bpalone

I did try directly launching excel, word and powerpoint and they all three did come up and appear to be functional. So, I'm guessing there is some form of DRM there, in that it whacks the registry. When I have more time, I'll poke around the registry. If all else fails, I can just drag out the CDs or do the ultimate, upgrade back to 97. I use the stuff so little, that it is a non issue, other than the bit of hassle to correct it. Really only have it around to check that formating in Word is not whacked by the other applications I use. I use Excel most of any of the programs, and then only for about one purpose. I prefer Quatro Pro for doing any number crunching, because I can remember how to put together the formulas there. Comes from being a member of the older crowd.

Does anyone know if Office 2000 Professional with updates to bring it up to SR-1 has DRM in it? I ask, because I had to replace a motherboard the other day, and I replaced with same make and model, but now Office 2000 refuses to load and doesn't even come up with any errors. If I try to launch task manager after attempting to load an Office App I have to reset the computer. I then looked at the properties for the shortcuts and see there is not a defined path to the program and it is grayed out. Anyone experienced this before? Thanks. edit for typo.

An IDE is nice, but is not required. If you are just going to be writing Command Line apps for a while, then I would just find a decent ASCII text editor that you like and use it. Then compile from the command line as well. I started learning C with Power C and one other book back in the late 80's. It is still available here and the book that comes with it is worth the money they ask for it. I also think you can still download an old version of Turbo C from here for free. Turbo C was my second compiler and I still like the old Borland products. In fact, the version they are offering has an IDE and is DOS based. (added last sentence here with the edit.) If I were you, I would probably just drop to DOS and use a DOS text editor and compile from DOS. Then after you gain some more experience and want to mess with Windows programming, then I would look for something with more power. But, for now, you can learn most all the basics without adding the confusion of Windows into the mix. Good luck and I hope you enjoy coding. It is a good skill set to have. Besides, we don't want to let a little bit of silicone and tin dictate to us how things are going to be done, now do we?

And then from that article: If the touch screen was really the be all, end all, then it would easily displace the traditional desktop, keyboard and mouse. I don't see that ever happening. I have used a touchscreen interface on an Android tablet I have, it is functional, but it is a PITA. Now, do I feel that way because I'm of the older crowd and cut all my teeth with a keyboard? Could possibly be. Touchscreen is fine for smaller devices, such as tablets and phones. But I don't think it has any place whatsoever on the desktop. Can a tablet replace a desktop? No way, at all. Does that mean that a tablet or a desktop are worthless? Again, I have to say a resounding NO. They are all tools in the toolbox. We may have several tools that do the same thing, but in certain instances there is just one tool that really does the job well. So, that is the tool we use. Could the other tools do the job? Yes, but they might be a bit clunky at getting it done, but would get the job done. So, I think Microsoft and their Windows 8, is a case of trying to make the touch screen into something like a crescent wrench. An often misused hand tool, that has rounded off way to many bolt heads. A handy tool to have around, but definitely not the only tool you want or need.

I have questioned if Microsoft could of made a back door wherein they could actually shut down any OS from XP on. I have no reason to believe this, other than their actions of late. It would certainly be a real tool to force folks to upgrade. Seeing how they want to have total control, I really don't put anything past them at this point.

Sounds like the real world has a grasp of the true value of the product. Last I knew, Redmond was in Washington State. If my memory serves me correctly, Washington legalized Mary juina the last election. Could it be that the folks in Redmond really jumped on the band wagon and are having laced brownies and smelly smoke breaks? It's the only reason I can come up with for their attitudes and moves of late.

I for one have enjoyed reading this thread. However, jaclaz is right. Nothing has happened except the thread was moved, so let's get back to discussing the topic of this thread and its drift thereof. I am not a big Windows user, but I do still use it usually once or so a day, but nothing newer than XP, and that is if I have no other choice. Windows 2000 is my choice and will continue to be. But, I do have people ask me for advice from time to time and I feel that is important for me to keep up with developments so that I can deliver at least reasonably accurate advice. This thread has been a great help in that regard. BUT LATELY, IT HAS LEFT ME A BIT UNSATISFIED IN THE QUEST FOR INFORMATION. I do hope we can get back on track and that others will return and continue to contribute. Thanks for putting up with my rant. I look forward to continuing to read this thread and maybe even contribute a little here and there.

Say goodbye to cheap computers or low-end computers? Is the target audience of your post (this site) buying cheap computers? By cheap I meant what we are paying for components these days as compared to what we spent for them in the 70's and 80's. You buy a reasonable 1 Tb hard drive for less than $100 (U.S.) today. But, I'm guessing that down the road a bit, that same drive is going to be closer $200 (U.S.). That is what I meant by cheap. I think most users here build their own systems, with the exception of laptops.

