Trying to chage OS from win95 to win98

bkjackson · #1 October 2nd, 2003, 02:42 AM

I have a HP pavilion 7055 running win95('a' I think).
I would like to give it to my brother but thought I should upgrade it from 95 to 98 so he could use some USB devices.
Is there an easier way to do this other than Fdisk and reformat?

I have the HP recovery disk( is this what they consider a 'boot disk'?). I also have a windows 98 full disk, not upgrade type.
Would this be worth it to change OS? He will be using it mostly for word processing and the internet, but I figured he might want to get, say a digital camera, in the future, so would need USB support.

Also, could the win95 OS support DSL? It does have 128MB of RAM. Just in case, I also downloaded the 'BOOT95a' disk recommended here, onto a floppy. Would I need that instead of or in addition to, the HP recovery disk(CD)?

Thanks!

Bkjackson

**smurfy** · #2 October 3rd, 2003, 11:10 AM

Hi there and welcome to CTH.

My opinion:
FDISK & FORMAT is the best way to change O/S.

Use a Win98 bootdisk (or better yet, if that HP's BIOS supports booting from CD, boot directly from the 98 install disk).

lufbra · #3 October 3rd, 2003, 03:48 PM

*checks title of Bulletin Board*

Jim Smith · #4 October 4th, 2003, 04:29 PM

As far as I know, a HP Recovery CD(s), is used to restore the hard drive to the same state as when it was shipped. E.g., if it shipped with W95 and MS Word, it would restore W95 and Word.

Don't know if W95 can support DSL.

Alfons · #5 October 4th, 2003, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Smith

As far as I know, a HP Recovery CD(s), is used to restore the hard drive to the same state as when it was shipped. E.g., if it shipped with W95 and MS Word, it would restore W95 and Word.

Don't know if W95 can support DSL.

DSL = Digital Subscriber Line and is a method of improving the bandwidth of an existing analog phone system. It's a method, not software or protocol, and your computer doesn't care (except for any specific ISP settings). The DSL Modem converts this method from the phone line to ethernet and at this point it's compatible with your computer hardware and software.

Some ISP's will require a "management program" installed to do all the handshaking in the order that they want it, but generally all you'll need to set up your connection will be your User ID and Password.

bkjackson · #6 October 4th, 2003, 08:40 PM

Well, I got a boot disk from my other computer running windows98. This allowed me to fdisk and reformat just fine and I got the w98 os to load. However, I just now found out that to support DSL a pc needs to have at least 266MHz and 64MB to run. It has 128MB but only 120MHz, so I'll have to change either the Processor or replace the motherboard with a bigger processor. And no, win95 won't support DSL so I had to change the os anyway. Well, at least I'm learning a lot

BKjackson

Alfons · #7 October 4th, 2003, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bkjackson

Well, I got a boot disk from my other computer running windows98. This allowed me to fdisk and reformat just fine and I got the w98 os to load. However, I just now found out that to support DSL a pc needs to have at least 266MHz and 64MB to run. It has 128MB but only 120MHz, so I'll have to change either the Processor or replace the motherboard with a bigger processor. And no, win95 won't support DSL so I had to change the os anyway. Well, at least I'm learning a lot

BKjackson

I'm curious as to where you got that information. If that is in fact right, put a Cable/DSL router in the equation and set it up to connect using PPPOE and set your computer up with TCP/IP and a dynamic address requirement. I've set up 486s with W3.11 using TCP/IP quite successfully.

bkjackson · #8 October 5th, 2003, 03:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alfons

I'm curious as to where you got that information. If that is in fact right, put a Cable/DSL router in the equation and set it up to connect using PPPOE and set your computer up with TCP/IP and a dynamic address requirement. I've set up 486s with W3.11 using TCP/IP quite successfully.

I got the information from the SBC(formerly Pacific Bell) DSL web site. They list the requirements for your PC. I'm not sure what you are refering to above, but I believe they will supply a router when you sign up. We got a Speedstream and the software also. What is PPPOE and TCP/IP, etc.
Maybe other phone companies are different.

bkjackson · #9 October 5th, 2003, 09:47 AM

Alphons-
I reread one of your earlier posts about the "handshake" company, and perhaps that's why they need the higher MHz. SBC contracts with Yahoo! for their browser service. They used to use Netscape and I'm not sure I'm very happy with the change. It tends to be a very hand-holding, 'we'll decide everything for you', type of service. So far, one can still use Explorer or other browsers, and get around Yahoo, but newbies wouldn't figure it out for a while,(especially, since they don't say anything about that unless you ask) meanwhile they have their customer for a while till they figure it out. Well, I'm not at all bitter,LOL :evilwink:

Alfons · #10 October 5th, 2003, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bkjackson

I got the information from the SBC(formerly Pacific Bell) DSL web site. They list the requirements for your PC.

Many ISPs don't want you using older Operating Systems for a couple of reasons:
1. Their help-desk training would need to be more comprehensive and they'd have to pay more for these people with more talent.
2. Browser issues between versions - also relates to point 1.
3. They may not have the so-called "DSL Management" program to support W95 and below. This is the program that will look after the whole connection process between your computer and their server.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bkjackson

I'm not sure what you are refering to above, but I believe they will supply a router when you sign up.

If they supply anything other than the service, they would supply the DSL Modem which connects to your phone line for its input and converts this to Ethernet as input to your computer - this is a thicker cable that plugs into a network adapter. Some may have a USB output so that you don't need a network adapter. The router is another piece of equipment that will act as a gateway between your computer and whatever you're plugged into - it can be made to work on a PPPOE connection for DSL or standard TCP/IP connection for a TV Cable connection. To the DSL Modem, this router is just another computer and it's happy working that way - it doesn't see your computer on the other side of the router. ISPs normally do not supply a router.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bkjackson

What is PPPOE and TCP/IP, etc. Maybe other phone companies are different.

PPPOE = Point to Point Protocol Over Ethernet and is commonly used for internet connections over phone lines. That management software that I was talking about earlier is what sets all this up for you if your OS doesn't understand it and you don't have a router.

TCP/IP = Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol is the standard routable protocol package that's more or less universal in internet use. For a detailed definition of each piece of this package, check it out on your favorite search engine.

With DSL, you'll be using both protocol types (PPPOE & TCP/IP), so you probably should become familiar with them - it certainly reduces the stress level if you can trouble shoot your own installation - the ISP help desk doesn't always give you the advertised level of help.

Jim Smith · #11 October 6th, 2003, 11:43 PM

Thanks for the lesson!

Jim

Alfons · #12 October 7th, 2003, 12:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Smith

Thanks for the lesson!

Jim

If you found it useful Jim, then you're very welcome

bkjackson · #13 October 7th, 2003, 06:33 PM

Yes, thank you very much. I think I understand all that better. And, I think I'm going to let my brother worry about the MHz when he signs up for DSL servive. I'm done.

Bkjackson