Good day Dan, it has been quite some time-LoL , and have not bothered Jephree for a while either, Ok, anyways, I was trying to down grade to 98Se from Xp on a dell dimension 3000, and the first problem was that it said that I had 2 video cards, and I got passed that, and then it was telling me that some components were sharing the same memory configuration, and as per microsoft, I set theses manually to other available non-conflicting settings, and could not boot at all until I reset everything, and then it was back to the 640 x 480 graphics again with the memory conflicts again, and after several hours of trying, I gave up the ghost.....
It's a dimension 3000-2.4 giga hertz-intel extreme 2-80 gig Hd.-celeronD (2005 puchase), and was reading elsewhere in the posts that it may be possible that the newer computers might only be setup for Xp, although I did manage to have all of the 98Se drivers, which are stiill available at intel, and the main conflict was the video sharing the same memory as the processor....( All Intel parts)
I was trying install the 98Se first, and then the Xp on a seperate hard drive, so I could play with my favorite Os, and re learn, so I could help some friends with the older Os (98Se), and besides I kinda miss it... Any input would be appreciated
Sincerest Blessings

Hello darrell.

How much RAM is in the Dell?

Are you using the onboard video adapter or is there a seperate video card in a motherboard slot?

Hello Dan,
I am running 512 with 8 going to the video, and this being a dell, the on board video is built in to the mother board, and nothing else running in any other slots, except maybe the onboard live 24 bit sound card, but have not had a conflict with that, and was just wondering how they can make these things Xp only, if in fact, that plays out to be the case....
Sincerest Blessings

Proprietary systems can be and are designed for certain O/S's. They take a basic motherboard from a manufacturer, put in a "tailored" bios chip (many times Phoenix) and use up to four basic onboard device chips (video, sound, modem, and LAN or NIC) with drivers for these devices tailored to a specific O/S; 98, Win2000, XP. So if you're using the onboard devices, many times it won't work with any other O/S.

The bios is usually the limiting factor. If it's configured for working with a specific O/S, you usually can't get around it without either a bios update or new/different bios chip (for that motherboard).

The Dell site does have 98 drivers for that model, so (based upon this) the machine should support and run 98.

"... which are stiill available at intel, and the main conflict was the video sharing the same memory as the processor....( All Intel parts)..."

Have you tried the Dell 98 drivers?

I was able to get listings for the Dimension 3000 for 98; http://support.dell.com/support/down...&os=W98&osl=EN

Bless your heart dear sir, I never even thought to go to dell, as they do modify drivers for their specific computers....
I just went to the intel site and downloaded their drivers for the 98Se, and do suppose they would be different Heh, I ran into that when I was trying to update the Xp video, since intel comes out with an update several months before dell, but thought I had eliminated that problem by cleaning anything dell off of this hard drive, but this simple mind forgot about the bios which was just updated to their newest version, amzing how the mind works (or doesn't) sometimes, can we say Duh....
A question though, how come when I did the microsoft fix, by finding a non-conflicting memory setting, that was allowable, kept it from even booting up ???
For now I just pulled the old computer out and cleaned the hard drive and installed the 98 back on it till I figure if it will go on the newer one, and for now run 'em side by side LoL
Time to pull out all those great fixes that you so generously provided, and what I can not find, I can get here from previous posts, and am so very grateful to you folks here at DaL for providing this wonderful access....Ok
Sincerest Blessings

Just checked out dell, and those are also the updates that I did-hence, the new bios update above, since I have the old one up and runniing, and the newest one, I can go ahead and wipe my newer one, and play at liesure, when time permits, and still have two backups....
One more question--My next one will be custom built for graphics, and was wondering where to post a list of parts to see if it is enough, or to get input, as to recommendations..
Sincerest Blessings

"A question though, how come when I did the microsoft fix, by finding a non-conflicting memory setting, that was allowable, kept it from even booting up ???"

Probably a (memory) resource conflict somewhere. With proprietary (brand name) systems, it's generally best to seek out the drivers they provide (for specific O/S's) first before dropping down to the actual component level. Remember that the bios's are usually tailored to the O/S & hardware components.

If you want to dual boot 98/XP, (try to) load 98 with the Dell drivers packages, then install XP. XP will pick up on what is there and act accordingly. If it has updated drivers (usually so) it will use them. If not it can fall back on the Dell drivers and adjust until you download the Dell driver packages for XP. For non-onboard add-in cards (video/sound etc) you should seek out the drivers from those manufacturers.

Use the Hardware forum to post what you have/intend to obtain for the usage of the "new" machine. You mentioned "graphics". State if this means photo/video editing etc or gaming. The hardware folks should be able to steer you in an appropriate direction. No matter what, "graphics" means the best video card which your system will support and what your budget can afford. Vid cards can get fairly expensive. Some older motherboards would have a hard time keeping up with the GPU on newer cards. Example; The graphics information must still go through the "system", and if it doesn't have the capabilities of "carrying" that information, the best card won't get you much in a certain machine. So the smallest "gate" in the overall picture is what you'll get for output until the card and machine can "co-operate".

Ok, that explains a lot, and will post in the hardware section (how to build or upgrade a Pc) for some input into this graphics thing, and it is for graphics editing, and after some extensive research- the graphics editing computers are far more expensive than a gaming computer LoL...
Tried the dell driver thing, and the results are the same, so I just loaded the 98Se on to the old computer, and when time permits, I am going to try it on the new one again, because of the simple fact, as you would put it " (I can't stand giving up unless totally defeated by software structure that cannot be altered.)" LoL- an outstanding quote, that I agree with totally........
I am very busy at this time of year, so it is your option if you want to close this thread, and when I get a couple of days off to try this again, I can ask for a re-open, because I am truly-truly wanting to whip this issue at my first chance LoL..........
Sincerest Blessings

Hello Dan, and Big Blessings to you !!!
Still getting the hardware issues wit the 98Se on the dell--so still running it on the older computer, and am trying the Xp pro on the newer one instead of the dell Xp home.....
I have been searching the the web, and have found all the proper drivers, but still seem to get the memory configuration conflicts, and even though microsoft has a page for manual creation of such, then it is a no boot--go figure LoL
Just wanted to let you know that I was still trying and will keep doing so (occasionally LoL), but mainly wanted to say Kudos again- to the Folks at D-A-L
Sincerest Blessings

Good Luck darrell. ;>)