Fermu Website

Under construction. Here you will be able to find most frequently asked questions related to settings, management and customization about this Operative System. Written by Fernando Muñoz (fermu) and José Gallardo.

INDEX

1. What are the minimum requirements for a Windows 98 installation?

You can read these minimum requirements in Microsoft KB article number 182751 Speaking in general, the minimum platform is a 486 DX2, 66 MHz, and usually it is enough 16 MB RAM, but it could be better 32 MB and a Pentium 133 MHz. The minimum hard disk free space goes from 120 to 225 MB.

2. How can we boot up in Safe Mode?

When booting, hold down CTRL key and choose that option.

3. What are the different boot modes in Windows 98?

When booting, and before Windows logo appears, if we kit F8 or CTRL key (it depends on each PC), we get a menu containing different boot options. They are the following:

1. Normal: Windows will load every component, driver and program.

2. Logged (\BOOTLOG.TXT): with these options we will be able to create a "bootlog.txt" file, which informs us about modules and drivers loaded, and whether there has been some trouble.

3. Safe mode: with this option, Windows boots with a minimum drivers set (only the mandatory ones). It is useful when something is not properly installed and we want to reinstall or uninstall it.

4. Safe mode with network support: exactly as 3), but installing network drivers.

5. Step-by-step confirmation: we will see all the drivers and we can load each or not. "autoexec.bat" and "config.sys" are the first files loaded.

6. Command prompt only: now MS-DOS is loaded, and also "autoexec.bat" and "config.sys".

7. Safe mode command prompt only: only MS-DOS loaded, without "autoexec.bat" and "config.sys".

8. Previous version of MS-DOS: we can boot the last version of MS-DOS installed.

4. How can we restore the registry to a previous date?

It is enough to boot up in MS-DOS mode and type in scanreg /restore. You will see the dates to restore.

5. How could I repair the registry if "scanreg /restore" does not help?

"scanreg /restore" command will only restore the registry to a valid copy in the last five days. If the issue is older, we have to boot up is MS-DOS mode and type in scanreg /fix. This will look for errors in the registry and will try to repair them.

6. Why does Scandisk or Defragmenter continuously restart?

It is due to some interfering application. To use them properly, you have to hit CTRL+ALT+DEL and end everything except Explorer and Systray. We have to take into account that this will end our firewall and antivirus, so do it when we are not connected to the Internet. Also, check the power options and see if the hard disks are set to disconnect or the machine suspends. And also disable the screensaver.

 
7. How can I get a boot disk for Windows 98? 

If we can still start Windows, we can easily create a boot disk going to: Start > Settings > Control Panel > Add or remove programs > Startup disk.

If you cannot start Windows, you can get the disks from our downloads section.

8. What is the upper limit for RAM memory in Windows 98?

In principle, problems could appear for 512 MB or higher, but exactly for 512 MB, it could be all right.

 
9. What is the minimum hard disk size recognized by W98SE?

For ATA disks, the upper limit is 137 GB. That is, you may have a larger hard disk but the partitions have to be smaller than 137 GB. But the Operative System has some limitations. For instance, Scandisk or Defragmenter could not properly work in disk larger than 127 GB. "fdisk" could also have troubles if the partition is larger than 64 GB. And something similar for "format".

10.  How could I know whether my Windows 98 is First or Second Edition?

You can easily check this matter by clicking right on "My Computer" and choosing "Properties". There you may read the information.

11. Windows 98 Second Edition Shutdown Supplement

According to several situations, it is possible that Windows 98 SE (only for this operative system) gets hanged then shutting down, and when "Windows is shutting down" is displayed. This can be solved by downloading and installing the shutdown supplement. Choose "License Agreement" and click on Next.

12. What kind of partitions can be used in Windows 98?

W98 is able to use two kinds of partitions: primaries and extended. It can handle up to four primary partitions and only one extended. At first, primary partitions was used to install the operative systems and extended ones for storing data, but now this is outdated and you can install OS in an extended partition.

Partitions recognized by Windows 98 are: FAT16 and FAT32. It cannot read NTFS partitions.

13. What advantages does show Windows 98 Second Edition towards "first edition"?

(It is shown "first edition" in quotes because usually Windows 98 First Edition is called simply Windows 98). The main are following:

Updates after Windows 98 are available and everything related to 2000 year.

Updated versions of Internet Explorer, Outlook Express, Windows Media Player, DirectX and NetMeeting.

USB additional support.

14. Has Microsoft released some Service Pack for Windows 98?

No, never. Microsoft never has released any Service Pack for Windows 98. But Customer Service Pack was released, so it could be a mistake.

15. When does official support for Windows 98 finish?

According to Microsoft this support finishes at 2006/06/30. You may get auto help until at least 2007/06/30.

16. Can I upgrade my Windows 98 to Windows 98 SE?

Yes, it is possible. It can be done using an upgrade CD. But nowadays, it may be hard to purchase this CD because Windows 98 was released too many years ago.

17. Can I upgrade my Windows 98 directly to Windows XP?

Yes, purchasing an upgrade CD. But it is strongly recommended a clean install.

18. Can Windows 98 be infected by Blaster or Sasser worms?

No. These worms exploit vulnerabilities of Windows 2000, NT, 2003 and XP (Blaster) and W2000 and XP (Sasser). But, and this for instance, Sasser can be executed on a Windows 98 (not to infect it), so this W98 could infect vulnerable systems.

Filter +3 Excellent+2 Insightful+1 Useful0 NeutralSee All-1 Off Topic-2 Flame-3 SPAMNewest FirstOldest First50 posts25 posts15 posts5 posts 

Write Comment
Please keep the topic of messages relevant to the subject of the article. Personal verbal attacks will be deleted. Please don't use comments to plug your web site.. Such material will be removed
Name:
Homepage
Email:
Comment-Tracking E-mail Alerts
Mode		New entry [Start a new Entry]
Title:
BBCode:
Comment:

Powered by OpenComment 3.0.30