Old HDD w/OS into homebuilt PC

[camdog440]

I have just put together my first PC and had planned on using the Win98se operating system that resides on my old HDD from a 486. I do not have boot discs for the operating system.
The computer comes up in the BIOS but does not boot the OS from the old HDD (I also installed a new 80g HDD as slave).
Is there a way that this will work? What are my options other than buying a full install OS?

[bassman]

Hello camdog440 and welcome to http://www.pcguide.com/ubb/pcgubb.gif
Since the OS on the old HDD was installed in another machine, it won't work in your new one. Something about identifying with other installed components (mobo, video,... ) You will need to format this hard drive and do a fresh install:(

EDIT You say you don't have the "Boot disks", but do you have the 98SE CD-ROM?

Good luck
Frank

[camdog440]

The Win/98se cd-rom is nowhere to be found. Lost.

Any other ideas.. I guess I need the install cds for an operating system?

[Fruss Tray Ted]

Try the old harddrive without the new 80 gig. Does it boot?

The jumpers may be wrong for when attempting 2 drives.

Your old system specs versus a separate new system specs would be nice to look over to help you further.

Honestly, consider purchasing an OS or even D/L-ing some version of Linux. It'll make it sooo much easier.

[saphalline]

It's possible to try and repair an OS installation so it will work in a new PC, but the success rate that I've seen is about 1/3. Even then, the repaired installation never works as well as a fresh install (stability is gone!).

Your problem is that the old OS won't even boot, so repairing without the original Win98SE CD is impossible. I know it hurts to hear this, but what you want to do simply isn't possible or recommended. Bite the bullet and buy an OS.

[camdog440]

I think I am going to take the plunge and give Linux Mandrake a try. This PC was intended as a media PC for music and tv... so I really don't think I need Windows (unless linux doesn't recognize the DVD-r).

[mjc]

The latest version should recognise most DVD writers.

As for DVD playback, it may take a little messing around with the player software and the codecs...and then some DVDs still won't play back, but then again I have the same problem with Windows. It seems that certain studios don't want DVDs anywhere near a computer and resort to all sorts of nonsense to prevent "unauthorized" usage of the darn things...