The one scene where it states: Windows, the heartbeat of Microsoft. If that's the case, then I'm guessing that version 8 has it on life support. But, seriously, I think we may be missing the boat somewhat. I would venture to say that most everyone that hangs around here, has written a line or two of code beyond the "hello, World" ditty. Either that or has a back ground in sys admin. We all have tendency to view a computer for what it is, a tool, a tool to get things done with. Now, average Joe Schmoe has a different view of the device, it is bring him pleasure and smooth his/her psyche because they just posted a great post on facebook, twitter or whatever. In the February, 2013 issue of PCWorld at page 77, they have a graph showing how people use their laptops, it breaks out like this: 10% for Work 56% for home/personal 34% for both So, average Joe Schmoe would appear to be the true market driver and a software company makes money by selling software or selling support. Now, I can't see the corporate world going for Windows 8. What I do see though, is the corporate world saying we have our XP and 7 Licenses and our software licenses, so we are going to stay right where we are. Then the hardware manufactures would have a market left for the older versions and so would we. Prices will be higher because the market is smaller, but we would still be able to get what we want. How ever this ends up shaking out, I think we can say good bye to cheap computers. The prices are going to go up and we will be stuck with it.

I have that same model and I don't recall ever having a problem installing from a straight 98se CD (i.e. non Compaq). I am thinking that I downloaded my drivers from Compaq (may of been before the merger). It has been a while since I have installed the OS on any of them (I have more than one, I like the sound system they have), but I don't recall any issues. I'm wondering if maybe the website is serving up the wrong drivers? If you don't have some luck getting them to work, let me know and maybe we can figure a way to get you copies of my drivers. I will have to look to find them, but I know I have them around here and I'm to tired right now to take the time. Let me know.

Maybe... As for cloud storage of personal or business data, I will use my usual not so polite way of expressing it. Only mentally challenged parties would even think of such a thing. It never ceases to amaze me how sheeple are so eager to hand over all or large parts of their personal data/lives to some total stranger.

Here is a link to one that should work with 98se. I have a couple just like it, or at least close cousins and they work OK with 98se. Hope this helps you out a bit.

You might try Powerstrip which can be found here. I haven't used it but found it while looking for video drivers, it might work. Good Luck.

We all appreciate what you're doing, and we owe you a big THANK YOU. :thumbup :thumbup :thumbup

Don't you mean to store them on several different media types, just to be sure you can get them later. I personally put things like this on more than one HDD and then burn more than one CD/DVD. Then if I'm really paranoid, take and put copies in the safe deposit box at the bank.

MDGX still has them up. http://www.mdgx.com/ietoy.htm#6S1 File space at Redmond must be at a premium, either that or they really want to KILL IE6.

I have not touched Windows 8, nor do I desire to. But, I have followed the conversation here out of curiosity and to be able to forewarn friends about what is coming. It appears that they just have to keep twisting the knife. Found the following on slashdot.org and thought I would share it, in case it hadn't been seen. I guess Redmond knows what is best for all of us.

You will have to get the SP1 from a source other than Microsoft. They had an accident and it is no longer available from them. See this thread for information: SP1 thread As far as I know, the situation hasn't changed. Hope this helps and enjoy the newer software, without all the bloat.

Have you checked at Annoyances.org? They keep a fairly good database of things there. It may be an item that has been addressed in the past. Just a thought. Good luck.

On your Windows 2000 CD, there is a directory called "Support" and within that directory is a program called "APCOMPAT.EXE". Grab that file and place it on your hard drive and either double click it from windows explorer or enter the proper path and file name from the "Run" command. This helps with compatibility issues and may or may not cure the issue. I don't think it does anything permanent, unless you check the box to make it so. Hope this helps.

Does this utility come with its own generic display driver? I don't much about it other than what they say on their website. There is a newer version than the one I linked to. About all I can say, is that it is try before you buy shareware, so you can download it and give it a go to see if will do what you need. I ended up using the SciTech driver for a virtual machine and it worked fine, so I didn't go any further. If you have the ability to virtualize an instance of 98se, you might want to do some of your testing that way before taking it to the hardware. And yes, native is better than virtual any day. All that said, from what their website says, it would appear that it addresses things at the hardware level, so I would assume that it includes a generic driver. Good luck and keep us informed.

Here is another possibility: EnTech I haven't tried it, but had come across it while looking for a driver some time back. Please do keep everyone informed of your successes and failures, as we all learn that way.

Over in the Win 2000 section, BlackWingCat posted this about a library for compiling with Visual C 2010. Will produce binaries that will run on 98 and ME. Just thought it should be mentioned here, so that those more interested in 9x than 2K would be aware of it. edit: The paste of the link doesn't take you to the correct post, it is post #17 in the thread.

Not all flash drives are created equal when it comes to WRITE speeds. Smaller files you don't really notice it, but with large files it really shows up. That could be at least part of it. I have some seem to take forever with a file that size (not using 98se). I use flash drives to hold movies that I have ripped to avi format, so I can take them on the road with me and use several different brands. Never really paid much attention to which ones were slow writers, because once I have them filled with movies that is the lat time I write to them. Don't know if this helped, but it was one thought I had. Good luck.

This isn't a direct answer to your request, but are some alternative thoughts you may or may not of thought of. I'm assuming that there is some output from a program you are needing to have printed out. So... how about hitting the local thrift stores or pawn shops to find an old printer that is supported by 98se? Or, another option would be to get an older version of Adobe Acrobat or another PDF creator that supports 98se, then just print to a PDF and then move the file to the other machine and print it out? These may allow you to keep more of the hair on your head. Not the neatest way to get the job done, but gets it done none the less. Good luck.