My Computer Crashed

[pullinghairout]

My Computer has crashed and I have used my restore CD and
get it to the point where it asks for my Windows 98 disc.
I have only my booklet with my product key on it. I must
not have gotten my CD when I purchased my computer.I
never thought to look for it, cause I have never needed
it before now and Gateway says sorry, warranty is out. I
have always kept them together and its not there. Any
suggestions???

[Ron Badour]

You can try to find a copy of W98 on the internet--finding a copy of the
Gateway restore disk for your particular PC might prove hard to find.

Go to http://www.pricewatch.com, click on the software button and then
search on: win98. They have listings on boot up floppy disks, CDs but no
license, a license but no CD, OEM, W98, W98SE, update from W98 to W98SE only
and so on. Pay ATTENTION to what the listings say or you may end up with
something you don't want or need. You can also check on EBay or other
auction sites. You also need to be aware that only paid support for W98
still exists. Here's some info about the various types of W98SE CDs:

RETAIL FULL INSTALL: This CD will either upgrade W95/98 to SE or you can
install it to a blank hard drive.

RETAIL UPGRADE INSTALL: This CD will either upgrade W95/98 to SE or you can
install it to a blank hard drive; however, when installing to a blank drive,
install will ask to see the qualifying system (i.e., W95) disk(s).

OEM FULL INSTALL. This SE CD is designed to be installed to a blank hard
drive; however, there is a possibility that you can trick it into upgrading.
For info, go to: http://home.satx.rr.com/badour/html/upgrade.html Be aware
that if you buy an OEM disk, it might be customized for installation on a
particular computer; however, this will probably be primarily with a used
disk.

UPDATE CD: This CD will only update a functioning copy of W98 to W98SE.
When MS sold them, they were $20 and came with a ProductKey. Some venders
were selling them and advising customers to use the W98 ProductKey which may
or may not work--don't get stung.

RECOVERY CD: Some companies will brand an OEM CD and call it a recovery CD.
You should avoid these unless it is the exact recovery CD you are looking
for. Many recovery CDs will only install on the equipment they were
intended for.

--
Regards

Ron Badour, MS MVP for W98
Tips: http://home.satx.rr.com/badour
Knowledge Base Info:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?pr=kbinfo

"pullinghairout" > wrote in message
...
> My Computer has crashed and I have used my restore CD and
> get it to the point where it asks for my Windows 98 disc.
> I have only my booklet with my product key on it. I must
> not have gotten my CD when I purchased my computer.I
> never thought to look for it, cause I have never needed
> it before now and Gateway says sorry, warranty is out. I
> have always kept them together and its not there. Any
> suggestions???