**Windows 98 FAQ (HTML)
Byron Hinson MSMVP
Welcome to the ActiveWindows Windows 98 FAQ weekly posting, if you would like to check up on the FAQ during the week while you are online, please visit http://www.activewin.com. If you would like to filter out this weekly posting, please make a note of the subject.
Frequently
Asked Questions
Windows 98
Revision - 1.14
Q: When was Windows 98 released?
A:
Windows 98 was officially released on June 25th 1998.
Q: Why is Windows 98 not available in my
country?
A: Windows 98 might ship later to some certain countries. You
might have to wait until another few months before you can see Windows 98 on
your local software shop.
Q: Will I be able to upgrade to Windows 98 from
Windows NT 4.0?
A: No. The Windows 98 upgrade is only designed to upgrade
from Windows 95. Installing Windows 98 over Windows NT will be considered as
downgrading. To upgrade Windows NT 4.0, you will need to upgrade to
Windows NT 5.0
Q: Will it be easy to upgrade from Windows 3.1 or
Windows 95?
A: Yes. There's one easy-to-use pack for upgrading from
Microsoft Windows version 3.1, Windows 95, and Windows for Workgroups version
3.2x. Also, Windows 98 is backward compatible with Windows 3.1, Windows 95, and
the MS-DOS® operating systems.
Q: What is new in Windows 98?
A: First of
all, Internet Explorer 4.0 is integrated as a component of Windows 98 just like
Internet Explorer 3.0 to OSR2. There is also a built-in TV tuner, a better
Dial-Up Network and a system shield called Dr.Watson which prevents crashes
ensuring a better and smoother environment. For more information, go to the articles
section
Q: Is Windows 98 faster?
A:
Although Microsoft makes no guarantees that general system performance will
increase after installing Windows 98, many users have seen an improvement after
upgrading from Windows 95 + IE4.0.
In addition, with the help of FAT32
and the updated Disk Defragmenter, you should see a noticeable improvement in
application loading times. Shutdown times and startup times (if your computer
supports OnNow) have also been reduced.
Q: What are the minimum system
requirements?
A: 486DX / 66 MHz
16 MB of
memory
Typical installation requires approximately 195 MB
of free hard disk space,
but may range between 120 MB to
295 MB, depending on your system configuration and the options you choose to
install.
CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive (3.5" high-density
disks available for additional charge).
VGA or
higher-resolution monitor.
Microsoft Mouse or compatible
pointing device.
Q: Do I need to purchase the full edition to
do a clean install ?
A: No, you can do a clean install on the
upgrade edition if you own the previous Windows Operating System (95 or
3.X)
Q: Does Windows 98 supports FAT32?
A: Yes,
Windows 98 was designed to run smoothly under FAT32.
Q: Where has Microsoft FAX gone off to?
A:
Outlook Express cannot use Microsoft FAX, so it is not installed by default -
you can however install it yourself via the Windows 98 CD in the following CD
Directory - tools/oldwin95/message/us/awfax.exe
Q: Is the Windows 98 interface the same as the
Windows 95 interface?
A: The interfaces are similar. But the Windows 98
interface is more like a Web browser. So you can use the same navigation and
viewing techniques whether you're searching your hard disk or the
Internet.
Q: My partition currently does not support FAT32.
Does that mean I cannot install Windows 98?
A: Don't worry. Windows 98
setup will have an FAT16-to-FAT32 conversion process. This means you can install
Windows 98 on a non-FAT32 partition or drive and setup can give you the option
to automatically convert it into FAT32. However, Windows 98 will run fine on
FAT16.
Q: Will I be able to dual-boot in Windows
98?
A: Yes, but it will be a bit tricky. You might want to try some other
third-party software's.
Q: Will my Windows 95 software run under Windows
98?
A: Yes. Almost all software designed for Windows 95 will run well
(sometimes even better) under Windows 98.
Q: Does Windows 98 include Multi-Monitor
support?
A: With Windows 98, you can use more than one monitor at a time.
You can spread out your work (and play) across your monitors, just as you might
spread out papers across your desk. With multiple monitors, you can
simultaneously get different views of a file, work on multiple files in the same
application, or run multiple applications.
Here are examples of things
you can do using two or more monitors with Windows 98:
- Easily integrate information from different files by dragging and dropping it across monitors.
- Watch TV on one monitor while you work on another.
