how to install win 98 without cd drive in a laptop (have the CD and have 3.5'' floppy

[Indy_dos_Jones]

I have recently bought an old laptop which has no operating system installed and no cd-rom drive. How can I install win98se on it without a cd drive. I have a win98se cd.

I tried using a external cd drive by usb, but it didnt work, obviously it needed an operating system to work, there goes my dylema, how can I install an operating system to my laptop, if to use the external cd drive I need an operating system???

One other option I am considering is to get network cables (the laptop is internet and network cable) and connect it to my desktop computer(which is winxp) and somehow transfer the contents of the win98se cd to the laptop. I doubt this will work

The more obvious solution would be to get win98se in diskettes, however I have no idea where to get that, nor do I know how to do it myself using my own win98se CD.

Please help me.

Here some of the specifications of the laptop:

P2-400
192mb ram
6.5 GB
3.5'' floppy
USB 1.1
Network and 56K installed



I really need help with this one, Im not a computer illiterate, but my knowledge is very limited and this goes beyond my "powers".

I'd really apreciate u could help, either by letting me know how to fix it myself or telling me where to get more help.

Thank You

[HAL9000]

Yes.. you can either use a network to transfer the data which is relatively easy if there is an OS on there now... if not, you will need to setup the DOS drivers for the network... or...while slow, you might want to use a parallel cable and a program like laplink to transfer the setup files. Once transferred, you can run the setup right from the hard drive.

[Indy_dos_Jones]

Thank You Hall9000 for your response.

I have been trying to get laplink, however the one I got it doesnt work, I tried similar programs and one appears to work, however the two pcs have to be connected through the printing port, I have them connected through ethernet network cables.

How do I setup the DOS drivers for the network????

Please advise.

Also, do you know where I can get some app to turn my win98se CD into several 1.44 diskettes????

Or download win98se from the internet in sizes that will fit 1.44 diskettes?

Thank You again


Anyone else is free and encourage to help

[mouse1]

How a bout an external cd rom drive>>>>>>>>>>

[mouse1]

I spoke a little quick and forgot you have to have drivers for that drive..........

[andyms18a]

this link will give you a dos boot disk witch will boot the computer and load the drivers for your usb cd rom so you can run setup from it http://www.bootdisk.com/usb.htm

[pcmechanic]

In answer to your question about converting your win98 CD to floppies, this page shows how to do it.

http://www.btinternet.com/~robert.ba...in95backup.htm

Another idea is you can get these ide adapters which allow you to use a laptop hard drive on a normal PC.
Use that to connect it to your PC and get the win98 directory copied to your laptop hard drive. Stick it back into your laptop and install.

Once installed you can network your laptop to your normal PC and install other applications like office etc through your normal PCs CDROM.

Hope this helps.

[David_Jones]

Hi Indy-dos-Jones,

Originally posted by Indy_dos_Jones I have been trying to get laplink, however the one I got it doesnt work, I tried similar programs and one appears to work, however the two pcs have to be connected through the printing port, I have them connected through ethernet network cables.

Does this mean you already have the parallel cable that can link the two parallel (printer) ports?

If so, you can use InterLnk (MS DOS freebie from way back) to copy the files from another PC (with a CD-ROM) across and then install from your laptop's hard disk.

I've done this quite a few times, and it is simple, reliable, and free (if you already have the cable).

David.