Недавно для некоторых целей понадобилась рабочая система Windows 98. Т.к. я давно и окончательно пересел на Linux, другими системами я пользуюсь исключительно в виртуальных машинах, и обычно использую для этого Oracle VirtualBox. Однако у нее есть некоторые известные проблемы при работе с Windows версий ниже 2000 (а именно — производительность, отсутствие драйверов для виртуальных устройств и интеграции с «внешней» системой).
В поисках выхода из ситуации, пришлось рыть в сторону давно позабытого VMware. К удивлению обнаружил, что их бесплатный продукт VMware Player, за время моего расставание с этой линейкой, научился не только запускать уже существующие виртуальные машины, но и создавать новые. Со скачкой Linux-версии, правда, вышла какая-то непонятка: файл скачался в формате txt. Однако после переименования его в *.bin и добавления прав на запуск, установка прошла на отлично.
Ну а теперь, собствененно, по теме: в Windows 98 под VMware не работает звук, и в VMware Tools драйвера на звуковые устройства тоже отсутствует. Порывшись в буржунете нашел такое решение:
- Скачиваем и устанавливаем SBPCI_WebDrvsV5_12_01.exe;
- Перезагружаем Windows 98;
- Скачиваем eapci8m.ecw и копируем в папку C:\Windows\System;
- Щелкаем по «Моему компьютеру» на рабочем столе правой кнопкой мыши, выбираем «Свойства», идем на вкладку «Устройства»;
- В разделе «Звуковые, видео и игровые устройства» находим «SB PCI(WDM)», щелкаем по нему правой кнопкой, выбираем «Свойства»;
- Переходим на вкладку «Settings», жмем на кнопку «Add WaveSet» и указываем файл C:\Windows\System\eapci8m.ecw;
- Жмем «ОК», перезагружаем Windows 98;
блог одного программиста
These drivers can be used to get sound working in Windows 95, 98 and ME (although ME is untested) in VMware Fusion.
By default, Windows 9x versions don’t get sound because it’s no longer officially supported. These drivers have been tested on VMware Fusion 8.0 — if you get them working on later versions, please leave a comment.
The following drivers are included:
- Creative ENSONIQ Audio PCI driver (SBPCI_WebDrvsV5_12_01.exe) — Windows 98/ME
- Sound Blaster PCI 128 driver (SBPCI128Setupus_w9x.exe) — Windows 95
You should have the VMware Tools installed before installing the driver.
For Windows 95, before installing the drivers, you must shut down your VM and edit its main vmx (configuration) file. Remove all pciBridgeN.present, pciBridgeN.virtualDev, and pciBridgeN.functions entries, where N is 0 through 7 (as many as there are). Then add pciBridgeN.present = «false» to the bottom of the file, seven times, with N being 0 through 7 (pciBridge0, pciBridge1, etc).
This allows you to install the driver successfully; otherwise your system would crash due to an IRQ conflict. Cancel any automated «new hardware found» dialogs until you have run the driver installer and restarted the system.
For Windows 98, you need to edit your vmx file and add sound.virtualDev = «es1371» to the bottom of the file. Then run the driver installer.
More links:
Edit, 2023-06-01: to the reviewer, these files are specifically for VMware Fusion 8.0, which is exclusively a Mac product. I don’t know what version that corresponds to for Windows. Don’t blame me for your BSOD just because you did not read the instructions.
How to install sound in Win95, 98, 98SE in VMware Workstation (Instructions made from a Windows 98 SE)
1. Install Win95, 98, 98SE.
2. Download the sound drivers from
3. Unzip the files.
4. Open the «System Properties»
5. Choose the «Device Manager» tab
6. Choose the «PCI Multimedia Audio Device» that is not installed and press «Properties»
7 Press «Reinstall Driver» then «Next» and then the first option (Search for a better driver than the one your device is using now. (Recommended)) then press «Next»
8. Browse to the driver directory that you unzipped before then press «Next» then press «Next» again (the device is starting to install) and then press «Finish»
9. Close down the applications and restart windows.
10. Now another setup window appears press «Next» Choose a installation directory and press «Next» then press «OK»
11. Now the should the sound work properly. Good Luck : )
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Operating System: Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition
To play the sound for windows 98 in VMware, you need to download the below drivers.
To download, right-click the link and select “Save Target As…” or “Save Link As…”
- SBPCI_WebDrvsV5_12_01.exe
- eapci8m.ecw
- Install SBPCI_WebDrvsV5_12_01.exe and restart your windows 98.
- Copy the file eapci8m.ecw into C:\windows\system.
- On the Windows Start menu, click Settings, click Control Panel, click System.
- In the System Properties, click Device Manager, expand Sound, video and game controller, click SB PCI(WDM), click Properties.
- In the SB PCI(WDM), click Settings.
- In the MIDI Synthesizer Waveset, click Add WaveSet.
- Select the file eapci8m.ecw in C:\windows\system, click OK.
- 8 MB GM/GS Waveset ver 5 will be displayed under MIDI Synthesizer Waveset.
- Click OK twice to exit and restart your windows 98.
Related Links
Click Here for Microsoft Windows 98 First Edition (with Screenshots)
Click Here for Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition (with Screenshots)
Click Here to find out if you are using MS Windows 98 First Edition or MS Windows 98 Second Edition
Author: coppermine
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This driver is really meant for a Creative Sound Blaster PCI128, but it just happens to work fine on VMware! Anybody’s VMware player/workstation which refuses to play audio despite tools installed can now use this as an alternative! This sound driver is reported to work with many VMware installations, but have caution and backup your virtual machine in case something goes wrong! In case you also need a video driver, try VEMP as a last resort! This driver only works with Windows 98FE and 98SE!
Windows 98 or 98SE CD (disc required during installation!)
Notes:
**If you are seeking a more universal VMWare driver, try this one. Be warned, the alternative driver does not work on 98SE despite working on 98FE.
**This driver has not been tested on Windows ME!
