Microsoft doesn't want you to install Windows 95 on a Pentium 350. Why not? Well, obviously, if you can use Windows 95 on your new Penitum 350, you don't need a copy of Windows 98. Seeing as most people can't buy a new computer without paying the Microsoft Tax, it's probably a moot point. Or is it? Windows 98 doesn't run particularly well. And some applications won't run at all under Windows 98. Anyway, here's how you do it.
1. Delete Windows 98 if it's already on there. Here's how: first, create a Win98 boot disk with CD ROM drivers (Go to Control Panel/Install Software). Boot to it. Fdisk the drive, delete the partition, create a new partition, and format it.
2. Boot up to the Win 98 boot disk with CD ROM support. Put the Windows 95 CD in the drive and run SETUP.
3. Windows will stupidly lose the CD ROM drive when it gets to the "install printers" stage, which it won't let you skip. Skip it anyway by clicking on cancel. Reboot. Your CD will be back.
4. Once Win 95 is installed, you will find that ethernet cards, modems, and other devices will not be recognized. That's because Win 95 doesn't talk to the PCI IRQ manager the way it should. Here's how you fix it.
5. Get the file USBSUP.EXE from the internet. If I get time, I'll post it here. You also need the PCI INF update file. I got my copy from my computer vendor. Run the USBSUP.EXE program first (just run it: don't try to install it as a device driver). Then run the PCI INF program (called "setup"). You must do it in this order.
6. Install the devices and drivers as usual. You should now have a functioning Windows 95 installation on a Pentium 350.
