Win95 and USB

[XenaRule]

I have a computer at home running on Win95. The cpu itself has 2 USB port. I know that Win95 doesn't support USB (if it's OEM). I downloaded an updated patch, I'm not sure if it worked. I have an optical mouse that uses USB port (it came with a PS/2 plug) and I tried the USB port. No responds. Is there another patch out there that allow Win95 to recognize USB port? Because I want to get a scanner and I dont want to get a parallel port. And are there parallel/USB adaptors?

My other solution to this problem is to upgrade it to Win98SE. However, the HD is only 6.4gig and I'm thinking of buying a 10gig HD for it. Can I do this? And is it easy enough that I can install it myself (I've installed a CD-RW myself)? Would I loose any from the original hard drive if the new drive is the slave drive?

The comp is a P2 266, 6.4HD, 64SDRAM, running on Win95.

What do you think?

[Norm]

Go with Win98SE. Full install. Only upgrade if you really really need to in oder to save what's on your old drive intact with all the programs you use.

Use the NEW drive as master, and the old drive as slave.
Copy the old drive to the new one.
Get a USB scanner.
Get some more ram if your mobo can support it too. Ram's cheap now.

[YeOldeStonecat]

I'd go with Win98. While yes Win95 B did have USB support, (after all, USB did come out before Win98 did) it was in it's beginnings, and not quite reliable yet. Many manufacturers won't even support their USB devices under Win95 anymore.

OEM installs of Win95B, C, and D, should have the USB support installed also. Some do it yourselfers, and mom'n'pop shop builts, may not have it installed. If you don't, and your motherboard has USB, most likely your device manager will have two devices kicked out, a PCI Bridge, and either unknown, or something to do with USB. ook for your Windows 95 cd-rom. On it, should see "With USB Support". If so, browse the cd through explorer, and...///trying to remember, been a long time///....I think the directory "Other", then a directory "USB"...within that, I think the executable name was "usbsupp". Double click that, it will run a full scandisk, then install. Upon rebooting, new hardware will be found. It's best to remove the two devices that are not properly installed in Device Manager first before running this executable. Upon reboot, if it asks for where the drivers are, most often C:\Windows, C:\Windows\System, and C:\Windows\Options\Cabs will finish it off.