Retro-computer use is great!
from Los Angeles@discussions.microsoft.com Manuel from Los Angeles
My 10 year-old Win 98 computer hums along like a little tiger.
I have several computers, ranging from a 486DX to modern stuff running
Windows 7. But lately I have found myself using Windows 98. I guess it is
somewhat like restoring an old hot rod, because I have done a total
restoration of my 1999 Gateway Essential 400 computer, and I think it is
worth mentioning that YOU CAN surf the Internet fast in Windows 98, and you
CAN do almost everything you need to do with applications as well.
Just to share, here is what I running right now, and I have no problems:
* totally clean re-install of Windows 98
* 64 MB RAM
* 30 GB hard drive
* added EVERY service pack and update that Microsoft had to offer
* added USB 2.0 drivers (instantly added another 4 GB of storage space with
flash memory stick)
* USB wireless Internet antenna for DSL surfing (works fantastic)
* added DVD/CD player in place of old CD player
* Opera 9.64 browser - FAST browser, and surfs even faster when you use the
"turn off images" feature. You can load specific images whenever you want.
Plus it has an Ad Block feature that speeds things up.
* Internet Explorer 6 with Service Pack and security updates
* Office 97
* MS Works - it has an easy database program which comes in handy
* Windows Media Player 9 (sadly, can't go higher on Win98)
* WinAmp - old MP3 player light on resources
* VLC Player - great open source media player
* SoftPerfect free personal firewall - light on system resources
* Keynote - freeware alternative to OneNote program for compiling notes.
* RealPlayer 10 - just for heck of it
* Irfan View - excellent freeware image editing program, light on resources
* Audacity - great freeware program for audio recording, narration, and
editing
Other things I did to speed up performance:
* checked "Use As Server" in the Performance tab of Control Panel.
* use an old version of CCleaner to clean up crud
* use MSCONFIG to uncheck unneccessary startup programs
* Defragment on a regular basis
* uninstalled "bloatware" that came with the computer (AOL, etc)
* Opera 9.64 browser - as mentioned before
* Firefox Portable browser - skimmed down version of full browser
* uninstalled Norton Anti Virus that came with computer
I can do everything on Windows 98 EXCEPT heavy video editing and watch
YouTube. I can use Google Docs for "cloud" word processing and spreadsheets.
Check email, check all the news sites, etc.
I use Win98 to surf and my new computer for production and heavier work.
Using Win 98 allows me the peace of mind that my newer computer will not be
exposed on a constant basis to viruses, malware, trojans, etc. If my Win 98
computer gets damaged, oh well, I'll just do a reinstall! Nothing major lost.
Recommended web sites for Windows 98:
Buffalo
Sounds good.
Now make an image of your HDD and if you have to restore, you can do in a
much quicker time,without reinstalling all the other programs and Updates
seperately.
I also use Win98SE on my dual boot system (98se-2000pro).
Buffalo
PS: MSconfig is a temp (but easier) way to stop programs from running.
Irfan View is really a great free program, as you have found out.
98 Guy
> I think it is worth mentioning that YOU CAN surf the Internet
> fast in Windows 98, and you CAN do almost everything you need
> to do with applications as well.
Some of us have never stopped using win-98 as their primary system, so
what you're saying above is not really news.
> * totally clean re-install of Windows 98
> * 64 MB RAM
> * 30 GB hard drive
Do yourself a favor and bring the memory to at least 256 mb ram. 512 mb
if the motherboard will support it.
The hard drive you have is anemic.
Win-98 runs great on P4 cpu's running at 2.5+ ghz, with 512 mb ram and
80gb to 500 gb hard drives.
Your hard drive is probably close to 10 years old if it's a 30 gb
drive. It's performance is pathetic compared to newer drives. And
because of it's age, it is probably close to the end of it's typical
life span (hard drives don't last forever).
You are just scratching the surface of what win-98 is capable of given
some minor hardware updating. There are many software tweaks and
patches that can do even more than you think.