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Windows 98 SE fails to start, RAM issue?
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Ptikobj
Junior Member
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2. November 2009 @ 17:07 |
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I'm using a Compaq Presario V6000 notebook and have installed Windows 98 SE successfully. It is currently the only OS on the HDD. At first I couldn't get past first time startup because I had 2GB of RAM, too much for vcache's settings. So I removed 1GB and set minfilecache and maxfilecache to 128MB in system.ini. This worked and I was able to set up the user name, system plug 'n play drivers, etc. Once I restarted the system I see DOS updating the config files and continuing to load Windows. But then the system just hangs. It doesn't freeze, as the cursor is still blinking. It just stops. So I do a hard restart and choose the normal startup mode in the "Windows did not start successfully" options. The screen goes blank and I see the startup options screen again, but this time the cursor is blinking in the upper left and DOS doesn't respond to the keyboard.
I try starting in safe mode but get the same problem, although this time I see HIMEM check extended memory and complete the check. Because I saw this, could this be another memory related issue? Here are my specs:
CPU: Intel 1.6GHz
RAM: 1GB, 2GB before I removed a stick
HDD: 80GB
Video: NVIDIA Go 6150
I've gotten this far with Windows 98, I hope I don't have to scrap it because of this. Any ideas?
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 2. November 2009 @ 17:08
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ddp
Moderator
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2. November 2009 @ 18:21 |
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why use win98 as it is not supported anymore?
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AfterDawn Addict
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3. November 2009 @ 01:20 |
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yeah i think its time to upgrade the OS. even just switching to XP. you can get it for pretty cheap, and it will be supported by microsoft until 2012.
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scorpNZ
AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
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3. November 2009 @ 02:40 |
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win 98 would run better in a vpc on xp or for better performance a linux distro perhaps sabayon it's a nice OS the full install will give you xbmc,the iso is a live cd so can be run to see what it's like,puppys pretty choice as well if you don't want to pay money for a OS
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Ptikobj
Junior Member
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3. November 2009 @ 07:28 |
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I was told that this is a memory problem, and Windows 98's memory manager is stubborn and only coded to work with 512MB or less. Although I'm going to look into a RAMDisk app, once I find out what it is...
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 3. November 2009 @ 07:29
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mrp73
Newbie
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3. November 2009 @ 08:17 |
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I have a small hunch that this person is probably aware that there are newer versions of Windows on the market. I'm sure they have their reasons for what they are doing and I don't remember anywhere in the question that they asked for opinions on other OS's. I can honestly say I can't help you with your problem but I'm not going to intentionally come on here and ignore your question and throw my opinion on why you shouldn't use Windows 98.
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AfterDawn Addict
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3. November 2009 @ 12:08 |
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The TC has another post in this forum that explains why he needs Win98.
". . . but this time the cursor is blinking in the upper left and DOS doesn't respond to the keyboard. "
This is usually an indicator that Windows is having a problem loading the video display drivers.
Does it load in safe mode?
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 3. November 2009 @ 12:11
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scorpNZ
AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
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3. November 2009 @ 12:51 |
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Originally posted by mrp73:
I have a small hunch that this person is probably aware that there are newer versions of Windows on the market. I'm sure they have their reasons for what they are doing and I don't remember anywhere in the question that they asked for opinions on other OS's. I can honestly say I can't help you with your problem but I'm not going to intentionally come on here and ignore your question and throw my opinion on why you shouldn't use Windows 98.
OP's last paragraph asking for opinions
vpc suggested since an old OS on new hardware will only work if drivers are made for it, a vpc console will solve it & using xp will allow communication between the two OS's assuming xp was on the comp,don't matter it will work with vista also as well as linux if money is an issue
@dailun
doesn't work
OP:-I try starting in safe mode but get the same problem, although this time I see HIMEM check extended memory and complete the check. Because I saw this, could this be another memory related issue? Here are my specs:
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 3. November 2009 @ 12:52
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AfterDawn Addict
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3. November 2009 @ 13:02 |
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@scorpNZ. Thanks for the catch.
From TC's other post (assuming that the issues are linked)
"Well, I'm wanting to record some old game footage from a laptop running Windows 98 using a video output. The system has both a VGA and S-video output. I could use S-video just fine, but I was wanting to see if I could also use VGA for games than can run in resolutions higher than 640x480."
I have seen some newer hardware that just "doesn't" support. Win 98SE properly. The core OS works OK but driver support is non existent.
@TC, depending on your need an budget, you may be better off getting an old "clunker" from somewhere to complete this project.
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Ptikobj
Junior Member
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3. November 2009 @ 16:40 |
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You're right, an older machine is the best choice for this. But I figured I'd take a crack at getting it to run on this not-so-older laptop. I have yet to read into RAMDrive programs I could use, sounds interesting. I'll let you guys know if I get it working.
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scorpNZ
AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
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3. November 2009 @ 19:04 |
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Ok so you have some old games you want to record while playing yes,was xp on that laptop originally as there is a function that xp has for a lack of a better way of putting it is "compatibility mode" that allows older programs to run in xp if all you want 98 for is to run older programs
Think'n out loud:-
Regarding screen resolution wouldn't the game itself dictate the size of window & it would only be 16bit colour ,so stretching that would look pretty freaky not to mention the pixels
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 3. November 2009 @ 19:09
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AfterDawn Addict
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3. November 2009 @ 21:45 |
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Quote:
I have a small hunch that this person is probably aware that there are newer versions of Windows on the market. I'm sure they have their reasons for what they are doing and I don't remember anywhere in the question that they asked for opinions on other OS's. I can honestly say I can't help you with your problem but I'm not going to intentionally come on here and ignore your question and throw my opinion on why you shouldn't use Windows 98.
well if his current system won't run 98, then he doesn't have a choice but to switch to another OS. for not having an opinion or being able to help, that sounds like a pretty pointless post to me.
