lookin for older virsion of windows o.s.

[goat_roper_me]

hello all
i have a windows xp home upgrade but i need one of the older versions of windows 98 or newer with product key to use with the windows xp. the copy i have of win 98 it is scrached up so bad my cd-rom will not read it at all so if any one could help me that would be great ill buy it but free would be better or just payin for shipping ya can reach me at " goat_roper_me@yahoo.com " hope to hear from some one that can help
thank yall
goatroper / ron

[Miz]

If you're only needing to use it to install XP, you don't need a product key. It'll just ask for "qualifying version" during the XP installation. You take the XP disk out, put the older version of Windows disk in, it'll read it and tell you to take it out and put the XP disk back in, then it'll complete the installation.

So if you know anybody with a copy of one of the qualifying versions who has lost the product key and will be happy to let you have their disk, it'll work. At least, it has always worked that way for me.

[harry12]

Seems a sensible answer, ..if you have a mate that still has old software OS well preserved. The alternative is a Computer-Fair (el cheapo), where almost any OS is available, complete with holgram and product Key (although I understand these Win98 keys are almost universal...the same key will work for many discs).

What I don't understand is why this chap has scratched his disk so badly it won't read....that's a bit careless.
I have resisted updating my Windows because of Microsofts attempts to make the customer feel like a criminal - If I buy software (or readiing glasses) I expect to use it without hinderance - that is preferably without the constant niggles that fall upon us by way of the OS itself. Apart from pretty colours, can anyone tell me what I've missed by sticking with Win98SE - other than an ability to have more RAM and HDD size - boith being needed often by the OS before any programs are running.
Grr!

You see Microsoft if you alienate your customers well enough (like charging UK customers double the US Vista-price at a time when the £/$ should make it cheaper), ...then folk won't upgrade and will try Linux.
Then you can have as many upgrades as you like, more security flaws and so on....

[Miz]

When you buy a copy of Windows, you don't buy any of the software on the disk. Microsoft owns the software. You just bought a license to use their software. It's the same as buying a music CD. You don't own the music or the lyrics on the disk, you just own a license to listen to it. All licenses include terms for the use of the product.

For those who find Windows' license terms too restrictive, open source (Linux, Open Office, etc.) is definitely the way to go.

[snooker]

Originally Posted by harry12

Apart from pretty colours, can anyone tell me what I've missed by sticking with Win98SE - other than an ability to have more RAM and HDD size - boith being needed often by the OS before any programs are running.
....

If you are happy with the performance with 98se ? Then keep using it , just make sure you got the right protection to use it on the internet , I also like 98se but I found xp to be more stable

[goat_roper_me]

Originally Posted by harry12

Seems a sensible answer, ..if you have a mate that still has old software OS well preserved. The alternative is a Computer-Fair (el cheapo), where almost any OS is available, complete with holgram and product Key (although I understand these Win98 keys are almost universal...the same key will work for many discs).

What I don't understand is why this chap has scratched his disk so badly it won't read....that's a bit careless.
I have resisted updating my Windows because of Microsofts attempts to make the customer feel like a criminal - If I buy software (or readiing glasses) I expect to use it without hinderance - that is preferably without the constant niggles that fall upon us by way of the OS itself. Apart from pretty colours, can anyone tell me what I've missed by sticking with Win98SE - other than an ability to have more RAM and HDD size - boith being needed often by the OS before any programs are running.
Grr!

You see Microsoft if you alienate your customers well enough (like charging UK customers double the US Vista-price at a time when the £/$ should make it cheaper), ...then folk won't upgrade and will try Linux.
Then you can have as many upgrades as you like, more security flaws and so on....

i did scrach it thats the way i got it so if ya cant help y reply

[harry12]

(I was writing to Miz), - - - and thanks snooker, I'm now torn between upgrading my hardware, because the mb is preventing me print, at least that appears to be the issue. Also, once my HDD croaks, I'll lose Zone Alarm because they don't support Win98SE anymore - - A pc with vista might now be sensible once the SP1 is issued later 2007 that should give me another 10 years.
I read XP is to be phased-out from 2008 - seems a bit soon, eh?

Goat roper me - I understand yr comment; I was really hoping you might explain how the scratching occurred - I don't expect my copy to fail but mabe minor surface blemishes would do it? Was your CD really bad.... like you look and think - that's no good?
+ Have you now managed the installation? - would XP accept an otherwise unreadable Win98-disc?
. Do tell....H.

[Miz]

As far as Zone Alarm...you can still downloaded older versions of free ZA that work with Win98 from www.oldversion.com.