Activating Windows 98

+1. But honestly, with good old Linux, you can do so much more and it's definitely more secure. Install Windows 7 if your PC can handle it, of course, or otherwise switch to Ubuntu; it's good for beginners (and others too) really, like don't even think about trying Gentoo right from the start.

If it's an OEM and you've already installed it on another PC (more specifically, another hard drive), then you won't be able to reinstall it on another machine. That's the logic from M$.

Oh well. It's not an OEM, but after installing it so many times, it doesn't work anymore. But normally, when you call Microsoft and give them your valid key, they make it work or give you another one. But for them, Windows 98 might be from another era (almost 11 years ago, OH WOW, they probably don't even remember they made it^^).

I was right "too old" they don't know anymore^^.
Otherwise, your Windows 7, if you reinstall it 10,000 times on the same PC and on the same hard drive, you can activate it. (10,000 times is to impress, of course, let's be clear, 10 activations would already be quite a lot, but if it gets blocked, just a little overpriced call to M$ and there you go, the little key is unlocked.

"Finally, we are limited to 1 activation per day and 10 activations per internet": in theory, I know something about it...

It's a classic

Well, I know Microsoft and sometimes the keys are very strange: sometimes you activate them once and then nothing happens, or you can activate them 5 times without any problems.
Otherwise, HOMBOURGEOIS, we don't have to get angry about a key, right?
"We don't care because W98 or Me doesn't activate!!". Maybe now and indeed, but I have already tried Win 98 keys without being able to continue the installation, but as I was saying, that must be a while ago and I apologize for that.
Win 98 in terms of security is 0, I know what I'm talking about; even XP is starting to become a real Trojan magnet, so be careful if you go on the internet with it.