I have Windows XP Home Edition. I have a lot of old games that I'd like mty g'kids to be able to play. Most are for Windows 95 - 98. Is there anyway I can get these to play on my system, or are they no good to me. Thanks.You can try using compatibility mode in XP.
Install the game
Right click the shortcut or the main executable
select properties and select the compatibility tab

Check the box next to "Run this program in compatibility mode for:"
And select a windows version from the drop down menu.The problem is that win xp has a strong control of computer devices which win 95 and 98 don't have.
for instance, HALF Life 1 doesnt run on my pc, no matter what!(Sierra used to give away a patch, but now that support is on Valves hands they dont)

There is a trick that might help you, click with the right mouses' button on the game's icon, choose properties, go to the tab Compatibility and change "Run this program in compability mode for" and choose win95 or win98. BUT (why there is always a but?) some games wont work anyway.

I am pritty sure there is a way to install XP and 98 on the same machine, so you can PICK what op system you want to run at start up.

Ill try and find out how, i do think its just a matter of FINDING the disk and installing it.If deerpark's solution doesn't work, you can dual-boot XP and 98.
However, Windows 98 needs to be installed first, and it may be hard to get HOLD of nowadays.I do have a windows 98 program that I found in our office that has never EVEN been opened. I was afraid that it would do something to xp if I installed it. Maybe I should give it a try. I found a website where they do have the old games to download. Somehow they say it is compatible with xp. We'll see. They want $9.95 per game.Deerpark's suggestion should work. If not, feel free to list the game titles and we'll see what other patches/solutions we can come up with.