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JorgeA - Just a few additional thoughts-- Consider installing a prior version of Spybot, the one that last worked on your computer. When troubleshooting my very old computer, which didn't have enough resources to open Spybot with all its filesets active, I tried this very approach and it worked. The old version of Spybot downloaded and used the newest spyware definition files just fine. (One of the definition files, in the downloads available list, was a checkbox to download and install the latest version of Spybot. This item should be left unchecked and not be downloaded). Prior versions of Spybot are available from http://filehippo.com/ . SuperAntiSpyware has a portable version of its antispyware, that works on Win9x, at http://www.superantispyware.com/ . I've never used this product, or the installed version of SuperAntiSpyware (prior win9x versions also available from http://filehippo.com/ ), so I make no recommendation.

I use a codec pack (of directshow filters) on my Windows XP system, and used to use codec packs on Windows 98se. But newer codec packs are incompatible with win9x/me. And older codec packs are increasingly obsolete and may have had "issues" even when they were new. So after much trial and error, I assembled and installed my own list of 98se directshow filters. APPLICATIONS The following programs were installed, prior to installing any of the directshow filters below: Name and Version: Media Player Classic (mplayerc_20081005_win9x) Downloaded from: http://sourceforge.net/projects/guliverkli2/files/Media%20Player%20Classic/6.4.9.1/mplayerc_20081005_win9x.zip/download'>http://sourceforge.net/projects/guliverkli2/files/Media%20Player%20Classic/6.4.9.1/mplayerc_20081005_win9x.zip/download Comments: This is the last version of MPC for win9x/me. Much of MPC's playback is from MPC's internal directshow filters (which internal filters can be disabled). Standalone versions of MPC's internal filters, which I chose not to download, may be downloaded from the same guliverkli2 website as MPC ( http://sourceforge.net/projects/guliverkli2/files/ ). These MPC standalone filters, once installed and registered, then can be used by Windows Media Player and other directshow players. Name and Version: RadLight Filter Manager Downloaded from: http://www.free-codecs.com/RadLight_Filter_Manager_download.htm Comments: Use this utility, with care, to view, save, or print a list of installed, directshow filters; to change filter priorities (merit); or to register or unregister individual filters. Note that the RadLight Filter Manager list includes win9x system files, which files are installed by windows media player or by the operating system setup. These system files should not be changed. INSTALLATION OF DIRECTSHOW FILTERS The following directshow filter versions were installed on my Windows 98se system and were found to be very compatible. The filters may also work in other versions of win9x/me. Users, however, install these listed filters, on their own computers, at their own risk. Prior to installing these directshow filters, users should open RadLight Filter Manager, and save the filter list by clicking "Save DirectShow List". Users should also do a pre-installation full backup of their program and Windows files, including a backup of the Windows Registry, prior to making the changes. Note that the directshow filters, in the following list, may be more easily maintained if installed, when possible, in separate subfolders within a single Windows folder (e.g. in "C:\Program Files\DirectShow\..."). However, some filter setup programs will install filters in "C:\Windows\System", without ever prompting the user. Filters and filter folders should not be moved or renamed after installation and registration. But, if filters or filter folders are moved or renamed, the filters MUST be re-registered or re-installed for the change(s) to be recorded in the Windows Registry. Changing filter priorities (merit), and other directshow filter changes, may require a computer reboot, for the changes to become effective. Note also, the