Member Avatar for Carebare47

Hi,

Ok, i have a compaq presario wunning windows 98 first edition. well, it used to run second edition but something went really rong and i had to re-install windows, only i didnt realise that the disk was first edition. anyway, once i re-installed it, my graphics wouldnt work properly. i think there is a rong driver with something, but i can fix it. i have a compaq quick restore disk that i know will have the right drivers. however, it needs the serial number to install. not the windows 98 keycode, that happens later, but the serial number of the computer. the problem is, years ago my power supply exploded, and i took it to a repair shop to get it fixed, but the power supply was a funny one that only fitted that case, so i got some old case with the new power supply. and i have just realised that the serial number and stuff was on the old case. i dont even know the modal, justthat its a compaq presaio, the motherboard is ga5smm and the chip set is sis530. the graphics at the moment are only 16 colours, and 640*480 resolution. i think ineed to get a serial number.

can anyone help?

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  • 2 Years Discussion Span
  • Latest Post Latest Post by caperjack

Dani AI

Generated

Short summary and a practical workflow based on the thread: the QuickRestore installer is likely asking for the OEM "service tag" but that is not required to recover individual drivers. Several members pointed toward the QuickRestore disc and SiS drivers; the reliable route is to extract the video/chipset driver files from the recovery media (or download the correct SiS package) and install them manually rather than hunting for an OEM serial.

Steps to extract drivers from the QuickRestore CD (use another PC if the Win98 machine is limited):

  • Insert the disc and search the root for driver folders (common names: DRIVERS, I386, or an OEM\DRIVER path).
  • From a command prompt on the machine reading the CD, generate a list of INF files:
    D:
cd \
dir /s *.inf > C:\drivers_list.txt
  • Copy the driver folder(s) to removable media or another CD. If drivers are inside a self-extracting .exe, run that installer on the other PC and copy the extracted folder it creates.

Manual installation on the Windows 98 target:

  • Open Control Panel -> System -> Device Manager -> Display. Select the VGA adapter, choose Update Driver, and point the wizard to the copied driver folder (use "Have Disk" or specify the location). If Device Manager still shows "Standard VGA" after install, reboot and check the driver name and color/depth settings in Display Properties.

Troubleshooting and cautions:

  • Verify the INF text for vendor strings (SiS) before installing to avoid wrong drivers. If the chipset is unclear, use a hardware-ID tool appropriate for legacy systems (AIDA32/Sandra-era tools) to confirm the video chip. Avoid serial/key-sharing or crack sites (malware risk). If a full image restore is required and the recovery disc enforces a service tag, contact HP/Compaq support for options; for driver-only fixes, manual extraction/install usually suffices — as reported after obtaining the correct SiS chipset driver.

Recommended Answers

All 9 Replies

Member Avatar for Johnathan

If you have an actual full version of windows 98 then the serial number is universal I believe its the same for oem to. However while I would be glad to provide you with the serial number I'm not sure of the legalities behind it and not sure if I can post them here. I will need to check with a moderator.

Member Avatar for cguan_77

hi, you know the chip display already, then check Sis website for any drivers..

Member Avatar for fren

Open your quick restore cd and look for the driver folder and open it. Sometimes you will need to verify the number in the icon folder and compare it to the vga driver. That's it. Explore to your cd and you will locate it. No need for serial number. What you need is graphic display driver. If you are certain that your display adapter is sis530, I will upload the driver for you but i do not know how to do it.

Member Avatar for Carebare47

Open your quick restore cd and look for the driver folder and open it. Sometimes you will need to verify the number in the icon folder and compare it to the vga driver. That's it. Explore to your cd and you will locate it. No need for serial number. What you need is graphic display driver. If you are certain that your display adapter is sis530, I will upload the driver for you but i do not know how to do it.

I managed to download chipset drivers from the sis website. Thank you all so much for your help.

Member Avatar for darsh999

Yeah i agree but let me tell this is really a great site if one is a bit careful ... i just love it .. contains all the softwares serials i ever need .
A safer way is just get the serials never download anything like crack or stuff...!!! :D

Member Avatar for cguan_77

ok, as the problem carabare47 has been solved he managed to find out the right driver so this thread can be considered closed....

Member Avatar for zidini

He, i'm looking for serial number of windows millenium.
can you help me?
thinks

Member Avatar for caperjack

He, i'm looking for serial number of windows millenium.
can you help me?
thinks

sorry, none available on this forum

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