How to use a null modem cable

Graynewbie · 03-02-2005, 03:56 PM

I have two laptops that are running windows 95 and I want to upgrade to windows 98SE. The problem is neither has a cd drive so would the null modem cable work? And how do I set up the computers to do this? Graynewbie

Geekgirl · 03-02-2005, 07:20 PM

Hello Graynewbie and Welcome to TSF

Unfortunately you will not be able to install 98se using a null cable setup.
A null modem cable is for connecting two computers for games and transferring files. Even if one had 98 on it and the other didnt you still wouldnt be able to install an operating system like that.

crazijoe · 03-04-2005, 12:13 PM

Just curious, What type and specs are these laptops that do not have a CDROM drive.

[Mystic] · 03-04-2005, 01:47 PM

Also, null modem is slow, so if your transfering 600mb of data, you're going to be sitting there for a few hours.

**johnwill** · 03-04-2005, 06:48 PM

Actually, it would be possible to accomplish this, though it could be tricky.

You could connect the two machines and transfer over the contents of the WIN98 folder on the CD to the W95 machine. Then you boot to DOS on the W95 machine, CD to the WIN98 folder, and run setup.

Another method that I'd actually choose if this were my issue would be to simply remove the disk, connect it to a desktop using a 2.5" to 3.5" IDE Adapter, and then copy the installation files over. It would be much faster...

Geekgirl · 03-04-2005, 09:06 PM

johnwill wrote

Quote:

You could connect the two machines and transfer over the contents of the WIN98 folder on the CD to the W95 machine. Then you boot to DOS on the W95 machine, CD to the WIN98 folder, and run setup.
Another method that I'd actually choose if this were my issue would be to simply remove the disk, connect it to a desktop using a 2.5" to 3.5" IDE Adapter, and then copy the installation files over. It would be much faster...

Without a cd rom on either system it is not possible, they both have Win95 files on them, no Win98 files.

Your second suggestion may work, it sounds logical but I never attempted it so I can not say if it will or not.

You need to fdisk and reformat the h.d.d. I can't or never did that by using a null cable or from a slave drive. You could copy over files but the "best" way would be to fdisk and wipe out any previous O.S. to avoid conflicts. I don't know if it is possible to fdisk a h.d.d as slave. I wouldn't think it was but I may be wrong. Never had to try it yet. I will have to set that up as a Weekend project

We still need some more information from the author

**johnwill** · 03-05-2005, 10:48 AM

I'm trying to imagine two laptops, and neither having a floppy or a CD!

03-02-2005, 03:56 PM	#1 (permalink)
Graynewbie Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 1 OS: 95/98SE/ME	How to use a null modem cable I have two laptops that are running windows 95 and I want to upgrade to windows 98SE. The problem is neither has a cd drive so would the null modem cable work? And how do I set up the computers to do this? Graynewbie

03-02-2005, 07:20 PM	#2 (permalink)
Geekgirl Assistant Manager, Microsoft Support Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Six-burgh, Pennsylvania Posts: 14,163 OS: XP Home SP3/XP Pro SP3/Vista Ultimate SP2/Windows 7 Professional	Hello Graynewbie and Welcome to TSF Unfortunately you will not be able to install 98se using a null cable setup. A null modem cable is for connecting two computers for games and transferring files. Even if one had 98 on it and the other didnt you still wouldnt be able to install an operating system like that. __________________ Compare NOD32 to your current antivirus and anti-spyware solution, HERE How to back up and restore the registry in Windows XP and Windows Vista Or Windows 7 How to back up and restore the registry in Windows 98/ ME / NT 4.0 / 2000 I DO NOT ACCEPT EMAILS AND WILL NOT REPLY TO THEM !!!!! TSF DOES NOT SUPPORT ASSISTANCE THROUGH EMAIL OR PRIVATE MESSAGES, PLEASE KEEP ALL QUESTIONS IN THE OPEN FORUM *The Pittsburgh Steelers - 6 X Superbowl Champions !!!!!!!* *The Pittsburgh Penguins - 2009 Stanley Cup Champions !!!!!!!*

03-04-2005, 12:13 PM	#3 (permalink)
crazijoe Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Omaha, The Center of the Universe Posts: 7,632 OS: WinXP, Win2K3 My System	Just curious, What type and specs are these laptops that do not have a CDROM drive. __________________ Microsoft MCSA + Messaging, MVP, A+, Network+ http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b3...other/Help.jpg Do you want a real Republican? HDD diagnostic tools / HDD data recovery software

03-04-2005, 01:47 PM	#4 (permalink)
[Mystic] Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: New Zealand Posts: 247 OS: Supporting: 9x/ME/NT/2000/2003/XP	Also, null modem is slow, so if your transfering 600mb of data, you're going to be sitting there for a few hours. __________________ <insert l33t signature here>

03-04-2005, 06:48 PM	#5 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,654 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Actually, it would be possible to accomplish this, though it could be tricky. You could connect the two machines and transfer over the contents of the WIN98 folder on the CD to the W95 machine. Then you boot to DOS on the W95 machine, CD to the WIN98 folder, and run setup. Another method that I'd actually choose if this were my issue would be to simply remove the disk, connect it to a desktop using a 2.5" to 3.5" IDE Adapter, and then copy the installation files over. It would be much faster... __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience Last edited by johnwill; 03-04-2005 at 06:51 PM.

03-05-2005, 10:48 AM	#7 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,654 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	I'm trying to imagine two laptops, and neither having a floppy or a CD! __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience