MDGx

Did you mean this one... http://www.mdgx.com/add.htm#OFV OLD MS Office 2000/2002/2003 Compatibility Pack for Word, Excel + PowerPoint 2007 File Formats for Windows 98/98 SE/ME [27 MB, English]. Windows 98/98 SE/ME require KernelEx already installed. HTH

I have added a link here: http://www.mdgx.com/toy.htm#OPR Opera Windows 98/98 SE/ME standard skin replacement [774 KB, free]: http://www.mdgx.com/files/standard_skin.zip More info: http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=145272&st=6 HTH

From what I remember from the old discussions here at MSFN, it may have to do with this MSDOS.SYS option, which must be set to read SystemReg=0 .IO.SYS "tells" the OS to scan + backup the registry by running this command: SCANREG /FIX during the native DOS part of the boot process (before Windows GUI loads). More scanreg info: http://www.mdgx.com/98-1.htm#SCANREG98 And this happens because that particular IO.SYS update (WINBOOT.SYS = renamed to IO.SYS and installed in C:\ root by MSKB Q311561 fix) is somehow broken, and sends the OS boot process into a loop [?], if SystemReg=1, which is the default setting if no SystemReg= line exists in MSDOS.SYS (+ WINBOOT.INI, if any) under the [Options] section. WINBOOT.INI guide: http://www.mdgx.com/newtip16.htm#WBINI HTH

Visual C++ updates: http://www.mdgx.com/add.htm#VS6 HTH

Wow... that's a whole bunch... Thanks a lot! Added all the above (and moved the section) here: http://www.mdgx.com/toy.htm#CRC since they're not just a few NTx tools anymore. Enjoy.

Don't know if any1 posted this here before... * Nomand.NET is a free(ware) file manager clone with lots of features: http://www.nomad-net.info/ Requires .NET Framework 2.0 or newer: http://www.mdgx.com/add.htm#NFR Compatible with Windows 98/98SE/ME out of the box. Download here [stable RC]: http://www.nomad-net.info/downloads Screen shot: http://images.betanews.com/screenshots/1205541909-1.png Includes 7-zip (free GPL) compression/decompression interface. * If any1 needs the last 95/98/ME compatible versions of FreeCommander [free(ware)], here they are: http://www.mdgx.com/toy.htm#ENH This tool has a unique feature: can compare 2 drives/partitions/directories side-by-side and synchronize them with minimum of mouse clicks. And its copy function is very fast [has its own cache algorithm] which is noticeable especially with very large files/folders, faster than Windows Explorer and similar tools based on shell32.dll APIs. * CRC/MD5/SHA file (PE) checksum tools that work with 9x OSes [free(ware)]: http://www.mdgx.com/xptoy.htm#CRC The ones I'm refering to [because they work with 95/98/ME] are: FCIV.EXE, CRC.EXE, WinCRC + FileRepair. [thank you dencorso for discovering some of these tools!] HTH

