Question : Installing Windows 98 on a Dell Inspiron 1150 laptop freezes

I have an "old" (circa 2003) Dell Inspiron 1150 laptop (40 GB hard drive) (I can get more specific specs if required).

I've created several partitions and would like to install various Operating Systems on it. I have been able to install Windows XP (from the original CDs I got with the laptop) and on another partition (+ swap partition) I have been able to install Ubuntu Linux.

When attempting to install Windows 98 on another partition (formatted FAT32 / 10 GB), the installation process goes well until it attempts to find my plug and play devices at which point the machine freezes. This occurs when attempting to install both Windows 98 and Windows 98 SE.

I'm assuming the general problem is that my laptop is "too advanced" for Windows 98 which is screwing up the installation, but I hope there's a trick or something I might do to get past this.

Answer : Installing Windows 98 on a Dell Inspiron 1150 laptop freezes

You could use a virtual machine to install windows 98 and use it from windows xp.

If this solution is not good for you try to copy all the files of the windows 98 installation in the partition you have tried to install windows 98. If you are lucky enough it might boot (with a lot of warnings and errors you will have to fix later).

The laptop have a serial ATA hard disk? If so check this: http://www.experts-exchange.com/OS/Microsoft_Operating_Systems/Windows/98/Q_21299173.html