Eck

Ah! Okay I see. The QFE Installed entry is the one there, but the 905915 wouldn't install the older URLMON.DLL since the 912812 had installed the newer one. And when I extracted 905915 to replace URLMON manually, it only showed the 1525 version. There was another file there that something in the installation probably turns into 1526 but my renaming it manually didn't result in a proper version of URLMON.DLL (no information tabs in the properties page for it). So it looks like I should be using the 1526 version but I don't know how to unless the installer itself does the file transformation. At least I got those newer versions from 912812 off the system. Wouldn't it be nice if Microsoft would do some kind of final patch for 9x that leaves things working properly?

Hey again, PsychoUnc! Yep, I just did it like I always do. This package works fine for the "After." Edit - But I did need to manually replace URLMON.DLL with the older version in KB905915. The installer didn't put the older file over the newer one. I used System File Checker for this, having extracted KB905915.

Eureka! MDGx came to the rescue in the 98SE new updates thread. To fix stuff like Office Update I followed his before, after deal to reapply the older Internet Explorer Cumulative Update. First the HTML update, then the older IE update, then the TSHOOT98 update, then the Maximus-Decim MDAC update. Rebooting between everything. There was trouble with the IE update, as it didn't replace URLMON.DLL with the older, working version included in the 905915 update. I manually had to extract the KB905915 update and used System File Checker to replace the newer version with the older one from 905915. 905915 has 6.00.2800.1525 there, so I now have that one even though the "QFEInstalled"=dword:00000001 Reg setting is there. I hadn't installed that, though. It was there when I checked it in regedit. I went to Office Update and it worked, asking to install the ActiveX control and then running Office Update. It installed a couple of newer things I needed successfully. So ActiveX controllers now ask and install properly. Edit - I went to Windows Update and it now lists KB912812 again as a critical update. I assume we'd better not reapply that one, eh?

PsychoUnc, Yes, the Maximus-Decim is what I use to update the MDAC stuff after installing the Internet Explorer Cumulative Updates. I always ran into problems trying to install all that stuff manually. The Maximus-Decim solved that for me. Whenever updating that, I disable my ethernet card and set ZoneAlarm not to run at startup. That saves me having Windows report the registry being bad and automatically rebooting and installing its last backup. I hate that! Taking ZoneAlarm out of the equation saves me that problem. After rebooting from the MDAC update I run ZoneAlarm, set it to startup with Windows and reenable my ethernet card. I have to do this after RealPlayer installations as well. Edit - Oh, I just did all this. http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?act=ST...t=0#entry501706 This fixed up Internet Explorer ActiveX installations so they ask to install again, as they should, and then actually install and work. The caveat is that Windows Update will now think I don't have KB912812 installed. Well, then it's going to stay not installed (even though it was, before I installed the older one over it and manually replaced the URLMON.DLL with System File Checker). I like when things work! Edit2 - Hmmm, Windows Update Catalog errored out when I told it to go to the download basket. I had to use the Windows XP partition to get the latest files. (I save them.) It worked there. I don't know. Maybe that was just a glitch in Windows Update Catalog. Maybe something's still broken. Since Office Update worked and Windows Update was able to search for updates I assumed it was all fixed.

All right! Now you'd wonder why Macromedia hasn't made that prominent on their own site. At least this'll give me a way to install the Flash Active X. I think that Shockwave one just installs Shockwave, or at least the file name is the same one Macromedia offers for its Netscape/Firefox Shockwave installer. That does install Shockwave into both Firefox and Internet Explorer. But they hide the Flash one. Thanks for finding it! Now let's hope Microsoft decides to offer its IE patch to 9x versions. Edit - Oh, that's 10.0.0.16. The new Shockwave is 10.1.0.11. At least that one only installs Shockwave. No problem, as installing that Flash one then the latest Shockwave will likely fix things up fine. Edit 2 - Yep! Flash and Shockwave latest versions now on both IE and Firefox. Adobe changed their test so the Flash and Shockwave tests are on seperate pages now, but all is working (except Internet Explorer's downloading of ActiveX installer's, but we know about that).

Also, some programs register the older WMP 6.4 plugin. That makes the older player open in Firefox WMP embed's. Regsvr32 Wmpdxm.dll fixes that. You gotta do it everytime you use such a program as VCDEasy.

