recommended way to obtain M$ hotfixes

[sybesma]

Here's an example of what will work (on the first try, mind you):

When I sent the e-mail the first time, I forgot to mention my OS.

I got sent the file as soon as I clarified what OS I was using.

This example is of the Q229670 update; it's advisable you read the M$ article first

for any hotfixes you intend to obtain from M$, so you can get your story straight.

This specifically applies to Q229670, so make any necessary adjustments based

on what the M$ article says is the error which is related to the hotfix you want.

NOTE: SEND THIS E-MAIL TO wrhelp@microsoft.com

==================================================

Microsoft,

I'm using Windows 98 SE.

I'm getting an error: WRITE THE ERROR MESSAGE FROM THE M$ KB ARTICLE.

Looked up the error and it appears to coincide with the issue:

WRITE THE TITLE OF THE M$ KB ARTICLE

...which is mentioned in the Article ID ######

Is there any way you can e-mail me the fix ######UP.EXE?

Thanks,

<Your Name>

<Your Contact Info>

==================================================

Together, we ought to be able to wankle all of these from M$ in short order.

What Gape says is most needed are the following:

250514UP.EXE http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?...kb;en-us;250514

269874UP.EXE http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?...kb;en-us;269874

289635UP.EXE http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?...kb;en-us;289635

291362UP.EXE http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?...kb;en-us;291362

309081UP.EXE http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?...kb;en-us;309081

Others I would like:

257821UP.EXE http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?...b;EN-US;Q257821

258680UP.EXE http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?...b;EN-US;Q258680

Edited November 8, 2004 by sybesma

[Gape]

I have got lots of missing updates from someone, so please check my needed updates list before requesting any update from M$

[erpdude8]

Um sybesma. What should I put in the Subject line? I followed your

post when emailing Microsoft last Friday and I have NOT received

a response from them. How long does it take for MS to respond?

[sybesma]

Um sybesma.  What should I put in the Subject line?  I followed your

post when emailing Microsoft last Friday and I have NOT received

a response from them.  How long does it take for MS to respond?

Just put "Request for hotfix Q######" or something like that.

It's taken them three weeks since I last sent them a request also,

and I've gotten no reply yet.

Almost makes me wonder if M$ is reading this forum.

I'll prompt them for a reply and see what happens.

-- ALSO --

Gape,

I need the update for the CD-ROM folders which are nested more than 7 levels deep. Apparently, you just got that one.

[erpdude8]

Actually, sybesma. MS has just emailed me as I requested the q237493 timedate.cpl

fix for Win98 almost 2 weeks ago. They may send it to me if I can now provide them with

my full name & telephone number [yeah, like they might call me or something]. That's

how it is.

[erpdude8]

Never mind. Gape sent me the Q237493 patch. The updated

timedate.cpl file for Win98se fix the problem but the file

version is a little different from the one from the MS KB

article. It's not version 4.10.223 or more accurately 4.10.2223.

It is version 4.10.2225 for Windows 98 SE and version 4.10.2006

for Windows 98 FE (1st edition). So the file version info

of the updated timedate.cpl file in MS article 237493 is incorrect

for Windows 98.

Notice in MS article 275873 the Win98se version of the updated

acpi.sys file is listed as version 4.90.3002. I believe MS is wrong

on that one. That updated acpi.sys file is for Windows ME only.

The updated acpi.sys file for Win98se might really be

version 4.10.2230 or higher. The updated acpi.sys file in

the Win98se Service Pack is version 4.10.2229, the same

one from MS article 263891.

So Gape or sybesma, ask for the Q275873 patch for Win98se.

I bet using the tips here can also work when requesting hotfixes

for other versions of Windows such as Win95, Win98 1st edition &

WinME. Ditto for NT-based versions.

Gape does have the Q274175 cdfs.vxd patch for Win98. Now you

just need to obtain the WinME version of the Q274175 patch

if there will be an upcoming WinME service pack being made

next year.

[CLASYS]

How about Q290831 for ME? The 98SE version is available on this one...

cjl

[erpdude8]

Why not ask & email MS yourself, CLASYS? I've requested MS for some WinME

patches that I really need from them for several days now and they sent them to

me. Please note that hotfixes are only designed to resolve specific problems and

they may cause some unforeseen problems on certain systems. Be aware of the

risks involved in asking MS for any hotfixes for Windows.

[soldier1st]

well for old legacy oses like me n 98 they might not bother with giving updates

with xp they will

[erpdude8]

well for old legacy oses like me n 98 they might not bother with giving updates

with xp they will

Not really. I've recently asked MS for the Q274175 patch for Windows ME

and they sent it to me. You just have to follow what sybesma said earlier on

this page. Looks like sybesma and I are the only ones brave enough to actually

ask MS for any patch for any version of Windows and succeed.

Like that old saying 'Ask and you shall receive.'

[soldier1st]

well maybe cuzz you got more luck with asking them what you want and they give you what you want

[erpdude8]

well maybe cuzz you got more luck with asking them what you want and they give you what you want

Why not ask MS yourself, soldier1st? If sybesma and I can do it, so can you.

MS has extended support for Windows 98 and Windows ME until June 30, 2006.

See this MS support page on the extension of Win98/ME support:

http://support.microsoft.com/gp/lifean1

As long as MS is still supporting Win98 & ME, even when they are in extended

support, users can still ask MS for existing hotfixes for those versions of Windows.

No new hotfixes for Windows 98 & ME will be made during this time.

During the 'extended' support period, MS will only release NEW Win98/ME security

patches that have a severity rating of 'Critical'. New non-critical security patches

are not available for download during the extended support period.

[soldier1st]

ms would tell me no

i know for sure

[erpdude8]

ms would tell me no

i know for sure

Oh well. Then leave it up to people like me and sybesma who know how to

follow directions closely on how to ask MS for patches and get results.

Guess you don't know how do follow what sybesma said earlier on this page

or just afraid you won't get what you want if you actually tried asking MS.

At least sybesma and I are the ones who are actually DOING something,

unlike you soldier1st.

Hey if MS actually says no to you, at least you got a response.

I have asked MS if they're still offering hotfixes for Win95 a few days ago

and they said Win95 was no longer supported. THERE. At least I got

a response from MS. So no more existing patches for Win95 are no longer

being offered. But the Win95 patches that are still posted at the Win95

Downloads page are still available. As for the Workstation & Server editions

of NT4, MS ended support for NT4 workstation on June 30, 2004 and ended

support for NT4 Server on Dec. 31, 2004. So MS is no longer offering hotfixes

for NT4 as well.

Support of NT4 Server Notice posted here:

http://support.microsoft.com/gp/lifean3

for NT4 Workstation Support posted here:

http://support.microsoft.com/gp/lifean5

So Windows users can ask for hotfixes for Win98, 2000, ME, XP & Server 2003.

See this page on why Microsoft extended support for Windows 98 & ME here:

http://support.microsoft.com/gp/lifewinextndfaq

[soldier1st]

i actualy could cuzz i know how obviously but other ppl do it for me so why bother...