much anywhere that a user wishes to put them, why not try one more Search from Windows Explorer -- this time searching all of your hard drives for "*.cab" --- should you find a large group of them all in one folder, that's likely what you nee. Should that be unsuccessful, Win98 prices on eBay run from $10 to $50. Best of luck . . . Gary __________________

06-14-2008, 05:16 AM	#5 (permalink)
Jlp1928 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 314 OS: Win98	Re: Windows 98SE - Missing EVERYTHING It Seems Hi Mad, Little help, but all motherbd resident modems still use a com port. Luck, Jim

06-14-2008, 09:46 PM	#6 (permalink)
Mad Jack Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Location: USA Posts: 7 OS: Windows XP SP2	Re: Windows 98SE - Missing EVERYTHING It Seems Hey all thanks for the responses!:) I searched for the .cab files and there were only a few that related to just video and sound. I couldn't find any files for the actual OS. I don't know...all the Source path tells me is that the files are on the stupid disc. Anyway I fixed the modem issue. It was a PCI modem and I removed it and reinserted it and rebooted letting Windows detect the new hardware (as was suggested I do from another forum). Anyway it detected the modem but it didn't have the drivers...so I took the card out again and found the model...went online and downloaded the driver for it and then it worked so woot lol