Limit on the no. of WIN98Se installs?

[kenner]

With my first pc purchase (no OS) I bought WIN98SE OEM. When I sold that pc, I removed the software for use on my next pc. Did this one more time. I now have an ABIT BH7 MBD, P4 2.4 Celeron 512K memory. The software seemed to install okay although it has problems with my printer, and forgot to load most of the cursors and icons. I got around that problem. The drives for the cdrom, cdrw, and card reader keep changing and now it seems to "forget" rather easily. I once again loaded the driver for my printer and the USB card reader. Is there a limit to the number of times an OEM may be installed? Could this cause my system's forgetfulness?

[Budfred]

Simple answer is no...

It may be getting tougher for Windoze to work with the speed of the CPU... When Win98SE was written, 2.4Ghz was a remote dream... Have you installed all of the updates for Windoze?? They are not doing any more, but the ones they have already may help....

[Paul Komski]

It may be getting tougher for Windoze to work with the speed of the CPU

?

[kenner]

I should have considered that. I can buy WIN2000 very reasonably priced. Would it work with this cpu? Would WIN2000 accept an older version of MS OFFICE?

[Budfred]

Win2K would certainly work in that computer and it can probably handle Office since it has been around for a while. However, as Paul so pithily pointed out, it probably isn't a matter of Win98SE not being able to run on that CPU so much as possibly needing the updates or some other software problem. Actually it could be a hardware problem too, but it is hard to tell without more info...

[Paul Komski]

? = Hmm I wonder - I don't know but maybe someone does.

When I sold that pc, I removed the software for use on my next pc.

How did you remove and then re-use the software?

It's not clear if you are doing a clean install of Win98 from an installation CD and also whether you are using the latest drivers for your hardware (from CDs or as www downloads). Both of these things would be preferable.

[Fruss Tray Ted]

it probably isn't a matter of Win98SE not being able to run on that CPU Please, instead of beating around the bush could you please admit when you are mistaken? For the clarity of the board at least? It has absolutely NOTHING to do with the CPU! But yes, it is more likely that the newer system is much newer than the recognized driver base supplied with 98 or 98SE.

Therefore instead of implying it is an OS fault, kindly just steer the poster (and THOUSANDS of other viewers) to the fact that newer drivers may be needed for 98 to work with the newer hardwares like printers etc. If there is no driver disk(s), then seeking them from the manufacturer would be the next logical choice.

Paul is on the right track in finding out just what and how was what done in order to understand what went wrong. Now we await the poster's info before blindly stabbing into the dark... :rolleyes:

[Budfred]

FTT,

I am trying to be as clear as possible and I am sorry that it doesn't meet your criterion.... I don't know what the problem is here and I am speculating based on the available data. I do know that Win98SE and WinME get indigestion with more than 512Mb RAM, so it occurred to me that they might also have trouble with faster CPUs and that the updates might help with overcoming that lack. Do you know for a fact that this is not the case??? If so, then I am indeed mistaken and will freely admit it with the added component of appreciating the information....

[Paul Komski]

I do know that Win98SE and WinME get indigestion with more than 512Mb RAM, so it occurred to me that they might also have trouble with faster CPUs

To equate memory and the cpu so simplistically belies the fact that memory is deeply integrated and controlled by software.

The cpu is much more "controlled" by hardware and needs to compatible with the mobo, its bios and its socket and for which there will be a maximum supported cpu speed - largely because of hardware limitations.

Have never seen a maximum processor speed quoted in the system requirements for any Windows OS - though a mimimum is always quoted - and can't think of any theoretical reason why a sectetary that can take faster and faster dictation should have any problems with a slow speaker.

[Reid]

Although it may not be the cause of Kenner's problems, there actually is a known problem with Windows 98SE and Windows ME on faster systems:

"The Windows IDE Hard Drive Cache Package provides a workaround to a recently identified issue with computers that have the combination of Integrated Drive Electronics (IDE) hard disk drives with large caches and newer/faster processors. Computers with this combination may risk losing data if the hard disk shuts down before it can preserve the data in its cache.

"This update introduces a slight delay in the shutdown process. The delay of two seconds allows the hard drive's onboard cache to write any data to the hard drive."

http://www.microsoft.com/windows98/downloads/contents/WUCritical/q273017/Default.asp

Even without that information, the criticism of Budfred's speculation seems to me to be a bit harsh.

[mjc]

Historically speaking, Budfred is correct, in that various flavors of Windows have had problems with various speed/brands processors.

There is a rather infamous timing issue that all but killed the third CPU maker, Cyrix (which is now owned by VIA and trying to make a come back, but failing).

There were also timing problems with various AMD chips.

Also, before you so blythely dismiss a CPU as being too fast......

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=http://support.microsoft.com:80/support/kb/articles/Q312/1/08.asp&NoWebContent=1

[Paul Komski]

He He - never thought of the secretary getting bored and leaving the room too soon!! :D

[Sylvander]

I happened upon this yesterday
http://home.pacbell.net/drakcap/Purist10.htm

does it relate?

[Paul Komski]

Nice and interesting link Sylvander - wonder what has happened to kenner though!

[kenner]

prior to passing on or selling the other pc's, I formatted the drives to remove all software. I purchased WIN98SE separately so I kept the cd, manual, etc. This is what I used to install the OS. I will check for updated drivers and look at the sites suggested. Thank you for the information.