following assume a "clean" install- that is, no other user-installed directshow filters or codec packs already present. Name and Version: ffdshow_rev1936_20080413 Downloaded from: http://sourceforge.net/projects/ffdshow-tryout/files/SVN%20builds%20by%20clsid/very%20old%20builds/ffdshow_rev1936_20080413_clsid.exe/download Name and Version: aac_parser Downloaded from: http://inmatrix.osnn.net/aacparser.exe Comments: Needed by ffdshow to open local AAC files. Note that local AAC_Plus files may also have the same ".aac" extension, but cannot be opened in win9x/me using directshow. Name and Version: madFlac-1.8.zip (FLAC) Downloaded from: http://www.free-codecs.com/madFLAC_download.htm Comments: After installation of madFLAC, open ffdshow's "audio decoder configuration" program from the Windows Start Menu, select "Codecs", and disable the "FLAC" codec. Open RadLight Filter Manager, select "DirectShow Filters", then select "madFlac Decoder". Select "MERIT_PREFERRED" from the drop-down menu. Merit value should have changed to "00800000". Click the "Set Merit Value" button to apply the change. Repeat these steps for the "madFLAC Source" filter. Name and Version: illiminable oggcodecs_0.73.1936 (Ogg Vorbis, Speex, Theora and FLAC) Downloaded from: http://downloads.xiph.org/releases/oggdsf/oggcodecs_0.73.1936.exe Name and Version: MP4Splitter_20070918_win9x (MP4) Downloaded from: http://www.free-codecs.com/MP4_Splitter_download.htm Comments: This MP4 Splitter has no installer. Unzip the downloaded file. Place the MP4Splitter.ax filter in a new folder (e.g. in "C:\Program Files\DirectShow\MP4 Splitter"). Open RadLight Filter Manager, and click the "Register" button. Browse to the MP4Splitter.ax file and click the "Open" button to register this MP4 Splitter. Name and Version: 3ivx_d4_451_win.exe (M4A, MP4) Downloaded from: http://www.free-codecs.com/download_soft.php?d=2772&s=44 Comments: After installation of 3ivx, open RadLight Filter Manager, select "DirectShow Filters", then select "3ivx D4 Audio Decoder". Select "MERIT_UNLIKELY" from the drop-down menu. Merit value should have changed to "00400000". Click the "Set Merit Value" button to apply the change. For each of the remaining 3ivx filters, respectively, first select "MERIT_DO_NOT_USE" from the drop-down menu. Merit value should change to "00200000". Then click the "Set Merit Value" button to apply the change. Name and Version: matroska.1.0.2.9_win32.exe Downloaded from: http://www.free-codecs.com/Matroska_Splitter_download.htm Name and Version: OpenSource MPEG Splitter (osmpegsplitter.1.0.0.3_win32.exe) http://inmatrix.osnn.net/osmpegsplitter.1.0.0.3_win32.exe Name and Version: osflvsplitter.1.0.0.4_win32.exe (FLV) Downloaded from: http://www.free-codecs.com/Flash_Video_Splitter_download.htm Name and Version: vsfilter.2.39_win32.exe (subtitles) http://www.free-codecs.com/directvobsub_download.htm Name and Version: CoreWavPack-1.1.1-Setup.exe (WV) Downloaded from: http://www.free-codecs.com/CoreWavPack_download.htm Name and Version: monkeysource100.exe (APE) Downloaded from: http://www.free-codecs.com/Monkey_Audio_DirectShow_Filter_download.htm Name and Version: RadLightMPC_1.0.0.3.exe (MPC) Downloaded from: http://www.free-codecs.com/RadLight_MPC_DirectShow_Filter_download.htm Name and Version: RadLightOFR_1.0.0.1.exe (OFR) Downloaded from: http://www.free-codecs.com/RadLight_OptimFrog_DirectShow_decoder_filter_download.htm Name and Version: TTA Lossless Audio Codec (TTA) Downloaded from: http://sourceforge.net/projects/tta/files/tta/ttads-codecs/ttads-codecs-setup.exe/download Comments: After installation of TTA Lossless Audio Codec, open ffdshow's "audio decoder configuration" program from the Windows Start Menu, select "Codecs", and disable the "True Audio" (TTA) codec.

JorgeA - Sorry I misspoke. The firewall I meant to refer to, "Sygate", is available from many major download sites, including http://filehippo.com/download_sygate_personal_firewall/ . All software firewalls for Windows 98, including Sygate and Zone Alarm, are probably inadequate, and thus should be combined with a hardware firewall or router, if possible.

