How to Install Windows 98 Display Drivers in VirtualbBox

In this video, I will show you how to install Windows 98 display drivers in Virtualbox. This is a necessary step if you want to get the best possible display performance from your Windows 98 virtual machine.

I will be using the SciTech Display Doctor driver, which is a free and open-source driver that supports high color and other advanced features. I'll walk you through the process step-by-step, and I'll also provide links to the necessary drivers.

I hope this video helps you install Windows 98 display drivers in Virtualbox. If you have any questions, please leave a comment below.

Note: that the SciTech Display Doctor driver is not the only way to improve the display performance of your Windows 98 virtual machine. There are other drivers available, such as the VBE (VirtualBox Extension) driver.

The VBE driver is not as feature-rich as the SciTech Display Doctor driver, but it is easier to install and configure. If you are not sure which driver to use, I recommend starting with the VBE driver.

Show Notes and Download Links

SciTech Display Doctor, previously known as Universal VESA BIOS Extensions (UniVBE), is a wonderful universal display driver for DOS and Windows 95/98 systems. This driver fixes the dreaded native 16-color display in favor of something better: high color. This happens to be a perfect display driver for VirtualBox systems as well.

Features:
Compatible with VirtualBox
VESA/MCCS (Version 7)
Scitech GLDirect OpenGL emulator (Version 7)
Usable as wrapper video driver (Version 6.5 and later)
VBE/Core 3.0 (Version 6 and later)
VBE/SCI (Version 6 and later)
16 color screen modes or text modes (5.3 only)

Requirements:
*Windows 95 or later
*DOS
Video card with 512 KB memory

*Must use the specified version

Files included:
SciTech Display Doctor v7.0 Beta (Windows)
SciTech UNIVBE 6.7 (DOS)
SciTech Display Doctor 6.53 (DOS and Windows)
SciTech Display Doctor 6.53-d (DOS)
SciTech Display Doctor 5.3a (DOS and Windows)
SciTech Display Doctor 5.3a-d (DOS)

Removing Splash Screen:
To remove splash screen, go to the taskbar and click run
Go to directory:[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run]
"SystemTray"="SysTray.Exe"

Notes:
-This driver does NOT support 3D acceleration.
-This driver has not been tested on VMWare machines.
-In case of this driver's failure on Windows 9x, try the alternative Windows 9x Driver Pack or Universal Display Driver

Bugs:
VirtualBox and VMWare may display a Windows Protection Error on Windows 98SE after installation.

Welcome to the Adventure! This is Adam. If this is your first time here thank you for stopping by. On this channel we discuss #retrocomputing pre Windows XP operating systems and related software. You will find how to videos, and demonstrations, among many other projects. There is a little bit here for all manner of retro computing enthusiasts.

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[benjaminmonro]

geezus, how did anyone in the 90's get anything done lmao.
You are a legend sir, thank you.

[MilkyWay-jhqx]

Finally my Windows 98 screen got bigger! This took some time and effort - but it was worth it in the end. Thanks!

[lShadowdark]

i got a problem after getting to 1:59, i restart but get a black screen that says "windows protection error, restart your computer" but even if i do it i cannot get past it.
Edit: I saw your cvideo about the problem and even there i hat a problem

[JeronimoFilho-znwy]

Hi... sorry for my English below :P

Would you download this version of SciTech Display Doctor? I tried to find it on the internet and I couldn't find it at all. What I found was a version of +/- 1MB and another of +/- 2.MB, in other words: very different from the file you use in video.
I tried to do the procedure with the files I downloaded and without success. There is always an error when executing them.

[lazymandn]

Thx man! Finally works! Greetings from Moscow

[justinkupchuk]

This just blue screens my VM and forces a restart when in safe mode for me.

[xanderartiaga]

You almost forgot the Insert Optical Drive, but I also learned it :).

[WayOutGaming]

Thanks for this video! Recently started using Linux and knew it had a few native Windows emulators. Wanted to see if I could get 98 working for some old classics like Sim Tower and Need for Speed III.

[EStarstruck]

what an absolute legend. thanks, man.

[magnusdcp]

Gracias FUNCIONA
Si en software real se les queda en windows está reiniciando... Apaguenlo así no presentará los problemas que presenta al usar Reset

[Aero_Purple]

Thank you so much for the tutorial! It worked amazingly well.

[nunovski]

1:59 When I restart the OS after applying the Scitech Nucleus Driver, I get a black screen with the words "windows protection error, you need to restart your computer". I then only get to load the OS in Safe Mode, in which I disable the Scitech Nucleus Driver and everything goes back to normal. As a result, I never get to have the VESA VBE Adapter. I don't know what to do. I'm using VirtualBox in Ubuntu 22.04.

[AmyS_br]

Thanks a bunch! You're a lifesaver!

[TopoCadFrance]

not working for me with Linux Mint via VirtualBox 6.1 and a AMD Picasso/Raven 2 [Radeon Vega Series / Radeon Mobile Series] card 😪

[ZeMeatChicken]

After choosing display driver WINDOWS PROTECTION ERROR

[RetroTechfan]

i want to get 1920x1080, but i can't

[HermanLoud]

Lol virtual bluescreen and virtual bricked