Okay after reading quite a bit of this, I'm getting confused.How would I have an option to boot into Windows normally (without any changes), and have a single option to boot into DOS. In other words, I do not need to multi-boot DOS itself. I'd like to configure just one way to load DOS, and have the ability to boot Windows normally (without any autoexec.bat/config.sys entries added). Or... are the config.sys, and autoexec.bat, used soley for DOS backwards compatibility in Windows 98? IE - Any DOS entry/drivers referenced will not be loaded by, or effect, Windows 98... 1. See Complete MSDOS.SYS guide:http://www.mdgx.com/msdos.htm all options are clearly explained in detail: http://www.mdgx.com/msdos.htm#TAB For this to work you also need custom autoexec.bat and config.sys files in C:\ root [in my experience, when I was doing this years ago] = see this guide: http://www.mdgx.com/last3.htm#DOS2DOS 2. Windows 9x custom boot to native DOS [or any other custom choice besides the default] is not possible "without changes", you have to learn how to tweak your startup files [autoexec.bat, config.sys, msdos.sys] and/or create custom PIF files, which in turn allow to create custom autoexec.bat + config.sys files [like "Exit to DOS" for example]... http://www.mdgx.com/newtip10.htm#EXIT2DOS Autoexec.bat + config.sys are in Windows 95/98/ME [ME has to be "fixed" in order to be able to use those files] for doing stuff in native/real/true DOS mode, like playing DOS games that do not run properly or at all using DOSBox or custom PIF files (DOS boxes): http://www.mdgx.com/newtip23.htm#WDBT from within Windows [my favorite ], (re)partition +/- (re)format drives/partitions, repair boot sector(s), tweak multi-boot managers to be able to boot multiple OSes, backup/restore/clone entire hard disks without rebooting in between steps, copy/move/rename/delete files/directories you can't otherwise "touch" from within Windows [because are "locked"], etc, etc. But if you decide you don't need to use native DOS, you can safely delete autoexec.bat + config.sys [make backups 1st], and see how it works for you: customization + experimentation are key, to determine what works better for your needs. Without autoexec/config files and without modifying msdos.sys, Windows 9x boots with the default choice: straight to the GUI (interface), and nothing else. Looks like you're new to the world of Win9x + DOS, so I advise to start reading the guides/manuals/documentation/tips/etc [if you can't find something you're looking for, there's always Google to the rescue] in order to learn how to do this. It's not an easy process, takes some time and dedication to learn the intricacies of an operating system [no matter which one(s) that is (are)], but in the end it is worth it, you will be a much more knowledgeable person, and you will be able to "mess" with your computer any way you wish, and make it do whatever you want. [rant] IMHO... For me computer tweaking was very rewarding, because after learning + testing everything on my own, I was able to customize my computer any way I wanted, and also learned that I could also teach others to do this easier than I had to [you may know the old saying... look at the door step, so you won't bump into it like I did the first time around]. I've almost never asked questions, always did my own research, and pls keep in mind that years ago when I was doing this there were no help forums, websites, blogs, guides, etc, such information was hard to find, so I've also started to write my own guides [that's why I have a web site]. But that's me, you need to choose your own way. [/rant] HTH

And if I may intrude and add to the confusion... 1. Swap file management (synchronized + optimized) for all Win32 OSes [from Win95 up until Win2003]: http://www.mdgx.com/newtip15.htm#MXSF [i have not tested this with Vista, 2008 or 7.] 2. Config.sys + autoexec.bat multiconfig guides: - Config Menu: http://dos.rsvs.net/DOSPAGE/CONFMENU.HTM - DOS multiple boot HOWTO: http://web.archive.org/web/20070908035726rn_1/www.knowplace.org/pages/morgue/dos_multi-config_booting_howto.php - The multiconfig setting that applies to MSDOS.SYS (important if using multiconfig config.sys +/- autoexec.bat): http://www.mdgx.com/msdos.htm#TAB respectively "BootConfig=MYCONFIG". My W95-11D.EXE (or W95-11D.ZIP if you prefer) archive of tips [freeware]: http://www.mdgx.com/95.htm contains a collection of text files with DOS guides. After installing the EXE or extracting files from the ZIP above, please open MEMORY.TXT in Notepad (or similar text editor/viewer): http://www.mdgx.com/toy.htm#TXT and scroll down to the "My CONFIG.SYS Lines Explained" section. 3. To "see"/manage all your FAT [FAT12/FAT16/FAT32] partitions/disks from native DOS [but not NTFS/NTFS5, FAT64 (exFAT), ext2/ext3/ext4/HPFS], you could use: * DOSSHELL.EXE VGA/EGA front-end (GUI) similar to Windows File Manager [free from MS]: http://download.microsoft.com/download/win31/Update/1/DOS/EN-US/sup622.exe MS-DOS 6.22 Supplemental Disk [sup622.exe] = you have to extract the DosShell files from inside it using either: - EXPAND.EXE [bundled with MS-DOS 6.xx]; - or ZIPFolders right-click shell context menu in Windows Explorer [if using Win98/98SE/ME]; - or your favorite unZIPping tool [free(ware)]: http://www.mdgx.com/toy.htm#ZIP Also, if you installed W95-11D.EXE / W95-11D.ZIP (see above), please open DOSTIPS.TXT in Notepad and scroll down to the "MS DOSSHELL = MS-DOS File Manager" section; * or any of these DOS GUI managers [free(ware)]: http://www.mdgx.com/dos.htm#GUI FYI... Some of my links may be invalid [i haven't updated some of those text files in ages :-(], but if that's the case, please don't hesitate to PM or e-mail me so I can correct them. And if you encounter any "404" links, there's always the Internet Archive to the rescue: http://www.archive.org/ Thanks. HTH

