downgrading Win 98

[dazedandconfused]

I had my OS upgraded to Win 98 SE but that means I can't use my old windows cd because it won't overwrite upgraded files. Can I just uninstall Win 98 and reinstall my old version? Or will it balk at that because it still has the new drivers stashed away. From reading other posts, installing Windows doesn't sound that easy.

[ktkendall]

What are you trying to accomplish exactly?? If you saved the old installation when you upgraded then go to ControlPanel>AddRemove Programs, And if you see win98se or something to that effect there than you can revert back. Why don't you just use your Win98SE disk for those times when you need the win98 disk???

[dazedandconfused]

I'm sorry, perhaps I should have added more information. My computer repair shop put on the new version which rendered my version unusable. I have problems with certain things like the mouse, dvd, cd/rw not functioning right, power surge in the computer, freeze ups, and I figured maybe it needed a reinstall. Now I was forced to take it back to this shop to these incompetent repair people because they have the disc and I don't. They did the reinstall and also figured I needed a new mobo, cpu, and fan so after I got it back, I still have the same problems. I'm taking it back today, giving them back their hardware, and asking for a refund, but I want their Win98 off my computer and mine back on.

[ktkendall]

How can they upgrde you and not give you the disk?? Legally they should have charged you and given you a win98se upgrade disk. Are you sure you were win98FE to begin with??

[eldon]

There are several shops like that here in my area,they tend to mess more things up than they fix,but of course they can fix it but you need this or that.If they upgraded your system they should have provided the disk unless of course they did so illegally.I am sure if you ask around your area there are good people in which to service your computer.Go to add/remove program in your control panel and look for win98 se,if its there remove it and your other version should be there on your next restart.If not make sure you have all the drivers and install disks for your system and wipe your drive and install with your valid 98 disk.

[GaryRouth]

If you experienced a power surge, you very well might have had some damage to the motherboard and cpu. However, if things like mice and optical disk drives aren't working -- there's still something basic not right, and they should fix that. [They should have seen this first time around, unless the electrical problem is recurring & damaging the new parts too]. If tney upgraded your system, they are legally obligated [just like each reply has mentioned] to provide you with that sole license product key & authentication label.

If you feel things aren't going forward in an honest manner, there's always the Better Business Bureau to follow up for you.
. . . Gary

[just in case they Did give you an authentic label, product key, and source files = check any paperwork that came back from the last repair, and with Windows Explorer look to see if the Win98 .cab files are in C:\Windows\Options\Cabs -- if so, you can try an over-the-top reinstall of Win98se yourself http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.p...threadid=70846 -- but you might give them another chance first]

[dazedandconfused]

Thank you, that is very helpful.