Deleted member 831638
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- May 8, 2019
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I know some people will ask why am I wanting to install Windows 98 to an SSD... Retro computing has been a big thing in recent years and there are people who want to use a retro PC for all kinds of retro things that a modern PC can't do, or can't do well. Some will say "just use virtual box" Its not the same and takes away the nostalgia because your using a modern PC. I am a retro computer enthusiast.
Although its nice to have things period correct on a retro machine, that is not always possible and sometimes a modern piece of hardware like an SSD is needed to maintain the functionality of a retro system via an IDE to SATA adapter made for retro tech. Old spinning hard drives are failing from many years of use although you can still get some that still have a decent amount of life still in them but many have failed or will fail.
I know somebody will point out that you'd never benefit from the full speed of an SSD on a retro computer with the IDE interface being one of the limitations but come, we are using Windows 98, having the optimum speed is not necessary. The whole point of an SSD is to have a fully working usable retro PC that can be enjoyed for many more years.
Why not use a SD Card or CF Card via an adapter? I see a lot of people doing just this, and yes it will work but for how long is another question entirely. Those two options have got to be one of the worse solutions because SD cards and CF cards are not designed for that kinda use and often die relatively quickly, some might last longer than others, CF cards will take a bit more punishment than an SD card but the inevitable will happen because the storage devices are being thrashed from all the writes they are doing when used as a hard drive. The first signs will be strange errors or crashes and then blue screens then failure to re-format, re-install the OS. Yes you can get industrial grade SD cards and CF cards but those will also fail, you might get away with it on a DOS only system or Windows 3.1 at a push you might be fine.
This is where SSD shines because they have been made for the purpose. Running Windows 98 will be no sweat for an SSD although Windows 98 doesn't support TRIM, that presents an issue but there are practical work around's which makes SSD a god send for a retro system with a failing, or failed hard drive. Some solid state drives are better than others, some even have TRIM built into them. An SSD may need to be maintained on an OS like Windows 98 with everything partitioned correctly.
I've got a few retro machines that I'm going to be resurrecting, none have hard drives and I've got some SSD's.
Although its nice to have things period correct on a retro machine, that is not always possible and sometimes a modern piece of hardware like an SSD is needed to maintain the functionality of a retro system via an IDE to SATA adapter made for retro tech. Old spinning hard drives are failing from many years of use although you can still get some that still have a decent amount of life still in them but many have failed or will fail.
I know somebody will point out that you'd never benefit from the full speed of an SSD on a retro computer with the IDE interface being one of the limitations but come, we are using Windows 98, having the optimum speed is not necessary. The whole point of an SSD is to have a fully working usable retro PC that can be enjoyed for many more years.
Why not use a SD Card or CF Card via an adapter? I see a lot of people doing just this, and yes it will work but for how long is another question entirely. Those two options have got to be one of the worse solutions because SD cards and CF cards are not designed for that kinda use and often die relatively quickly, some might last longer than others, CF cards will take a bit more punishment than an SD card but the inevitable will happen because the storage devices are being thrashed from all the writes they are doing when used as a hard drive. The first signs will be strange errors or crashes and then blue screens then failure to re-format, re-install the OS. Yes you can get industrial grade SD cards and CF cards but those will also fail, you might get away with it on a DOS only system or Windows 3.1 at a push you might be fine.
This is where SSD shines because they have been made for the purpose. Running Windows 98 will be no sweat for an SSD although Windows 98 doesn't support TRIM, that presents an issue but there are practical work around's which makes SSD a god send for a retro system with a failing, or failed hard drive. Some solid state drives are better than others, some even have TRIM built into them. An SSD may need to be maintained on an OS like Windows 98 with everything partitioned correctly.
I've got a few retro machines that I'm going to be resurrecting, none have hard drives and I've got some SSD's.