UPDATED · 9-30-2010 Enjoy _________________________ Updated: New SYSPLGME (WinME): hotplug.dll + systray.exe modded with 256 colors tray icons + no more warning popup. New SYSPLG98 (Win98 SE): hotplug.dll + systray.exe modded with 256 colors tray icons + no more warning popup. Updated SCR579X.EXE (experimental!) = older MSE 5.6 cscript.exe + wscript.exe 4 compatibility w/ HTA. Updated KernelEx RC4. New IEAK 6.0 SP3 Upgrade for all available languages (25). HTH

Thanks for testing.And glad it works properly [per your instructions ;-)]. I have no way of testing any 9x updates, because I don't have Win98SE installed (in a virtual machine) right now [but I plan to do so soon]. Now I'm using XP SP3 (with MS IE 6.0 SP3), that's where ADVPACK.DLL build 6.0.2900.5512 comes from [the newest available to my knowledge], so I updated my IEAK (IExpress) installer libraries to that version, since I'm also compiling installers for 2000 + XP [and even for NT4]. These files seem to work properly with 98/98SE/ME, so I'm keeping them. I've posted stuff about newer versions of advpack.dll here. Although, advpack.dll from SCR579X.EXE should only be used by the installer [the "AdvancedINF=2.5" line has to be mentioned in the INF for this to work], that's why it is copied to the %TEMP% folder [usually C:\WINDOWS\TEMP] together with W95INF16.DLL + W95INF32.DLL, and all those temp files should be (theoretically) erased afterwards, at least that's how the IEAK routine should work. But I guess since you had an older version, it also copied it to your %windir%\SYSTEM , probably to ensure future compatibility with installing/uninstalling newer Iexpress setup executables. FYI... I also posted IEAK 6.0 SP3 Upgrade with newest files from XP SP3 [308 KB, English]: http://www.mdgx.com/files/IEAK6SP3.ZIP Please see _READ1ST.TXT (included in the ZIP) for more details. Linked here: http://www.mdgx.com/add.htm#IEA and here: http://www.mdgx.com/upd98me.php _______________________________________ Every1: So if any1 wants to test the new SCR579X.EXE [617 KB] (experimental!), please post here any error messages, problems, etc. SCR579X ReadMe: http://www.mdgx.com/files/scr57.php Thanks. HTH

So... I've just posted the new SCR579X fix [thank you Fredledingue ]: http://www.mdgx.com/files/SCR579X.EXE now with ReadMe guide: http://www.mdgx.com/files/scr57.php also as plain text: http://www.mdgx.com/files/SCR579X.TXT Linked here: http://www.mdgx.com/add.htm#MSE Please test this new fix, and post here any errors/problems, eventually with error messages, relevant code/registry/etc. Thanks. PS: SCR569X.EXE has its own ReadMe guide now: http://www.mdgx.com/files/scr56.php also as plain text: http://www.mdgx.com/files/SCR569X.TXT HTH