JorgeA - Just a few items to add to Georg's list: Have all the updates been installed for your Windows 98 FE system? Missing updates should still be available from Microsoft or from http://www.mdgx.com/upd98me.php . Avast has indicated it will be ending Windows 98 support in a few months (see the Avast thread). To my knowledge, this will make "Clamwin", and related "Clam Sentinel", the only installed free antivirus software available for Windows 98. Also, to my knowledge, Spybot is the only installed free antispyware software available for Windows 98. I don't recommend either SpywareBlaster, or Spybot's similar "Immunize" process. Both SpywareBlaster, and SpyBot's "Immunize", essentially work by adding thousands of entries to Internet Explorer's "Restricted Sites" and/or Internet Explorer's cookie "Privacy" lists, and/or the Window's hosts file. I considered these lists as ineffective and unwanted overhead, further slowing down an already slow computer- especially, since I seldom used Internet Explorer. (For Firefox, SpywareBlaster and Spybot did not add any significant security functions not already built in to Firefox or available from Firefox addons). So, I completely removed all these lists. and replaced them with other security. And, as slow as both of these programs are to load and run, it took me an inordinate amount of hours to remove these lists from Internet Explorer. (Note, if you uninstall Spybot, be sure to remove all prior immunization first. This task cannot be practicably done manually). Instead of SpywareBlaster or Spybot's Immunize process, I use the latest version of Opera (10.51) as my primary browser for both Windows XP and Windows 98SE computers. Opera has built-in siteblocker, which I use to block unwanted content and stat/tracking sites using the fanboy site filter list )downloaded from http://www.fanboy.co.nz/adblock/opera/ }. Opera also permits content blocking, cookie policy, and other security to be set both universally and on a site-by-site basis. And, I receive warnings from the search engine, or Opera itself, of blocked or dangerous sites. I also have installed Firefox 3.5, running under Kernelex, to replace the less secure Firefox 2.0. Internet Explorer security was updated by downloading and installing the "Unofficial Internet Explorer 6.0 SP1 Component Update (MDIE6CU) 3.2" from http://www.mdgx.com/upd98me.php . I use SlimBrowser, which uses the Internet Explorer engine and security settings, rather than using the Internet Explorer browser directly (for both Windows XP and Windows 98SE computers). SlimBrowser has four built-in sitefilter lists, similar to Opera's, as well as tabbed browsing and other features not available in Internet Explorer 6. I've set Internet Explorer's Privacy settings to custom, to block all cookies generally, then adding cookies-allowed exceptions manually. Cookie managers for Internet Explorer(IECookiesView) and Firefox (MozillaCookiesView) were downloaded from http://www.nirsoft.net Flash cookies and other Flash settings are accessed at http://www.macromedia.com/support/documentation/en/flashplayer/help/settings_manager07.html . And of course, I use effective hardware (router) and software (Sybase) firewalls to further reduce malware threats.

I checked my memory usage during another Spybot scan. Memory usage was an acceptable 45% to 48%, apx 62 Mb, of which apx 53 Mb was attributable to Spybot. (Memory was obtained by right-clicking the My Computer icon, and selecting Properties and then the Performance tab. Spybot memory usage was computed by taking memory usage at startup (apx 93% free or 7% usage), and deducting this amount from memory usage when Spybot was running). My suspicion is that, while memory usage (and number of file set items scanned) may dramatically affect the speed of the scan, memory usage is not the cause of the computer crashes and freezes being discussed. I next visited the Spybot user forum website (A very active and informative forum, it appears). No recent memory issues were noted. But there were several posts relating to the fact that Spybot is very CPU intensive. Of particular note was criticism of two real-time Spybot processes (SDHelper and TeaTimer) as resource hogs. I have not installed either of these Spybot features on my computer, so I can't comment on the criticism. But users with Spybot-related crash and freeze problems should consider disabling or uninstalling these Spybot features, if they haven't already done so. Then run a Spybot scan again to see if this fixes the problems. Spybot has a number of settings that may increase CPU usage, especially at the end of scans when computer crashes and freezes seem to be occurring (see Advanced Mode, Settings menu). I have deselected all items from the settings menu, except for "Save all settings" and "Display confirmation dialogs before doing critical changes". I don't have Spybot produce bug reports, log reports, or other reports; or create backups and restore points; or run at startup and other automated procedures. Instead, I find that Spybot finds at most a handful of suspected spyware items (usually none), and these few items can be best disposed of manually. Users with Spybot-related crash and freeze problems should consider deselecting these settings menu items. Then run a Spybot scan again to see if this fixes the problems. Spybot has a number of useful tools (see Advanced Mode, Tools menu) to identify unwanted programs and potential other problems. I find the ActiveX, BHO's, and System Startup tools particularly helpful. Consider disabling the items, on these various tool menus, that you don't think you need (such as, start menu items that "automatically check for software updates" (that run on Windows 98?)}. You can go back and re-enable these items, at any time, if these items are later found to be needed. Or better yet, consider running Spybot under Windows 98 in safe mode. If Spybot problems are fixed by running Windows in safe mode, Spybot problems may be caused by these Windows startup items, or other problems with the Windows installation itself. To start Windows 98SE in safe mode, I hold down my keyboard's "Ctrl" key during system startup, and select safe mode from the menu. If you suspect problems with the Windows installation itself, first consider repairing and compressing the Windows Registry (Other options are potentially somewhat scary and time-intensive). Prior to repairing the Windows Registry, I first run CCleaner, Scandisk, and Defrag, to clean my hard drives and the Registry. Next, I do a full backup of my "Drive C:", which backup includes the Windows Registry. Next I restart Windows, holding down my keyboard's "Ctrl" key during system startup, and selecting control prompt from the menu. I enter "SCANREG /?" to view registry options. I enter "SCANREG /FIX" to repair and compress the Windows Registry. Do not run the other registry options (not applicable to these problems and potentially harmful).

