Windows 98 SE

Partitioning

I used the System Commander 7 bootable CD to create a 3GByte FAT32 partition in which to install win98se.  3G is way larger than required for a typical install, but I intended to install the full suite of IBM drivers and software.  This isn't really necessary, since I will rarely use this OS, but I wanted to find out how the install would go, and whether the IBM stuff really supported win98.  With one exception, win98se is well supported on this laptop.

 

Installation

Just your basic win98se install.  Boot the CD, let it find the previously created C: partition, and Bob's your uncle.  Once '98se was up and running, I installed System Commander 7 to C: so it could be run from the win98se command prompt.  Once installed, SC7 gives the option of booting win98se, booting to a command prompt (very quick) or running the partitioning tools.

 

IBM drivers and utilities

I just chugged through the list of win98se drivers and utilities in the IBM software and driver matrix.  Pretty much just loaded them all starting with the Intel chipset utilities (to speed things up) then the Radeon video driver, then everything else.

There weren't really  any issues or choices with the exception of APM/ACPI described below.

 

APM/ACPI

• APM

  This got a little gnarly.  IBM's driver matrix includes ACPI support, but not for win98se on the R40.  They do include APM support - which requires a "slipstream" re-install w/ a couple of INF files:

  "TP G40, R40, T30, T40, X30, X31 - Installation Support for Windows 98"

   An IBM utility:

  "TP A2, A3, G40, R32, R40, T2, T30, T40, X2 X3, TransNote - Hibernation utility package" or "TP General - Hibernation utility diskette II for standalone boot"

  creates the hibernate file on the C: partition (C:\save2dsk.bin).  APM works OK with '98se.  Standby and hibernate work.  Unfortunately, when 98se is run in APM mode, it overrides and rewrites the BIOS power settings.  It typically sets both the "running on AC" and "running on batteries" to "custom" and leaves it that way when rebooting to another OS.  This may leave the laptop in high power mode when running on batteries or low power mode when running on AC, neither of which is particularly desirable.  Since I can't override these settings when Solaris or Linux (at least w/the RedHat kernel) are running, and I wanted to avoid having to re-configure BIOS on each reboot, I took a shot at getting ACPI working in win98se.

   

• ACPI

  Back to the drawing board ... a clean reinstall of win98se without using the

  "TP G40, R40, T30, T40, X30, X31 - Installation Support for Windows 98"

  Also didn't install the

  "TP R40, T30, T40, X30, X31 - Intel ICH IDE Controller Fix for Windows 98"

  When running in ACPI mode, the IDE controller fix causes severe shutdown problems.  Now when reinstalling all the stuff from the driver matrix, I used the APCI driver, which is not supported on this combination of OS and laptop:

  "TP General - Power Management driver for Windows 98SE/Me/2000/XP".

  Now power management works as it does in ACPI mode with win2k, and running 98se doesn't foul up the BIOS power settings.  But, although the R40 will go to standby, it will not hibernate.  So, pay your money, and take your choice.  I am going to stick with the somewhat crippled ACPI mode for now.

  Note: I used the hibernation utility to create a hibernation file (C:\save2dsk.bin) again.  It will be used by Solaris and Linux running in APM mode.  It is NOT used by win98se, which can't hibernate in the current (crippled) acpi mode.

   

Random Notes

• USB Floppy

  IBM sells a usb floppy that will work with win98se if the driver included with the floppy is installed.  If the floppy is plugged in while 98se is running, it will show up as a floppy w/ a driver letter assigned "on the fly" - G: in my case.  If it is plugged in prior to booting, it may show up as A:, which may make it possible to run some really ancient floppy-based software installers that don't ask what drive letter to use.