Hey everyone!

I'm building a pre-Win2K machine, preferrably Win98SE as the OS.  I'm just curious if that is the best OS to use for DOS & Win9x games.  

I'm focusing on the ram situation.   I've read that Win98SE can handle 2GB, but the consensus seems to be 512MB of ram MAX.  

I would like to dual boot this OS with WinXP Pro... I don't really want to be stuck with only 512MB.... so I was wondering if Win98SE is the OS to go with, would it be ok to have 1GB of ram?

thanks!

1GB is ok,but make sure your win98se instal has all the necessary updates to handle it..the unofficial service pack fixes this issue for example.

Uh, I use win98se too.  What is this unofficial service pack you speak of?  I got ye olde official one a long time ago, got that, and IE6 and all that.  What does this service pack do?  

Windows 98SE 2.1A Unofficial Service Pack -
http://ptm2.cc.utu.fi/ftp/windows/win98/SP2.1/sesp21a-en.exe

Hey Rotten

Thanks for the link, I got a copy for myself now.  So I can actually install 2 x 1 GB Corsair DDR PC3200 sticks in dual channel with this fix.  The rest of the usable ram will be for when I dual boot to XP.

Thanks everyone! :)

Thx for the link.  What all does it add/upgrade/do exactly?  

I forgot to ask; on the off chance it mess stuff up can it be removed/uninstalled?  Also where can I find the last official service pack for Win98se, just in case.  

Hopefully these screen will answer your questions :)

http://www.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/th.6044508675.jpg

http://www.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/th.bcfbcc7772.jpg

When installed the SP I personally only select "Main Updates", and TweakUI.  The rest are just extras I don't really need, but they are kind of cool if you want to try something new.

*Disclaimer* - I have not tried the Uninstall feature ( why would I :p )  So I cannot guarantee its functionality... although I'm sure it works just fine..

If your just going to do gaming then I'd suggest just loading W98SE and be done with it along with DX7 or DX8.

Use the original last 3dfx Win9x drivers and you should be good to go.

Win9x can't really address over 512mb of ram, with 256mb Win9x really flies.

I put my "old school 1997" gaming ring back together a few weeks ago, aside from the hard drive (even then it is the right model and size) it is what I was using back then!

I'll try to post pictures soon...

That's great!

can't wait for all the parts to come in to build the new *old* machine.

BTW, there is a V5 6000 on ebay that started today.
http://cgi.ebay.de/3DFX-Voodoo-5-6000-A3-3400-Rarissime-No-Ati-Nvidia_W0QQitemZ180224047912QQihZ008QQcategoryZ3762QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Thx for the info.... I am gonna d/l the update today if I can.  

The ram problem hasn't hit me yet in respect to Win98se....I only have 128 megs....GAH!  

I have a question; all of this talk about this service pack got me thinking...Is there an official service pask 2 for Win98se?  I wondered cause I only ever heard about service pack 1.  

unofficial sp2.1a is as good as you can get.

Oh well.  I just thought if there was also an official service pack 2, it might have some stuff I could use in itm that's all.  Thanks.  

Well, alomg this thread of thought, are there any decent, non-buggy "unofficial" addon packs or service packs I should know of or consider getting for Win98se?  

There's no need for ;)

See if your really going to build an oldscool gaming rig, as Gary said, you only have to install Win98SE, DirectX and the latest 3dfx drivers.
If you only use hardware from this decade and only play these DOS/Win9x games, you're not going to experience unforseen problems.
Only thing you have to pay attention is when you're going to install a NIC and Windows is loading files from the Install CD, cause if you hit the wrong button, the network wouldn't work after install.

Take it this way: Back in the time when Win98SE was the used OS, there weren't some todays Service Packs neither any unofficial things... so everything that worked then will also work today with this configuration ;)

Ok, so I have one more question...

the 3dfx Voodoo 5 5500 AGP card...  I'm seeing that it's rated as an AGP 4x card.  I thought they were only 2x.

My old school rig supports only 4x/8x AGP cards.  My motherboard is a DFI LanParty 875 P-T

Will the 5500 work in my system?

No it will not

First problem is that you can't put a 5500 in an only 4x/8x slot. The manufacturers prevent it by using a second notch in the AGP Slot, a 5500 doesn't have this spare in the PCB so it mechanicly don't fit.
Second thing is, that the 5500 (there are some mysterious 4x cards around but they seem to be absoluely rare) is a 2x only card, so it needs to have 3.3V Signal voltage (4x/8x has 1.5V)...
The only chance you have to bring that config up and running is to use a PCI/AGP Adapter (which is to expensive for your project I think) or search for a different Mobo or a 5500 with PCI interface.

I was just wondering because anytime I clear the CMOS, I need an AGP card (currently using a PC Bios Flashed - Voodoo MAC 5500 as my primary video card) because the Bios default is set to AGP.  I was wondering if I could use one of the unsealed V5 5500 AGP cards I have.

Also, I want to use dual displays with my old school machine.  My new school machine has dual monitors, so I was going to get a 2nd KVM so both PCs could have dual out puts....  

Just thought of something... Does the VoodooMAC 5500 edition support dual monitors?  It's got two video outs....  anyone know?

OutOfRange wrote on 24.03.08 at 15:05:26:

There's no need for ;) See if your really going to build an oldscool gaming rig, as Gary said, you only have to install Win98SE, DirectX and the latest 3dfx drivers. If you only use hardware from this decade and only play these DOS/Win9x games, you're not going to experience unforseen problems. Only thing you have to pay attention is when you're going to install a NIC and Windows is loading files from the Install CD, cause if you hit the wrong button, the network wouldn't work after install. Take it this way: Back in the time when Win98SE was the used OS, there weren't some todays Service Packs neither any unofficial things... so everything that worked then will also work today with this configuration ;)

Oh well....I just like to keep upto date, or somewhat...heh.  There are things that update the look of Win98 to look more like xp and whatnot aren't there?