Computer will not run Windows 98 disk

[Amats]

I bought this computer used with XP on it and the hard drive crashed.  I have replaced the hard drive but since I have no hard copy of the operating system I am forced to use the only version of windows I have that is not on another computer which is Windows 98 upgrade.  The owner did not have the driver cd for the graphics card so I dont know the  model of the graphics card since it will not come up on Device Manager.  The DVD/CD drive for some reason will not run the Windows 98 disk at all.  Works fine otherwise.  I have limited specs for this computer
Processor: Athlon 1 gig
Motherboard: Gigabyte
Ram: 512 mb
Graphics Card: Nvidia
Make: Custom desktop

[zonatedace]

ok so im guessing you sucsessfully installed window 98 on the machine. im not quite sure what problem your trying to solve, the fact that it wont run the windows 98 cd, or if your trying to figure out how to get the graphic card drivers? also im guessing this is a desktop. if it is just open the case and check out what model the video card is. also most nvidia cards will tell you what model it is at startup just pay attention to it.

[Amats]

The disk drive will not run the Windows 98 cd so I cant install it.  If I can get an operating system on it then I can go online and download drivers.

[2x3i5x]

you can try getting Linux if you want, something like Kubuntu or Fedora would be nice for starters. At least you will have an operating system on your computer to use while you get your windows up if you still want to get windows working. 

[zonatedace]

ok thanks for the clarification, have you tried to check the boot priority in the BIOS?

[Amats]

you can try getting Linux if you want, something like Kubuntu or Fedora would be nice for starters. At least you will have an operating system on your computer to use while you get your windows up if you still want to get windows working. 

Oh, that is a good idea.  A friend of mine gave me a copy of ubuntu last week.

[Amats]

Yeah Zon, I had the boot priority set to CD rom first

[Amats]

I am still not able to run the Windows 98 disk  on my disk drive in the post window.  It will run other disks but not the 98.  any ideas?

[Fed]

You do know that win98 is not bootable and you will have to install it from DOS?

http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000569.htm

[Amats]

No I didnt know that, but somehow I thought it would come to that.  Thank you, that is the information I needed.   

[2x3i5x]

but then again, I do have a old bootable floppy disk of Windows 98. That was provided in the dell box when I got my old dell desktop that my dad now uses 9 years ago. 

[BC_Programmer]

You do know that win98 is not bootable and you will have to install it from DOS?

http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000569.htm

err.... my Win98 disc is bootable...

[patio]

Some were...some weren't.

[quaxo]

Some were...some weren't.

I think it was only the Windows 98SE discs. The original 98 discs and upgrade discs wouldn't.

[BC_Programmer]

ahhh, that explains it, mine is 98SE.