How to Install a USB Flash Drive on Windows 98
Level of difficulty: Easy
USB flash drives and other USB mass storage gadgets have become so important in our lives that it seems almost impossible to live without these in this tech-savvy world. However, if you own a computer that runs on Windows 98, it could spell trouble. The reason for this is because unlike later versions of Windows such as XP and Vista, the Windows 98 Operating System does not have the necessary drivers to run and operate USBs. Luckily, there are ways in which you can install a USB on your Windows 98 PC and enable it to use USB mass storage devices.
Materials Needed:- Internet connection
- Windows 98 Service Pack
- Windows 98FE Mass Storage Device Drivers
- Windows 98SE Mass Storage Device Drivers
Step 1
Before installing a USB, you should first know what kind of Windows 98 Operating System your PC runs on. Although they look pretty much the same, there are actually two kinds of Windows 98 OS and they both handle USBs differently.
Step 2
On your desktop, right click the 'My Computer' icon and select 'Properties'.
Step 3
On the System Properties window, click on the 'General' tab. Look up the system heading and search the version number. If the version number is 4.10.1998, your computer is running on the original Windows 98 OS or 98FE. However, if the number states 4.10.2222, your OS is the Windows 98 Second Edition or 98SE.
Step 4
If you are using Windows 98FE, download and install the Windows 98 Service Pack first. The service pack can be downloaded from the site http://www.technical-assistance.co.uk/drivers/FESP230EN-R.EXE. After the computer has completed downloading, run the EXE file and follow the instructions on the screen. Once installation has finished, reboot your computer.
Step 5
After you have installed the required service pack, download the Windows 98FE Mass Storage Device Drivers through this link: http://www.technical-assistance.co.uk/drivers/nusb320-Eng-98FE.exe. Run the EXE file and follow the instructions as before, and once it has completed, your PC will be able to read USB flash drives.
Step 6
If you are using a PC that runs on Windows 98SE, download the Windows 98SE Mass Storage Device Drivers through the following link: http://www.technical-assistance.co.uk/drivers/nusb33e.exe. Install the EXE file after it has completed downloading and follow the instructions on the screen. Make sure that there are no USB drives connected on the computer and that there are no drivers for USB 2.0 controllers. Reboot after completing installation.
Step 7
After the computer has successfully rebooted, it will automatically detect all USB drives that you have created. It is now capable of detecting USB 2.0 drives as well, but if it does not, you will need to reboot again.