In order to clarify my earlier comments, I booted up my very old 98SE computer, and ran Spybot. First, update all, that is 100%, of Spybot definitions, before running the Spybot main program (use the separate "Update Spybot ..." start menu item to do the download). Each time you load the Spybot main program, Spybot loads all active file set definitions into memory, which process can be quite time-consuming on an older computer. Downloading definitions in Spybot is thus provided for in a separate program. The downloaded definition files do not correspond one-for-one to the file set definitions used by Spybot for scanning. Thus, first download all the definitions. Then use the file set settings menu to deselect those file sets you opt not to scan for. Then exit Spybot, and restart. (The first time I opened Spybot , it took Spybot over 15 minutes to load. I then deselected the following file sets: Cookies, Heavy Duty, HijackersC, Pups SC, and all the Trojan file sets. I then restarted Spybot, to clear and reduce Spybot memory usage. Spybot, this second time, took half the time, apx 7 minutes, to reload. I then ran the Spybot scan, with normal priority, which scan completed in less than 45 minutes). Note, the Spybot limited scan on my old computer included 73,403 items or definitions. I ran a complete Spybot scan, on my newer computer, a few minutes later. This complete scan included 1,284,425 Spybot items or definitions. I took several steps, a few years ago, to avoid page faults and improve memory management on my 98SE computers. In the System.ini file I added the following line to the [386Enh] section: MaxPhysPage=40000 For my old 98SE computer with 128MB of RAM and 16MB PCI video, I added the following line to the [vcache] section of System.ini: MaxFileCache=96000 For my other 98SE computer with 768MB of RAM and 64MB AGP video (and AGP Aperture Size of 16MB), I added the following line to the [vcache] section of System.ini: MaxFileCache=457216 For both 98SE computers, I also edited the system BIOS's to disable all Video and BIOS shadow ram (no longer needed).

My understanding is that the same functionality of diskeeper 7 can be found in the defrag program for Windows ME. Defrag and scandisk from Windows ME can also be used in Windows 98. Download from http://www.mdgx.com/upd98me.php (See "SCANFRAG" under "4-4-2009 Update".

Spybot loads its definitions into memory prior to scanning. Most of the definition lists are trojans, which may duplicate your anti-virus software scans and thus can be safely eliminated. Eliminate these and other non-spyware lists from the Spybot SD scan, and Spybot should have substantially less memory requirement and thus run just fine. (To do this, open Spybot, select "Settings", then select "File Sets", then uncheck the boxes relating to trojans and "Possibly UnPopular Software" and other lower priority lists, if needed). Note, by cutting back the file sets in this way, I have successfully run Spybot on a Pentium II era computer, and in reasonable time.

