Win98 Tips
Windows 98 Adds Functionality To The Taskbar
The Taskbar, which is found at the bottom of the Windows 98 desktop, has some new features and improvements over its Windows 95 predecessor. The Taskbar will still display an icon for every open or minimized window on the desktop, but now includes the ability to add 4 new features in the form of a Toolbar.
The Address Toolbar: This toolbar gives you an area where you can type an Internet address without first opening the Internet Explorer web browser. If you are connected to the internet when you enter an address, Internet Explorer will launch and bring you to that web site. If you are not connected to the Internet when you enter an address, Windows 98 will prompt you to connect with the default dial-up connection.
The Address toolbar in Win98 or IE 4.0's Active Desktop performs a Web search if you enter a phrase. (This doesn't work for a single word, because IE 4.01 assumes it's a domain name and attempts to create a URL in its place.) Type in a few words and IE 4.01 will run your phrase through a search engine on Microsoft's Web site.
The AutoComplete feature used in IE's Address box works for local folders as well. Start to type the pathname to the folder you want to open, and AutoComplete will guess. Once it guesses the right one, stop typing and press Enter.
The Links Toolbar: This is the same as the Links bar in IE4.
The Desktop Toolbar: This is a toolbar that will contain miniature icons of all the items on your Windows 98 desktop. This toolbar usually contains many items, and will not fit in the width of one screen. Windows 98 overcomes that problem by making the toolbar scrollable with left and right arrows.
The Quick Launch Toolbar: Perhaps the nicest feature of the new Taskbar features is Quick Launch. It contains small icons that you can use to launch some standard Windows 98 applications, such as Internet Explorer, the TV Viewer (if you have a TV card installed), bring the Desktop to the foreground, or view your active channels from the Internet. You can even add your own shortcuts to the Quick Launch toolbar so that your favorite applications are a single mouse click away. To add these new toolbars to your taskbar:
To add a shortcut to the Quick Launch toolbar:
Add the Quick Launch toolbar to your taskbar by following the instructions above. Find the program you want to add in the Windows 98 Explorer or "My Computer" and drag the program's icon to the Quick Launch toolbar. Your program's icon will now appear on the toolbar.
Set Properties for Quick Lauch Icons:
Did you know that every icon in the Quick Launch toolbar is nothing but a shortcut? (The Quick Launch toolbar is the row of icons to the right of the Start button, by default.) That means you can set the properties for each, just as you would any other shortcut.
For example, suppose you want Internet Explorer to open maximized every time. Right-click the Internet Explorer icon (on the Quick Launch toolbar) and select Properties. On the Shortcut tab, next to Run, click the down arrow and select Maximized. Click OK, and the next time you click that icon, Internet Explorer will take over the entire screen.
(Tip: Follow these steps to make any application shortcut open the target program in a normal, maximized, or minimized window.)
Free Tools:
On your windows 98 CD
in the directory \tools\reskit you can install the windows 98
resource kit tools sampler, this has many cool tools:
Configuration
CHDOSCP.EXE: MS-DOS Code Page Changer
FAT32WIN: FAT32 Conversion Information Tool
TZEDIT.EXE: Time Zone Utility
Deployment
BATCH.EXE
INFINST.EXE: Windows 98 .INF Installer
Desktop
CHECKLINKS.EXE: Link Check Wizard
CLIPTRAY.EXE: Clipboard Organizer
MINITEL.TTF: Minitel Emulation Files
QUIKTRAY.EXE: System Tray Utility
TWEAKUI: Desktop Power Toy
Diagnostic and Troubleshooting
FILEINFO.EXE: System File Information
USBVIEW.EXE: USB Device Troubleshooter
File
LFNBACK.EXE: Long Filename Backup Utility
TEXTVIEW.EXE: TextViewer
WHERE.EXE: File locating tool
WINDIFF.EXE: File and Directory Comparison
Network Administration
Network Monitor Agent and Protocol Driver
POLEDIT.EXE: System Policy Editor
PWLEDIT.EXE: Password List Editor
REMOTREG: Microsoft Remote Registry Services
RPCPP: Microsoft Remote Procedure Call Print Provider
SNMP Agent: Windows 98 Remote SNMP Service
Scripting
TIMETHIS.EXE: Time This
WAITFOR.EXE
WINSET.EXE: Environment Setting Utility
Windows Scripting Host Documentation/Sample Scripts
Other Documentation
The Windows 98 Resource Kit book online
Overview of Windows 98 Resource Kit Sampler Tools © Microsoft Corporation 1985 - 1998
Another Cool Tool:
Win98 comes with a handy way to check your Registry for errors. Launch the Microsoft System Information (MSI) utility from Start/Accessories/System Tools/System Information, then select the Registry Checker from the Tools menu. Also from this same menu, you can select System File Checker, which will check all of your sytems files (obviously) for corrupt files.
Automatic Maintenance:
The Win98 Maintenance Wizard (Start>Programs>Accessories>Systems Tools) will make your programs run faster, check your hard disk for problems and free up hard disk space by auto-running Disk Defragmenter, ScanDisk and DiskCleanup according to a schedule you set. If you leave your computer on, you can schedule maintenance at off-hours (such as midnight to 3 a.m.) to minimize downtime during work hours.
Advanced Audio Properties:
Windows 98's includes a control panel setting to change the performance options of the sound system that is attached to your system. Dependant upon the actual audio system you have installed inside your computer, you can change the way that Windows 98 treats your soundboard and speakers. Options include the ability to change the type of speaker systems, and set their overall quality of performance. Advanced options include the ability to change how the soundboard buffers audio output, thus giving the user control over the quality of sound delivered through the speakers. Computer enthusiasts will even be able to control the sampling rate of sound played back through the soundboard and speakers. Go to control panel, multimedia and click the advanced properties buttons there.
