Windows, CAB Files, "Insert Disk", blah blah blah,,,

Factual Questions
1
      • I put together a new PC from parts and bought a OEM copy of Win98 to use on it. Frequently when adding hardware, it asked for me to insert the Win98 CD because some-file-or-another couldn’t be found. I figured this was just some anti-piracy headache I was doomed to suffer.
  • While looking for something else, I noticed that no CAB files had been copied into the Windows/Inf directory. The other two/older PC’s I have both have their CAB files copied into their proper directories automatically during install, yet this one did not. The other two PC’s also never ask for the install CD afterwards. After copying the CAB files to the right directory, this one stopped asking, too. -Which was a good thing, because I was about to bitch to the seller that it was unworkable, because before, it would interrupt a long install sequence to ask for the Win98 CD (there’s only one CD drive in it right now). Was there some install feature I neglected, or is this a cheap swipe at foiling unlicensed use? - MC
2

When you install new drivers, etc. Windows generally looks for the path of the original install files, which in your case was the CD-ROM drive since you installed from the OEM CD.

Had you first copied all the files from the CD onto the HDD and installed from the HDD, let’s say to C:\wininst, Windows would automatically look in this directory, instead of asking for the original CD, everytime you need to install drivers etc. at a later date.

But let’s say you installed from the CD, but would now prefer to have Windows auto-use the cab files, you can just copy all the files to some directory ( as you have done to the inf directory ), and when it prompts you to insert CD, just use the browse option and locate the directory you copied all the files to. it should stop asking you for the CD hereafter.

3

MC, my installation of Windows 98 does not have any CAB files in the \WINDOWS\INF directory. If xash is correct, the reason is because my installation was installed directly from the CD (which is actually true).

However, I do agree with you on the merits of copying the CAB files to the hard drive for speed and ease of access.

4

MC, I think that the difference you see between the installation maybe because upgrade CDs do things differently than OEM CD do and preloaded installations are different also, so I don’t think it is something you overlooked.

I use the method xash does when building PCs. But if you do it after the fact you probably still get the dialog box and have to change the path. If you don’t mind editing the registry, the KEY: HK_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Setup\SourcePath contains the path where Windows looks for the installation files. You can change that path to where you copied the files and Windows will no longer ask for the CD.

(editing the registry can cause your machine not to run, do not attempt unless you are sure you know what you are doing and make sure you backup it up.)

Jim

5

CAB files are found in C:\Windows\Options folder.

6

for most things, i just browsed to either c:\windows, c:\windows\system or c:\windows\system32, most files were on the hard-drive but win98 had a preference for the cd-rom

7

All my real Windows install disks never copy cabs to the HD. Thats something you have to do, as xash mentioned. These days HD’s are huge so its more practical to do so.