windows 98 and usb flash drive

[hallehh]

How do I back up files from old computer (windows 98se) on a usb flash drive to tranfer to new computer (xp)? 
Every time I plug in the usb drive in old computer, it wants to find a driver for it (online etc) but cannot!
Please help.

[patio]

Clik Here

This driver is for a SanDisk flash drive however it's been said to work with most brands...

Good Luck.

[soybean]

I have a PNY flash drive that I've used with Win 98SE.  PNY has a driver for Win 98SE for their flash drives.  I don't know whether it would work with other brands.

[dahlarbear]

Unlike Windows XP, the Windows 98SE operating system did not come with any USB Mass Storage (flash drive) drivers.  Nor will Microsoft provide any for Win 98SE if you allow it to search online for them.  You're going to have to "find" third party drivers for your device.

Determine the make, model, and size of your USB flash drive.  Post the information here or go to the manufacturer's web site and see what drivers they provide for their product.  If it's a "newer" flash drive they may not provide any drivers compatible with the Win 98 SE operating system.

Or, as others have suggested, you can try drivers from other flash drive vendors hoping they are generic enough to work; but I would start with the manufacturer of the device.

Lessons learned - if you buy a flash drive for use on Win 98SE system, read the package or specs to ensure they provide drivers for it (usually as an internet download from their web site).  It's becoming increasingly harder to find USB flash drives that "explicitly" are supported on Win 98SE.

You should also attempt to install the software on your system before you plug in the USB flash drive.  If it doesn't find the "new" driver software when you plug it in, you need to tell it where the software is located ("browse" to directory where new driver is located).

[hallehh]

Thank for your responses.

It is one these promo pen drives and the box only says:
USB Storage Disk
Executive Pen Drive
On the back it does list Win98 in the OS requirements and the USB version as 2.0 compliant (plug & play) and 1G.

I did download a couple of drivers but still not working.  When I plug it in, nothing happens and when I go Add New Hardware, it says the device is already installed but I do not have the correct driver and of course cannot find it.

[soybean]

Do you have a CD burner in your Win 98 machine? 

Another way to transfer files off your hard drive would be to remove the hard drive from your Win 98 machine and temporarily install it as a second/slave drive in your new computer and then copy the files you want to the main hard drive. 

[Broni]

Get Everest: http://www.majorgeeks.com/download4181.html
Run it with your pen drive plugged in, and see, if it'll recognize brand of your flash.

[Richard FDisk]

something I have tried and sometimes works and sometimes doesn't

I have plugged the USB chip / drive etc. in before I turn on the machine

and if the PC sees it and assigns drive resources (ie. physical address) to it then windows will see it also and not complain about needing "drivers"

I've also done this with a USB / E-IDE adapter plugged into a notebook HD and started the PC
now normally the adapter I have requires a "Driver" for w98se but when the PC sees the drive and assigns resources to it then w98se sees the drive also.

worth a try

cheers

[dahlarbear]

It is one these promo pen drives and the box only says:
USB Storage Disk
Executive Pen Drive
On the back it does list Win98 in the OS requirements and the USB version as 2.0 compliant (plug & play) and 1G.

1.  When you said "promo" did you mean "promotional" or "iPromo"?  Here are some links to iPromo web site and driver downloads:

http://www.ipromo.com/?fuseaction=product.list_products&categoryid=16

http://www.ipromo.com/?fuseaction=product.&productsid=39

http://www.ipromo.com/?fuseaction=faq.downloads


Possibly the files:
     UFD_98Drv_Setup.exe            4.97 MB
     USB_Driver_for_Win98.zip    19.90 KB


2.  Device Manager Utility.  If you're not familiar with Microsoft's Device Manager utility, you need to become familiar with it.  You need to either "Update driver" for the USB device or remove the device and have Microsoft rediscover it via Add Hardware so you can browse to the correct driver location. 

To access Device Manager right click on "My Computer" icon.  Select "Properties" item.  Left click on "Device Manager" tab.  Select "View devices by type".  Examine the "Universal serial bus controller" category.  Look for any devices in an "Other Devices" category, or those flagged with yellow question mark.