Thanks for all your work in resolving this issue. BTW... Current SCR579X.EXE installs: - CSCRIPT.EXE 5.7.0.16535 in %windir%\SYSTEM [114,688 bytes] - WSCRIPT.EXE 5.7.0.16535 in %windir%\SYSTEM [135,168 bytes] These are SCR579X.INF relevant sections: [DefaultInstall] CopyFiles=CS [CS] CSCRIPT.EXE WSCRIPT.EXE [DestinationDirs] CS=11 5.6.0.6626 files [old] must come from a much older SCR569X edition or from an official MS update [all MS updates for 9x OSes are much older]. Current SCR579X does not install any 6626 build files. Current SCR569X : the only 6626 build file installed is DISPEX.DLL [5.6.0.6626]. And you're right, SCR56 deletes: - 5.7 cscript.exe [build 5.7.0.16535] from %windir%\SYSTEM and installs its own 5.6 build [5.6.0.8832] into %windir%\COMMAND - 5.7 wscript.exe [build 5.7.0.16535] from %windir%\SYSTEM and installs its own 5.6 build [5.6.0.8832] into %windir% I'm working on this SCR57 fix right now, and I should be posting it soon. Many thanks for your help. Best, MDGx

I've seen your solution, and will update those files soon. Thanks a lot for your hard work.

I have added the diamond documents (txt + HTML) you found to the INF_web guide (online) and to the zip (offline).Respectively (online): - HTML. - txt. Thanks a lot. HTH

Try these steps: 1. Clear the [possibly corrupted/obsolete] icon cache database: delete ShellIconCache [strip its read-only ( R )/hidden ( H ) attributes if necessary] from the %windir% folder (usually C:\WINDOWS). 2. Rebuild the icon cache: Run TweakUI 1.33 → select the Repair tab → click "Repair Icons" button (do not reboot yet, even if instructed to do so). 3. Change the RB icons the way you want, as detailed in my previous post. 4. Reboot: may need to reboot twice, the icon cache repair process may not kick in the 1st time around. ;-( HTH

1. If you're running a limited ("guest"/"client") user account, you need to upgrade to an administrative [administrator/sysadmin] or "Power User" [only if using XP Home] type account. 2. After logging with administrative privileges, make sure your policies [maybe changed by another user, if more than 1 user share the same machine, or by some program/tweaker] are not restricting Desktop icons display, creation, layout etc. System policies/restrictions how-to: http://www.mdgx.com/newtip9.htm#RESTRICT To change policies the MS "recommended" way [administrator account + XP Pro or XP Pro install CD-ROM required if using XP Home], you can always use gpedit.msc [MMC snap-in] tool: Start -> Run... -> gpedit.msc -> Enter/OK -> User Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Desktop -> make sure all desktop icons settings are allowed. 3. To make sure your Desktop icons stay the way you want at all times, install Layout.dll [free from MS]: http://www.mdgx.com/newtip20.htm#LDI and you may also wanna try this: http://www.mdgx.com/newtip4.htm#AUTO HTH

MS has dedicated tools for this purpose, both mentioned @ my site... IE8... http://www.mdgx.com/ietoy.htm#IE8 IE 8.0 Disable Automatic Delivery Toolkit: here [115 KB]. IE7... http://www.mdgx.com/ietoy.htm#IE7 IE 7.0 Disable Automatic Delivery Toolkit: here [104 KB]. HTH

Another aspect I should mention... If using Windows Explorer (or similar file management tools using shell32.dll APIs) to "see" hidden/system files, you won't, the Windows XP "factory" defaults are such that System files + folders are hidden so the user won't be able to alter/move/delete them "by accident". ;-( This "glitch" can be easily corrected thou... 1. Windows Explorer/My Computer interface -> Tools -> Folder Options -> View tab -> check the box "Hidden files and folders" -> uncheck the box "Hide protected operating system files (Recommended)" -> confirm said actions in all nag dialog boxes -> Apply/OK. 2. Another solution, without modifying any of those "factory" defaults... is to use good ol' File Manager 32-bit (see the FM guide for details), modded to work properly with all WinNTx OSes [free from MS]. To be able to achieve this, first you need to run FM -> click View from the File menu -> click "By File Type" -> check *all* boxes including the "Show Hidden/System files" box -> click OK or hit Enter. BTW: BOOT.INI does not exist by default on Windows setup CD-ROMs/DVD-ROMs, it is created upon install with custom parameters for each specific boot + Windows drive/partition/folder. NTDETECT.COM + NTLDR are located in the \I386 subfolder on Windows install CDs/DVDs. BOOTSECT.DOS is also created in C:\ root [default boot drive/partition on single drive computers], but does not exist on install CDs/DVDs. In case the user decides to install the recovery console (the "Windows XP Recovery Console" boot menu option, which points to C:\CMDCONS\BOOTSECT.DAT), CMLDR is also copied to C:\ root (default), and C:\CMDCONS created. HTH

