[REQ] AST Computer Windows 98SE Restore CD

[AJ2ZX]

Hello,
I have an AST Computer from 1999, but I cannot find the original Restore CD for Windows 98SE. I tried numerous searches through search engines and I only resulted in finding the restore items for Windows 95 for older AST Computers. If it helps, my specs are: Pentium III, 8.4GB HDD, 8MB Onboard NVIDIA RIVA TNT2, and 64MB RAM. The computer is made by AST Computers LLC, not by AST Research. I would appreciate it if someone can help me out. Thanks.

[coltonspleen]

Unfortunately, it seems they are quite rare. You might be chasing ghosts with this one, I'm afraid...

[AJ2ZX]

I agree with you, but I have no choice but to do this. I contacted the people who did support for these machines, but they ended up losing all of the archived material. If I get this CD however, I will be able to upload to it to the FTP due to the rarity and the unique restoration process that it performs. I also need the bundled software pack which is: Microsoft Works Suite 99 (4 CD Version). I tried a couple times on the internet for this software, but could not find any downloads. Thanks.

[coltonspleen]

Good luck. I hope this gets you on the FTP for sure.

[AJ2ZX]

I apologize if I am bumping this post again, however the AST Computers LLC CD I am looking for has text engraved on it: "Resource & Driver Utility" CD by AST computer and when loaded it should say: Windows 98 Recovery CD AST Computer Warning! This option will erase all data on the your hard disk drive. Press Y to continue or N to restart system. From that point it should load into an MS-DOS prompt with Altiris Imageblaster Agent 1997-1999 running and starting the recovery process. Overall, the physical appearance of the disc is 50% colored and the other 50% Silver with the AST Logo on the colored left side. I truly need this to get this machine to the original state as it is deeply in need of the original OEM material. I have linked a Dropbox link that shows all the information of the computers that use this AST Computers LLC CDs and as well as other machines made by AST LLC. Thanks.

Link to files: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ac8xoyr8q3m4 ... NLQza?dl=0

[AJ2ZX]

I have managed to find this CD. It is the UK version and is not specifically designed for my machine. However, I have performed some testing and it does detect my machine as an AST Computers LLC machine with most of the drivers being installed, except a few which I had drivers for as this was intended for the Century City 100 and I own a Bravo Series. After all it is the UK variant and I had changed some settings to the USA ones to the best of my ability. Overall, it is a minimal install of Windows 98SE with a few AST goodies. Most of the software is the UK variant, such as FreeServe, etc. I have linked below some pictures of the recovery procedure this CD performs and the end results with some minor modifications done by me, such as the wallpaper that looks AST OEM designed by another vintage computer enthusiast.

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/nr3rvuyu9hrr ... jtE5a?dl=0

Here is the links to the AST Recovery CD with Windows 98 SE for the AST Century City machines (It has already been uploaded to the Internet Archive, but can possibly added to the FTP):

https://dans-things.com/index.php/2019/ ... k00001-00/

https://archive.org/details/ast-system-recovery-cd-1999

Hope this helps others who are looking for this as well. I am still on the lookout for the USA version of this CD and other various AST Recovery/Resource CDs linked below:

https://web.archive.org/web/20010212081 ... loads2.htm

If anyone has these, please reply in this thread or PM me. Thanks.