Remove Dial-Up Icon:
You know that little icon that appears in your Taskbar tray every time you establish a dial-up connection? It doesn't have to be there. If you'd prefer to reserve that space for other, more useful icons, feel free to ditch it.
Select Start, Programs, Accessories, Communication, Dial-Up Networking, and in the Dial-Up Networking window, select Connections, Settings. Deselect Show An Icon On Taskbar After Connected and click OK. The next time you go online, that icon is nowhere in sight.
(Note: You can always check the status of the connection from inside the Dial-Up Networking window. Simply right-click your connection and select Status.)
Stop Automatic Dialing:
To stop your browser - or any other Internet aware application - from automatically dialing up your ISP:
Click Start and
select Programs > Settings > Control Panel
Open Internet Options
Select the Connections tab
Check Never dial a connection
Also click Start and select Programs > Accessoires >
Communications > Dial-Up Networking From the Connections menu,
choose Settings... and check prompt to use Dial-Up Networking.
Automatic Redialing:
Most Internet-users
run into those times when their provider's number is busy. So you
have to dial up again and again. Here's how to make Windows
redial automatically.
1. Double-click on My Computer.
2. Double-click on Dial-Up Networking.
3. Open Connections (on toolbar) + Settings.
4. Click on the General tab.
5. Click on Redial and dictate how many times you want the
redialing. 5 to 10 is a good value.
6. Click on OK.
Now when you dial, Windows will give you more chances to connect.
Shrink the Start Menu:
If you add a lot of shortcuts and folders--say, more than seven--to your Start menu, an arrow appears at the top so you can scroll up to the entries that don't fit on screen. To avoid all that cumbersome scrolling, make your entire Start menu smaller. Right-click a blank area of the Taskbar, select Properties, select Show Small Icons On Start Menu, then click OK.
Launch Startup Application minimized:
Is there an application you'd like to launch when Windows 98 starts, without it being a total desktop hog? Instruct the application to open minimized. All it takes is a quick trip to its Properties dialog box.
Right-click the Start button, select Open, double-click Programs, and double-click Startup. Inside the Startup folder, right-click the shortcut of the program you want to open minimized and select Properties. Click the Shortcut tab, and on the Run line, select Minimized. Click OK. The next time you start Windows 98, that application will open and then shrink to the Taskbar.
Changing Default Desktop Icons:
Are you tired of looking at the same old icons for My Computer, your Recycle Bin, and your Network Neighborhood? Windows 98 has incorporated some of the features that were in the old Windows 95 Plus program. You now have the ability to change the way these icons look. To change your default desktop icons:
Removing Icons From Your Desktop:
Want to remove all icons from your desktop in order to display that photo you just scanned and turned into desktop wallpaper? Assuming you're viewing the desktop as a Web page--by right-clicking the desktop, selecting Active Desktop, then choosing View As Web Page--you can wipe the desktop clean with one quick setting change.
(Note: Before selecting this option, you'll probably want to place shortcuts to the desktop items you use in a convenient location, such as the Quick Launch toolbar or the Start menu. Also, to get your icons back, simply deselect the Hide Icons... option.)
Auto Arrange Icon Option:
People ask how to keep their desktop icons from jumping back into neat little rows every time they try to move them into a unique formation. Annoying, isn't it? By default, Microsoft made the Auto Arrange option the default. If you want free-flowing icons, you'll need to turn this option off.
Right-click the desktop and select Arrange Icons. In the resulting menu, you'll see a check mark next to Auto Arrange. Select this option (to deselect it).Close, go back to your desktop, relocate an icon.
Use Desktop Themes Icons To Dress Up Shortcuts:
Did you know you can use any icon that's part of a desktop theme to represent any shortcut on your system? All it takes is a trip to the Themes folder.
Right-click the shortcut to which you'd like to apply a new icon, and select Properties. On the Shortcut tab, click the Change Icon button, then click Browse. Navigate your way to C:\Program Files\Plus!\Themes, and there you'll see all the icons that are part of desktop themes. (Note: Some themes may be contained in separate folders within the Themes folder. If so, open any one to reveal the icons inside.) Select the icon you want to use, click Open, then click OK twice (to close all open dialog boxes). And enjoy your new shortcut!
How To Repair Corrupted Desktop Icons:
Occasionally, when you boot your computer and your Windows 98 Desktop appears, you may notice that a few of the icons you are used to seeing there are not what you expect. Sometimes, they are replaced by a totally different icon, and other times, Windows 98 will use a generic document icon. You can repair this problem if you understand what is happening under the hood of Windows. Windows 98 stores all information for your desktop icons in a special file called "ShelliconCache." This means that the operating system keeps all the data for all the icons on the desktop in a single file for faster display than if the system would have to search for all the original icon files. ShelliconCache is a hidden file in the C:\\Windows folder. To rebuild your icons, you have to delete your ShelliConCache file. Here's how you repair the damage:
How To Change The Color Of Your Desktop:
If you are like most users who purchased a computer recently, you probably have that nasty blue/green background color on your Windows 98 Desktop. Although this color is fairly neutral and your desktop icons look decent on it, you do have the ability to change the desktop color to anything that suits your fancy. Here's how:
Can't find a color scheme you like? Not a problem. Windows provides all the tools you need to make your own.Open the Display Properties dialog box and click the Appearance tab. One at a time, select an element under Item or click it in the preview box, then adjust its options--size, color, and so on. (The options you can adjust will vary depending on the desktop item you select.) Keep going until the preview displays the look you're after. To save the scheme for future use, click Save As, type a name for the scheme, and click OK. Otherwise, simply click OK to apply the scheme to your desktop.
Multicolor Title Bars:
(Note: You can also select two colors for the Inactive Title Bar component.)
Another desktop change you may not think to make--but which can make a big improvement--is changing the color of highlighted items. When you right-click something and then scroll down the resulting menu, each command appears highlighted in dark blue (that is, assuming you're using the Windows Standard scheme). The same thing happens when you select icons in a window or an e-mail in your mail program. By changing the color of the Selected Items desktop component, you can change the color of all highlighting. Follow the steps above to access the Appearance tab of the Display Properties dialog box, then click the down arrow under Item and choose Selected Items. To the right of this option, click the down arrow under Color and click your highlighter color of choice. Click Apply or OK.
Stop the Animation:
It's not a big deal for many people, but Windows 98's default way of sliding out menus and windows gradually distracts some people. To make menus pop out, as they do under Windows 95, open Control Panel and double-click on the Display item. Click on the Effects tab and under Visual Effects, click to remove the checkmark next to Animate windows, menus, and lists. If you change your mind later, you can return here and click a checkmark back into the box.
How To Clear The Documents Menu:
Files listed under the Documents menu of the Start button menu can really cause a user to see red, especially, if the file is no longer on your system. Windows 98 provides a way to clear them all by right clicking on any blank area of the Taskbar, selecting properties and then selecting the "Start Menu Programs" tab, and pressing the Clear button, but that clears ALL the documents. What if you want to only delete a few of them? Well here's two ways to do it.
--Method 1:
The files listed in the Documents menu are placed there because the Windows 98 system creates shortcuts to those files and places those shortcuts in a folder. The path to the folder is usually: C:\\WINDOWS\\ RECENT. You can open this folder and delete individual shortcuts. That will remove the item from the Documents menu.
--Method 2:
Method 1 is a hassle you say? Well try this approach. Why not make a shortcut to the Recent folder, and place it on the desktop for easy access?
This creates the shortcut to the Recent Folder. You can then rename this icon to anything you'd like, and you'll have easy access to the Documents menu items folder right from your desktop. Deleting icons from this folder removes the item from the Documents menu.
Configuring Joysticks And Game Controllers:
So you've just got that new computer game, and purchased that new joystick. You have to let Windows 98 know you have a new game controller that you want it to use. You do this by installing the correct drivers for the new device. Here's what you do:
What Do The 25 Default Control Panels Do?
Windows 98 has incorporated many new features that can be configured by the user to make Windows 98 behave in a manner that best suits your working habits. A great deal of this control is contained in the Windows 98 Control Panel applets. There are 25 control panels in Windows 98. Here's how you access them, and a brief description of what each one does.
To access the Windows 98 Control Panels: Click the Start button, Select "Settings" then "Control Panel"
Shortcut To Security Settings:
Change the security settings for the Internet quickly without going to the Control Panel. Just double-click the little icon on the right side of the status bar at the bottom right of the screen. This works for other windows, too, including My Computer and Windows Explorer.
Controlling Screen Effects With Windows 98:
Windows 98 has incorporated some of the features that were in the old Windows 95 Plus program. You now have the ability to change the properties of how your screen behaves, and control some of the visual effects that are now included with Windows 98. To modify your screen effects:
The Desktop icons section lets you change the default desktop icons to any icon on your system. See Changing Default Desktop Icons for more information.
The "Visual Effects" section of the screen has several check boxes. Here is a list of what each option does:
Making a Windows 98 Startup Disk:
When you installed Windows 98, you were given the option to create a Startup Disk. In haste (or if you didn't happen to have a blank floppy handy), you may have opted not to create this disk, with the assumption that you would do so later. Well, later is here. If you don't have a Startup Disk, make one now. This disk is a big help if you ever have trouble starting Windows 98. It boots your system and also provides some utilities that you can use to diagnose the problem.
With a blank, formatted disk in hand, open the Control Panel and double-click Add/Remove Programs. Select the Startup Disk tab, click the Create Disk button, and follow along as Windows 98 walks you through the disk creation process. When it finishes, label the disk and store it in a safe place. You never know when you may need it.
Creating An Emergency
System Boot Disk:
Do you have a floppy disk that will let you boot your PC in case
of an emergency? Once you've checked for viruses, create a system
boot disk and write-protect it for future emergencies, virus-related
or otherwise.
Here's how in Windows 95/98:
1. Place a disk in the A: drive.
2. Open My Computer.
3. Click the right mouse button to select the A: drive.
4. Under File, click to select Format.
5. Click to select Full Format.
6. Under Other Options, check Copy System Files.
7. Press Enter or click the Start button.
8. When the format is complete, lock (open) the write-protect
window on the disk.
9. Label the floppy and put it in a safe place.
Copying A Floppy Disk:
Did you ever want to make a copy of the files you have on a floppy disk without dragging all the files to your hard drive first? Windows 98 has a utility that will make that task as simple as A-B-C. Here's how.
Placing A Customized Toolbar On The Taskbar:
The Taskbar in Windows 98 still displays an icon for every open or minimized window on the desktop, and now includes the ability to add 4 new toolbars to it. Did you know that you can also add a customized toolbar of your own making to the Taskbar? Let's say you have a folder where you keep all your important work, and you don't want to always have to go through the Windows Explorer to open that folder to see its contents. You can easily create a customized toolbar to always display that folder's contents on the Windows 98 Taskbar. Here's how to add a customized toolbar to your taskbar:
Creating New Folders In Windows 98:
Windows 98 provides you several different ways to create a new folder to store and organize files on your computer system. Here are a few. Try them out and use the one that best suits your working habits.
--Method 1: Using The Explorer's "File" Menu:
--Method 2: Using The Mouse:
--Method 3: Using The Windows Explorer:
Change Icon Labels In Folder:
Here's how to change the background of an individual folder window: Open the folder, select View, Customize This Folder, select Choose A Background Picture, select an image, click Next, and click Finish. Icon labels don't quite match your selection? Then change them.