I am of the opinion this thread (awesome guide, btw) should be "stickified". So say we all... What say you, dencorso?

All wired mice [laser/optical, mechanical/ball, USB, PS/2 etc] made within the last 15 years should be recognized and work properly under all Win98/ME/newer OSes without special drivers. Mice I've used under Win95, 98, 98SE + ME throughout the years (wired only): - Goldtouch ergonomical Analog Mouse [PS/2] - Good Systems Optical Laser Pro [PS/2 + serial] [1st laser mouse ever sold as a consumer product back in ~ 1996-97 ;-)] - Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer 1.0a [PS/2 + USB] - Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer 3.0 [PS/2 + USB] - Microsoft Optical Mouse Blue [PS/2 + USB] - Razer Viper [uSB] - Logitech Trackman Wheel [uSB + PS/2] - Logitech G5 v1 [uSB] - Logitech G5 v2 (extra button) [uSB] - Logitech G9X [uSB] None needed extra/3rd party drivers, they were all recognized and worked properly with default/built-in drivers. Of course, some extra buttons/functions cannot be accessed without manufacturer custom drivers, but basic buttons/wheel functions should work ok. I have no experience with wireless mice. Right now I'm using a Logitech G9X v2, and it is the best mouse I've ever used. Period. HTH

you should know better... there is no spoon

Java no Java... http://www.mdgx.com/add.htm#JAVA HTH

No need to mod edit DLL/EXE files in order to change Recycle Bin icons. Recycle Bin icons are found under this registry key (default icons): [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\CLASSES\CLSID\{645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}\DefaultIcon] @="SHELL32.DLL,31" "Empty"="SHELL32.DLL,31" "Full"="SHELL32.DLL,32" same as: [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}\DefaultIcon] Changing those 2 icons can be done easily from: Desktop -> right-click -> Properties -> Desktop tab -> Customize desktop button -> highlight Recycle Bin Empty / Full -> click Change icon button -> browse to desired file/library -> double-click on it (select whatever icon if more than 1) -> click Apply/OK. Those icons can be changed to any valid ICO, BMP file or ICL, DLL, EXE icon library [most common DLL + EXE libraries are found in %windir%\SYSTEM]. Regedit or a dedicated tweaking tool [X-Setup (now freeware) comes to mind] can also achieve this. More info [some of these pages refer to other OSes, but procedure is almost identical]: http://www.real-knowledge.com/changedesk.htm http://www.tweaklibrary.com/Display/Fonts-and-Icons/39/Alter-the-Recycle-Bin-icons/11067/ http://www.malektips.com/vista-recycle-bin-icon-empty-full.html http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch001021.htm If any1 wants custom RB icons, here are a few resources [free]: http://icone.goldenweb.it/index_file/l/en/d2/computer/c/recycle_bin_2/default.html http://download.cnet.com/Holiday-Recycle-Bin-Icons/3000-2318_4-10051957.html http://www.awicons.com/stock-icons/vista-artistic-icons/recycle-bin-icon/ http://www.softpedia.com/get/Desktop-Enhancements/Icons-Related/Trash-Icons.shtml Enjoy. HTH

Oh man, that tip is so old [10 years in 2 months!], I forgot about it.But I'm glad it still works. ... And you're welcome. Best wishes.

Tihyi's tools are also here:http://www.mdgx.com/add.htm#ARP HTH