The Win95 to Win98 upgrade thing??

[rvking57]

I'd like to direct this message to reboot..... Hey Jim, can you tell me just what happens when you rename win.com to win.bak??? I have tried to upgrade with win98 several times and I give up and go back to win95 because of so many little glitches.. Also is the win.com file you refer to in the "windows" registry ?? I have seen it by going thru the old "file manager"??? AND could I make the change in that area... AND if it don't work, can I delete win98 and go back the same as before??? I sent a thread in a while back when I tried the upgrade and my mouse went haywire that time. I blamed it all on my graphics card.. Thanks Dick.

[reboot]

Here's the idea, as simple as I can make it...
When you go to install Win98 over Win95, you can't. You get an error about "this computer already has an operating system, contact MS for the correct upgrade for your computer..."
They want you to buy the "Upgrade" CD...you don't have to.
Renaming win.com to win.bak (I use Explorer to do it) makes the Win98 install think that there's no OS on the computer, and so it will install...although, it tries to install in the C:\windows.000 folder...just change that to read c:\windows and it will install over top, keeping all your files, programs, and settings intact.
The win.com file is in the c:\windows folder. You can use Program manager or Explorer to rename it (right click on it, choose "rename").
Part way through the install, you should be prompted if you want to keep your existing settings in case you want to uninstall Win98. If you're really unsure, go ahead and do it. That will put an entry in the Add/Remove programs area to uninstall Win98.
The steps to take first though, are to get on the web, and download every driver for every device in the system for Windows 98, just to make sure.
Usually it's a smooth transition, because Win98 has far more driver support than 95.

[rvking57]

OK, I think I understand... Now I need to give you this info; In Explorer, under "contents of C:" I have a "windows" folder; and I have a "windows Update Setup Files" folder; and I have a "windows000" folder. I believe something must have been left behind when I did a win98 uninstall... AND in the windows folder in the file manager, I have both a win.com and a win.bak file??? Like I said, it gave me such a headache that I just went back to win95. Sure do appreciate your help!!!

[reboot]

The Windows.000 folder is useless, delete it.
Go into the c:\windows folder, and delete win.bak
Rename your current win.com file to win.bak
Insert the Win98 CD.
Run setup.
No need to restart the computer inbetween any of these steps.
Through the setup procedure, you should take note of two things:
1. Make triple sure you are installing to c:\windows, and NOT c:\windows.000
2. If prompted to backup your current installation, do it, just in case.
It's really just about that simple.

[rvking57]

Ok Jim, Thanks, I am going to start it right now.... I will let you know....and perhaps have some more questions.. Dick

[rvking57]

OKAY - I am now running on Win 98!!! Everything went rather smooth until amost the end, then a message popped up stating: "An error occurred while setting up: C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\SHDOCVW.dll information logged and installation continues.. which it did... Then another message popped up stating: cannot find the file: C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\REGSVR32,exe (or one of its components) make sure path and filename are correct and that all required libraries are available. Iclicked the OK button 4 times before the screen would go away, then installation continued. Again every thing seemed to go smooth all the way to restart, etc.
Now it is installed. I have noticed a couple of things. 1. My mouse goes in the opposite direction from left to right.. Up and down is ok. 2. I tried a shutdown, it ended up with the cursor on the screen and the screen all black. No msg "OK to shut down" Any thoughts on these 4 things???? Thanks Dick

[reboot]

Turn off the BIOS antivirus thing.
You can reverse the mouse in Control Panel, Mouse settings.
That's all I can think of right now.

[rvking57]

Thanks Jim, I also went into MSN troubleshooting, and from what I see (and checked) there I feel that its most probably a Hercules Thriller Display Adapter that don't like Win 98.. So I have a new adapter on order.. I tried the mouse adjustment and didn't get any thing before, I will try again... Thanks again

[rvking57]

Well guess what, I do believe I have finally got it, and it sure does look like the whole problem was due to the Display Adapter that I had, Just did not like Win98. I got an ATI Rage.. Got it all installed and everything seems to have straightened out. Even the mouse is working right. Shut down is also working right!! Thanks to Reboot and his advice. I learned two major things from this endeavor, one that a Graphics card and two; Memory can give you real headaches. Oh yeah, when I first started working on Win98. It just wouldn't go, then I discovered that I had a bad bank of memory. So that was replaced first. Seems it has taken forever, but the challenge has been good...... LOL to all.

[reboot]

Glad it's all sorted finally.
It's really difficult to troubleshoot via text on here, but we give it our best guesses, and amazingly they turn out to be correct most of the time.
I went looking for anything on your Hercules Thriller for Win98, and found that you're not the only one that can't get it running right. Even the "official" drivers don't work, never have.
Amazing how a bad video driver can reverse the mouse though...

[rvking57]

Once again, this forum is awesome!! and a very worthwhile use of the knowledge that so many people possess.. For Jim, I have read many of his/your responses and its good to know that you and people like you are involved in this endeavor.. You really can't know how much you really help, But you are appreciated!! Thanks again!!! Dick