Win95: Upgrade OSR1 to OSR2 ?

[Gerry]

My computer is currently running with Windows 95 OSR1 (A-version) but I desperately need at least OSR2 (B-version) to run my AGP Video card properly.
Is there a way of upgrading OSR1 to OSR2 or any other alternative to make the Operating system work for AGP cards ?

Your help is appreciated.

Thanks, Gerry

[Nathan]

Just reformat the hard drive. Make sure you have a boot disk with the CD-rom drivers on it. Back up your documents too!

[Cyclops]

Yes, if you have OSR2.x you will be better off with a clean install. This will also give you the option of going FAT32 if your want.

[This message has been edited by Cyclops (edited 03-29-99).]

[Jin Vitas]

Well NO, like nathan said.. have to format.. because of the file system.. and incompatibility of files..in 95a & b

[Nathan]

Hi Jin

What incompatibility of files are you referring to? I have the instructions to do it, but have found out it's rather difficult to really get it to work. That's why I did volunteer the info. I suppose if they really want it, I'll post it. But I can't be responsible for what happens.

[kwai]

so where's he supposed to get osr2 from, though?

[Cyclops]

OSR2.x will have to come from a computer maker, or it can sometimes be found at computer shows and flea markets.

[Gerry]

Thanks to you all, especially to kwai. So, I cannot upgrade from 1 to 2, I need the complete new version. Flea market, huh ?!
I may better go with Win 98 alltogether...

[krusty]

You can do it several ways. I think this is the easiest. You just have to tell setup that it is an upgrade version. If you have updated dial up networking you will have to re-do it. & if you have Ms Internet explorer 4.x I would uninstall it first.

NEW METHOD: Here's a new, simple method of upgrading an older version of Windows (3.x or 95) to OSR2, submitted by Jay Decker:

Probably the easiest method to upgrade from Win95 to OSR2 is to

1) Copy the Win95 source files from the Win95 directory on the OSR2 CD
to a hard drive
2) Create and save an MSBATCH.INF file in the same directory where you
copied the Win95 files to. The file must contain the following lines:
[Setup]
ProductType=1

Follow the last line by a carriage return otherwise you'll get a
Data Control Corrupt error.

The file MUST be called MSBATCH.INF and MUST exist in the same directory
as the Win95 source files. You will still be able to specify another
customized batch file on the SETUP command line or you can add any other
custom information to this MSBATCH.INF.

[krusty]

GO HERE



http://www.compuclinic.com/osr2faq/

[seanmo]

http://www.compuclinic.com/osr2faq/
That's a little easier.

[raffi]

Hey Jin

Well, fat32, and osr2 is a great idea, a clean install is an even better idea.
However, what most are unaware of is that only win95 osr ****2.1**** natively supports agp, so this is what you will need, and even microsofts knowledge base recommends you do a clean install, which should be done every once and a while anyways. I say either go to osr 2.1, or if you have the system resources, go to win 98. Otherwise as always, ENJOY THE TOYS!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Bud]

I did a upgrade from osr1 to osr2 just to see if I could do it and let me tell you it is not worth the effort. It is difficult and takes some time. I had a very hard time getting it going so I would go for the clean the HD and start over.
Bud

[Jin Vitas]

What I meant to say was.. if he does get it to install there are gonna be problems.. because of incompatible files.. between Retail and OEM versions of windows..

FAT32 is a good idea but.. win95a does not support it.. and if 95a files did not get overwritten during setup.. then there are gonna be problems..

As for Buds experience.. he is living proof.. that there is a slim chance of getting it upgraded successfully.. therefore NO.. dont upgrade..

for proof of files being incompatible.. check out technet articles.. Q162608
Q156331

[krusty]

It Upgrades the system!!
It is about as reliable as going from 95 to 98(Shut Up!!). Fat 32 is not an issue. You do not run FDISK & this will not convert to fat 32. Fat 32 does not make any difference to a system, in fact it slows it a little & gives you a bit more HD spacee.. I have done it several times. If you have problems it is usually related to IE4.x.

[krusty]

& jin could you please explain in depth what the file differences are b/w oem & retail W95. Do you mean original & OSR2.x???

[jkreese]

Help! I was (and am) pretty stupid (I didn't back up my system). I tried to upgrade my OSR1 to OSR2.5 using the method 2 listed at the Compuclinic web page. Everything seemed to be working fine until I started getting messages like "cannot find file on Windows 95 Disk 11 (or 12)". I tried to do a reinstall, but it only got worse, now my mouse doesn't even work. I can still access the hard drive in DOS, but that's as far as it goes. Any suggestions?

[Jin Vitas]

jkreese, Do you still want to listen to those that say u can????... your decision..

but here is proof coming from the mouth of microsoft

"The retail version of Windows 95 is designed to upgrade Windows 3.x PCs.
The primary contents of this service release are intended to support new
hardware. As such, it will be sold with the PCs that have these new
hardware capabilities. The only major feature that does not require
specific hardware support is the new version of Microsoft Internet
Explorer.

NOTE: A retail Windows 95 (version 950) installation cannot be upgraded
with Windows 95 OSR2." (notice the period.)

info provided by technet article Q155003

well jkreese.. ask krusty.. he said it can be done..

Has anyone got FAT32 to work with win95a..
I didnt think so...

[jkreese]

OK, Jin, I should have listened to you. So, what can I do now? I do have an old 425Meg IDE (non-EIDE) hard drive that I am not using. Will I be able to reformat that using the OSR2.5? Also, will the 425Meg work off an EIDE interface? Does it have enough room for a full OSR2.5 installation? Thanks again.

[krusty]

Jin...I said you do NOT get fat 32!!!

[krusty]

& I know what MS say, but what it means is that they do not allow it. It does not mean that it does not work. The reason that they say it wont work is because it does not support fat 32 this way. But who cares, fat 16 is faster! & drives are cheap.. If you don't have enough drive space to do it the way I first suggested then you should not be running win 95 anyway.

[RobRich]

I hate to say this, but you should have just upgraded to Win98. I've tried the Win95a to OSR2.1 deal before, and it was a serious pain. For most system upgrades for people witht he Win95a version, I recommend Win98. It's still not an ideal situation, but %90 of the time I never have a problem.

[jkreese]

Just an update to my OSR1-to-OSR2.5 upgrade dilemma...After the intial trial of overwriting my original OSR1 with OSR2.5, Windows would not start. After 2 days of reloading OSR2.5, I finally was able to get Windows to start, but my modem would not work no matter what. Finally, it dawned on me that I had previously upgraded my dial-up networking (DUN 1.3) from the MS Support page. Every time I was reloading OSR2.5, it would always ask me at some point "The file I am copying is older that the one being replaced. Do you want to keep this file?". I would always answer "yes", thinking that the newer file would be "more" compatible. The last time I reloaded OSR2.5, I allowed to copy over all "newer" files, including the upgraded DUN1.3. After it was done, my modem worked like a charm. I guess the one thing I have learned here is, if you are going to try to upgrade your system from OSR1 to OSR2.X, let OSR2.X replace all "newer" files too for minimum risk. BTW, the system works just fine now.