First off, I "went Mac" several years ago (when I got a MacBook Pro from my family for Christmas 2013) because I despise Microsoft and Windows-based computers and HATE Bill Gates (but that's a separate issue!) with a PASSION. Prior to my MacBook Pro, pretty much EVERY computer I ever had were PCs going all the way back to Windows 3.1 in the early 90's, and MS-DOS prior to that. But, no matter what kind of PC computer I had, whether laptops, desktops or netbooks — and regardless of the brand (whether HP, Acer, Toshiba, Dell, Gateway, or some generic brand), and no matter what Windows operating system it used (whether Windows 3.1, Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows NT, Windows XP or Windows Vista), I had nothing but problems with those computers from day one.
There was always constant screen freezing, computer crashes, incredible slowness, viruses, spyware/malware/adware (despite anti-virus protection and anti-spyware/malware/adware software which just slowed down the system) and other hassles. Meanwhile, most, if not every Apple user I spoke to said how much easier and user-friendly that Mac computers were — and my own experiences using Apple/Macintosh computers in school from elementary school through high school, was further confirmation of how superior Apple/Mac is compared to Microsoft, or MicroSUCK as I often call it. Which is why I will NEVER, EVER buy a Windows-based PC or device again if I can help it or as long as I have any say in the matter. After getting my MacBook Pro, and seeing how much easier, and less troublesome it is, I am a total Apple/Mac fan, and over the years have either bought, or gotten as gifts, not only a MacBook Pro, but an iPhone, iPod Touch, Apple TV, iPad, iPod Classic, and Mac Mini. Like some people say, "Once you go Mac, you'll never go back!"
However, by the same token, I am also somewhat of a packrat (though I'm trying to reform!) and as such, I still have several old Windows PCs, not just netbooks & laptops, but also 2 desktops PCs from the late 90s and early 00s, that I cannot bring myself to part with — and even though I've totally "gone Mac", I wanted to start re-using one of those old Windows computers to play Windows 95/98 PC games. Unfortunately, since the only functional PORTABLE (netbook or laptop) computer is a Windows 7 NETBOOK, there is NO CD-ROM drive to install & play Windows 95/98 CD software games, and though I could probably buy an external CD-ROM/DVD drive to use with the netbook, I don't want to spend money on an optical drive for a Windows PC when I don't even know if the games would even be compatible with Windows 7.
So the only option is the two old desktop PCs — of which the newer one, from the early 2000s is NOT functional (or doesn't appear to be). I mean, it seems to turn on, but doesn't load/go any farther than just powering up. Whereas, the other PC, which is from 1998, is mostly functional, except that it is totally "offline". Being from 1998, it isn't Wi-Fi compatible in any way, shape or form (even a wireless USB Wi-Fi dongle I have doesn't work with this computer) and its not logistically feasible to connect it directly to the router/modem. Back in the days when I was using this computer regularly, I used dial-up ISPs to connect to the Internet. But now it makes no sense to pay for dial-up ISP and landline phone ON TOP OF paying for broadband/high-speed home Internet. Not to mention the added risks of security breaches & viruses/spyware/malware from connecting a computer with a Windows OS that hasn't updated its security settings. For example, originally, this PC used Windows 98SE, but many years ago, I'd foolishly upgraded it to Windows 2000 from a CD that came with the other, now non-functional desktop PC.
Although I now realize that upgrading to Windows 2000 was a big mistake because it doesn't work properly with (or even run!) Windows 95/98 games, it seems that the only way to downgrade and go back to Windows 95 or even Windows 98 is to remove Windows 2000 — and apparently doing that requires the original Windows 2000 software CD and license key. Unfortunately, in the intervening decade or so, I lost both the CD and the license key for Windows 2000. Which means I'd either have to buy the Windows 2000 OS software AGAIN, secondhand (since of course its outdated and discontinued) just to uninstall it, or I'm stuck with Windows 2000 and unable to downgrade to Windows 95. I don't really know which to do. I mean, it feels like a waste to spend $20 or $30 or more just to buy an operating system solely to uninstall it. But yet since I now bought the Windows 95 software, that will also end up being a waste without any computer to install it on — and short of taking it into a computer repair shop and getting them to remove & replace the hard drive (assuming they would even be WILLING to do that for a computer that's over 20 years old!) and then on the computer's new hard drive, installing Windows 95 (and maybe Windows 98 or Windows XP in a partition) I don't know how to get past this hurdle.
I wish I had known/realized that I couldn't use this Windows 95 OS before I bought it, because it'd be more hassle than its worth to try to return it, and yet I don't know how I'm going to be able to use it either.
Which is why, for the time being, I've given this product 3 stars since I haven't used actually USED this product recently. Once I can actually USE it I will rate it more accurately. The reason I'm giving this a neutral rating for now — and NOT rating this LOWER, even though, as mentioned, I despise Microsoft & Windows-based devices and I HATE Bill Gates with a PASSION (if only Bill Gates would spend more time trying to fix his bug-ridden, virus-plagued crap Windows PCs, and less time getting in bed with Monsanto & Merck and trying to pollute the planet and destroy mankind..........maybe then he'd be able to manufacture a quality product!) is because I recently noticed that when using my Windows 2000 desktop PC offline these days, I've had a LOT less problems (if any!) with the computer, than I did in the days when I was using it to connect to the Internet via dial-up ISPs. So I dunno, but maybe the problem was not necessarily with the Windows OS itself, but with these computers being connected to the Internet, and being slowed down by all the clunky anti-virus software (like Norton & McAfee) — which I removed from the Windows 2000 desktop PC when I took it offline. But by the same token, the reason I am not rating this product HIGHER is based on my memories of Windows 95 and all the problems I had with it, back then, in the 90s.
That being said, If I am able to find a way to install this Windows 95 operating system, either on the 1998 desktop PC or some other computer, and can then FAIRLY evaluate it, I might raise or lower the rating as applicable. But for now, I'm giving it 3 stars!
★☆★ 3 STARS!!!!
Pamela185
Cary H
mengfanxin