I was advised by a TV repairman, who probably had somewhat of a conflict of interest, that my old Mitsubishi would last and last if I let him repair it. Whereas most new TV's are designed to last for about 2 years. I let him repair it and it works great! My old SiS5598 HP Pavilion 4430 still will run about as crappy as it ever ran. That doesn't mean I like running it except to relive old memories, but the point is it will still run. But, yeah it sure would be nice to be able to keep Firefox updated for 9x. Especially for computers that are a bit newer but with owners who enjoy having a 9x operating system available for those old programs they still enjoy (like me).

Yes, it seems that the compatibility patch that temporarilly fixes this stuff (until it is made permanently broken soon when everyone will be forced to redesign their websites to work with Internet Explorer ActiveX) is not available for Windows 98SE. This explains why ActiveX works in XP (Windows Update applied the patch) and does not in 98SE (no patch made for it yet). Sheesh. And no uninstall link is in add/remove for KB912812. Great. Not that I don't want the security fix, but I really could do without it breaking ActiveX. I noticed folks on the Microsoft community forum complaining about the Macromedia Flash downloads as well. And that was on XP. Perhaps that was before Microsoft issued the compatibility patch. The Microsoft site said they "may" decide to provide a patch for older versions of Internet Explorer in the future. So I guess there's nothing to be done for now, unless someone could create a 3rd party patch that makes things work the old way.

I tried the links on both Firefox and Internet Explorer (Windows XP) and they don't seem to latch on to anything. Maybe they moved them? By the way, I also searched the site and the only downloads for Internet Explorer I could find (besides the regular ActiveX download) were the Flash 8 Basic downloads. When I tried to install it, it reported compatibility for only Windows XP. That's not what's needed anyway. I just had noticed that those also included the Internet Explorer plugin. The installer didn't run though, except for informing me it was only for XP/2000, etc. I couldn't find links like you provided concerning the manual ActiveX installer. And the ones you provided didn't link to them. I should be able to download them from the ftp, as I've never had a problem downloading ftp links before and no error appeared other than saying the file wasn't found on the server. Aside from that, are Internet Explorer ActiveX installations broken for everyone who has installed the latest Internet Explorer Cumulative Update on 98SE? If so, you'd think others might be complaining about this. That's another reason I posted the question. I don't see how it could be just me.

Hey, I just set up a dual-boot with 98SE and XP, 2 seperate primary partitions using Partition and Boot Magic. I'm pretty experienced with this stuff and use the unofficial 98SESP and 98SE2ME, along with MDGx's add-on's and updates, etc. I also use Maximus-Decim's MDAC update. When installing KB912812 resulted in a surprise when going to Microsoft's OfficeUpdate and Macromedia's Flash download (neither ActiveX installer would bring up the question box so nothing could install), I tried lowering my IE security settings and setting the office site to trust it. No effect, as no activeX control would install. So I came here and noticed the new Maximus-Decim IE and MDAC updater's. I installed them, hoping to fix this. But still no ActiveX installer would install. I managed to download the Office Updates manually and install them, but I'm stuck with Flash 7.0.19 that's installed with WorksSuite 2005, except for in Firefox since I used the manual Firefox Flash 8.0.24 installer for that. Of course I now cannot install some of my other software that installs older versions of Shockwave and Flash as then I would be stuck with even older versions and no way to fix it by downloading the latest Flash from Macromedia. It simply will not bring up the box asking permission to install it. WindowsUpdate works fine as that control was installed before it installed KB912812. I also tried the IE Repair tool with no change. It seems that with XP there isn't a problem as the built in IE popup blocker allows you to click it to install an ActiveX control, but of course there is no such process built in to IE6 SP1 on 98SE. I use Firefox normally so I'm basically okay, but I'd like to fix Internet Explorer so if I need something installed that uses ActiveX controls it will install it. Right now this is broken.

The 98SE startup diskette is fine for large hard drives as long as you overwrite fdisk.exe with the newer one fixed by Microsoft. Format works fine as well. It just doesn't report the correct size while it's working. When it's done it does report the full size it formatted. I've done 250GB single partition and multi-partition hard drives with these tools with no problems. It's just that Windows 9x doesn't run them properly unless they are on a SATA controller with its own driver or a seperate PCI ATA card with its own driver.