Follow the steps above to select a background image. Before clicking Next, under Icon Caption Colors, click the box next to Text and select a color. For example, you might select white or yellow to contrast with a dark background. Click OK, and if desired, click the check box next to Background and choose a color for the box that surrounds each icon label. Click Next, click Finish, and you won't even recognize that folder!
To remove all customization options from a folder, open the folder window, select View, Customize This Folder, and select Remove Customization. Click Next twice, click Finish, and that window is back to plain ol' black on white (or whatever colors are defined by your current color scheme).
How To Create Shortcuts:
Shortcuts are pointers to programs and files on your computer. They have a little arrow in the lower left-hand corner of the icon. A shortcut can be placed anywhere on your system. The most common places to place shortcuts are on the desktop, and on the Start menu. Here's two different ways to create a shortcut:
--Method 1:
--Method 2:
Deleting Files From The "Open" Dialog Box:
Most users rely on the Windows Explorer in "Explorer View" or "Folder View" when wanting to delete files from their system. In most 32-bit applications that were designed for Windows 95/98 however, there is an easier way, especially if you discover a file that needs deleting while performing an "Open File" operation. Here's how:
How To Disable The CD-ROM Autorun Feature:
When a Windows 95/98 aware CD-ROM is inserted into a CD-ROM drive, Windows 98 automatically launches the program contained on the disk, whether you want it to or not. Similarly the audio CD player pops up whenever you insert an audio CD and starts playing it immediately. This is cute the first or second time, but soon gets to be a hassle. What's even worse, is that if you double-click on the your CD icon in My Computer, the autorun fires up, instead of a folder window as you'd expect. This is especially irritating on slower computers, where you have to wait for what seems like an eternity for it to load some ridiculous welcome screen. The ability to turn this "feature" off is not really something you find easily, but it can be done by following the instructions below.
--Method 1:
--Method 2:
If you hold down the Shift key when inserting the CD, the autorun is bypassed.
Stopping StartUp Programs:
Is there a program that starts whenever Windows starts--one that drives you crazy because you don't need it, but can't figure out how to turn it off (such as AOL Instant Messenger)? The Windows 98 System Configuration Utility allows you to turn off any auto-start program with the click of a check box. Select Start, Run. Then type
msconfig
and click OK. In the resulting System Configuration Utility dialog box, click the Startup tab to display a list of all programs that start whenever Windows 98 starts. Deselect the one that's been bugging you (making certain you know which one it is), then click OK. The next time you start Windows, that program is nowhere to be found.
How To Disable The Password Dialog Box At Windows 98 Startup:
If your computer came preconfigured with Windows 98 already loaded, chances are that when you start Windows 98, you're prompted for a User ID and Password before you see the Windows Desktop. The unique User ID and Password lets you keep customized settings for the Desktop such as icons and color patterns, so the machine can be used by more than one person. What if you are the only user the system and you don't want to enter a User ID and Password? Well here's how you can disable the Password Dialog box at Windows startup:
The next time you start Windows 98, you won't be prompted for a password.
Disk Cleanup Utility:
There ares tons of files on your hard drive placed there by all sorts of programs. Some of these files are only temporary files that some programs forget to clean up when they are through using them. Still, other files are created by programs such as Scandisk which keeps copies and logs of all changes it makes to your hard drive when repairing disk errors. Even more files are placed on your hard drive as you surf the Internet. What do you do with all these files when disk space becomes a premium item on your system? Windows 98 has a wonderful new applet called the Disk Cleanup Utility. This utility, found in the Start/Accessories/System Tools folder, will help you rid your hard drive of unwanted space wasting files. The applet is configurable, and will let you specify standard types of files it should look for to delete, such as .TMP, .OLD, .BKU, or any file type you'd like to look for. It will also clear your Internet cache. An advanced feature ties into the system, allowing you to remove unwanted Windows component, and uninstall applications that have registered themselves with Uninstall routines. With the Disk Cleanup Utility, finding needed disk space will be a snap.
Using Document Scraps To Temporarily Store Ideas On The Desktop:
Most Windows 98 aware programs allow you to create what is known as a "document scrap" on the Windows 98 Desktop (or in any folder). A scrap is an easy way to pile up many independent ideas that are either textual or graphical in nature, store them temporarily, and have them at your fingertips when you want to further develop the idea. Try this with WordPad for example:
The next time you want to use that tidbit of data, simply click on it's icon and Windows 98 will launch the application that created the scrap and present it to you for editing.
Using the Windows 98 Help System:
Windows 98 comes complete with a newly revamped help system. Not only can you search the help files that were installed with your operating system, but also if you are connected to the Internet, you can quickly access additional help topics directly from the Microsoft Web site. To access Windows 98 Help, simply click the Start button, point to Help and click the mouse button. You will see a window that has several parts to it. The window is divided into two panes. The pane on the left will show you several different things, depending on the way you'd like to search for help. The pane on the right will show you the textual materials that should help answer most of your Windows 98 questions.
Contents Tab: This tab presents you with a book view of all the topics that are covered by the help system. If you double click on a book, it will expand to show you the chapters that are contained within it. Click on a chapter, and its text is displayefont> This tab presents you with a book view of all the topics that are covered by the help system. If you double click on a book, it will expand to show you the chapters that are contained within it. Click on a chapter, and its text is displayed in the pane on the right.
Index Tab: If you want to look for a particular concept, click on the index tab and enter a word in the text area. The index will scroll to the closest match of that word. The index is just like the index in a book. It's alphabetical, so the first closest match to your word is listed.
Search Tab: If you want to search for a broader concept, such as "printing" then use the Search tab. Typing in the word "printing" in the text box and clicking the "Show Topics" button, will produce a list of all the topics that have the word "printing" in them. This is good if you have a broad general topic but don't know where the specific information is. You can then click on the topic in the list and see the text of the article in the right hand pane.
