Windows 98 repair install option?

**mikehende** · 07-25-2008, 09:47 AM

I cannot remember, does Windows 98 have a repair install option? Friend of mine has an old laptop and she says it missing a driver so it can't go on the net by wireless methods therefore I would like to reinstall the OS using the repair install option if it has one?

**kelly** · 07-25-2008, 09:50 AM

Don't believe 98 had a repair option. You could do a clean install or install over the old OS.

**mikehende** · 07-25-2008, 10:18 AM

Yeah but she will lose the programs on the laptop for which she does not have the cd's anymore which is why I am looking into the repair option.

**steveie85** · 07-25-2008, 10:21 AM

Is there away you could back up the drive? Maybe using an external drive or something?

**mikehende** · 07-25-2008, 10:24 AM

It's not "files" she has to back up but rather applications, I tried cloning drives a few years back but some of the programs did not work without re-licensing.

**Rich-M** · 07-25-2008, 10:28 AM

Originally Posted by mikehende

It's not "files" she has to back up but rather applications, I tried cloning drives a few years back but some of the programs did not work without re-licensing.

Installing over the top will not affect data or applications, only as I remember version of IE. I think ME changed IE version and removed many Windows Updates also. I know this doesn't sound good and would not work on newer OS but in many cases I installed ME to repair 98, believe it or no!

**mikehende** · 07-25-2008, 10:49 AM

I don't understand what you mean by "installing over the top" Rich? You mean reinstall the OS "without" reformatting the drive or choose the "quick" format option?

**Rich-M** · 07-25-2008, 10:58 AM

Originally Posted by mikehende

I don't understand what you mean by "installing over the top" Rich? You mean reinstall the OS "without" reformatting the drive or choose the "quick" format option?

No, no format simply reinstall over the top in Windows98, something you cannot do in XP or Windows 2000.

**steveie85** · 07-25-2008, 11:13 AM

Basically Rich means overwrite the Windows 98 system files. I think thats what he means!

**compusimple** · 07-25-2008, 11:20 AM

Mike- sounds to me like you are missing the driver for the network card. Quite common in W98. Same card will probably be automatically recognized in xp without need for separate driver install.

Elliott