Windows 3x/9x Discussion

[cleverscreenname]

On any machine that has a FDC floppy disk controller (all legacy motherboards, unless you convinced BIOS to disable the FDC), Windows will automatically display an A:\ drive, even if BIOS doesn't see one. So helpful, huh? LOL.
If you're in Windows 98, open a command prompt (command.com) and type SYS C: E: to copy the boot sector and boot files (io.sys, command.com, and a "blank" msdos.sys settings file) from C to E
Windows ME is programmed to not allow SYS to any drive other than A: or B: thanks Microsoft! (it's one of the ways MS tried to pretend Windows ME wasn't running on top of DOS exactly like 9x, so they could advertise ME as a superior OS hahaha )

 

[cleverscreenname]

Oh, I missed your change drive letters. Yes, open device manager/hardware/whatever it's called in 98 that shows the list just like XP does (devmgmt.msc in XP), then open the properties for your cd drive, and that's where you set your desired drive letter. Things like A:\ and C:\ are set by DOS before Windows loads, so you can't (easily) change those (nor would you want to)!

 

[Martingonn]

Talk about Windows versions such as:
Windows 3.0
Windows 3.1
Windows 95
Windows 98
Windows 98 SE
Windows Me

I have currently come to pick up laminated photos for someone. The shop uses old Kodak machines from 1995 - EVERYTHING is beige, the machinery takes up half the shop (looks like a donut-style kitchen isle), has a dirty tracking mouse and the built-in computer with its built-in screen is running a nice GUI program from Kodak on Windows 95 - the buttons were in weird shapes such as triangles and diamonds, it looked like the 90s trying-to-be-futuristic style + industrial.
Some of the parts, like CD drives or floppy readers were taken from PCs. The newest component was a Samsung RW CD + DVD reader - I recognized it immediately as my old PC had the same one.
I jokingly asked if I could buy the mouse but they (of course) declined - they mentioned not having a spare and how hard it is to find parts for this big machine these days.

If anyone is wondering why they use 9x in 2026 in a quite successful business, these are the most probable reasons
1. Newer equipment + employee training is too expensive
2. "If it works, don't touch it"
3. Kodak is currently in some trouble and they do not make such gear anymore
I believe it is a combination of 1 and 2.
Or maybe they just love Windows 95-powered Kodak machines. There is no certainty in this world.

I am currently researching to find the machine's name, if you know it or have some experience with one, please let me know!

Feel free to reply with your 3x-9x live encounters.

 

[Martingonn]

I have currently come to pick up laminated photos for someone. The shop uses old Kodak machines from 1995 - EVERYTHING is beige, the machinery takes up half the shop (looks like a donut-style kitchen isle), has a dirty tracking mouse and the built-in computer with its built-in screen is running a nice GUI program from Kodak on Windows 95 - the buttons were in weird shapes such as triangles and diamonds, it looked like the 90s trying-to-be-futuristic style + industrial.
Some of the parts, like CD drives or floppy readers were taken from PCs. The newest component was a Samsung RW CD + DVD reader - I recognized it immediately as my old PC had the same one.
I jokingly asked if I could buy the mouse but they (of course) declined - they mentioned not having a spare and how hard it is to find parts for this big machine these days.

If anyone is wondering why they use 9x in 2026 in a quite successful business, these are the most probable reasons
1. Newer equipment + employee training is too expensive
2. "If it works, don't touch it"
3. Kodak is currently in some trouble and they do not make such gear anymore
I believe it is a combination of 1 and 2.
Or maybe they just love Windows 95-powered Kodak machines. There is no certainty in this world.

I am currently researching to find the machine's name, if you know it or have some experience with one, please let me know!

Feel free to reply with your 3x-9x live encounters.

I've been looking this up and reading - I only see Kodak Picture Kiosk promotion material from the 2000s or newer picture kiosk versions. For reference, the machine visible below is not it. Rather, it is a newer version/different software and has a different color scheme.

It is entirely possible that the business got a machine built from random parts around an old Kodak kiosk. Nevertheless, if you have any more info, let me know.

 

[TMTGTR]

My neighbor has a biz that still uses Win98 & XP for manufacturing machines. I don't tech for him; he has a guy (who updated the Boss's wif'e Win 10 to Win 11 and now she's pulling out her hair). I told her to have the guy roll it back to 10... won't happen and now they probably think I'm nuts... Heh, heh