Tihiy

Ok, some good news again. I've almost rewritten it. Although currently there are some stability/perfomance problems, but i sure they're all fixable. 32-bit color is now supported almost anywhere in 32-bit app: in toolbars (i'm making new toolbar hack too), listviews, treeviews and such. It wasn't so hard (about 1000 lines of code) and that proves again that Microsoft is playing unfair game. I'm going to take a break now (passing exams) and i think i'll release it on the weekend. Any name suggestions?

IE exact version?

Some good news. I've done a lot of hard work and haven't found unsolvable problems so far, there's may be a pre-release tomorrow. If everything goes fine, i'll also add new icons/bitmaps (including xp toolbar buttons patch) to final version, as optional components.

Ok, you're right. I'll look after that key. Gape: it'll be an honor, sir. When it'll be ready (if it'll be ready) i'll publish it here.

Looked wery carefully through the image and saw no difference, only jpeg artifacts. Anyway XP uses 16-bit as default value and draws 32-bit icons within.

Believe, now it's very easy. I like 640x480 startup logo much better. On icons: that registry values doesn't work propertly in 98 - it still prefers 8-bit (256 color) icons if more than "16" bpp is specified. But thanks for your help anyway.

Looks like bulls***. err... But: patched successfully for me. Can you tell if any error messages was during patch process?

Sorry... Didn't understand - it won't be a resource hog only if it won't. B) I think if it'll be written well, it won't - not more that 1-2% system resources.

If I ever write this I think it 'll be valueable in any way. But: modifying windows files is illegal ! I've thought about using GDI+ - actually it is used in Windows XP comctrl32.dll v6; but... dunno now. Attached version is almost unusable: - breaks 16-color icons - breaks drag/overlay cursors - still prefers 256-color icons, so draws 32-bit icons only if no 256-color icons in file (test on Music.ico - included in zip). Installation: !!!haven't checked dlls now - may crush system!!! - copy user32.dll&dll.dll into \windows\system - USE ONLY IF YOU HAVE 4.90.3001 version of USER.EXE - download@MDGx. - clean shelliconcache (hidden file in \windows directory) ... Edit: download removed. Updated version is coming.

Ok, got 5.81.4916.400. Stay tuned.

Sure will work in Win2k too. I think it's not fair Microsoft to deprive Windows of beauty.

First hack. I've rewritten USER32.DLL. Compare: 32-bit icons with alpha channel are ugly in Windows 9x/Me/2000 32-bit icons with alpha channel in Windows XP (yes.. no! 9x sreenshot with hack applied) So, i've made a hack which allows 32-bit icons with true shadow to be propertly displayed in Windows 98/Me. Cool? Very! I need some help. Now this hack is very limited - due to limited GDI implementation in 9x, works propertly only with white background. But i can make proper hack - it will be even somewhat better&faster than XP version. So i need to rewrite COMCTL32.DLL and i need the most recent version - may be from IE6SP1 w/hotfix. I have 5.81.4704.1100 - if someone owns more recent 9x version, upload it somewhere or send it to me by mail. Due to illegality of this hack it won't be commercial in any way, but if anybody can help me with hosting/testing, i'll appreciate. Second hack Animated 640x480 boot logo (XP like) instead ugly 320x400. Cool? Oh, yes! Now this hack is limited too - doesn't animate . I can write animating logo pure assembler so it won't consume conventional memory, but i need any fast&small graphical library for it. If anyone interested in current hack version(s), i'm here. Third hack Actually a driver i've written somewhat ago which hooks CTRL-ALT-DEL and launches selected program (task manager) when they are pressed. Now: eng version not ready. Fourth hack Small program, similar to "Welcome screen" in w2k: due to system dll hack, loads before any processes - so can check registry for critical/virus threads, select shell for using, change session preferences & more. Now: eng version not ready.

After the first installation process bar reaches 100%, install process is looking for disk in A:, B: drives and hangs if not found. If you have no floppy drive, disable floppy controller in BIOS.

Ok, now I'm going offline for some time... I rewroted REGENV32.EXE and now it never modifies config.sys NOR deletes useful stuff in autoexec.bat, only SET= ones. Note: requires VB6 runtime. Also i modified msconfig.exe to delete bugged national page and instead System Restore it launches System File Checker. But, because 98 doesn't launch REGENV32.EXE on shutdown, you have to do it yourself (i'm exploring which file in ME doing this). Run "REGENV32 -c2" (updates c:\autoexec.bat) if you changed something on enviroment page&want it to work. updated: bugs fixed. Msconfig_updated.zip

Ah... No good news, people. I changed setup files & made 2k3 install on 98. But... it can't run. I checked file dependencies & saw some critical NT dependencies. Sorry. It's impossible.

What does that mean?!

Ok, i'll try to rewrite REGENV32.EXE.

I'll try to fix it, but i don't have english version. Could somebody provide a link to this file or hotfix? Edit: thx.

Hm. I don't know. Works for me. Watch spelling&be sure to extract layout.inf,layout1.inf&layout2.inf from cab.

thx for the link, i'll try it.

2All!!! I recommed using 2nd method because it also changes: Web View Document Promerties My Documents Thumbnail View and etc., it's official and 100% no risky. You should delete shdoc401.dll&shd401lc.dll *ONLY* if you have installed Me shell. 98 shell depends on it!!! Edit:also, to supress errors during 2nd method - extract ATL.DLL from Me to \system directory first.

2MDGx, stop! I recollected! To upgrade 98 shell to Me easier way, do the following: extract layout*.inf & ieshell.inf from precopy1.cab to Me folder. open ieshell.inf, change [Millshell_Inst] to [DefaultInstall]. Right-click it & select "Install". Select Me original files. Reboot. Enjoy! [hm: you can forget previous post except number 4) - you can delete shdoc401.dll & shd401lc.dll for sure]

2MDGx Hm, don't have 98 system now, so try this in virtual system or make backups of everything! 1) Please make sure you have at least IE 5.5 installed. 2) Now, get these files from ME: EXPLORER.EXE COMDLG32.DLL SHELL32.DLL 3) Run regsvr32 /u shdoc401.dll 3.5) Run regsvr32 /u shell32.dll 4) Exit to MS-DOS, delete shdoc401.dll & shd401lc.dll (from \system) 5) Replace explorer.exe in \windows, shell&comdlg32 in \system 6) Run windows there are 3 ways: (1): show taskbar&hangs - make "shell=command.com" in system.ini; proceed (3) (2): show nothing&crash - oops! roll back everything! my fault! (3): works great or almost no errors: run regsvr32 /i shell32.dll; reboot&let shell=explorer.exe if you've changed it. if there are errors, try to run regsvr32 /i shdocvw.dll, regsvr32 /i browseui.dll ... hope this helps to great pack.

Edit \windows\system32\config.NT and add everything you need!!!!

There are many official methods to check Windows platform id (9x or NT) and undocumented too. Office 2003 & other apps can check some undocumented functions. This tool hacks only official checking method, so... But, if "Viewer" versions of Office 2k3 programs can run on Windows 98, i think whole Office can. I'll explore this problem.