A newbie question

[greenlion]

A friend tried to install Win98 in an old computer of his but it didn't take because it doesn't have a math c0-processor. I suggested him to try Win95. The question is can you install win95 in a computer without a math co? I was going to lend him my copy if its possible.

[Wiruz]

As Far As I Know.... 95 needs math co. to... but i ain't sure.... - i think i tried to install it once...

Anyway, if the computer doesn't have math support - why use it? - if u say RC5... i'll laugh - u can't even use it in a beowulf cluster...

[OuTpaTienT]

hmmmm, no co-processor? Must be a 386. Maybe 20 or 25mhz? (Or possibly a 486SX)

Trying to run Win98 or 95 on something like that would be like trying to pour molasses at the North Pole. IOW, it ain't gonna happen.

I think the minimum required to run Windows 95 was a 386 w/8mb ram. But everyone knows if you actually want to be able to use it, then at least a 486 is required. I'm not sure if it NEEDS a math co-processor, but realistically, there is no reason to be running a machine without one. Just ask around, somebody will give him one. Heck, if he'd just ask around I bet he could upgrade his entire system for free. I've given away 486's, Pentium's, K6's, even K6-2's. ...in fact I might even know where I can find a 387 (the co-processor for a 386). If I do find it, I'll just send it to ya.

[techs]

let me see if i remember this from the Aplus exam. the 386 dx and sx differed in the size of the data path either internal or external(who remembers). So a 386Dx could run win95(very slowly) but a 386 Sx could not.I believe MS recommended 4 mb ram.(what a joke)but they must have assumed you would install NONE of the features.
as for the 486 Dx and Sx the difference is a math co-processor, but this has nothing to do with the 386 Dx and Sx difference, and any 486 will run win95 but you should have at least 12(preferably 32)megs of ram in my opinion. .

[Richard_Cranium72]

SYMPTOMS
When you attempt to install Windows 98, you may receive the following error message:

Windows 98 requires a computer with a math coprocessor

RESOLUTION;
To resolve this behavior, follow these steps:

Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.

Double-click System.

On the Device Manager tab, double-click the System Devices branch to expand it.

Click Numeric Data Processor, and then click Properties.

On the Settings tab, click the "Always use the numeric data processor" check box to select it, and then click OK.

When you are prompted to restart your computer, do so.

To work around this behavior, use the setup /nm command. The /nm switch bypasses the minimum hardware requirement test. This tests for a minimum of a 486/66DX central- processing unit (CPU) and 16 megabytes (MB) of memory and the presence of a math coprocessor.->> http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q189/6/70.ASP

Search results for Math coprocessor->> http://search.microsoft.com/us/SearchMS25.asp?so=RECCNT&qu=windows%252095%2520will%2520not%2520install%252 0without%2520math%2520coprocessor&qu=Math+CoProcessor&boolean=BOOLEAN&i=07 &p=1&nq=NEW

Math Coprocessor link http://support.intel.com/support/processors/

hope this helps, DrVette

[Richard_Cranium72]

Is this ,, err ODD, MS says to do this and that on a system that the man is trying to INSTALL an OS. How do they expect you to go around in a machine without a os?

[emcron]

From my experience win98 needs a 66 Mhz processor or higher and I have installed win95 on a 486sx. I have a 50 Mhz DX2 that would have no problem running at 66 Mhz if you would pay for shipping.

[Missing the point]

I got Win95 running fine on a 386DX 40

[greenlion]

Thanks guys. I've decide to send him my win95 copy so he can try installing it. If it won't work, then he can always go back to Win3.1. This kid's family already has a new computer and he only uses this computer to play some old games .... very old games, lol.

[greenlion]

Outpatient, nice of you to offer sending a 387 if you can find one. No need ...... but thanks for the offer anyway.

[OuTpaTienT]

hehe, well good. I haven't felt like rummaging through the couple boxes of misc computer parts and electrical equipment. http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/wink.gif