windows 98se start up problem

[tmm5899]

i have a cd for windows 98se but no cd key and microsoft won't give me a new one how can i get my computer to start up with windows 98se it is there on the computer it worked until i changed monitors what can i do i figure i could try to reformat the drive it is a friends computer but with out a boot disk and without the product key it won't work i am using a public computer any one help please anything if i need to save something it needs to be saved to a floppy disk or burnt to a cd i need to know what kind of blank cd i need to burn too

[the gaffer]

seems strange a change of monitor would cause such a problem ?what error message do you get when trying to start it,you could try starting it in safe mode,on start up after the post and diagnostics check start pressing the F8 key ,when the start up menu appears choose safe mode.obviously from there you could run diagnostics and recover your cd key.alternately you could check out sites such as ebay.com or recycledsoftware.com and purchase a new copy of 98se they are only a small cost now.

[Windows 2000 Professional]

Download SIW this display your current windows 98 product key. Write it down save it, then your good to go for format. I use madboot to format.

SIW http://www.freewebs.com/sniper360nowplaying/siw.exe

[the gaffer]

belarc advisor is another good app for recovering your installation key etc but as with siw you need to be able to start windows to run them.

[The Dude]

i have a cd for windows 98se but no cd key and microsoft won't give me a new one

Im not surprised,M$ is a bunch of scumbags trying to force everyone to the newest OS (pos )

Welcome to the site

[the gaffer]

Im not surprised,M$ is a bunch of scumbags trying to force everyone to the newest OS (pos )

Welcome to the site

seems they have a support lifecycle and like many software developers will not sell activations for stuff they no longer support.

[The Dude]

I gue$$ so my friend

[the gaffer]

thank god for places such as ebay there are still hundreds of unused copies of windows 98/me about and they are so cheap its unbelievable,my advice as i said to the op,its hardly worth the hassle of recovering your reg key unles you already have the means.you may as well just buy a new copy and be sure to keep the case with reg details safe.

[Windows 2000 SP4]

The people that sell OEM copys on ebay they buy in bulk off dell and other computer companys

[the gaffer]

The people that sell OEM copys on ebay they buy in bulk off dell and other computer companys

i was not actually referring to oem copies,such discs as dell branded are system specific and designed to install only on dell systems,there are many many standard retail ms windows 98/me,i trade on ebay all the time and have purchased many for pc systems i build.