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What's New in Windows 98? A Lot!! |
Probably the best change in 98 is it's Architectural Changes:
Plug and play was a key feature of Windows 95. This functionality has been improved in Windows 98 with enhanced support for infrared devices and new hardware standards such as Universal Serial Bus (USB), IEEE 1394, and Digital Video Disc (DVD).
There is also built-in support for Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI), which as an open industry standard hopefully will make PCs as easy to use as televisions. And speaking of television, the new Microsoft Broadcast Architecture in Windows 98 will let you receive selected multimedia Internet content via a television cable, provided that you have a television tuner board.
Multimonitor support, MMX technology, and enhanced display change capability complete the list of system-related features. The new display features, first introduced with Windows 95b (OSR2), let you change your color depth or screen size on the fly. Since some programs do not display correctly when you make changes on the fly, Windows 98 gives you the option to reboot.
One of the coolest innovations in Windows 98 is the Win32® Driver
Model (WDM). This is a platform-independent format for device drivers that
lets hardware manufacturers write a single driver for Windows 98, Windows
NT 5.0, and all future Windows operating systems.
(Note to remember if you're having problems; it doesn't always
work, and you must load the original exuipment drivers)
True Web Integration
The expression "True Web Integration" means using the same method for browsing the local hard disk and the Web. In the past, you navigated local directories using Windows Explorer and the Web using Internet Explorer, Netscape Navigator, or some other browser. You had to switch programs to visit folders on your local network versus the Internet. The new Active Desktop blurs the distinction between local and remote folders, making both accessible via the same tool and following the same...
New: True Web Integration
The desktop operates much like a Web page. You Single-click items to
launch them instead of double-clicking; you hover the cursor over items
to select them. In addition, all your folders-including My Computer and
Windows Explorer-can display thier contents in either Classic Windows 95
view or in the new Web Style. With Web Style, each folder is like a Web
page; in fact, My Computer can browse your desktop or browse the Web, and
you won't know the difference.
New: Active Desktop
This integration Internet shell turns your desktop into a giant Web
page. You can put "live" HTML objects directly on your desktop, and make
your desktop background an HTML document.
New: New Settings menu items
Windows 98 takes many configuration options that used to be accessed
in disparate ways and centralizes them under the Settings menu. Select
Settings from the Start menu and you see the new options: Taskbar &
Start Menu, Folders & Icons, Active Desktop, and Windows Update.
New: My Documents folder
Click this new desktop folder and get instant access to your favorite
documents.
New: Interface animation effects
Tired of the boring Windows 95 menus? In Windows 98 menus slide out
when selected.
New: Display enhancements
Windows 98 adds several new ways to personalise your display-including
several features from Windows 95's Microsoft Plus! add-on.
New: Support for multible displays
If your sofware supports it-and if you add a second video card and
monitor-Windows 98 lets you run two displays at once. This is great if
you're developing Web pages-set up one display to show your HTML code and
another to show your output in a Web browser.
New: Features
Internet Explorer 4.0, Active Channels, Outlook Express, NetMeeting,
Microsoft Chat, Frontpage Express, Personal Web Server, Global Windows
Address Book, Online Services folder and built in ISDN support.
New: Utilities
TV Viewer, Inproved Accessibility options, a completely new Backup
program, Updated Disk Defragmenter, DriveSpace 3, Registry Scan, Kodak
Imaging, Windows Tune-Up Wizard, Windows System Update and Web Help.
New: Performance Enhancements
Fat32, Enhancements to power management and Support for DVDs
New: System Requirements
Microsoft states that minimum hardware requirments are: 80486DX-66
processor, 16Mb RAM, 150Mb free disk space, Mouse or other pointing device
and VGA or higher resolution. What is recommended here is a Pentiun P-75
processor, 32Mb Ram, 200Mb disk space, Mouse or other pointing device,
VGA or higher resolution and a 28.8 Kbps modem.
The increased requirements are based on the fact that you really need as much memory as possible to speed up operation, a lot of hard disk space to "cache" Web documents, and a connection to the Internet to use the Web-based Help System and perform system updates. In fact, the best thing you can do to speed up the performance of Windows 98 is to add more memory-as much as you can afford.
New: Problems with Installations
A few problems have appeared with the Release of Windows 98. Incompatibilities
with Lotus Notes, and certain Dell, Toshiba and Compaq computers have been
noted. See Installing and Setting up Windows 98
Managing Icons
Tip: Clear distracting icons
If you've got an Active Desktop with a smattering of handy Web pages
on it, the usual desktop icons such as My Computer, the Recycle Bin, and
Network Neighborhood can be a big distraction. But there are several ways
to clear the desktop for stuff you really want to see.
