Registration Code for Windows 98?
Reply #2 –
Here's what's in my WindowsInstallCodes.txt file....
"How do I install Windows98 without using a product key and
bypassing the upgrade check?"
---------------------------------------------------------------
Method 1:
DISCLAIMER: THE FOLLOWING IS PROVIDED FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. DO NOT DO THIS. IT IS ILLEGAL IN THE UNITED STATES. IT VIOLATES THE MICROSOFT LICENSE AGREEMENT THAT YOU AGREE TO WHEN YOU INSTALL WINDOWS98. THIS INFORMATION WAS SENT TO ME ANONYMOUSLY.
I DO NOT KNOW IF IT ACTUALLY DOES WHAT IT PURPORTS TO DO. I DO NOT WANT TO FIND OUT. DO NOT DO IT.
ANONYMOUS writes:
"To bypass the product key on Windows 98, do the following:
copy the entire Win98 directory from the CD to a directory on
the hard drive
extract precopy1.cab pidgen.dll
debug pidgen.dll
-e 1ed7
xxxx:1ED7 39. 8b
-e 1edf
xxxx:1EDF 39. 8b
-w
-q
For those with a hex editor, patch offset 1dd7h and 1ddfh from
bytecode 39h to byttecode 8bh. Debug works fine (file is <64k
so no segment adjustments are necessary) for patching small
files like this one.
run SETUP and type in ANYTHING for the serial number. The only
exception is all zeros; that's apparently a backdoor that was
shutdown before pidgen.dll was released.
Win98 will use the modified pidgen.dll file instead of the
unmodified one stored inside of precopy1.cab archive.
-----------------------------------------------------------
Method 2:
This method only works with the OEM version.
1. Install Windows 98 as you normally would.
2. At some point when it is finished, it will reboot the machine and ask for the product ID. Abort it and shut the machine down when it asks.
3. Reboot the machine, and press F8 when it says Starting Windows 98. Choose Safe Mode.
4. Once in safe mode, use regedit to find the product id (HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion).
5. Change the product id to be anything you want. It doesn't appear to care what you enter as long as something is in there.
5. Reboot the machine. It should continue with the setup.