On the menu bar of the Help system is a button for "Online Help." Clicking this button will take you to the Windows 98 help area on Microsoft's web site.
Radio Mystery:
Some users have
noticed that their Radio toolbar has mysteriously disappeared.
The Radio toolbar is a handy way to play streaming media files,
including RealAudio files (version 5.0 and earlier). If for some
reason you no longer see the bar, select View, Toolbars, Radio.If
that doesn't work, you may need to reinstall the Windows Media
Player, which you can download at the following address:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/download
What's Available From The START Button?
Just like in Windows 95, the START button is the launching pad for most of the activities you will perform while working on your computer. From the Start button, you can initiate the actions that will allow you to get to all the functions of Windows 98. When you click the START button you will be viewing the Start Menu. This menu has the following options from the top down:
Remove an entry that shows up in the pop-up menu when you right-click on the Start button:
From inside any Windows Explorer window, select View, Folder Options, then click the File Types tab. Scroll down the list of Registered file types and select Folder. Click the Edit button, and you should see the unwanted action in the white Actions box. Select it, click the Remove button, then click Yes to confirm. Click OK twice to close the remaining dialog boxes. Right-click the Start button (or any other folder or folder shortcut), and that command is nowhere in sight.
Checking The Available Space On Your Hard Drive:
When you are about to save a file on a hard drive, or install a new program for the first time, it always helps to know how much available space you have on your disk for storing the new file or program. Windows 98 has two different ways you can view the available disk space on your drive.
--Method 1
--Method 2
Using The Windows Update Wizard:
There is no such thing as "bug free" software, and although Microsoft would like you to believe that Windows 98 is the perfect operating system for you, there are problems that crop up from time to time. Usually, a software manufacturer will post periodic updates to their products on their web sites, but that puts the responsibility on you, the user, to track down these updates and apply them yourself.
Microsoft has taken the guess work out of figuring out what needs updating by combining the power of Windows 98 and the Internet into an easy to use Update Wizard that will automatically search out and find necessary updates to your computer's operating system. The Update Wizard is a Microsoft web site that contains a database of all the new patches and components of the Windows 98 operating system. When you connect to the site, your computer's specifications are uploaded to Microsoft, and you will get a screen of options that recommends which files you need to keep your system current. Here's how you use the Update Wizard:
Windows Update Link on Windows 98 Start Menu Does Not Work:
When you select Start and then click Windows Update, you may be unable to connect to the Windows Update Web site. At the same time, you may be able to connect to the Windows Update Web site by typing http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com in the Address Bar of Internet Explorer. Note: If you are trying to access the Windows Update Web site from a network, you may need to contact your System Administrator to have this option installed.
If you can't connect to the Windows Update Web site from the Start menu, the link may be corrupted. Here is how to fix it:
Select Start, and right-click on
Windows Update and choose Delete from the context menu
Select Start > Settings and click Taskbar & Start Menu
Select the Start Menu Programs tab
Click Add > Browse
Locate the wupdmgr.exe file from your \Windows directory, select
it, and click Open. If you are unable to locate the file, you may
need to reinstall it. See below for instructions
Click Next
Select the Start Menu folder then click Next
Change the name of the shortcut from wupdmgr.exe to Windows
Update
Click Finish
Now try selecting Start and then clicking Windows Update.
If you are still unable to connect to the the Windows Update Web
site, the wupdmgr.exe file may be missing or corrupted. To
reinstall the wupdmgr.exe file:
Insert your Windows 98 CD in the
the CD-ROM drive
If a list of Windows 98 options are displayed automatically, then
choose Browse this CD. If this list is not displayed, open
Windows Explorer and then select your CD-ROM drive to display the
list of options.
Double click the Win98 folder
Locate the Win98_43.cab file and double-click it
Right-click the wupdmgr.exe file and select Extract
When you are prompted to choose a location to save this file,
choose your Windows folder and click OK
Managing Files From A File Search Window:
The file search feature of Windows 98 is a very powerful search engine that can help you locate files on your computer system. On e of the rarely used features of this utility, is the ability to manipulate the files in the listing that's returned based on your search criteria.
The Find dialog box is a highly specialized version of the Windows 98 Explorer, and as such, you can perform any of standard file system operations on the files that appear in the contents pane after you perform a search. If you right click on a file in the list, here's the operation that you can do:
Protecting Your Work By Making A File "Read Only":
So you're working on your final paper for your history class. You've got the best paper in your class, and you're looking forward to that "A." You walk away to get another can of Jolt cola from the refrigerator, and your little brother comes over to the computer with your paper's file name highlighted in the Windows Explorer and hits the delete key. Poof. A whole semester's worth of knowledge into the byte bucket.
There is a simple way to protect a file from accidental deletion and changes by changing the file's attributes. You can flag the file as "READ ONLY," and then no one can delete or change the contents of that file until the attribute is reset. The key word here is "accidental." If a person knows how to change a file's attributes, and they remove the "read only" flag, then the deletion or change isn't "accidental" it is malicious. Keeping that in mind, to change a file's attribute to "Read Only" simply:
Doctor Watson Helps Diagnose System Problems:
Dr. Watson has been revamped in Windows 98. This little background application waits patiently for errors to occur in your programs and operating system, and then creates a log file that will be useful to a technical support person in assisting them to correct your problems. This log file, although too technical for the average user, contains many important pieces of information that will help narrow down the exact problem that you may be experiencing. To run Dr. Watson:
Wouldn't it be nice if Dr. Watson would take a snapshot automatically when a system fault occurred? It will, as long as it's running. If you want to be sure that Dr. Watson is running all the time, place a shortcut to Drwatson.exe (located in your Windows folder) in your Startup folder. Then, it'll start whenever Windows 98 starts.
