Hi, I'm new to this forum, and also a somewhat non-technical computer user. My old computer, a compaq presario 7360 went bonkers on me, so I had to buy a new computer, an e-machine.I thought I would either get a hard drive for the compaq, or get a windows 98 boot disk, or 98 operating cd for another pc in my possession, a gateway which has everything ok but the owner deleted the operating system. I thought it would be easier, much to my dismay to get a boot disk, etc. for windows 98 that would work on this older gateway but haven't been able to burn the info on my new computer since I never did this before. How do I go about getting a windows operating system, win98, downloaded to a new cd in my cd burner on my new computer? I know this is wordy, but I can't seem to get started. thanks!

Hi rog, no need to worry about the "non-technical" status, we really won't bite

Ok, what's the reason you need to stick with Win98? It's a bit...well...old now and you will find it hard to get drivers etc in the future. Can you post the full model number of your EMachines PC please.

Hello, and thanks for the reply to my original thread. I thought I needed a windows 98 disk since the older gateway was running on win 98 when the owner deleted the entire operating system. I thought it had to be compatible to what was in the gateway tower, processor, etc. Also, my new computer is an e-machine model T 3112. It works great even though I accepted aol for six months since it was free, and it is hard to get used to, since I haven't used it for a long time. I tried to use my quick restore cd's from my compaq presario, which has the hard drive problem, in the Gateway, but it wouldn't accept it since, the restore cd's state, only for use in compaq presario's. I'v gotten advice from people on other sites that say I need a boot disk, and a windows 98 operating disk to get this gateway working. Maybe it would be easier just to get a harddrive, second hand and put it in my Presario, and use this as a backup computer. What do you think? Also, could the Gateway accept a windows xp disk to start operating system. thanks for all your help. rog.

Hi,

Your e-machines T3112 will run XP with no problems

You indeed cant use the quick restore cd's from the compaq presario in the Gateway , but if you get a normal XP disc you could install that without problems.

I don't know wich O.S. you are gona use yet , but have a look here for installation instructions for 98 , XP ect. :

http://www.windowsreinstall.com/

I think you didn't understand, my emachine is brand new, and I'm using it now, the question was what system and how do I install an operating system in an older gateway that had the os deleted and when turned on says put in floppy boot disk in A, to run computer, but what does this mean, since there is no operating system in it. Could I use the restore cd I got with my new emachine t3112, which is for a windows xp, as you stated, in the old gateway? Someone on craigslist wrote me and said it is hard to reinstall an os, get computer drivers loaded, configure bios (whatever this means) optimize system, and he wanted to charge me a large amt. to do this. I don't want to, since this will only be a backup machine or give to my son. What do you think, thanks, rog.

You wont be able to use restore discs , they can only be used with the pc it came with.

But you can install a normal windows disc on there , XP only if the specs of the pc allow it. Just follow the instructions in the link i posted above to install windows , and get the drivers from the manufacturers website.

If you need help , just ask.