Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Common Interests POS Microsuck98: won't load... XP will... what gives???

I bought a new computer in parts and put it together myself. Asus A7V333, Athlon 2100, 1.5Gb2700RAM, Whole lotta 80Gb Maxtors, etc...
So I try to install Windows98. Sheet, the thing sez after loading that I have to remove something from the "resident programs" or from Autoexec.bat or Command.com????? Because there is not enough room in the memory, HA HA HAH ROTFLMAO, to load all the program. I try every which way to load this sucker, no go. Then I try XP and slick as greased lightning, Microsuck XP goes in. So I STILL want to start with WIN98 'cuz I got this multiOS software that really wants to be loaded on top of WIN98, so I can have RedHat and SuSE too.
And since I don't have internet at home right now I can't do the XP verification....
So I will rip out Microsucks XP and do the WIN98 dance 'till I get it in, or die of old age trying.
(Taking it to a dealer is NOT an option, just cuz I am STUBBORN as hell)
NOW FOR THE QUESTION: Can it be the huge RAM memory? I have read that big RAM screws up WIN98 (but then many say no, it doesn't. So??? does it just create problems loading? [I can pull two sticks and load it with 512Mb?? my next attempt!]
OR: second guess is the current C drives IRQ? they can't have conflicts, and my MoBo assigns them automatically... I started with a 4channel RAID AND a two channel RAID and a separate 80Gb drive, so the final single drive I am using now has a rather high IRQ assignment. I disconnected BOTH RAID when I had trouble loading the WIN98. And yes the harddrive has been formatted. Over again like 6 TIMES... sheesh So a possible guess is that the WIN98 can't FIND my C drive???, but XP can??
I am too stupid to figure this out.
(but since this is my first computer, and I am an old bag... IE born pre-computer... I figure I have an excuse...)
Anyway if you think it IS a problem with the two aformentioned Autexec.bat or Command.com What are the exact DOS lines I need to get into the darn stuff to kill a few lines of code??? and what code is safe to delete??? I have aquired several books on DOS and glanced through them but still do not quite know how to edit these files. Is it worth really trying to edit these files or is this a 'red herring' and the real problem lies elsewhere???
So vote for:
1) reduce RAM
2) Change IRQ
3) Delete part of the aformentioned files via DOS
4) forget WIN98 and use the stinking XP
5) take a class
6) take it to a dealer anyway
7) it makes a nice doorstop, leave it at that.

98 probably just doesn't support all that new hardware. Especially if you just installed it from an old CD. MS might have updates to make it work, but since you got a catch 22 on your hands..

Sorry to say this, but you might have to start using XP, unless you can trade it for W2k.

Of course you could just start using Linux.

Agree on that. Especially on the part about Linux.

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;q253912

So you mother board has built in raid? If it does that might be your problem. You might be missing a driver for 98 or it could be installing the wrong driver for your on board raid controler

Just go with XP..it's alot better than 98. As for linux it's great if you got the time to learn a new OS.

She's got XP already, for whatever reason she wants 98 too. I wouldn't want it, 9x sucks so bad compared to 2000/XP, but to each his own, or her in this case . That link I posted has the workaround for the not enough memory error in 98.

So you are booting up from a floppy, formatting the hard disk, then running setup from the Win98 CD? Or are you booting off the Win98 cd?

Couple ideas, just wild guesses since you didn't post the exact error message..

Run smartdrv.exe
Run emm386.exe
Load himem.sys in your config.sys
Try loading with only one drive connected to a normal IDE drive, no RAID stuff at all.

Write down the exact error message that you get and post it... Just something about resident programs doesn't help. If you're using a boot floppy, post your config.sys and autoexec.bat too.

Try to get net access at home somehow (stop by the grocery store and get one of them free AOL CD's if you absolutely have to)... Get XP runnin so you can flip back and forth between the broken 98 install and the working XP install to post and give more details and get more ideas.

"Square Root Guy!!!
Hooray, I am CERTAIN that is what the problem is now. That is the exact message I get.
WooHoo!!!
And really the WIN98 is just to start the multi OS software, (so I can mess with stuff, and learn about RedHat etc, so when Microsuck does it's NEXT OS, and you have to sell them your soul to use Microsuck... I can skip Microsuck and use an alternative OS!) And also to run those games and junk that are NOT XP compatible
I actually have ZERO need for a computer...I bought it just for fun. I just don't want to grow senile without knowing SOMETHING about computers.

Windows 98 will only use 512 worth of memory. Anything above that in my experience windows won't run or install! Why would you want winblows 98 when you got xp system that will absolutely blow any 98 system out of the water?

People, step away from the Micro$uck products.

Please, for the love of god, get a brain and get a unix based O/S.