Windows 98 was unable to determine your current hardware configuration

Kyle_77 · Jul 11, 2017

So I have a Windows 98 SE laptop, and I recently installed the unofficial SP3(http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/OS-Enhancements/Unofficial-Windows-SE-Service-Pack.shtml). However, when I start the computer, I get an message:

"Windows was unable to determine your current hardware configuration. Select one of the list"

Under that is a list of hardware configurations. The first one is called "Original Configuration" and the second one under the first one is called "Undocked"

I have attached a screenshot of the message box.

https://i.kyle2000.ml/DSC00409.JPG
If you select any one of them and press "OK" at the top it will boot you into Windows normally. It is very annoying, is there anyway to detect the hardware configuration?

mbilal2 · Jul 11, 2017

You shouldn't have installed non-official drivers. You can uninstall them in the device manager (if there is one in Win98). Then go to the laptop manufacturers website and download drivers from there

Kyle_77 · Jul 11, 2017

mbilal2 :

The SP3 didn't install any drivers. Al it did was install the updates for Win98 and also some software such as Object Viewer, and the Management Console. I can try un-installing the service pack.

dark_lord69 · Jul 11, 2017

mbilal2 :

I'd be surprised if the manufacturer was still hosting the Windows 98 SE drivers for that laptop. I would upgrade to XP to fix this issue. On the other hand you'd be updating to another unsupported OS.

photonboy · Jul 11, 2017

You might want to consider getting a Linux distro that's appropriate to your hardware. You'll have a much, much better experience unless you have some W98 specific software that you need to run.

W98 can't even run modern web browsers AFAIK.
https://www.extremetech.com/computing/245136-youtuber-tries-use-windows-98-primary-machine-2017

Not my area of expertise but there's:
http://www.lxle.net/
and
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Lubuntu/GetLubuntu

Not sure if your laptop supports USB or DVD boot (may need to go into BIOS) but you can run many of these from USB or DVD without installing (though DVD would be painfully slow on an old laptop; USB isn't too bad).

If you find a distro that works you can then install to your HDD (or SSD).

mbilal2 · Jul 11, 2017

dark_lord69 :

Yeah chances are slim but worth a try. @Kyle if it still doesn't work, try a fresh install of Win98 or XP as @dark_lord 69 suggested.

Kyle_77 · Jul 11, 2017

dark_lord69 :

mbilal2 :

I'd be surprised if the manufacturer was still hosting the Windows 98 SE drivers for that laptop. I would upgrade to XP to fix this issue. On the other hand you'd be updating to another unsupported OS.

It is a Compaq M2000.

mbilal2 · Jul 11, 2017

RIP. HP bought Compaq in 2001. So you will have to find them on HPs website.

Found this but it's for windows XP.
http://hpnotebookdrivers.com/compaq-presario-m2000-notebook-pc-windows-xp-drivers/

Plus doesn't look 'official'

gasaraki · Jul 11, 2017

Just hit the original config setting. The other one is for when you are undocked. Back in the day, undocking a laptop required a shutdown so this dual config was needed.

Kyle_77 · Jul 11, 2017

gasaraki :

I have selected the original config, however on Startup it always displays the message,

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Windows 98 was unable to determine your current hardware configuration

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