Naming Files In Windows 98:
Are you tired of thinking up meaningful names for your files with only 8 characters? It's the same as trying to think of something creative for your car's license plate with only the 7 characters allowed by the transportation department. Windows 98 lets you give any name to a file and you're not limited to eight characters with a three-character extension. You can even use spaces! A filename can contain up to 255 characters, including spaces. But, it cannot contain any of the following characters: \ / : * ? " < > | Note: You can only use long file names on programs that were designed for Windows 95 or Windows 98 Your older DOS and Windows 3.1 programs still require the use of the 8 character file name.
Installing & Using Desktop Themes:
Want to spice up your desktop a bit with things like bugs for pointers and jungle sounds? If so, try one of Windows 98's desktop themes. Each offers a unique collection of pointers, sounds, wallpaper, fonts, colors, and so on to make your Windows experience a whole bunch more fun.
Before you can use desktop themes, you need to install them. Open the Control Panel and double-click Add/Remove Programs. Click the Windows Setup tab, select Desktop Themes in the Components list, then click Details. Select the boxes next to the themes you'd like to install, click OK twice, then insert the installation CD when asked.
When the installation is complete, try out a theme. To do this, again open the Control Panel, but this time, double-click Desktop Themes. Click the down arrow next to Theme, select a theme, and wait as Windows 98 displays its preview. Click OK to apply the theme to your desktop.
Now, suppose you like everything about a theme but its pointers? Wish you could use the pointers and icons from a theme, but not the wallpaper? The Desktop Themes dialog box makes it easy to choose the components of a theme you'd like to use.
Follow the instructions above for selecting a theme, but don't click OK yet. See the list of components under Settings? Select or deselect these items to match your preferences. When you're finished, click OK, and only the selected components will be applied to your desktop.
Suppose you don't like one of the Windows 98 themes. Themes take up a lot of disk space--not to mention space in the Theme list--so there's no point in keeping the unwanted ones around. Inside the Desktop Themes dialog box, select any theme you want to get rid of (in the dropdown Theme list), then click the Delete button. Click Yes to confirm.
Online Services Folder:
The Windows 98 Beta 3 desktop contains an "Online Services Folder" that supplies links to America Online (AOL), AT&T WorldNet, CompuServe3.0, and Prodigy clients. When you click the link to the client, a setup program starts that automatically registers you with that Internet Service Provider. Nothing can be easier to signing on to the Internet now!
Working With The Phone Dialer:
Windows 98 comes with a handy accessory known as "Phone Dialer." This utility can remember up to 8 phone numbers for your most frequently called friends and family, and acts as speed dialer. Phone dialer can even keep a log of the date and time for incoming and outgoing phone calls. To start Phone Dialer:
Adding Phone Dialer Entries:
When you first start Phone Dialer, it doesn't have any speed dialing numbers defined. Your first task should be to add names and numbers to the eight available memory slots.
Previewing The Fonts On Your System:
Fonts are the different typefaces that you can use in your Windows 98 programs. Many applications install a variety of fonts on your computer. Once they do, they are available to any Windows application. There's a real easy way to see which fonts are on your system, and to preview them so that you won't need to format your text to see what they look like. Here's how:
How To Print A Listing Containing The Contents Of A Folder:
Windows 98 is very good at providing the computer user with a graphic way of viewing almost anything on their system, however, it falls a little short when giving the user that ability to print out items that may be of importance. Maybe, you'd like a listing of all the files in a folder. You can see the list in the Windows Explorer, but you can't print it. Here's a little DOS Command line trick that can help.
How To Recover A File From The Recycle Bin:
When you move a file to the recycle bin, either by dragging it there with the mouse, or by right clicking on the file's icon and selecting "Delete" from the drop down menu, the file is not really deleted from your system until you issue the command to "Empty The Recycle Bin." As long as the file is still in the bin, you can easily recover it to any place on your file system you'd like. Here's how.
Free Up Disk Space By Deleting Windows 98 Uninstall Files:
If you chose to save your previous operating system's files during the upgrade to Windows 98, those files are saved on your hard drive and can take up to 100 MB of disk space on your system. If you are absolutely certain that you will not be uninstalling Windows 98 and reverting back to your old operating system, follow the steps below to free up that space: NOTE: Once you remove the Windows 98 uninstall files, you will not be able to revert back to your previous operating system without formatting your hard drive. Make sure this is what you really want to do before executing this procedure.
Renaming Files From The "Save As" Dialog Box:
Most users rely on the Windows Explorer in "Explorer View" or "Folder View" when wanting to rename files from their system. In most 32 bit applications that were designed for Windows 95/98 however, there is an easier way, especially if you discover a file that needs renaming while performing an "Save As" file operation. Here's how:
How To Rename A File From An "Open File" Dialog Box:
Most users rely on the Windows Explorer in "Explorer View" or "Folder View" when wanting to rename files from their system. In most 32-bit applications that were designed for Windows 95/98 however, there is an easier way, especially if you discover a file that needs renaming while performing an "Open" file operation. Here's how:
Unhiding The ShelliconCache File:
Deleting The ShelliconCache File:
Saving And Reusing A File Search:
Did you ever find yourself looking for files on your system using the Windows 98 "Find File" option on the Start menu, and then repeating the same search a day later? You would always have to enter the same search criteria over and over, and that wastes time. You can save the criteria you use to look for a particular file to use again and again by following the instructions below:
How To Set The Same View For All Windows:
If you use the Windows 98 Explorer, or like opening folders by clicking on them from the "My Computer" icon, you may have noticed that some folders open up with large icons, some with small icons, some in list format, and others in detailed list format. You can permanently set the way a folder is displayed when you open it up by following the simple instructions below:
Speed Up Program Launch With Defragmenter:
Disk fragmentation occurs when you modify files that can't be stored on your hard drive in one continuous area on the disk. Windows 98 will split the file and store the pieces on two different areas. This slows down your computer's operation, since the machine has to reassemble the file in order to display it on your screen. The same is true for program files. If programs are scattered all over the surface of your hard drive, Windows 98 will take longer to load these programs when you want to use them. The new and improved Disk Defragmenter utility included with Windows 98 now contains an option that will not only piece together all your files into one contiguous area of disk, but it will also move your program files to a place on the disk where Windows 98 can launch them faster. Here's how:
How To Automatically Start A Program At Windows 98 Startup Time:
If you want to have your favorite programs start every time Windows 98 starts and have them ready and waiting for you, there's a simple technique you can use to accomplish that goal. The procedure requires you to create a shortcut icon to that program and place it in the Windows Startup folder. Here's how you do it.
