Troubleshooting Windows 98 Setup Hang at 100 While Booting from USB

Welcome to our guide for troubleshooting a common issue encountered during the installation of Windows 98 from a USB drive. This guide will help you understand the underlying causes and provide solutions to resolve the hanging issue at 100 percent.

Understanding the Issue

When attempting to install Windows 98 from a USB drive, you may encounter a situation where the setup process hangs at 100 percent while booting. This issue is often encountered due to missing or incompatible hardware drivers and Internet connectivity problems. Let's dive deeper into the reasons behind this issue and explore practical steps to resolve it.

Why Does Windows 98 Setup Hang at 100 While Booting from USB?

Windows 98 requires a special setup because it lacks built-in USB drivers and relies on DOS floppies for installation. Instead, you need to use a hacked boot image on a USB drive for installation. If these requirements are met, the next steps involve checking your Internet connection and ensuring compatibility with your hardware drivers.

Steps to Resolve the Issue

1. Ensure Proper USB Installation

Before you proceed with the installation, make sure that your USB drive is properly formatted and contains the necessary files for a Windows 98 setup. This includes:

ISO images of Windows 98 and its installation files USB driver images and supporting files

Use a reliable tool like Rufus or Balena Etcher to create the bootable USB drive. Ensure that the USB drivers are correctly installed and compatible with your hardware.

2. Check Internet Connection

Windows 98, in its standard setup, cannot automatically search for updates or download drivers from Microsoft. Therefore, you need to ensure that you are not connected to the Internet during the installation process. Disconnecting from the Internet will prevent any automated searches from failing, which can cause the setup to hang.

3. Verify Boot Image Integrity

Ensure that your boot image is correctly configured and contains all necessary files. A damaged or incomplete boot image can cause the setup process to fail and hang.

Why Windows 98 Was Replaced by Windows 98SE

Windows 98SE (Second Edition) was introduced to address certain limitations and improve performance. Some of the key reasons for its replacement include:

Enhanced stability and reliability Improved multimedia support Better driver support for hardware Updates and security improvements

Due to these improvements, the auto-search function in Windows 98 cannot find updates or proper drivers for your hardware, leading to issues during installation.

Conclusion

By following the above steps and understanding the underlying causes, you should be able to resolve the issue of Windows 98 setup hanging at 100 percent while booting from a USB drive. If the problem persists, consider consulting forums and communities dedicated to retrocomputing for additional support and advice.

Related Keywords

Windows 98, USB Installation, Hardware Drivers