Need obsolete Win98 update files for SE

[Sam Goofus]

Hi all, first post here!
I'm trying to get a housemates 1999 HP Win98 machine to work with broadband, and in the process to speed up his computer used his restore disk to refresh his OS. I did NOT do a clean install, just used the 'replace current files' option leaving his data intact.

Problem is, over the many, many years, his system had updated automatically through SP1, SP2, SE, and all the other nonsense that MS has been fiddling with. I replaced his system with the original 1999 virgin version of Win98 and any upgrades are no longer supported by Windows Update.... just trying results in an error message.

Is there a downloadable source for the upgrade that goes that far back? I have found "Unofficial Windows 98 SE Service Pack 2.1a" on very reputable sites, but the install won't even recognize this early version of Win98!

I'm looking for downloads of the progressive Win98 update files that MS used to have available. Anyone have a clue?

Thanks! Sam

[Sam Goofus]

Thanks Justask,

I've been trying all the keywords I can think of, but it hasn't cropped up yet.

I assumed these files, no longer being supported or offered by MS, were available all over the net. There is an 'unofficial' (?) version of Win98 SP2 upgrade on Download.com, but the install isn't compatible with the old 98 version (more ?)

Could have sworn I did this before easily, but that was probably before the end of MS support. Seems to me it should be public domain for all us poor folk!

[Sam Goofus]

I'm afraid this machine is so old an upgrade to XP would slow it down to zilch. As an example, it came with MS Money 2000.

What I had forgotten would happen was the reinstall would remove all of the Second Edition and SP1 & 2 files that the computer had downloaded via Windows Update over the years. Now, without MS support, Update results in an error message.

My main concern is security updates, although after going through all of this with a machine of my own since 98 came out, I take Windows Anything with a grain of salt!! IE 5.0 works fine, Firefox too for that matter, plus anti-virus program of choice (Grisoft AVG.) The original aim was to get the OS as up-to-date as possible to work most efficiently on broadband via LAN cable.

I have a CAT5 cable running from router to a USB1 adapter on the computer. The connection works fine for about an hour then quits. Restart is the only way to get it back.

[Sam Goofus]

Thanks again, JustAsk! Sorry to be so late on the reply.... I'm spam crammed since the last reinstall, need tweaking.

I'm trying to talk my housemate into spending the proverbial paycheck on a reasonable up to date machine, but he is enjoying being a Luddite! In the meantime, the system cured itself! He has had no Log on/off problems and the Ethernet cable has kept up a perfect connection after a few weeks of problems. All I can do is shrug my shoulders! Electronics don't heal....

The only trouble that has occurred since is his Windows version of the "Free Cell" solitaire card game will not maintain a record score after rebooting (which it normally does.) I told him... "In no way am I touching that computer again!".... Yes, Virginia, there is a.......

[harry12]

I think you've been lucky - that he's still a friend. It's bad enough touching our own PC's - - - you know they will never get abck to "As was".
I suspect you can't get updates to Win98 as MS has declared it won't support. Same goes for Win98SE which I've been using for a while on a "limited motherboard" for the same reasons you say.
However, I was not aware that there were any SP's - When I've needed to install I do it clean on a new HDD - ie start afresh to get the reliability of a new drive. Bearing in mind IDE drives are almost obsolete it's worth colelcting a few ( pref identical models, so at worst the circuit-boards can be swapped).
It's a whilse since I had to install my Broadband but I still have the CD, presumably later OS also set-up.

With Linux ( Ubuntu), that was the case and the OS appeared to install just about everything.

I'm thinking of getting another PC but want to get some level of "future-proofing" - have managed to put it off and my latest purchase is a wide-screen LCD so I can move it about the house ( the CRT monitor is too heavy).

If he's a good friend, he'll forget.