My much loved/used Win 98SE system has suddenly stopped loading (I haven't made any conscious software/config changes). It now partly loads, then asks me to enter user and licence key information, as if it was part way through a win 98 install. I don't have the licence key info (98 was pre-installed) and I'm scared that I will overwrite the hard disk if I continue. It doesn't load in Safe Mode either - just get a blank blue screen. Any suggestions please. Thank you.

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

WadiB wrote:
|It now partly loads, then asks me to enter user 
|and licence key information, as if it was part way through a win 98 install. I don't 
|have the licence key info (98 was pre-installed) and I'm scared that I will overwrite 
|the hard disk if I continue. It doesn't load in Safe Mode either - just get a blank 
|blue screen. Any suggestions please. Thank you.

If you don't have a Win98SE CD then your stuffed. The only thing you can do is start 
your computer up in DOS mode. While its startup up keep the Ctrl press until you 
see the DOS menu and select Command Prompt Only. Then type in Scanreg /restore 
and select a date from the list when your system was up and running correctly. Restart 
and try again.

If that doesn't work then buy a Win98SE CD of eBay.

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

If the OS was pre-installed there should be a lable on the computer case with the 
appropriate key. Take a look.

Check the link below, there are several possible solutions there, just keep scrolling 
down. You may have to Copy & Paste the content or write down what you need.

http://www.pcuser.com.au/pcuser/hs2.nsf/lookup+1/7576E49C239CD4D7CA257078001EEB68

Might help if you Post the MFG and Model number here.
There are many options short of buying a new copy of Win98SE. Wait for other responses.

BW





__________________________________________________________

There's nothing to learn from someone who already agrees with you.




On Wednesday, July 2, 2008 at 3:24 am, WadiB wrote:

>My much loved/used Win 98SE system has suddenly stopped loading (I haven't made 
any 

>conscious software/config changes). It now partly loads, then asks me to enter user 

>and licence key information, as if it was part way through a win 98 install. I don't 

>have the licence key info (98 was pre-installed) and I'm scared that I will overwrite 

>the hard disk if I continue. It doesn't load in Safe Mode either - just get a blank 

>blue screen. Any suggestions please. Thank you.

 

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

If you have a Win98SE Boot Floppy, the link below has a simple way to retrieve your 
Key from DOS. The solution is about halfway down the page.  Look for Bold heading 
"The Manual way" 

http://personal-computer-tutor.com/abc2/v15/vic15.htm

BW



__________________________________________________________

There's nothing to learn from someone who already agrees with you.




On Wednesday, July 2, 2008 at 11:09 am, bob wells wrote:

>If the OS was pre-installed there should be a lable on the computer case with the 

>appropriate key. Take a look.

>

>Check the link below, there are several possible solutions there, just keep scrolling 

>down. You may have to Copy & Paste the content or write down what you need.

>

>http://www.pcuser.com.au/pcuser/hs2.nsf/lookup+1/7576E49C239CD4D7CA257078001EEB68

>

>Might help if you Post the MFG and Model number here.

>There are many options short of buying a new copy of Win98SE. Wait for other responses.

>

>BW

>

>

>

>

>

>
__________________________________________________________

>

>There's nothing to learn from someone who already agrees with you. 

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

Thanks for the responses. I have located the Win 98 product code, but if I enter this, will I lose any of the existing data on the hard disk? Thanks.

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

WadiB,

Since you've failed to supply any further information on your Machine there is little 
anyone can do to help you.

You should be presented with choices before windows finishes the reinstall. Just 
be sure to read the screen prompts. If you get a message indicating that all data 
will be lost, don't proceed.

Win98 should be able to do an over-the top reinstall without the loss of data. You 
will probably have redo the Windows Updates, but personal data should be retained.

If you have another Computer, pull the HDD out of the Win98 Box and install it as 
a slave, Save whatever you want, then do whatever it takes to get Win98 back.

bw





__________________________________________________________

There's nothing to learn from someone who already agrees with you.




On Monday, July 14, 2008 at 2:51 am, WadiB wrote:

>

>Thanks for the responses. I  have located the Win 98 product code, but if I enter 

>this, will I lose any of the existing data on the hard disk?

>

>Thanks.   

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

• Search this forum
• Start a new thread on a different subject

• Report abuse of the forum