The easiest method is to right-click anywhere on the desktop and select Properties. Click the Effects tab, and then check the box marked "Hide icons when the desktop is viewed as a Web page." As long as you have active content on the desktop, the icons will be invisible. If you restore the desktop to its pristine state (by right-clicking the desktop, selecting Active Desktop from the pop-up menu, and then selecting View as a Web Page to toggle the feature off), the standard icons will return.
Tip: Remove select desktop icons
Some icons on the desktop are just plain annoying. Do you really need
to see MSN signup, My Briefcase, the Internet, or even the Recycle Bin?
If you can answer no to any of these questions, simply remove the obtrusive
icons.
Some icons, such as MSN signup, can be deleted easily (just right-click the icon and select Delete from the pop-up menu), but others need to be removed surgically. The safest way is by using TweakUI; for instructions on how to install it, see "Get help tweaking the interface."
Run TweakUI by double-clicking its icon in the Control Panel (select Start/Settings/Control Panel to get there). Under the Desktop icon, click to remove the checkmark next to any file you want off the desktop. Many of these icons can be converted into shortcuts and dragged into any folder that takes your fancy. To do this, select the item, and click TweakUI's Convert to File button. As a file, the item can be simply dragged off the desktop.
Note: Not all desktop icons can safely be converted to files. Network Neighborhood, for example, cannot; you'll just have to live with it on the desktop or risk losing your network settings completely. See "Clear distracting icons," above, for a way to hide it when you want.
Tip: Give a folder a background
Want a quick visual cue to differentiate the folders in Explorer? In
Windows 98, you can assign a background graphic to almost any folder--a
corporate logo for work, a GIF of your home for personal projects, whatever
tickles your optic nerve. (Certain exceptions, such as My Computer, apply.)
The process is part of the Customize This Folder option (either right-click
a folder you want to gussy up, and select Customize This Folder, or, with
the folder open, select View/Customize This Folder).
In the Customize This Folder wizard, select "Choose a background picture", then click Next. Scroll through the list of BMP and GIF files drawn from the Windows and My Documents folders, check out the preview, and select one. Keep in mind that if the graphic contains many dark colors, it may obscure the text in the window. To ensure that your icon captions are legible, either enable the text background color, or give the text another color. (You'll find all these options in the dialog box.) When you're done, click OK.
Don't let this happen to you. Spend a little time with Windows 98 keeping your PC in order. In exchange, Windows will give you some time to work on the other important elements of your life--mechanical or otherwise.
Tip: Keep your system up to date
There's nothing worse than being behind the times--but it's easy to
get that way with Microsoft's habit of putting out Service Releases (that's
Microspeak for bug fixes and fine-tuning updates). To make sure you're
up to date on all the latest components in Windows 98, use the Web-based
Update Wizard, which scans your system for old drivers and system files.
If there's a newer version on Microsoft's servers, the Update Wizard can
automatically update you--if you set it up to do so. Select Start/Windows
Update, and wait until you reach Microsoft's update Web site. Then select
the Update Wizard link, and follow the instructions to set up your update
account.
Tip: Go back in time
The trouble with upgrades is that they're not always better. So if
you're using Windows Update to download upgrades to Windows 98 from Microsoft's
Web site (see "Keep your system up to date" above), you'll sometimes download
a dog. To restore your system to its pre-upgraded configuration, you can
uninstall or roll back any update. The Update manager and its Web site
keep a log of each update and let you uninstall any that don't work properly.
Just select the configuration you'd like to return to, and you can roll
back the years faster than a high-class plastic surgeon.
Tip: Clean up your hard disk
Hard drives fill up with unnecessary junk faster than your mailbox
fills up with clearinghouse mail from Ed McMahon. CNET has run whole features
on how to get rid of it. Windows 98 does its part with Disk Cleanup, a
tool that scours the obvious places (temp-file directories, caches, Recycle
Bin, and so on), and purges, in a single click, all the ones you approve.
To run Disk Cleanup, select Start/Programs/Accessories/System Tools/Disk Cleanup. From the list of likely junk-filled places, select the ones you want to clear out, and then click OK. Presto! You've just regained a bag load of hard disk space.
Under More Options, you can also delete elements of Windows 98 and of Windows applications (it's another way to launch Control Panel's Add/Remove Programs function), and you can convert hard drives to the leaner FAT32 format (see "Trim the FAT?" for advice on this).