- Get two views of a game, such as Microsoft Flight Simulator cockpit view and tower view, simultaneously.
- Use two monitors for Web development in two screen resolutions.
Each monitor you use needs its own video card. You can change the settings of the monitors independently.
Q: I thought that Windows 98 comes with a new
TweakUI?
A: It sure does - It is included on the CD under
Tools/ResKit/Powertoy.
Q: How do applications launch faster with Windows
98?
A: Windows 98 features Disk Defragmenter as part of its Windows
Maintenance Wizard. Disk Defragmenter keeps track of the applications you use
most, and puts the files needed to run those applications together on your hard
disk and in the order needed for launching them. As a result, Windows 98 is able
to launch your applications 36% faster.
Q: When will I be able to watch TV on my Windows
98 based PC?
A: As soon as you install a compatible TV tuner card and
hook up an antenna or cable TV. Web TV® for Windows and TV Viewer are
included in Windows 98, as is Program Guide, which you can use to find out when
programs are on and set reminders to tune in. Windows 98 lets you watch TV full
screen, in a window, or on a second monitor as you work in another
application.
Q: When Fixes or Upgrades come out for Windows 98
- will they be in the form of a Service Pack?
A: Highly Possible. Various
smaller updates will be released on the Windows Update website
though.
Q: How can I get the latest drivers and system
updates for Windows 98?
A: You can access new drivers, system updates,
and technical support for Windows 98 through Windows Update, an online extension
of Windows 98 for registered users.
- Windows Update is the only place you need to go for drivers and system updates.
- The Web site is revised regularly to keep up with system improvements.
- When you visit Windows Update, Update Wizard scans your computer, tells you which (if any) of the latest offerings you don't have, and asks whether you want to add them.
- Windows Update keeps track of what you add so you can easily uninstall it later.
Q: I had problems installing Windows 95 over
Windows 3.1. Will it be easier to install Windows 98 over Windows 95?
A:
Yes. Upgrade Wizard will walk you through the upgrade process and help you solve
problems right away. Also, the Plug-and-Play driver library has been expanded to
diminish potential hardware problems.
Q: Will my DOS games and programs run under
Windows 98?
A: Yes. Just like Windows 95, DOS programs and games will
still run well.
Q: Can Windows 98 run DVDs?
A: Yes.
Windows 98 has built-in support for digital video disc (DVD) drives. One DVD can
hold about 15 times more information than a CD. An entire movie - with
full-motion video and lush surround sound - can fit on just one disk.
Q: Recently upgraded to Win98 from Win95B
and now I notice that the system will hang on the "Windows is shutting
down" splash screen indefinitely, with no disk activity.
A:
Disable Fast Shut-Down
**You should be off-line to do
this**
1.)Open ' Start ' menu and select ' Run '
2.)In the field type
without the quotes "msconfig"
3.)From the System Configuration
Utility, on the ' General ' tab
select the ' Advanced ' button
4.)Enable by checking off the box next to '
Disable Fast Shutdown'
5.)Click ' OK ' on that tab and also on the
next.
6.)Click on ' Yes ' in order to reboot.
Q: How do i uninstall Internet Explorer 4
from Windows 98?
A: You can't - Internet Explorer 4 is the shell for
Windows 98. You don't have to use the browser - Netscape or any other browser
will install just fine on Windows 98.
Q: My Windows 98 CD is scratched and broken,
how do i go about getting a new one?
A: Contact your computer
manufacturer if it came with your computer or if it is from MS, call 1 800 426
9400.
Q: Can you install DirectX 6.0 onto Windows
98?
A: Yes you can - go to http://www.microsoft.com/directx and
follow the links to the DirectX Core Components as these are the only ones you
can install on Windows 98, or just load up Windows Updated and download it from
there.
Q: Does Windows 98 include antivirus
software?
A: No, but Microsoft Plus! 98—a separate package of
enhancements and extras for Windows 98-includes McAfee antivirus software and
six months of updates.
Q: Does Windows 98 have Dual Processor
Support?
A: No, only Windows NT currently supports Dual
Processors.
Q: How can I copy files from win98 cdrom onto hard drive so that when I re-install win98 I can point it to hard drive and NOT have to use win98 cdrom?
A: New Installation:
Simply copy the win98 folder
to your hard drive. Run setup from the copied folder and that's all there is to
it.
Already Installed:
If you have already installed
win98, copy the folder anyhow then when an installation file needs a file from
the cd, browse it to your copied folder.
