How to install Windows 98 on VMware.

Posted: March 19 2008 Updated: March 27 2008

This is a step-by-step guide with screenshots on how to install Windows 98 on VMware using a nonbootable Windows 98 CD and no floppy drive.
What you'll need:

A Windows 98 CD or .iso file

A Windows 98 floppy boot image file (you can download this one)

VMware (I'm using VMware Workstation ACE Edition version 6.0.0 Build 45731)

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NOTE You can click on the step links to show/hide the corresponding screenshot for that step (requires
Javascript).
NOTE Steps 1-8 just take you through the New Virtual Machine Wizard. If you already know how to
create a new VM you can skip to Step 9.

Step 1.) Load VMware.

Step 2.) Create a New Virtual Machine. Done by pressing Ctrl+N, or by going File->New>Virtual Machine.

Step 3.) When the New Virtual Machine Wizard pops up click Next on the first window.

Step 4.) On the second window choose the Typical option then click Next.

Step 5.) The third window you should choose Microsoft Windows for the OS and Windows
98 for the version. Click Next.

Step 6.) The fourth window lets you name the virtual machine and choose a location for where
the files for the virtual machine will be stored. What you want to name the VM, and where you want to
store your files is up to you (I'm using the default location and name). Once you're happy with those
two options click Next.

Step 7.) The fifth window lets you pick the type of network connection you want to use. Each
option is pretty self explanatory. I'm choosing to use NAT. Whatever option you choose here you can
always change at any time. Click Next.

Step 8.) The sixth window allows you to set how much disk space you want to allocate to the
VM. I'm using the default values for this guide. You can increase the value at a later time if you need
more space. Click Finish. If another window in the wizard pops up telling you that you still need to
install the OS and VMware Tools just click the Close button.

Step 9.) Since I'm using a non-bootable Windows 98 CD and I don't have a floppy drive in my
computer I need to assign a boot disk image inside of my Windows 98 VM that I just created. Doubleclick on Floppy under the Devices section of your Windows 98 VM. On the window that pops up
choose Use floppy image, click Browse and load up the Windows98.img file. Then click OK.

Step 10.) Start your Windows 98 VM now by pressing Ctrl+B on your keyboard.
Step 11.) Choose option #1 Start computer with CD-ROM support from the Windows 98
Startup Menu.

Step 12.) When you see A:\> go ahead and type in fdisk and press Enter on your keyboard.

Step 13.) When asked if you want to enable large disk support type in Y.

Step 14.) Next you want to choose option #1 Create DOS partition or Logical DOS Drive.

Step 15.) Choose option #1 Create Primary DOS Partition.

Step 16.) Type in Y when asked if you want to use the maximum available size for the partition
and make it active.

Step 17.) When you see the screen telling you that you must restart your system for the
changes to take effect press Esc on your keyboard to exit FDISK.

Step 18.) You should now just see A:\> if so type in restart and then press Enter.

Step 19.) Choose option #1 Start computer with CD-ROM support from the Windows 98
Startup Menu.

Step 20.) At the A:\> prompt type in format c: and type in Y when asked if you want to
proceed with the format. Then press Enter.

Step 21.) Once it's done with the format go ahead and press Enter again when asked for a
volume label.

Step 22.) You can now power off the Windows 98 VM. Start by pressing Ctrl+Alt on your
keyboard to release your mouse and then Ctrl+E to power it off.

Step 23.) Now put your Windows 98 CD into your CD-ROM if it's not already in. Alternatively, if
you're using an .iso of Windows 98 you can load that into a tool such as Daemon Tools if you like, or
you can mount the .iso into VMware. If you'd like to mount your .iso into VMware double-click the CDROM under the Devices section, choose Use ISO image, browse for the .iso and then click OK.

Step 24.) Power on your Windows 98 VM by pressing Ctrl+B.

Note: If for some reason you see "Invalid system disk" it's possible that the virtual floppy device was
told to not be connected when the VM is powered on. This happened to me when writing this guide.
When I was testing a few things with no image in the virtual floppy, I clicked "No" to the message
asking me if I wanted the floppy device to be connected every time I powered on. I of course figured
that once I loaded an image back into the virtual floppy that the VM would use that image, but it turns
out I have to double-click the "Floppy" under "Devices" and enable the option to "Connect at power
on". This shouldn't be an issue for you if you haven't meddled with anything and have been following
the guide step-by-step.

Step 25.) Choose option #1 Start computer with CD-ROM support from the Windows 98
Startup Menu.

Step 26.) At the A:\> prompt type in e: and press Enter. At the E:\> prompt type
in setup and press Enter. When asked to continue press Enter again.

Step 27.) When ScanDisk is finished press the right arrow on your keyboard until Exit is
selected and press Enter.

Step 28.) Continue on with the Windows 98 install like you would normally.

Step 29.) Now while Windows is installing, at some point it's going to tell you that it has to
restart itself before it can finish the install. Before it gets to that point you should press Ctrl+Alt to
release your mouse, then click the menu VM->Removable Devices->Floppy->Edit.... On the
Floppy window that opens up un-check Connect at power on so there's no check mark next to it,
also un-check Connected and click the option Use physical drive. This means when the VM restarts
itself during the Windows install it won't load up the floppy boot image first, instead of continuing on
with the Windows install.

Step 30.) Once Windows finishes installing you'll be done. One thing that's recommended is
that you install VMware Tools once the install is completely finished. To do that make sure Windows 98
is powered on and you're at the Windows desktop. Press Ctrl+Alt to release the mouse, then click the
menu item VM->Install VMware Tools. There will be instructions given to you during the install
which will guide you through.

windows 98 SE serial key...

RW9MG-QR4G3-2WRR9-TG7BH-33GXB