Difference between w98se upgrade and full version 2

[tyro]

I was interested in finding out exactly what was different between the windows 98 se upgrade cd and the full version. Since you can do a clean install with the upgrade cd [as long as you have a previous version of windows on disk] I figured that there couldn't be much difference between the full version cd and the upgrade cd.
To test out my theory, I copied all the files from the upgrade cd to a directory on my DOS computer and all the files from the full version onto another directory. I then did a file compare [using the fc command] between the two directories. I found out that the CAB file precopy2.cab in the \WIN98 directory was slightly different on the upgrade cd than on the full cd.
I extracted all the files from precopy2.cab from both cd's into two different directories and ran another file compare. I found out that 2 files were different: sutupx.dll and setuppp.inf
I then replaced the cab file in the upgrade directory on the hard drive with precopy2.cab from the full version cd. I was then able to install the OS as if it was the full version. the only downside of this was that I had to use the CD Key for the full version of windows, my upgrade cd key wouldn't work.
Does anyone know how to make it that I will still be able to use my upgrade cd key even after I replace the precopy.cab file? [in other words, which files should I keep from the old precopy2.cab or how I should edit the two files that are different?]

Any comments or [constructive] critisism would be appreciated

 

[cdogg]

It's my understanding that the only difference is what product key is accepted. With the upgrade version, you could use an older product key and actually upgrade from an existing OS. With the Full Version, you have to start from scratch (formatted drive). Other than those two things, the two operating systems are identical.

So, replacing those files and changing the upgrade version to the full version is just losing the functionality that you want...


~cdogg

"The secret to creativity is knowing how to hide your sources."
- A. Einstein

 

[tyro]

cdogg

I not really sure I understand what you are saying. From my experiences I have noticed that you can do an upgrade install with the full version of the windows 98 cd. The point of an upgrade cd is a way to get the new operating system for less money since you have already paid for a previous version of windows. The downside of the upgrade cd is that you still have to have the previous version of the OS onhand [either the cd or on your computer].
I'm also not sure what you mean by the only difference is the product key

I hope you will enlighten me
tyro

 

[cdogg]

I hope you will enlighten me
- Well I'll sure try!


I haven't had the pleasure of using both the upgrade and full version discs. Since I always do a clean install, I never paid much attention to whether you could upgrade using the full version. So, I apologize if I mislead you. YES, you can do an upgrade with the full version.

It's my understanding that it makes no difference which version you start with. Windows 98 will still be Windows 98. Just because you installed it from the upgrade CD doesn't mean you're gonna get a "cut-down" version of Windows.

You're saying, "Well, what about the 2 files that are different?". The 2 files are responsible for the setup routine, which also involves accepting the product key that you enter. The reason why these 2 files are different is that the product keys between full and upgrade are different. It's that simple...why bother??


Why are you going through all this trouble?
~cdogg

"The secret to creativity is knowing how to hide your sources."
- A. Einstein

 

[Kento]

Here's what the 98SE upgrade has:

http://thetechnozone.com/pcbuyersguide/software/system/Win98SE.html

 

[Kento]

Oops, I may have misinterpreted your question. I thought you were asking the difference between 98SE and the original 98FE.

 

[Pickering]

If you simply wish to change the Product Key back to that of the "upgrade" CD you can do it by editing the Registry.
Open the Register (Start/Run type "regedit&quot. Do a search for the current product key and change it to that of the "Upgrade CD."

However, none of us seem to be clear on the purpose of the exercise? If none of our answers suffice, please define your purpose of the exercise more clearly. If your search does't bring up prod. key and you really want to make the change, I can provide you with the path to the registry key. Thanks.

 

[Guest_imported]

Can you upgrage usign the full version?

I have the full version of Windows 98 and am wanting to install it onto a PC that currently has Windows 95. I used the boot disk and launched setup but it said I had to purchase the upgrade version!

 

[Kento]

can't think, typically with the full version you'd want to format then install. But there's a little trick you can do to get around that. That is to rename win.com from dos then install 98 over top of 95. If you do that make sure you point the install to the current windows folder (c:\windows) or setup will create a folder called windows.000 and install into that. If that happens you'll have big problems. If you try that make sure you have your important files backed up first in case of a problem. I don't recommend installing 98 that way so do that trick at your own risk. Don't blame me if something goes wrong. But i've seen many do it without a problem. However i've seen others have some problems after like having to reinstall the video card driver and some other things. But as I said, do it at your own risk.