Remember to keep your product key which is on your cd cover, so even if you don’t need the cd to install you need the product key on the cd rom cover.
Q: Is there an option in Dial-up Networking in Windows 98 where it will automatically redial a number if the number is busy?
A: Yes, Open DUN, and click "Connections", "Settings". You'll see the redial options there.
Q: When I visit the Microsoft Windows Update site, I get debugging problems with Syntax errors, all different types.
A: Try clearing your cache. This usually helps. Also, make sure your not using IE5, even though its a great browser its still beta and MS hasn't adapted Windows Update to work fully with IE5.
To clear your cache right clock on The Internet or Internet Explorer on your desktop then select Properties. In the Temporary Internet files section press Delete Files. Also you might want to click the Clear History button in the History section.
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All rights
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ActiveWindows is a division of Dark-Design.
--
Byron Hinson
Microsoft
MVP
ActiveWindows - http://www.activewin.com
ActiveIE - http://www.activeie.com
Homepage - http://www.activeie.com/byron
Dark-Design
- http://www.dark-design.com
DBrown
complatible with very few video adapters. In fact Microsoft tested and
supports only one brand of adapter which is the ATI All in Wonder. The
important thing is that the video adapter must support "video overlay mode".
I think there are other brands available, but I posted this question to the
webtv newsgroup and only got one additional adapter to add to the list.
Lee Chapelle
separate monitor and tuner, and will operate even when the computer is shut
off. I think they call it a TV set. <vbg>
--
Lee Chapelle
MVP Win9x
http://www.webdev.net/orca/
http://support.microsoft.com/support/
DBrown <nospam...@aug.com> wrote in message
OPJmRsi...@uppssnewspub04.moswest.msn.net...
>It might be fair if you mention also that WebTV for Win98 is only
>complatible with very few video adapters. In fact Microsoft tested and
>supports only one brand of adapter which is the ATI All in Wonder. The
>important thing is that the video adapter must support "video overlay
mode".
>I think there are other brands available, but I posted this question to the
>webtv newsgroup and only got one additional adapter to add to the list.
>
moss...@my-dejanews.com
"Byron Hinson MSMVP" <by...@activeie.com> wrote:
>
> Q: What is new in Windows 98?
>
> Dr.Watson which prevents crashes ensuring a better and smoother =
> environment. For more information, go to the articles section
>
Dr. Watson DOES NOT prevent crashes. Dr. Watson monitors your system and if
you experience a problem, it will take a snapshot of your computer and give
you a report of what was going on at the time of the crash. It gives
information about the state of the computer during a crash, it does not
prevent a crash.
Most of the new utility tools in win98 are overated. There is very little
information on using them. Scandisk and disk defrag are still basis of the
tools, parts of the system information tools are very confusing, especially
version conflict manager and system file checker. Fred Langa started a
dialogue on those utilities in the Windows Magazine site and most people
don't know how to know which version of their files should be restored and
which should not.
MossAgate gathers no rolling stones
-----== Posted via Deja News, The Leader in Internet Discussion ==-----
http://www.dejanews.com/rg_mkgrp.xp Create Your Own Free Member Forum
Ricin
they still havent made a more user friendly registry editing tool.
I use WinTV from Hauppauge, its a pci tv/capture card and it works pretty
neat. Plug in a vcr cam and Netmeeting suddenly becomes fun after all
(better than webcams).
Danny
jpsm...@my-dejanews.com
In article <6urlv5$9ar$1...@nnrp1.dejanews.com>,
moss...@my-dejanews.com wrote:
> >
> > Q: What is new in Windows 98?
> >
> > Dr.Watson which prevents crashes ensuring a better and smoother =
> > environment. For more information, go to the articles section
> >
>
> Dr. Watson DOES NOT prevent crashes. Dr. Watson monitors your system
-----------== Posted via Deja News, The Discussion Network ==----------
http://www.dejanews.com/ Search, Read, Discuss, or Start Your Own
Mark J. Veldhuis
jpsm...@my-dejanews.com heeft geschreven in bericht
<6v1chh$jh4$1...@nnrp1.dejanews.com>...
>Dr. Watson new? Hasn't it been around since Win 3.x???
AFAIK, it wasn't included in WIN95.
Regards / Groeten,
Mark Veldhuis
newsmaster@*nospam*mark-veldhuis.demon.nl
http://www.mark-veldhuis.demon.nl