Tip: Put tools where you need them
Buried deep in a series of menus cascading from the Start menu are
some of Windows 98's most useful disk maintenance tools--Disk Cleanup,
System Information, and Registry Checker, to name a few. But you don't
have to dig for buried treasure every time you need them. Windows 98 lets
you create many desktop shortcuts simply by dragging and dropping items
from any of the Start menu's submenus.
If you want to place a whole folder from the Start menu onto the desktop, though, you need to do it the Windows 95 way: right-click the Start button, and select Open or Explore. Navigate through the Program folder to the subfolder with the stuff you want. Right-click the appropriate folder, and before releasing the mouse button, drag the folder onto your desktop; select Create Shortcut(s) Here from the pop-up menu.
Windows 98 is more than just a pretty face; it's a whole environment to work in. And as in any place of work, well, you're expected to get some work done. Here, then, are some tips for working in Windows 98 a little more efficiently.
Tip: Create your own Taskbar toolbars
Adding to the default Quick Launch bar in the toolbar area is great,
but you can also create your own toolbars to use in place of the Quick
Launch bar. Let's say you have five or six shortcuts you like to use often.
If you'd like them in their own special Taskbar toolbar, it's easy:
1. Drag all the shortcuts into a new folder (you can even drag items like Show Desktop from the Quick Launch Taskbar if you like).
2. When you have the new folder together, right-click a blank area on the Taskbar, and select Toolbars from the pop-up menu.
3. Select New Toolbar; then browse your system for the folder you just created. Click OK.
The new toolbar will appear--and most likely it will have text labels that take up too much space. Right-click the new toolbar, then select Show Text from the pop-up menu to toggle the text off.
One particularly handy tool on the Quick Launch toolbar is the Show Desktop icon, which shrinks all open apps so you can see what's on your desktop. If you tinker with creating new toolbars, consider including Show Desktop on each new one you make so it's always handy.
Tip: Change Taskbar icons
If you drag a folder or document to a Taskbar toolbar, it'll be hard
to tell what it is because it's not labeled by default. But you can change
the icon on any toolbar item; after all, it's just a Windows shortcut.
Here's how: right-click the item, select Properties from the pop-up menu,
and click the Change Icon button. Pick one of the displayed icons, or select
Browse for more choices. If you have an icon editor such as IconEdit Pro
or TurboIcon, you can even design your own .ico files and substitute them
in.
Tip: Tear away toolbar items
Want an item on one of the Taskbar toolbars (see "Create your own toolbars"
above) to be somewhere else? You can just drag an item off any toolbar
onto the desktop, and it will become a standard Windows shortcut.
Tip: Uninstall the uninstall files
If you're happy with your upgrade, you might as well lose a cache of
between 30 and 70 MB of Windows 98 uninstall files and Windows 95 backup
files. If you're sure you're sticking with Windows 98, these files are
just a waste of disk space.
The fastest way to get rid of them is through the Disk Cleanup tool. In My Computer, right-click on the C: drive, and select Properties. Next to the hard drive pie chart is the Disk Cleanup button; click it. After the program has calculated your free space, it will prompt you to select and delete superfluous files. Place a checkmark next to "Delete Windows 98 uninstall information," and you're home free.
Tip: Start with your Favorite things
Windows 98's Start menu has added an option called Favorites, containing,
obviously, the contents of your Internet Explorer Favorites list. But you
can put more than just Web bookmarks into it. Fire up Explorer, and navigate
to C:\Windows\Favorites\. You can drag and drop shortcuts here, to any
file or folder you want quick access to (as long as you don't mind it showing
up in your Web browser's Favorites list as well).
Tip: Add Active Channels
Windows 98 uses Internet Explorer 4.0's Active Channels concept--a
way of getting updated Web information without really trying. Assuming
you installed Windows 98 in its default way, you'll see a great big channel
bar on your Windows desktop. Even if you don't, you can get it by clicking
the satellite-dish icon in the Quick Launch toolbar or in Internet Explorer.
Some channels, such as Disney and MSN, pay to put their logos on the channel bar, but many interesting channels are hidden under category listings. Click a category, and you see a listing of its channels. To preview a channel, click on it. If you like it, subscribe by clicking the Add Active Channel button, and you'll receive updates whenever there's new content.
Tip: Cut straight to the Active Desktop
If you have plenty of activity on your Active Desktop, those pesky
programs that you do your actual work with will get in the way of your
desktop content. To get at it fast, shrink all your applications onto the
Taskbar. There are two ways to do this fast: either click the Quick Launch
toolbar's Show Desktop button, or press down the Windows key on any Microsoft-compatible
104-key keyboard, and press M. To restore all your windows, either hold
down Shift and click the Show Desktop button, or press Shift-Window-M.