Now, every time Windows 98 starts, so will your favorite program.
System File Checker Protects Windows 98 Critical Files:
Under Windows 95, you'd install a new software product and that product would occasionally replace a core component of Windows, such as the file that is used to display your open file dialog box. When you went to restart your computer, Windows 95 would complain that the critical file has changed and that the system would not function normally until you restored the original file. Sometimes Windows 95 could recover itself, but often you had to reinstall the system in verify mode to replace the corrupted file. Windows 98 includes the System File Checker. This program runs quietly in the background and monitors all software installations. IF the System File Checker detects that the program you are trying to install is attempting to overwrite a system file with a version number or file date that is older then the system file itself, it will write the older file to a separate directory and not allow your software's install routine replace the good file. Chances are, your new software will still function normally using the correct system files as Microsoft intended it to do.
In Windows 98, Start|Run and entering "sfc" (without the quotes) brings up the System File Checker. This handy utility lets you know if you have corrupt files and tells you how to fix them. You can also go to Start>Accessories>System Tools>System Information and from the Tools menu, select System File Checker.
Tracking Device:
Find out exactly what a program does when you install it by using the System File Checker's log feature. After installing a program, open the log by launching the System Information utility (Start/Programs/Accessories/System Tools/System Information), choosing System File Checker from the Tools menu, clicking on the Settings button and then on the View Log button. The log will tell you exactly which files were added to your computer and which were updated with a newer version.
Registry Checker:
To determine if you have errors in your Registry, go to Start>Accessories>System Tools>System Information and from the Tools menu, select Registry Checker.
Windows 98 System Requirements:
Many people will be wondering if their current computer systems will be capable of running Windows 98 efficiently. Having the right horsepower is essential in making your decision to perform a major operating system upgrade.
15 Troubleshooting Wizards:
Good news!! There are 15 Troubleshooting Wizards that will help you quickly diagnose and solve technical problems with Windows 98. These Troubleshooters are scenario-based step-by-step guides that the user can use to zero in on their particular situation by choosing the answer that best fits their own experience. The Troubleshooting Wizards included in Windows 98 address the following areas:
How To Enable Thumbnail View:
A thumbnail is a small version of a larger graphic file. In a Windows 98 Explorer view, you can easily turn thumbnail viewing on so that you can see a small representation of the picture contained in the file. Here's how you do it:
Can you no longer see the thumbnail display for .jpgs and .gifs? One simple solution, aimed specifically at restoring your ability to view *.jpg files, is this: Select Start, Run.
IE 4 users should type: regsvr32.exe /i shdocvw.dll
IE 5 users should type: regsvr32.exe /i shdoc401.dll Then press Enter.
One of the cool things about IE 4.0 and Win98 is that when you view open folders as Web pages (My Computer/View/As Web Page), you can see image thumbnails on the left side of the window when you hover the mouse pointer over the files. Unfortunately, some JPEGs don't show up, because JPEGs come in two types - RGB and CMYK - and Win98 can read only RGB. The fix is to use your favorite graphics utility to convert your CMYK JPEGs to RGB.
Reverting Back To Your Previous Operating System:
Are you having significant problems with your computer after upgrading to Windows 98? Are certain programs that you are running failing to cooperate? If while upgrading to Windows 98 you chose to have the setup program save your old system files, you can easily uninstall Windows 98 and revert back to your previous operating system. Here's how:
The uninstall program will shut down Windows 98, and remove the Windows 98 system files from your hard drive and then restore your previous operating system. Should your computer reboot and Windows 98 is still the operating system, you can always start your system with the Emergency Start Up Disk you made when installing Windows 98 and type UNINSTALL at the C:> prompt, and this will accomplish the same thing. If you have misplaced your startup disk, the second you see "Starting Windows 98..." hit the F8 key and select "Command Prompt Only" from the menu. At the C:> prompt, you can then type "C:\\Windows\\Uninstall" to start the removal process.
Windows Update Manager:
The Update Manager Web Site is a valuable resource to Windows 98 and it's users. It is a brand new, centralized Web-based resource site that allows registered Windows 98 users to get more out of their PC. For instance, it keeps users systems tuned and new features up-to-date by providing easy access to the latest drivers and operating system files on a regular basis. This user-friendly website also allows you to take advantage of product assistance with up-to-date information and answers to those "how-do-I-do?" and "how-do-I-fix?" type questions.
Setting Up Web TV On A Windows 98 Computer:
If your PC has a TV Tuner card in it, you can turn your PC into a functioning television set. The WebTV application included with Windows 98 will allow you to watch television programming in a window, side by side with your other favorite applications. If you have an internet connection, you can even download TV listings and schedules for the area of the country you live in.
WebTV is not installed as part of the Standard Windows 98 setup. To install WebTV
When your computer reboots, a small television icon appears on the task bar. If your TV tuner card is properly installed, you can launch WebTV in two different ways.
