Comment #1: As you will see, it's painful to install Windows98 into VMWare. This raises a question: Why not use a competing emulator product, where installation of guest systems is easier? The answer is: hardware emulation is better in VMWare. Specifically, VMWare guest systems can use their own drivers for USB and other types of ports.

Comment #2: If you buy VMWare off the shelf in a store, be sure to look carefully at the box. The difference between the Linux version and the Windows version is subtle. I bought the wrong one and had to return it. The store was not happy.

Terms:

Win98 is the "guest system." Your computer's normal operating system is the "host system."

I used VMWare Workstation 4.0 for Windows. As you'll see, the method that worked for me involved constructing ISO files on the hard disk. VMWare documentation says this is an alternative approach, but it was the only one I could get to work. I could not make VMWare find the floppy drive and/or the CD (I forget which).

If you have questions, I'm probably useless. I did this so long ago that these notes are all that I can remember. In fact, you'll see that I didn't write details of the full procedure for a couple steps. You're on your own there. :-(

1. Win98 boot floppy

   This can be generated from an existing Win98 system.

   1. Click START MENU > SETTINGS > CONTROL PANEL
   2. Click ADD/REMOVE PROGRAMS
   3. Click STARTUP DISK tab
   4. Put blank floppy in the floppy drive and click CREATE DISK button

2. Win98 installation CD
3. Win98 product ID (i.e. the really long security code)
4. Undisker -- This is shareware, available here. (Alternatively, give Google "undisker site:tucows.com")
5. VMWare CD
6. VMWare serial number
7. USB driver (*not* zipped)
8. USB box, preferably with a test file on board

1. Install Undisker on the host system
2. Create a folder called VMWARE-ISO The actual name is unimportant -- just be consistent hereafter.
3. Put the Win98 CD in the CD drive, and launch Undisker.
   1. In Undisker, choose IMAGE > CAPTURE FLOPPY/REMOVABLE > D:\
      (assuming your CD drive is D:)
   2. Undisker will ask where you want to save it. Choose the VMWARE-ISO folder.
   3. Undisker will ask for a filename. Use WIN98CD
   4. Undisker will read the CD and write it to the hard disk.
      This may take awhile.
4. Put the Win98 boot floppy in the floppy drive
   1. In Undisker, choose IMAGE > CAPTURE FLOPPY/REMOVABLE > A:\
      (assuming your floppy drive is A:)
   2. Undisker will ask where you want to save it. Choose the VMWARE-ISO folder.
   3. Undisker will ask for a filename. Use WIN98FLP
   4. Undisker will read the floppy and write it to the hard disk.
5. Quit Undisker
6. If the floppy file has been named WIN98FLP.ISO, rename it to WIN98FLP.FLP
7. Eject floppy and CD

1. Straightforward installation of VMWare from CD to hard disk.
2. Launch VMWare
3. Choose HELP > ENTER SERIAL NUMBER, and enter the serial number that VMWare supplies with the CD.
4. Choose FILE > NEW > NEW VIRTUAL MACHINE
5. The virtual machine creation wizard will start. Accept default choices.
6. Choose EDIT > VIRTUAL MACHINE SETTINGS
7. [Fool it to think the CD ISO file created above is a CD drive]
8. [Fool it to think the floppy FLP file created above is a floppy drive]

1. Click the button in the VMWare window that looks like a right arrowhead.
2. After the VMWare logo shows, a DOS window will appear.
3. When faced with a DOS prompt (A:>), type FDISK. Accept all default choices, then quit. Pay particular attention to the last screen -- it is essential to format the disk.
4. When next faced with a DOS prompt, type FORMAT C:
5. When next faced with a DOS prompt, type SETUP
6. Win98 takes a long time to install. Accept all default choices.
7. Enter the Win98 product ID code when the time comes.

1. With Win98 running, install VM tools. Choose FILE > INSTALL VMWARE TOOLS
2. Be sure to follow the directions in the text window that will appear.
3. Open the display control panel, and set the window size to 800x600
4. You're off and running.

1. You can probably remove the .ISO and the .FLP files at this point.
   I have been too scared to do so!