Tip: Get help fast
If you go through the Start menu's Help for advice, you'll find yourself
running through an Internet Connection Wizard so you can hook up to Microsoft's
Web-based help service. Fuhgeddaboutit! There's plenty of help on your
hard drive. For immediate assistance, use Explorer to open the Windows\Help
folder. The file windows.hlp is the key file here. Either open it right
away, or better yet, create a shortcut to it on the desktop: right-click
windows.hlp, and before releasing the mouse button, drag it to the desktop.
Now release the button, and select Create Shortcut(s) Here from the pop-up
menu.
Tip: Link to anywhere...from any folder
Do you have someplace you'd like to be able to get to pronto? Whether
it's My Documents or a favorite Web site, you can get to it from an Explorer
window or any folder by activating the Links toolbar. In My Computer or
Explorer, select View/Toolbars. Click Links to activate the toolbar. Every
Explorer window and folder you now look at will show the Links toolbar
crunched up at the top of the window, next to the regular toolbar. By default,
the toolbar contains shortcuts to various Microsoft Web sites. But you
can right-click any of these and select Delete to get rid of them. To add
a new link, just drag a file, folder, or Favorites shortcut onto the Links
toolbar in any Explorer window.
If you can't see any of the links in the Links toolbar because they're being crowded out by another toolbar, double-click the word Links. When you're done, double-click Links a second time, and the links on the Links toolbar disappear.
Tip: Turn on file extensions
By default, Windows 98's folders have the display of file extensions
turned off. This is all very well, since in Details view, you can see what
kind of file you're looking at by checking the Type column. But if you
prefer other Explorer views (such as small icon or plain list), it's nice
to be able to tell which is a DOC file, which is a GIF, and so on.
To do this, select View/Folder Options in any folder window, including My Computer. Click the View tab, and under Files and Folders, uncheck the "Hide file extensions of known file types" option. Now instead of seeing a folder full of files with the same filename but different icons, you'll see details such as tweakui.inf, tweakui.hlp, tweakui.cnt, and so on.
Tip: Unhide the hidden files
Ever tried to delete everything from a floppy disk, only to be told
that there's still 300K worth of files on it? The reason for this is simple--by
default, Windows doesn't show so-called hidden files, so you can't delete,
copy, or do anything with them. And a lot of applications hide files for
no good reason. To turn off the default hiding of hidden files (and system
files), select View/Folder Options in any folder window, including My Computer.
Click the View tab, and under Hidden Files, select the "Show all files"
option.
Note: Showing system files might tempt the curious to dabble with dangerous options such as deleting system files that Windows needs. Only use this tip if you're a responsible file manager and everyone using your system is too. If you repent of this action later, you can use View/Folder Options/View's Restore Defaults button to undo all your tweaks.
Tip: Get your Details in order
When you're using Explorer to look at files in the Details view (select
View/Details), you see a list of files with columns showing the files'
names, sizes, types, and modification dates, in that order. Often, you
can't see the modification date because the other columns crowd it out.
Since the Windows 95 days, you've been able to adjust the width of a column
(hold your mouse cursor over the joint of two columns until the pointer
becomes a two-headed arrow, then drag the boundary). Now, you can rearrange
columns by dragging them from their original location and dropping them
where you want them.
Tip: Compress away
If you use DriveSpace compressed drives, two things may have struck
you: first, there may still not be enough space on your hard disk, and
second, what's on your hard disk may not be running very fast. You need
a special balance between compression and performance--and DriveSpace (even
Plus's DriveSpace3) doesn't quite strike it.
Windows 98's Compression Agent comes a little closer to that balance. Using DriveSpace to ultracompress unwanted files and store oft-used programs where they can load faster, Compression Agent makes the compression utility work the way it should have all along.
To run Compression Agent, select Start/Programs/Accessories/System Tools/Compression Agent and follow the instructions.
System File Checker
All the files that end up on your hard disk as part of a Windows 98 installation are stored in the Win 98 folder on the CD-ROM in files with the extension CAB--short for cabinet. This storage system is a pain if you want to extract a single file that's buried in a CAB file. However, Windows 98's System File Checker can scour all the CABs on the CD-ROM to find the file you're looking for, extract it, and save it to any drive on your PC:
1. Launch the System File Checker (select Start/Programs/Accessories/System Tools/System File Checker).
2. In System File Checker, select the "Extract one file from installation disk" radio button, then enter the file's name (you have to know it exactly--no wild-card characters allowed). Click Start.
