This report covers the rationale, step-by-step implementation, driver integration, performance tuning, and use cases for running Windows 98 Second Edition (SE) as a QCOW2 virtual disk image under QEMU/KVM.
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- Network: Realtek RTL8139 drivers for Win98 (often bundled with Windows 98 driver packs).
- Storage: IDE drivers are native; do not expect virtio or AHCI support without special drivers.
- Display: Cirrus Logic GD5446 driver (default) or generic VGA; 2D acceleration not available.
- Mouse: PS/2 compatible mouse works reliably.
- Time sync: no built-in QEMU guest agent; use manual time sync tools or NTP clients that support Win98.
- Useful utilities: driver packs (e.g., nLite legacy packs), Norton Ghost or image tools for backups, scandisk and defrag.
qemu-system-i386 -m 128 -cpu pentium2 \ -drive file=win98.qcow2,format=qcow2 \ -cdrom windows98se.iso \ -boot d -vga cirrus -soundhw sb16 \ -net nic,model=pcnet -net user Use code with caution. Copied to clipboard