I recently installed three outstanding and free Windows XP applications on my Windows 98SE computers: 1. Prism 1.0b3 (standalone version). Prism opens web pages, from the start menu, desktop, or Quick Launch taskbar, as separate Windows' applications. Prism shares a version of the Gecko engine used by Firefox and uses Firefox plugins and addons, such as Adblock Plus. 2. AIMP 2.51.330. AIMP is a top-rated audio media player, uses Bass codecs, has an attractive and user-friendly interface, and many features. 3. RadioSure 2.1.950. RadioSure is an internet radio player and recorder, using the same Bass codecs used by AIMP. RadioSure has a searchable list of over 14,000 radio station URL's to choose from, or add your own. All three programs required Kernelex to install and run. Additionally, Prism required the Visual C++ 2008 Redistributable to be installed (downloaded from http://www.mdgx.com/upd98me.php). AIMP required GDIPlus.dll (also available from mdgx). RadioSure was installed last, and did not require any additional dll's. Prism 1.0b3 (standalone version) can be downloaded from http://prism.mozillalabs.com. AIMP 2.51.330 is a prior version of AIMP (AIMP 2.6x does not work in 98SE). Prior versions of AIMP can be downloaded from Filehippo.com or Brothersoft.com. RadioSure 2.1.950 is a development version of RadioSure (RadioSure 2.0.886 and prior do not work in 98SE). Download RadioSure 2.1.950 portable edition from the author's website RadioSure.com. Prism does not come with an installer, and thus, should be installed and uninstalled manually, like a portable application. Once run, Prism will set up its application and configuration files in the Windows\Application Data\Prism folder, the Windows\Application Data\Webapps folder, and the Windows\Local Settings\Prism folder. Prism searches your computer for any Firefox plugins. Missing plugins also can be added by creating a "plugins" folder in the folder where prism.exe is located. Adblock Plus and other addon's can be installed using Prism's addon window (which is similar to Firefox's addon window). But, first download the addon's zip file from the author's website Unzip this zip file to find the addon's installation or xpi file. And, to access your Prism application's addon window, needed for installation, be sure to check the box "Show status messages and progress", in Prism, when first setting up your URL or webpage as a Prism web application. The AIMP 2.51.330 setup program will install "Additional Utilities", including Audio Converter and Recorder programs, if the appropriate boxes are checked during installation. These additional utility programs will work, but performance is very poor (i.e. impracticably slow). Thus, I recommend that only the additional utility "Media Library" be installed. Also, select "Custom version" and "Single User Mode" during installation. After installation, before running AIMP for the first time, check "Select specific compatibility mode" and select XP in the Kernelex compatibility tab. Reboot. Then, start AIMP. Click on the "Main menu" button in the upper left corner of the AIMP window, select plugins, then uncheck "Load all found plugins". Close the plugins window to return to the main menu. Select options. For "Player" options, make sure that "Switch to state that player had before closing" is not selected (i.e. that either the "Start Playing" or the "Do Nothing" radio buttons are selected instead). Close the options window. Then exit AIMP. Open again the Kernelex compatibility tab, under the AIMP program or shortcut properties, and uncheck "Select specific compatibility mode". AIMP is now installed. AIMP's "Record Radio" feature is very resource intensive, and thus may cause older computers, with slower processors and/or limited memory, to become unstable, freeze or crash. Thus, such users should consider using RadioSure, instead of AIMP, for all their internet radio recording. Also, AIMP's radio recording may be slightly improved by replacing AIMP's lame.exe encoder with version 3.98.2 ("for older versions of Windows" from rarewares.org); by replacing AIMP's flac.exe encoder with version 1.1.3 ( from http://sourceforge.net/projects/flac/files/); by limiting encoding to flac at "Fast Compression" mode; and by limiting encoding to MP3 at lower bit rates- say from CBR32 to CBR96, depending on available computer resources. I also checked the "Select specific compatibility mode" boxes for all AIMP encoders, and selected Windows 95 compatibility for all. Another alternative is to set AIMP's radio recording to "WAVE" file output (the default). Then convert these wave files, offline, to other audio formats using "Multi Frontend" or other audio conversion program. To install RadioSure, unzip RadioSure 2.1.950 portable edition to a folder of your choice. Create Start Menu, Desktop, and/or Quick Start Menu shortcuts. Right click the RadioSure program or shortcut, select "Properties", then check "Select specific compatibility mode" and select XP in the Kernelex compatibility tab. Then start the RadioSure program. You should note that RadioSure starts normally, but something is wrong with the program's display. This problem is easily fixed by minor modification of two RadioSure skin files, "skin.rsn" and "skin2.rsn". These files are located in the "Standard.rsn" folder in the RadioSure "Skins" folder. Exit the RadioSure program by right-clicking towards the top of the RadioSure window and selecting "Exit" from the popup menu. Then make a backup copy of the Standard.rsn folder. To modify the skin.rsn and skin2.rsn files, first open the skin.rsn file in Notepad or other text editor (I use Notepad++ version 5.0.3). Search the text file for the word "Spectrum". Within the two instances of the word Spectrum, find the text "<visible>1</visible" (i.e. visible=true). Change this text to "<visible>0</visible" (i.e. visible=false). Save the modified file. Repeat this process for the skin2.rsn file. Then restart RadioSure. You should note that the program's display window has been fixed by your modifications. Note also, that some RadioSure dropdown menus do not work in Windows 98SE (for bitrate selection in recording options, as a workaround, use your arrow keys to scroll through the bitrate options. Or press the "a" key to select the "auto" bitrate option, the "3" key to select the "32" bitrate option, the "1" key to select the "128" bitrate option, etc). Note also, some radio stations listed by RadioSure cannot be played in 98SE or can be played in 98SE only with Windows Media Player.