3. In the next dialog box, click the Browse button next to the Restore From box, and navigate to your Windows 98 installation CD-ROM, in the Win98 folder.
4. Choose a destination in the "Save file in box", and then click Start.
System File Checker will root out the file from whichever CAB file is storing it, and extract it for you.
More Information:
System File Checker will verify the integrity of your system files.
After scanning for altered files, it offers to restore corrupted files.
If a file is found to be corrupt, you will be prompted to restore the original
file. By clicking Settings, System File Checker can also be configured
to notify you of changed and deleted files. If you choose to restore the
file, System File Checker attempts to extract the file from your original
Windows 98 installation CD. System File Checker (Sfc.exe) helps you do
two things:
1. Scan system files for corrupt, missing, or changed files. Windows-based applications commonly install shared files that may not be compatible with another application in use. You can use System File Checker to track changes to your Windows configuration and identify the affected files.
2. Restore original Windows 98 system files.
To start System File Checker
1. Click Start, point to Programs, Accessories, and System Tools, and
then click System Information.
2. Select the Tools menu and click System File Checker. A dialog box
appears.
In System File Checker, click Scan for altered files, and then click Start. System File Checker scans the system using a default baseline contained in a file named Default.sfc. Default.sfc is copied from the Windows 98 installation CD and contains information about each system file.
To verify the integrity of your system files
1. In System File Checker, click Scan for altered files.
2. Click Start.
3. Note any files that display a dialog box requesting your action.
When you uninstall a program, System File Checker reports that files necessary
for that program (for example, files with .exe, .dll, and .ocx extensions)
have been deleted. Select Update verification information to bring the
baseline for System File Checker up to date.
If you know a specific system file is corrupt or missing, you can extract it from your original installation media using the following procedure.
To extract a specific system file
1. In System File Checker, click Extract one file from installation
disk.
2. Enter the name of the file, and then click Start.
3. In Restore from, type the location of your Windows 98 installation
media.
4. In Save file in, type the location where you want to put the file,
and then click OK.
"Courtesy of Dennis Waldron"
Got the Windows 98 CD-ROM? Got about 200MB to spare for the upgrade? Well, it's time to begin.
By default, Windows 98 is designed to install from a CD-ROM right over the existing Windows 95 directory (and back up gobs of important files so you can uninstall Windows 98 if you like). Once you've installed the new OS, Microsoft wants you to learn its interface and proceed as normal.
Well, you don't always have to do things the Microsoft way and you may find some big advantages to setting up Windows 98 with these tips in mind.
Tip: Get prepped
Installing a new OS can be traumatic for your system. So it pays to
get your system in good shape before you insert the fateful CD-ROM. Here's
a checklist of preparations to take care of before setting up Windows 98:
1. First of all, create a system disk that you can use to reboot your system in case of failure. (Insert a blank floppy disk in the floppy drive; then select Start/Settings/Control Panel. Double-click the Add/Remove Programs icon, and in the Add/Remove Programs Properties box, select the Startup Disk tab, and click the Create Disk button.)
2. Uninstall any programs you're not using anymore using Add/Remove Programs.
3. Empty your browser cache, the Windows\temp folder, and the Recycle Bin.
4. Now that your hard disk is lean and trim, run system diagnostics, defragment the hard disk, and most important of all, back up your data. (To get at the tools you need to use to perform all three of these tasks, double-click the My Computer icon on your desktop, right-click the C: drive icon, select Properties from the pop-up menu, and select the Tools tab. To start the system diagnostic tool, click the Check Now button under "Error-checking status"; the other tasks are self-explanatory.)
5. Finally, make sure you have at least 200MB of free disk space (preferably a whole lot more). You'll need it for the installation; according to Microsoft's, "typical installation requires approximately 195MB of free hard disk space, but may range between 120MB to 295MB, depending on your system configuration and the options you choose to install."
Tip: Decompress
If you're upgrading from Windows 95 to Windows 98 and you've compressed
your hard drive using DriveSpace--especially the ultracompressed DriveSpace3
from the Windows 95 Plus Pack--here's one word of advice before you install
Windows 98: decompress. Upgrades to Windows 98 take much longer than they
need to when they're fiddling around with disk compression. Back up as
many files as you can to a removable drive or network drive, and delete
stuff you don't need: in short, do everything you can to free up more than
half your compressed disk partition. Once you've decompressed, you need
to make sure that you have enough space to install Windows 98--another
nuisance. But it will make for a much faster and less troublesome installation.
