Let's do the (Microsoft) time warp

June 11, 2007 1:21 PM

Where can I buy (or otherwise acquire) a legit copy of Windows 98 SE these days?

My girlfriend's PC died a while back, and for one of our next present-giving holidays, I'm planning to build her a new one. What I'd like to do, ideally, is install two hard drives: one running XP or Vista, and another running 98, because she plays a lot of games that don't run (well) on anything older than 98. However, I can't find any online retailers I've ever heard of who are selling 98...understandable, given that it's been almost a decade since that operating system was released. A Google product search turns up a bunch of websites I've never heard of, and I don't think I trust eBay for something like this. I prefer to buy a full version, but I'd be fine with buying an OEM version if that's my only option. Can anyone point me in the right direction?

posted by phaded to computers & internet (11 comments total)

You may consider trying compatability mode, or an emulator.
posted by odinsdream at 1:24 PM on June 11, 2007

Ebay

Froogle
posted by Asef Jil at 1:32 PM on June 11, 2007

Ha. I should have read your question more carefully, but seriously, Ebay and Froogle are the perfect solutions. Don't be afraid.
posted by Asef Jil at 1:38 PM on June 11, 2007

I prefer to buy a full version, but I'd be fine with buying an OEM version if that's my only option.

You can't buy an OEM version and have it be legit on a different computer. That's why OEMs are so cheap; theyre sold for that computer only. Whats wrong with ebay and the full version? Here's the full retail version on ebay new. I'd be wary about getting the OEM version. It might try to detect some hidden Dell or HP partition and not install.

Also, you'll probably want to run this under Virtual PC or some other emulator. Something tells me you might have a problem finding drivers for that new hardware for 98. Its also convenient to just be able to run the virtual machine and play the game without booting into a different OS.
posted by damn dirty ape at 1:58 PM on June 11, 2007

Will definitely look into the links provided here, and thanks to all of you for shedding more light on the OEM issue.
posted by phaded at 2:52 PM on June 11, 2007

If you emulate, beware this issue. (I don't know whether it affects VMs other than Qemu.)
posted by Zed_Lopez at 4:29 PM on June 11, 2007

Alternative solution for running old games in XP: DOSBox.
posted by blag at 5:05 PM on June 11, 2007

Is there actually still such a thing as a legit copy of 98 these days?

Reason I ask is because ever since Microsoft announced that the product was officially dead, every time the Windows Automatic Update Notifier in the Windows 98 workstations at school goes off, and I click Install Updates, I get taken to a web site telling me that the automatic update service only works with Microsoft operating systems, and giving me a link to click on for Mac Office support.

Seems to me that since M$ has completely abandoned this OS, if you were to run a ripped-off copy there would be no negative consequences whatsoever.

BTW, give her an Ubuntu boot partition as well. You'll find that Ubuntu is a hell of a lot easier to install than XP or Vista, because it has better inbuilt driver support and doesn't need a security suite and apps installed and tweaked as a second step. Plus, it's handy to have something installed on the box that you can use for diagnostic and recovery purposes whenever Windows goes belly-up.

/fanboi
posted by flabdablet at 6:18 PM on June 11, 2007

You can't buy an OEM version and have it be legit on a different computer.

Depends what's meant by "OEM". It doesn't always mean a copy tailored/crippled to match a specific machine. Semi-shady retailers will sell you an OEM copy meant to be installed and sold with a computer by a system builder as long as you buy one piece of hardware from them. for instance, the XP box I'm typing this on has an OEM copy that I got for a fraction of retail (although I had to be a NIC with it to satisfy the requirement that it be sold with hardware). Never had any problems with hardware recognition, "Genuine Advantage", etc.

BTW, give her an Ubuntu boot partition as well. You'll find that Ubuntu is a hell of a lot easier to install than XP or Vista, because it has better inbuilt driver support and doesn't need a security suite and apps installed and tweaked as a second step.

? XP took me twenty minutes to install, and it's only my charming good looks that keep me from living in a group home and having a wardrobe consisting entirely of adult sized romper suits.
posted by Lentrohamsanin at 6:39 PM on June 11, 2007

:-/ I'm not advocating warez, but if you need Win98 I'm sure no one will care if you install a copy you got from a friend.

Go with VMWare or something though, because it'll be easier as the hardware that it emulates is legacy compatible.
posted by jammnrose at 11:11 PM on June 11, 2007

Once you find '98, you might like to check out 98 Lite.
posted by Zed_Lopez at 10:15 AM on June 13, 2007