Install Windows 98 SE in 86Box

This document is a mirror from: gist.github.com

I have successfully followed this guide and gotten a Windows 98 machine set up in 86Box. Below is the original guide I followed, copied here for safety and posterity. See the link above to visit the original guide hosted on GitHub.

–Kirsle

These instructions assume that you have all of the following installed:

• 86Box
• 86BoxRoms

Download Files

Windows 98 Second Edition:

Download Windows 98 Second Edition (OEM Full)

3dfx Voodoo 3000 Drivers:

Download Graphics Driver » 3dfx Voodoo3 3000 Install CD

Create new image

Run 86Box.

Click “Add”.

• Name: Windows 98 SE
• Configure this virtual machine now

Click “Add”, then “OK”.

Configure Machine Settings

Search: [i440BX] AOpen AX6BC

That will fill in:

However, change:

• Frequency to 200
• Memory to 32 MB

Now set the following:

Click “OK”.

Set up BIOS

Click “Start”.

Press DEL to enter BIOS

LOAD TURBO DEFAULTS

• Y

STANDARD CMOS SETUP

• Primary Slave: None
• Secondary Slave: None

PNP/PCI CONFIGURATION:

• PNP OS Installed: Yes
• Resources Controlled By: AUTO

INTEGRATED PERIPHERALS:

• Onboard Serial Port 1: Disabled
• Onboard Serial Port 2: Disabled
• Onboard Parallel Port: Disabled

SAVE & EXIT SETUP

• Y

Mount Windows CDROM

Wait until “DISK BOOT FAILURE” message.

Media > CD-ROM 1 > Image… > Windows 98 Second Edition.iso

Important: Do not eject this CD-ROM until you successfully log into Windows! If Windows prompts you for path to the CD, use D:\WIN98.

Press Enter.

Format drive

Choose:

• 2. Boot from CD-ROM
• 1. Start Windows 98 Setup from CD-ROM.

Choose “Yes, enable large disk support” when prompted.

When the machine reboots, again choose:

• 2. Boot from CD-ROM
• 1. Start Windows 98 Setup from CD-ROM.

Drive will be formatted, and Windows setup will begin.

Install Windows

Choose all Windows setup defaults - just press “Enter” at all prompts.

Product key: MKF6C-H6YG6-99QQ2-GHR48-QTQWG

When Windows setup is complete, log in.

Once logged in, you can eject the CD-ROM.

Install Drivers

Games

For better rendering speed, set: View > Renderer > OpenGL (3.0 Core)

You can also make the window larger using View > Window Scale Factor > 2x

Leisure Suit Larry (EGA)

• Extract ZIP files, mount folder and run “SIERRA.COM”

Need for speed II SE:

• Mount “Need for speed II SE.iso” as CD-ROM and install.

Chessmaster 8000:

• Mount “CM8000_1.cue” from “Chessmaster_8000_ISO\Chessmaster_8000_CD1”
• Use “Custom” install and install everything.
• Insert “CM8000_2.cue” when prompted.
• Mount “Chessmaster-8000_Patch_Win_EN_Patch-104\Chessmaster_8000_patch_104” as CD-ROM, and run “cm8k104.exe”
• Mount “Chessmaster-8000_NoCD_Win_EN\Chessmaster_8000_NoCD” as CD-ROM and copy “Chessmaster.exe” to “C:\Program Files\Chessmaster 8000” folder, overwriting existing file.

Monster Truck Madness 2:

• Mount “dea-mtm2.cue” from “Monster-Truck-Madness-2_Win_EN_ISO-Version\Monster Truck Madness 2 - ISO”. Choose “Complete” install.

Microsoft Dinosaurs:

• Mount “Microsoft Dinosaurs (1993)(Microsoft Home).iso”
• Open D: and run “Setup.exe”.
• Choose “Faster” (it requires a whopping 4MB of hard disk space, LOL)

Missing drivers?

Shouldn’t happen with these instructions, but just a tip in case you add some virtual device later.

Poke around in the Registry at HKLM\ENUM\PCI for some info on what Windows found. Beneath each will be the VEN_something and beneath that you will find the “culprits” - look for Class = “Unknown”. Look for the HardwareID at DeviceHunt to see what the device is. VOGONS Vintage Driver Library may have the drivers.

Page last updated on May 20, 2026