Tip: Install from your hard drive
Ever notice that there's never a cab around when you need one? The
same is true of CABs the Windows installation file "cabinets" that contain
all the compressed files you need for all kinds of upgrades in Windows.
You'll find stacks of them on the Windows 98 CD-ROM, but when you really
need them--during a new hardware installation or a change to Windows' settings--can
you ever remember where you put the Windows CD-ROM?
If you have an extra 100MB to spare, the best way to install Windows 98 is by dragging all the installation files to your hard disk. This ensures that if something goes wrong during setup, you won't need access to your CD-ROM drive while fixing the problems. (One common setup problem is lack of access to the CD-ROM drive.) It also makes installation of printers, network connections, and other hardware go more smoothly later on--you won't need to dig out your CD-ROM with every change you make.
Double-click the My Computer icon on your desktop; then pop in the Windows 98 CD-ROM. When the Autorun screen opens, click Browse This CD. Drag the Win 98 folder onto your C: drive in My Computer, and you're set. When you're ready to start the installation, just open the Win 98 folder in your C: drive, and click the setup.exe file.
Tip: If you own a DELL, Toshiba or COMPAQ Computer
There have been reports of problems with Lotus Notes and Windows 98
plus these three brands of computers. Check with the manufacturers/software
publishers or thier Web Sites before installing Windows 98. It has been
mentioned that Dell, Toshiba and Compaq are posting fixes for downloading
on thier sites. It is always better to be safe and check prior to a system
upgrade.
The Windows 98 Troubleshooters help you resolve problems in Windows 98--everything from printing issues to sorting out sound problems. Just go to Help and choose the 'Troubleshooters topic. Contained within the new online Help, the Troubleshooters provide in-depth information to help you resolve common problems on your computer. You can specify a problem you wish to resolve, and the Troubleshooter will ask you a series of questions to lead you to a solution to your issue. Troubleshooters exist for the following issues:
Networking
Modem
Startup and Shutdown
Print
DriveSpace
Memory
DriveSpace
MS-DOS Programs
Display
DirectX
Sound
The Microsoft Network
Hardware Conflict
Dial-Up Networking
Direct Cable Connection
PC Card
NetMeeting
This release of Windows 98 contains Beta 2 of Microsoft NetMeeting™ version 2.1. Microsoft NetMeeting 2.1 is a standards-based audio, video, and multipoint data-conferencing product that supports application sharing and real-time voice and video communications over the Internet and corporate intranets. Features of NetMeeting 2.0 include multi-user application sharing, point-to-point video conferencing, point-to-point audio conferencing, whiteboard, file transfer, chat, and shared clipboard. For more information about NetMeeting, including FAQs, links to newsgroups, bug reporting, and other information, please visit our web site at:
http://www.microsoft.com/netmeeting
Personal Web Server
In the Personal Web Server package, Microsoft has created some exciting new functionality that makes Windows 98 an even easier platform for sharing information on a personal Web site. The Personal Web Server package makes it easy to install any of the following new features:
Microsoft Personal Web Server. A desktop Web server that can be used to host a Web site on the corporate intranet, or to develop and test a Web site before hosting the site on an ISP.
Microsoft Transaction Server. A server that supports creation of Microsoft Transaction Server applications. A transaction is a server operation that succeeds or fails as a whole, even if the operation involves many steps. Microsoft Transaction Server also supports process isolation of applications.
Microsoft Data Access Components. Components that enable easy use of databases with support for ActiveX Data Objects and the Microsoft Access driver.
Microsoft Message Queue Client. A client that allows applications to pass along transaction notification and continue processing without waiting for confirmation that the transaction has completed.
When you run the Windows Tune-Up wizard you can easily schedule and run regular tune-ups of your operating system. The Windows Tune-Up wizard contains an easy way for users to set up Defrag, Scan Disk, FAT32 converter, and Disk Cleanup. Users can set up their schedule by running in either Express mode or Custom mode. Also, because you can sometimes forget to leave the computer on for scheduled tune-ups, you can also use the Windows Tune-Up wizard to run all the tune-up tasks at once, whenever you want. If you use this feature, your programs can run faster, you can free up space on your hard disk, and you can get optimal system performance. The Windows Tune-Up wizard has a new look; now it has an Express mode to make scheduling tune-ups even easier. You also have the opportunity to run a full tune-up whenever you want, just by choosing Windows Tune-Up.
Tip: Defrag for faster programs
Under Windows 98, the Disk Defragmenter does more than simply group
together the disparate parts of files. It also has a new technology that
reorders the clusters of the program files you use the most so that the
programs will run faster. This involves moving such programs to faster
parts of the hard disk and jiggering about with their structure. Some programs
(most notably Microsoft Office programs) tend to start up considerably
faster after you defrag. (The first time you run Defrag, you'll see an
optimization wizard that sets up a log of program usage to aid in speeding
up the programs you use most often.)
