Converting a Windows 98 CD to Windows XP?

You really lost me.... your computers are windows 98 and vista, but you can't use it?

I don't know about programs running win 98 programs on vista, but there may be some. If it just loads off the cd, I would think it would work on vista.....

I still have win 98 on this computer dual-booted with xubuntu. This old computer will never die!!!

I'm not sure why it wouldn't work on an XP machine. Most Win98 applications will work under XP.

Since I don't know the specifics of why you are having trouble, I can't recommend a specific workaround for your disc. But if you find that you really must have Windows 98 to use it, you can install Windows 98 in a "virtual machine" on your Windows XP or Vista machine. This means that Windows 98 will run inside a window on your XP/Vista machine. To do this you need a Windows 98 installation disc, and a free copy of Vmware Server, which you can obtain here: http://www.vmware.com/download/server/ . Follow the directions that come with the download to install it. But I want to stress that this is probably your last resort solution, if nothing else works, because it's a fair amount of trouble to go to just to get one CD loaded.

Format the windows XP system and Install windows 98.

That depends on the format of the files that comprise the manual. If it's .pdf files, you can use Foxit Reader (free). If it's something else (you'll have to tell us), post the file types here, and someone can help you.