Changing Channels:
There are several ways to select a channel to view. Most of these options require you to access the TV Tool Bar. You can do this by depressing the F10 key.
Full Screen or Window:
By default, WebTV will always launch in full screen mode. You can change between full screen and windowed mode in several ways.
Fast Shutdown:
Win98 shuts down faster than Win95, but it achieves this dubious benefit by pulling the plug on running applications without shutting them down first. If you're uncomfortable with that, disable it. Launch the System Configuration Utility (Start/Programs/Accessories/System Tools/System Information). Click on the Tools menu and select System Configuration Utility. Click on the Advanced button and check the Disable Fast Shutdown item.
Windows98 Fax:
Windows98 does come with Microsoft Fax, but it is hidden on the Windows CD-ROM in the \tool\oldwin95\message\us folder and does not get installed by default. But Microsoft Fax requires Windows Messaging, Microsoft Exchange Client, or Outlook97 to work. (To install Windows Messaging, run wms.exe). Runawfax.exe to install Fax, then select Start>Settings>Control Panel. Double click the Mail icon and click the Add button. If you don't want to use Windows Messaging for your email, uncheck Microsoft Mail but leave Microsoft Fax checked. Click Next and follow the Wizard.
Javascript Annoyances:
Wanna try turning off those annoying pop-up ads? Turn off JavaScript. This is not a perfect solution, however. Many pages you browse may use JavaScript, and you may not even know it, so this may impair your browsing somewhat. But give it a shot and see how things go.
Choose Tools, Internet Options.
Click the Security tab. Next, click the Custom Level button.
Choose Disable in the Active Scripting area.
Click OK twice to close open dialog boxes.
To turn JavaScript back on, follow these steps but choose Enable in the Active Scripting area.
Drag and Drop Start Menu Item on Desktop:
Do you find your desktop handier than the Start menu? Then create shortcuts to your oft-used Start menu items on the desktop. With all windows minimized, click Start and navigate your way to a favorite shortcut, such as Start, Programs, Accessories, Paint. Click the item you want to turn into a shortcut (here, Paint), and without releasing the mouse button, drag it out to the desktop. Release the mouse button, and there's your shortcut.
Global Folder Viewing
Options:
Do you have a favorite way of viewing a folder's contents--for
example, always as a Web page and always the Large Icon view?
Rather than set these options every time you open a new window,
set them once and be done with it. Windows 98 will apply your
view options globally (unlike Windows 95, where you had to reset
these options constantly). Open any Explorer window and select
View, Folder Options. Select the View tab, click the Like Current
Folder button, then click Yes to confirm. Every window you open
from that point forward will look the way you want it to.
How to access the Windows 98 startup menu during boot process:
After turning on your Windows 98 system, press and hold the Ctrl key (or F8). If you find yourself pressing Ctrl more often than not, make the startup menu appear automatically every time you start your system.Select Start>Run and type
msconfig
and press Enter to open the System Configuration Editor. On the
General tab, click the Advanced button, select Enable Startup
Menu, then click OK twice. Click Yes to restart your system.
Re-Create Show Desktop Shortcut:
Just delete the Show Desktop item from your Quick Launch toolbar by mistake? Don't worry--you can get it back.
Open an Explorer window, navigate your way to the Windows\System folder, and locate a file named Show Desktop. Open a second Explorer window and navigate your way to Windows\Application Data\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch. Right-click and drag the Show Desktop file from the System folder into the Quick Launch folder, release the mouse button, and select Create Shortcut(s) Here. That shortcut is right back where it started.
Increase Scrollbar Size:
Do you find the scrollbars in your applications and dialog boxes too small to grab onto? Windows 98 lets you make them as big (or as small) as you want. Right-click the desktop, select Properties, and click the Appearance tab. Under Item, select Scrollbar, adjust the Size using the up arrow, and watch your change in the preview. When you like what you see, click OK to keep the change.
Password-Protect Your Screensaver:
Don't want nosy neighbors meddling in your business when you step away from your computer? A screen saver will stop the passers-by (unless they can get close enough to bump your mouse), but a password-protected screen saver is even better.
The next time your screen saver kicks in and anyone (including you) tries to get past it, it'll be a no go without the password. So make sure you don't forget your password!
Task Scheduler:
Task Scheduler is a utility that runs maintenance routines, such as ScanDisk and Disk Defragmenter, according to a specified schedule. To open the Scheduled Tasks window, double-click the Task Scheduler icon in the tray of your Taskbar. If you don't see the icon, select Start> Programs>Accessories>System Tools>Scheduled Tasks, and then select Advanced>Start Using Scheduled Tasks. To add a task, click the Add Scheduled Task item and follow along with the wizard; to delete a task, right-click it and select Delete.
You can also modify the settings for any task in the list. Right-click the task you'd like to change and select Properties. In the resulting dialog box, use the settings on the Schedule And Settings tab to adjust the task's behavior, then click OK. Repeat these steps for each task you'd like to modify, then close the Scheduled Tasks window.
To delete a task from the list, right-click it and select Delete. When you're finished adding and deleting tasks, close the Scheduled Tasks window. Then, as long as Windows and the Task Scheduler are running at the time for which tasks are scheduled, this little helper will run them for you.
If you're using the Task Scheduler to automate disk maintenance and other tasks, here's how to make sure you know if one of your scheduled tasks didn't happen. Open the Task Scheduler by double-clicking on the system tray icon and select "Notify me of missed tasks" from the Advanced menu.
If you do not want to use Task Scheduler in your System Tray, here's how to disable it. Double-click the Task Scheduler icon, and in the resulting window, select Advanced>Stop Using Task.
Win98 Troubleshooters:
Win98 troubleshooters are step-by-step problem solvers that cover hardware conflicts, device failures, DirectX and more. Go to Start>Help menu, type troubleshooting in the Index.