To re-sort your program files, select Start/Programs/Accessories/System Tools/Disk Defragmenter. When the program's opening screen pops up, click Settings. Make sure that the option "Rearrange program files so my programs start faster" is checked. Click OK, and in the opening screen, click OK to start the process. It's best to leave your computer alone while defragmenting goes on--it slows the system to a crawl and keeps stopping whenever a piece of data gets written to the disk.
ScanDisk
If the system does not shut down normally, ScanDisk now automatically fixes errors on boot instead of notifying users and requiring keystrokes. In cases such as power failures, this means the system will reboot without user intervention. If you need to run advanced data recovery utilities, the data is still on the hard disk. For information about this implementation and how to change and customize this behavior, see the "Running ScanDisk after Bad Shutdown " section.
Task Scheduler
Task Scheduler provides a friendly user interface for scheduling applications.
You can schedule any script, program, or document to be run at any time
or any interval, every day to once a year, and on events such as system
boot, user logon, or system idle. The user interface is fully integrated
into the operating system, and is accessible from the My Computer icon
on your desktop. Users can drag and drop programs right into Task Scheduler
to quickly add a new task, or they can use the Add Scheduled Task wizard.
This new service replaces the System Agent that was included in the Windows
Plus! Pack and also offers a COM programming interface for developers.
This interface is similar in both Windows 95 and Windows NT, but Windows
NT also includes added security features.
The Scoop
Win98 plus IE5, all the latest patches, and built-in Internet access
sharing.
Pros: All the Y2K and other patches, IE 5.0 on CD, Internet Connection Sharing, some new device support
Cons: Another Windows upgrade, ICS client configuration tool imperfect
Price: $89.95 for Win3.1/95 owners, $19.95 for 98 owners
Microsoft Corporation 800-426-9400, 425-882-8080
Win98 SE includes the latest Year 2000 patches, every other necessary patch since Win98's original ship, Internet Explorer 5.0, and new versions of several Microsoft services or applications, including NetMeeting, DirectX, ACPI, 1394, USB, WebTV, VPN services, and standard Windows fonts (that contain the Euro currency symbol). It also adds support for Device Bay and Windows Driver Model modems. Despite these additions, the only wholly new feature is Internet Connection Sharing (ICS), which automatically assigns IP addresses to networked Windows computers and lets them share a single Internet connection. Win98 SE's most compelling benefit is probably that it's much easier to install than downloading and installing all the patches and upgrades on the Windows Update Web site.
Using ICS
As its name implies, Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) lets you share fast Internet connections with other PCs on a network. Systems with fast Internet access-- T1 or cable modem for example-- can share connections automatically.
You add ICS from the Internet Tools item in the Add/Remove Programs Control Panel (see screen). Doing so initiates the ICS installation wizard, which configures your Win98 SE PC automatically. All you have to do is choose which network or dial-up adapter is the one connecting to the Internet, and which network card is connecting to your local network. Once that's done, you configure each of the other PCs on your network for dynamic IP assignment by opening its Network Properties Control Panel, double-clicking the TCP/IP settings for its network adapter, and on the IP Address tab, choosing "Obtain an IP address automatically" if that's not already selected. You may need to run the WINIPCFG.EXE (in your Windows folder) program, and then click the Release and Renew buttons in succession to jump-start the connection the first time.
As part of the wizard that sets up ICS on your Win98 SE PC, Microsoft creates a floppy disk you can use to configure Internet access on the client PCs on your network. The wizard turns off any dial-up networking default connection for a client PC's browser; but the wizard is very rudimentary, and we found it only worked in some network settings. To manually configure 3.x or newer versions of Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator on your client PCs for ICS, choose the option on the Connection tab for the Internet Control Panel that comes closest to sounding like "access the Internet via your LAN connection". In IE3.0x, the solution is to remove all check marks on the Connection tab. Beginning with IE 5.0, Microsoft's Internet Connection Wizard can configure this for you.
