Microsoft KB Archive/180014

= Error Message: This Pre-Release Version of Windows Has Expired =

Article ID: 180014

Article Last Modified on 1/22/2007

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Windows 98 Standard Edition

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This article was previously published under Q180014



SYMPTOMS
When you start your computer, you may receive the following error message:

Error: this pre-release version of Windows has expired. Contact your vendor for a new version of Microsoft Windows 98.

Press any key to continue...

When you press a key, the following message may be displayed:

  It's now safe to turn off your computer.



CAUSE
This behavior can occur if your computer's date is set to 8/25/98 or later, and you are running a beta version of Windows 98.



RESOLUTION
To resolve this issue, follow these steps:


 * 1) Write-protect the Windows 98 Emergency Startup Disk (ESD), and then insert it into floppy disk drive A.
 * 2) Start your computer, and then change the computer's date using the computer's BIOS setup utility.

NOTE: For information about using your computer's BIOS setup utility, consult your computer's documentation or manufacturer.

-or-

At the command prompt, type date, press ENTER, type the correct date, and then press ENTER.
 * 1) At the command prompt, type the following line, and then press ENTER:

sys c: a:


 * 1) Remove the ESD, and then restart the computer.



MORE INFORMATION
This error message should not occur until 8/25/98 or 1/1/99 depending on when your Windows 98 Consumer Preview Program (CPP) CD-ROM was released. If you have an earlier Windows 98 CPP CD-ROM, starting on 6/15/98, a warning message is displayed each time you start your computer to remind you that your copy of the Windows 98 CPP version is approaching its expiration date.

Additional query words: 98

Keywords: kbenv kberrmsg kbprb KB180014

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