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mrp73
Newbie
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3. November 2009 @ 21:51 |
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Originally posted by djscoop:
Quote:
I have a small hunch that this person is probably aware that there are newer versions of Windows on the market. I'm sure they have their reasons for what they are doing and I don't remember anywhere in the question that they asked for opinions on other OS's. I can honestly say I can't help you with your problem but I'm not going to intentionally come on here and ignore your question and throw my opinion on why you shouldn't use Windows 98.
well if his current system won't run 98, then he doesn't have a choice but to switch to another OS. for not having an opinion or being able to help, that sounds like a pretty pointless post to me.
Not surprising my point was lost on yet another person.
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ddp
Moderator
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3. November 2009 @ 22:03 |
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Ptikobj, what is the maximum amount of ram can be put into each slot as is possible you have gone past it?
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scorpNZ
AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
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3. November 2009 @ 22:12 |
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Give it a rest mrp
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 3. November 2009 @ 22:14
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ddp
Moderator
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3. November 2009 @ 22:13 |
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why?
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scorpNZ
AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
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3. November 2009 @ 22:15 |
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post edited: you got in before i could reply hence not directed at you ddp
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Ptikobj
Junior Member
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4. November 2009 @ 16:14 |
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I got the RAM drive installed, at first I set the size to 512MB, leaving another 512MB for Windows. Windows still didn't start, neither in normal mode or safe mode, but I could see where autoexec ran and created the RAM disk. I then changed the size to leave 128MB for Windows, the same amount as vcache's min and max values. This time safe mode (but not normal mode) started up! So I looked at the RAM, and it said 1GB (approximately, in megabytes). But doesn't vcache limit the system to 128MB? Or am I wrong about that? I also didn't see F:, my RAM drive. Does autoexec not run in safe mode?
I also looked at 2 log files, FRUNLOG.TXT and NETLOG.TXT (both found on C:\). Both have logs of missing file errors, FRUNLOG.TXT refers to missing DLLs in C:\WINDOWS\OPTIONS, but \OPTIONS doesn't even exist. NETLOG.TXT refers to missing DLLs in C:\WINDOWS and C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM, but neither directory has a single DLL file in them. This may be what's causing Windows to hang... any particular reason why these files and folders are missing? Maybe setup was supposed to create them but failed?
Update: Ran System File Checker and Registry Checker, SFC only found and restored one file but Windows still doesn't start in normal mode. Looks like I'm going to scrap this and use an older machine. Thanks for the help guys.
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scorpNZ
AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
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4. November 2009 @ 16:35 |
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It's been a while since i played with win 98 however once installed you can increase installed ram
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AfterDawn Addict
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4. November 2009 @ 22:46 |
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your post said that we were wrong to suggest another OS, but that you didn't have any ideas to contribute, so what was your point then, mrp? you seem to be the only one who gets your point, so please enlighten all of us other members who are obviously too new and stupid to get it.
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scorpNZ
AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
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4. November 2009 @ 22:51 |
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lmao..had me scratch'n my head too
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mrp73
Newbie
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5. November 2009 @ 00:19 |
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My point was not to anger all of you but I notice far too many times when someone asks a specific question they are offered answers that don't address their original question. While there may be an irony that I am also not addressing the original question I am also not ending my message thinking I am helping someone when it turn I have offered them no information that pertains to what they actually asked. If I have offended you I apologize but I do believe I have merit in what I originally stated. Have you ever sent a letter of to a company taking issue with something they may or may not have done only to receive a reply from them that actually doesn't address the complaint or question you asked. That is what I am trying to state. I am not intentionally attacking to make everyone angry. It is also far from just being this thread or even this website. I often see scenarios like this that are often
Person 1 : I need help making this program do this thing
Person 2 : I hate this program. Try that program instead
Person 1 : Sorry but I actually need help with THIS program.
Person 3 : I agree with person 2. I hate this program. Try that one.
Person 1 : Thanks for offering to help but I have my reasons for using this program and don't think I haven't wished I could use that program but again I really need help with this program. Thanks anyway though
So yes I may not have offered any assistance to the person that actually asked so I may be no better than the observation I made but I cannot disagree or withdraw my original observation as it is still valid in my opinion and also one that isn't wrong to express. So please consider before replying to me telling me how much of a hypocrite I am that I have already made that observation myself and maybe admit that at least some of what I say has some merit. Lastly my original comment was not intended to cause anger but maybe help people to see that what they were offering up was not actually what he needed.
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scorpNZ
AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
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5. November 2009 @ 02:33 |
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You do understand why other OS's were mentioned yes?,they are not forward compatible it's that simple,the only way round it is install a later os & run win 98 inside a vpc,it's not till later we find out why win 98 was selected in the first place,regardless it was understood it was an uphill battle for 98 to even get running on such later hardware as ddp (the second poster said)"win 98 is not supported" (not only by ms the hardware manufacturers don't either),now with any luck you know why we suggested go to a later OS
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scum101
Suspended due to non-functional email address
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5. November 2009 @ 05:05 |
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my grandfather always used to say "you can't polish a turd"
win98 to my rememberings was a turd... most people went from 95 to 2k.
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 5. November 2009 @ 05:06
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ddp
Moderator
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5. November 2009 @ 17:01 |
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not me as i stayed win98se till last year then went xp on desktop but already had xp on laptop for past couple of years.
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