Error Message: This Pre-Release Version of Windows Has Expired (180014)

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:

Write-protect the Windows 98 Emergency Startup Disk (ESD), and then insert it into floppy disk drive A.
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.
At the command prompt, type the following line, and then press ENTER:

sys c: a:
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.