Try reducing memory first... then a different IDE device (like a real IDE HDD).

The RAM limit for Win98 is 512 megabytes and the hard drive size limit is 128 gigabytes - try reducing the amount of RAM and use Seatools or something similar to reduce the effective size of the hard drive.

Repo Man11 wrote on 2024-07-18, 17:57:

The RAM limit for Win98 is 512 megabytes and the hard drive size limit is 128 gigabytes - try reducing the amount of RAM and use Seatools or something similar to reduce the effective size of the hard drive.

Can I just do it by editing the system.ini file? The hard drive I could do though.

wbahnassi wrote on 2024-07-18, 17:55:

Try reducing memory first... then a different IDE device (like a real IDE HDD).

I don't have any IDE HDD, I only have SATA.

You can use Win9x memory burn (BURNMEM.SYS) to reduce memory (find it online). But you must be sure it remains in your config.sys during Win98's install. The installer might remove it, and it's best to intercept the first restart and boot to a boot disk then edit C:\CONFIG.SYS and ensure memory burn is still the first line, then restart and allow the installer to continue as usual.

For HDD, as mentioned, SeaTools should help limit the size.

wbahnassi wrote on 2024-07-18, 18:51:

You can use Win9x memory burn (BURNMEM.SYS) to reduce memory (find it online). But you must be sure it remains in your config.sys during Win98's install. The installer might remove it, and it's best to intercept the first restart and boot to a boot disk then edit C:\CONFIG.SYS and ensure memory burn is still the first line, then restart and allow the installer to continue as usual.

For HDD, as mentioned, SeaTools should help limit the size.

Which SeaTools version should I use and can I just use the command prompt mode of Windows 98 to edit the config.sys file?

Phil demonstrates some methods for setting up a hard drive to work with Win98 here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCulATQ7GlM

Repo Man11 wrote on 2024-07-18, 19:38:

Phil demonstrates some methods for setting up a hard drive to work with Win98 here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCulATQ7GlM

What a coincidence that I have that BIOS.

I also tried HIMEMX, BURNMEM, patcher9x, unplugging everything, setup /p g=3, deleting enum regedit key in safe mode and restarting, underclocking CPU to 800 MHZ, using cpuspd utility to slow down the cpu and also setting the hdd's size to 32 gb with seatools. It dosen't work at all. IT'S STILL STUCK.

Edit: Just noticed that the network, ide and sound card had the same IRQ, can this potentionally be the problem?

Yes.

What chipset are you running?

I was trying to install Win98 SE on a K8M800 with a VT8237 I think it is... and... well, Win98SE does not like the SATA at all. I think it has something to do with the memory addresses being different than what it expects for a traditional primary/secondary PATA controller. Some Intel boards of a similar vintage had a feature to remap the SATA controller to the traditional PATA memory location to facilitate Win98 installation, but my board, at least, doesn't have that, not sure if the VIA chipsets have that ability.

Eventually bit the bullet, got a Startech IDE to SATA adapter for my SSD and a NOS PATA ODD, and then Win98 SE installed fine.

VivienM wrote on 2024-07-19, 23:52:

What chipset are you running?

I was trying to install Win98 SE on a K8M800 with a VT8237 I think it is... and... well, Win98SE does not like the SATA at all. I think it has something to do with the memory addresses being different than what it expects for a traditional primary/secondary PATA controller. Some Intel boards of a similar vintage had a feature to remap the SATA controller to the traditional PATA memory location to facilitate Win98 installation, but my board, at least, doesn't have that, not sure if the VIA chipsets have that ability.

Eventually bit the bullet, got a Startech IDE to SATA adapter for my SSD and a NOS PATA ODD, and then Win98 SE installed fine.

VIA K8T800 chipset

itzCrassio wrote on 2024-07-19, 18:49:

Edit: Just noticed that the network, ide and sound card had the same IRQ, can this potentionally be the problem?

Try any or all of the following -

In the BIOS, look in the "PnP/PCI Configuration". Does it read "PnP OS Installed" = "YES"?

Move the sound card to a different PCI slot. (Or, remove it for now.)

Plug the drive into the second SATA controller. Force it to boot off of the second controller. In the BIOS, look in "Advanced BIOS Features". Set the "First Boot Device" to "HDD-1" or similar.

If none of the above fixes it - as a last resort, you can manually configure IRQs in "PnP/PCI Configuration" with "Resources Controlled By" = "Manual".

kheper wrote on 2024-07-20, 11:22:

Try any or all of the following - […]
Show full quote

itzCrassio wrote on 2024-07-19, 18:49:

Edit: Just noticed that the network, ide and sound card had the same IRQ, can this potentionally be the problem?

Try any or all of the following -

In the BIOS, look in the "PnP/PCI Configuration". Does it read "PnP OS Installed" = "YES"?

