Lost Product Key for Win 95

Locoster · #1 02-11-2007, 06:36 PM

I have been busy getting my son's computer working, and after putting a new power supply in-TWICE-I got it running. I have no software on it yet, because I have a Win 95 CD but cannot find the product key. I have a Win 98 Upgrade (with its product key), but need to install Win 95 so I have something to upgrade.

Miz · #2 02-11-2007, 09:07 PM

An upgrade Win98 will install without installing 95 first.

Just start the 98 install. At some point it will ask for "qualifying media." Take the 98 disk out, put the Win95 CD in the CD drive. When it's satisfied you qualify for an upgrade, it'll tell you to take the 95 disk out and put the 98 disk back in. The installation will then complete.

Locoster · #3 02-11-2007, 11:49 PM

It won't do that. The incomplete Windows 98 runs, but Win 95 stops and I get an error message saying I already have a newer version of Windows. It is Version 2 Upgrade?

Miz · #4 02-12-2007, 11:31 PM

Does the Win98 CD say "upgrade" on it? If not, it's a full install version and the chances are good it won't install over top of win95.

It needs to be used to install Win98 on a newly formatted (wiped clean) hard drive.

JOOM · #5 05-29-2009, 10:43 PM

I have a Win95 CD. If you lost the key, you're screwed. You'll need to get another copy WITH a key. I have a copy. The files are good and should be kept, but the installation as a unit won't work. In the future, record the key on a couple of different hard drives. And YES, you can't install with an upgrade without first installing 95.

joomiloom@aol.com