 

[tyro]

Let me explain the purpose of my exercise a little better.
I have the win98 se upgrade cd. When I want to do a clean install I am prompted to insert my previous version of windows.[It only asks this if it does not find a version of windows on the hard drive]. My previous version of windows is windows 3.1. I have to insert 4 windows 3.1 disks before it accepts this and goes on.
This means that along with my upgrade cd I have to carry around 4 disks as well. as you can imagine, this can get a little cumbersome. Therefore, I looked for a way to use my upgrade cd without having to carry 4 disks around. [If I had a cd burner I would burn the windows 3.1 disks on to a cd and be done with it. Unfortunately, I do not have a cd burner].
I knew that the complete OS was on the upgrade cd so I was sure that there wasn't too much difference. I compared the files and found that precopy2.cab was different on the full version then on the upgrade version. [the full version was borrowed from my friend]
I now can fit all I need to make a clean install on one disk. I copy all the files from the \win98 folder on the cd to the hard disk and replace the precopy2.cab with the copy from the full version. The only downside is that I now need the cd key for the full version, my key [from the upgrade cd] no longer works.
What I would like to do is somehow isolate the cd key from the file from the full cd and replace it with the key from my upgrade cd. [i won't have to de-encrypt it, just replace it]. There is no real reason to do this except that the cd key from the upgrade cd is on the case that came with the cd.

Hopefully, this should answer your questions [especially the most important one, "why bother?"]
Tyro

 

[BeenThereDoneThat]

tyro:

There is no CD key on the disc. Think about it, if you press 1 million copies of a disc from a master then all 1 million discs would have the same CD key. In order to get around this problem the disc contains a CD Key generator. It uses a math routine and a specific algorithm. When you enter your key the generator only uses a few of the characters you enter, it then calculates what the remaining characters should be and then compares the 25 digit code it got to the code you typed in. If all 25 digits are the same it proceeds, if even 1 digit is incorrect the install stops. A different algorithm is used for the Upgrade and Full discs. This is why your upgrade key won't work with a full install disc. The key generator is NOT located in the precopy2.cab file. The two files you are talking about only contain the algorithm and a check routine. All the experts on this forum know how to alter the generator to accept any key, however none of them are going to teach you how to be a hacker. It is illegal and a violation of the EULA.

 

[tyro]

BeenThereDoneThat

"All the experts on this forum know how to alter the generator to accept any key, however none of them are going to teach you how to be a hacker. It is illegal and a violation of the EULA."

How about if I say please?
But seriously, If what you say is true, then I don't need to find and alter the key generator. All I would need to do would be to isolate the algorithm on the upgrade cd and replace it with the algorithm from the full cd. Would you tell me how to do that?
Thank you very much. Your answer was what I was looking for and helped out a lot.
Tyro

 

[tyro]

can't think

You wrote:
"Can you upgrage using the full version?
I have the full version of Windows 98 and am wanting to install it onto a PC that currently has Windows 95. I used the boot disk and launched setup but it said I had to purchase the upgrade version!"

Try running the setup program while in windows 95. IF I remember correctly, the install program will give you an option to either upgrade or do a full install.

tyro

 

[edfair]

You might also try to run the setup from the win98 directory. It is a different one and some have had success using it rather than the one on root. But I'm not sure that the success came with 95s or 98s. Ed Fair
unixstuff@juno.com
Any advice I give is my best judgement based on my interpretation of the facts you supply. Help increase my knowledge by providing some feedback, good or bad, on any advice I have given.

 

[cdogg]

Unfortunately, the algorithm is encoded within a file that contains other instructions which prompt for the windows cd/disks. You would literally have to extract lines of code from this file that exists on both cd's (upgrade and full version) and swap them. Then, you would have to re-encode the file (compile, link, etc).

Either way you look at it, you're modifying "copyrighted" files. Honestly I could care less, but this forum is not the place to hand out such information.

If your desperate, use a file-sharing program to obtain a MS key generator...
~cdogg

"The secret to creativity is knowing how to hide your sources."
- A. Einstein