Move the sound card to a different PCI slot. (Or, remove it for now.)

Plug the drive into the second SATA controller. Force it to boot off of the second controller. In the BIOS, look in "Advanced BIOS Features". Set the "First Boot Device" to "HDD-1" or similar.

If none of the above fixes it - as a last resort, you can manually configure IRQs in "PnP/PCI Configuration" with "Resources Controlled By" = "Manual".

i could try but i was hoping that i dont need to open up the pc

Maybe it's a bad idea to boot from an external USB drive with DOS, cause it just puts the boot files on the USB.

itzCrassio wrote on 2024-07-20, 12:48:

kheper wrote on 2024-07-20, 11:22:

Try any or all of the following - […]
Show full quote

itzCrassio wrote on 2024-07-19, 18:49:

Edit: Just noticed that the network, ide and sound card had the same IRQ, can this potentionally be the problem?

Try any or all of the following -

In the BIOS, look in the "PnP/PCI Configuration". Does it read "PnP OS Installed" = "YES"?

Move the sound card to a different PCI slot. (Or, remove it for now.)

Plug the drive into the second SATA controller. Force it to boot off of the second controller. In the BIOS, look in "Advanced BIOS Features". Set the "First Boot Device" to "HDD-1" or similar.

If none of the above fixes it - as a last resort, you can manually configure IRQs in "PnP/PCI Configuration" with "Resources Controlled By" = "Manual".

i could try but i was hoping that i dont need to open up the pc

I'd try checking the BIOS first - for "PnP OS Installed". No need to open the computer.

In the BIOS, look in the "PnP/PCI Configuration". Set it to "PnP OS Installed" = "YES".

kheper wrote on 2024-07-20, 12:57:

itzCrassio wrote on 2024-07-20, 12:48:

kheper wrote on 2024-07-20, 11:22:

Try any or all of the following - […]
Show full quote

Try any or all of the following -

In the BIOS, look in the "PnP/PCI Configuration". Does it read "PnP OS Installed" = "YES"?

Move the sound card to a different PCI slot. (Or, remove it for now.)

Plug the drive into the second SATA controller. Force it to boot off of the second controller. In the BIOS, look in "Advanced BIOS Features". Set the "First Boot Device" to "HDD-1" or similar.

If none of the above fixes it - as a last resort, you can manually configure IRQs in "PnP/PCI Configuration" with "Resources Controlled By" = "Manual".

i could try but i was hoping that i dont need to open up the pc

I'd try checking the BIOS first - for "PnP OS Installed". No need to open the computer.

In the BIOS, look in the "PnP/PCI Configuration". Set it to "PnP OS Installed" = "YES".

I'll try it.

itzCrassio wrote on 2024-07-20, 09:57:

VivienM wrote on 2024-07-19, 23:52:

What chipset are you running?

I was trying to install Win98 SE on a K8M800 with a VT8237 I think it is... and... well, Win98SE does not like the SATA at all. I think it has something to do with the memory addresses being different than what it expects for a traditional primary/secondary PATA controller. Some Intel boards of a similar vintage had a feature to remap the SATA controller to the traditional PATA memory location to facilitate Win98 installation, but my board, at least, doesn't have that, not sure if the VIA chipsets have that ability.

Eventually bit the bullet, got a Startech IDE to SATA adapter for my SSD and a NOS PATA ODD, and then Win98 SE installed fine.

VIA K8T800 chipset

Then... hopefully you have more luck than me, but I got exactly nowhere trying to do SATA with Win98 on that family of chipset. Had same issues you did. Once I removed the SATA drives and turned off the SATA controller in the BIOS (even having a SATA ODD plugged in was enough to make it sad), it was happy...

VivienM wrote on 2024-07-20, 13:22:

itzCrassio wrote on 2024-07-20, 09:57:

VivienM wrote on 2024-07-19, 23:52:

What chipset are you running?

I was trying to install Win98 SE on a K8M800 with a VT8237 I think it is... and... well, Win98SE does not like the SATA at all. I think it has something to do with the memory addresses being different than what it expects for a traditional primary/secondary PATA controller. Some Intel boards of a similar vintage had a feature to remap the SATA controller to the traditional PATA memory location to facilitate Win98 installation, but my board, at least, doesn't have that, not sure if the VIA chipsets have that ability.

Eventually bit the bullet, got a Startech IDE to SATA adapter for my SSD and a NOS PATA ODD, and then Win98 SE installed fine.

VIA K8T800 chipset

Then... hopefully you have more luck than me, but I got exactly nowhere trying to do SATA with Win98 on that family of chipset. Had same issues you did. Once I removed the SATA drives and turned off the SATA controller in the BIOS (even having a SATA ODD plugged in was enough to make it sad), it was happy...

The onboard SATA feature which allows you to choose between IDE and RAID?