Win98 key code puzzle

[Rigoletto]

OK the scenario is this: I bought my old PC at a closing down sale. It had Win95 CD, but Win98 installed (don't ask why).
The HD connection was faulty and repaired, but other things were going wrong with the OS that the engineer couldn't fathom. He copied the CAB files for me and suggested I try a reinstall. I noted the registration number, but when I entered it, Win 98 wouldn't accept it! I checked the CDR copy of some former win98 files and sure enough my registration number was right.
What happened? Was Windows validating the CDrom, because I didn't have the original? This is why I had to go back to Win95.
BTW does anybody have the student licence upgrade to Windows? Does it require the Win95 CD? I want to give it away!

 

[paulip88]

I doubt that windows 98 checks the CD. Reason why I say this is that I burned a legal copy of 98SE Upgrade from a server (site license) and installed off that. Furthermore, the burned copy had a damaged CAB file, so I inserted my Win98SE OEM CD in and it didn't give me any issues at all.

 

[Ladi]

OEM, upgrade, and full retail versions have different working reg codes.

~Ladi

 

[Spiff]

the cd doesn't get looked at. the key was most likely incorrect for the version of the os your were running. a clean install will work just fine.

 

[Rigoletto]

Uh... I am not sure I made myself clear. For the registration, or key, code, I entered what it showed in the windows system info page of my registration number. Is the disk key code and the registration number the same thing?
Are you trying to tell me that the engineer gave me CAB files off a disk that wasn't the same retail type? Should that affect it? (Duh).
Anyway, I have WinME as of today so William H. Gates II+ can KISS-MY-ASS!