1. Buy Windows 98 SE Upgrade retail package Restrictions: Upgrades existing Win3.1, 95 or 98 installation
Availability: Early Summer
Price: $89
Purchase Options: Retail outlets
2. Order the Win98 SE Upgrade CD Restrictions: Only upgrades Win98 installations
Availability: Around same time as retail
Price: $19.95
Purchase Options: Via telephone or Web page (not available yet)
3. Purchase new PC with Win98 SE pre-installed Restrictions: None
Availability: Possibly by end of May
Price: Included in cost of PC Purchase Options: Retail, phone, Web
4. Download SE service pack components from the Windows Update Web site Restrictions: Some features like Internet Connection Sharing may not be available
Availability: 4-6 weeks Price: Free Purchase Options: NA --SF
Windows 98 Second Edition Released to Manufacturing
Microsoft has released the update to its Windows 98 operating system, Windows 98 Second Edition, to manufacturing, and the product is slated to replace Win98 on store shelves and come preinstalled in systems this summer. Current users of Win98 will be able to upgrade to SE by ordering a CD from Microsoft's Windows 98 Web site at http://www.microsoft.com/windows/.
SE will contain new and enhanced capabilities, including Internet Explorer
5, better hardware support, and the Windows 98 Service Pack of fixes. But
perhaps its most compelling feature is Internet Connection Sharing, which
will allow users to share an Internet connection with other PCs on a network
without using a separate proxy server.
Windows 98 Display.txt
The Windows 98 Display.txt file is located in the Windows folder after
Windows 98 is installed. This file contains information about video adapter
drivers and display settings in Windows 98.
Windows 98 Fat32ebd.txt
The Windows 98 Fat32ebd.txt file is located Tools\Mtsutil\Fat32ebd
folder on the Windows 98 CD-ROM. This file contains information about FAT32
file system and how to create a FAT32 Emergency Boot Disk (EBD).
Windows 98 Hardware.txt
The Windows 98 Hardware.txt file is located in the Windows folder after
Windows 98 is installed. This file contains important information about
using hardware devices in Windows 98.
Windows 98 Ibmbay.txt
The Windows 98 Ibmbay.txt file is located in the Drivers\Pwrmgmt\Ibm\Readme.txt
file on the Windows 98 CD-ROM. This file contains information about the
IBM Thinkpad 770 Ultra Bay Hot Swap driver for Windows 98.
Windows 98 Intl.txt
The Windows 98 Intl.txt file is located in the Win98 folder on the
Windows 98 CD-ROM. This file contains information about the international
features of Windows 98.
Windows 98 Msdosdrv.txt
The Windows 98 Msdosdrv.txt file is located in the Windows folder after
Windows 98 is installed. This file contains information about using MS-DOS
device drivers in Windows 98.
Windows 98 Mouse.txt
This Windows 98 Mouse.txt file is located in the Windows folder after
Windows 98 is installed. This file contains information about using pointing
devices in Windows 98.
Windows 98 Mtsutil.txt
The Windows 98 Mtsutil.txt file is located in Tools\Mtsutil folder
on the Windows 98 CD-ROM. This file contains information about the utilities
located in the Tools\Mtsutils folder on the Windows 98 CD-ROM.
Windows 98 Network.txt
The Windows 98 Networks.txt file is located in the Windows folder after
Windows 98 is installed. This file contains information about networking
issues in Windows 98.
Windows 98 Pmtshoot.txt
The Windows 98 Pmtshoot.txt file is located in the Tools\Msutil\Pmtshoot
folder on the Windows 98 CD-ROM. This file contains information about how
to install the Pmtshoot tool. You can use the Pmtshoot tool to troubleshoot
problems putting your computer into Standby mode.
Windows 98 Power Toys Readme.txt
The Windows 98 Power Toys Readme.txt file is located in the Tools\Reskit\Powertoy
folder on the the Windows 98 CD-ROM. This file contains information about
using the TweakUI tool in Windows 98.
Windows 98 Printers.txt
The Windows 98 Printers.txt file is located in the Windows folder after
Windows 98 is installed. This file contains important information about
printing in Windows 98.
Windows 98 Programs.txt
The Windows 98 Programs.txt file is located in the Windows folder after
Windows 98 is installed. This file contains information about using programs
and utilities in Windows 98.
Windows 98 Recover.txt
The Windows 98 Recover.txt file is located in the Tools\Sysrec folder
on the Windows 98 CD-ROM. This file contains information about how to use
the Windows 98 System Recovery tool.
Windows 98 Setup.txt
The Windows 98 Setup.txt file is located in the Win98 folder on your
Windows 98 CD-ROM. This file contains important information about installing
Windows 98.
Windows 98 Wms-fax.txt
The Windows 98 Wms-fax.txt file is located in the Tools\Oldwin95\Message\Us
folder and the Tools\Oldwin95\Message\Intl folder on the Windows 98 CD-ROM.
This file contains information about Windows Messaging and Microsoft Fax
in Windows 98.