MS is prohibited from distributing or selling W98 disks so the best you can
do is try to find a copy to buy. Go to http://www.pricewatch.com, click on
the software button and then search on: win98. They have listings on boot
up floppy disks, CDs but no license, a license but no CD, OEM, W98, W98SE,
update from W98 to W98SE only and so on. Pay ATTENTION to what the listings
say or you may end up with something you don't want or need. You can also
check on EBay or other auction sites. You also need to be aware that only
paid support for W98 still exists. Here's some info about the various types
of W98SE CDs:
RETAIL FULL INSTALL: This CD will either upgrade W95/98 to SE or you can
install it to a blank hard drive.
RETAIL UPGRADE INSTALL: This CD will either upgrade W95/98 to SE or you can
install it to a blank hard drive; however, when installing to a blank drive,
install will ask to see the qualifying system (i.e., W95) disk(s).
OEM FULL INSTALL. This SE CD is designed to be installed to a blank hard
drive; however, there is a possibility that you can trick it into upgrading.
For info, go to: http://home.satx.rr.com/badour/html/upgrade.html Be aware
that if you buy an OEM disk, it might be customized for installation on a
particular computer; however, this will probably be primarily with a used
disk.
UPDATE CD: This CD will only update a functioning copy of W98 to W98SE.
When MS sold them, they were $20 and came with a ProductKey. Some venders
were selling them and advising customers to use the W98 ProductKey which may
or may not work--don't get stung.
RECOVERY CD: Some companies will brand an OEM CD and call it a recovery CD.
You should avoid these unless it is the exact recovery CD you are looking
for. Many recovery CDs will only install on the equipment they were
intended for.

Signature
Regards
Ron Badour, MS MVP for W98
Tips: http://home.satx.rr.com/badour
Knowledge Base Info:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?pr=kbinfo
> I have a valid copy of Win 98 second ed disk and it is
> cracked and no longer usable for updating drives etc. Is
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>
> Dave
Steve Baron - KB3MM - 11 May 2004 21:37 GMT
Prohibiyed by who ?
> MS is prohibited from distributing or selling W98 disks so the best you can
> do is try to find a copy to buy. Go to http://www.pricewatch.com, click on
[quoted text clipped - 37 lines]
> >
> > Dave
Ron Badour - 11 May 2004 22:22 GMT
A court settlement

Signature
Regards
Ron Badour, MS MVP for W98
Tips: http://home.satx.rr.com/badour
Knowledge Base Info:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?pr=kbinfo
> Prohibiyed by who ?
>
[quoted text clipped - 50 lines]
> > >
> > > Dave
Bernard Rother - 15 May 2004 06:49 GMT
> A court settlement
>
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>
> > Prohibiyed by who ?
Hi Ron, I'm just curious .... why would a court stop MS from distributing
Win98 ... was it because of the "built in" Explorer ?
Bernard.
Ron Badour - 16 May 2004 07:23 GMT
I made a mistake when I said court settlement. It was actually an *out of*
court settlement reached between Sun and MS where MS could not distribute
Java Virtual Machine. MS was going to furnish replacement CDs but when the
issue was staffed through MS legal, they were of the opinion that since W98
contains JVM, furnishing replacement disks would violate the agreement.
While MS was trying to do the right thing for its customers, it just didn't
work out.

Signature
Regards
Ron Badour, MS MVP for W98
Tips: http://home.satx.rr.com/badour
Knowledge Base Info:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?pr=kbinfo
> > A court settlement
> >
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
> Win98 ... was it because of the "built in" Explorer ?
> Bernard.