Geez, I actually always look for more "junk" to install rather than less! How do wallpapers, screensavers, tiny wave files, etc slow down or take up too much space on today's massive hard drives? I even copy all that stuff, including all the Plus! stuff, to my XP installs. I love old junk that makes me nostalgic. Unless you're using 32MB of memory on 3.2 GB hard drives with 300MHz processors I wouldn't worry about some nice pictures and sounds. And that cool cd sampler reminds me to break out Return of Arcade once in a while. It reminds me of lot's of folks who use stuff like IE Eradicator then install IE anyway. Old programs need stuff left over from IE 4 and 5, and that is properly left behind when updating IE. No need to fully remove the older version, and in some cases problematic.

The Via IDE Filter Driver adds support for those Maxtor ATA 133 speeds on Windows 9x. Windows XP includes support for that, so Via even removed the IDE filter driver from the latest Hyperion's. I don't think you need it unless you use ATA133 hard drives. What you should avoid it the Via IDE Miniport driver that they offer seperate from the 4-in-1's. That thing does fix parellel port Zip drives, but other than that it screws up cd drives and data transfer's. I have a lot of Maxtor drives so I always installed the Via driver included in the Hyperion's or 4-in-1's. No problems with it here.

I'm not a lawyer but I think the only way it would be within the bounds of the software use license you purchased by buying the cd would be to only use the software yourself on only one computer being used. That, or selling or giving it away to someone else and removing it from your computer and not making any copies. As far as the programs themselves, those that you mentioned are what I always uncheck when doing an installation of the Plus! 98 Pack. The screensavers and games are cool, but those disc and registry utilities were old parts of McAfee (after they bought Cybermedia) programs that at one time long ago were useful but now are kind of dangerous. They were designed before Office 2000 and many Internet Explorer technologies. They will recommend as being safe to remove many registry entries that are not connected, but will be connected when called for. And I wouldn't use the version of McAfee VirusScan on there either. Really, folks are better off with CrapCleaner or jv16powertools than running that old stuff. Newer programs are aware of what should be left orphaned, as they won't be orphaned when called for by programs. Deleting what that old stuff tells you is safe will break things. Also, some files installed by that Cybermedia stuff actually cause havoc. There's a KB article about how to fix Windows after it will no longer startup after a defragment caused by some of McAfee/Cybermedia stuff being installed. It was fixed in later versions, but now even the last versions of those utilities can destroy Windows just by being installed. Since McAfee discontinued their utility programs there were many updates to 9x OS files and other stuff that these programs just can't deal with. Lot's of us also use 98SE2ME, installing many Windows Me system files. Windows Me was brought to its knees by McAfee utility programs. So, if you use the Plus! 98 pack, as I do, please do a custom install and uncheck any of those helper aps it includes. Just install the screensavers, themes, and games. Just trying to save you a format!

Jeez, guys it's just an operating system. Don't like, fall in love or anything. XP is just the latest version. Some of the bloatware is pretty usefull. 9x needs keeping up with security patch's too. But it still is quite functional. Plenty of bloatware still works on it. Just more bloatware now runs on XP. And some old bloatware (programs) that used to work on previous versions of XP now malfunction because of some of the latest SP2 security updates. Just use what will make the box do what you need and stop crying about people preferring one or the other. A computer operating system doesn't need religious zealots defending it. It either makes stuff work how you like it or not. It has no feelings to get hurt by those who may diss it. So let's all move to threads that help solve problems running our boxes and quit posting love letters to our computer programs.

These battles have already been lost with the old losing out to the new. PROBLEMCHYLD, they have already updated or bought their systems with XP preinstalled. It's done. Like the old Dos vs. Windows. That being said, I still enjoy using Windows 98SE and keeping up to date with it so things go smoothly. I use XP too though. I'm a Libra, so I like balance! I'm no fun in this Flame War. I support both sides. But I definately don't enjoy 98 being disrespected. It's been running computer's for a long time now and although user's are dwindling, those that still do use it can get plenty of functionality out of it.

Um, folks I just mean't the updates to the various versions, not the whole installation packages. My experience with using IE6 SP1 on an old, slow SiS5598 board with an AMD K6-2/366 processor was fine. It didn't like Firefox at all, but surfed pretty smoothly with IE6 SP1. Windows Explorer was not adversly effected by IE 6 SP1 either. I do like the idea of keeping the size of the Service Pack small. And this would still be possible with just including the updates, fixes, and such. If the full Internet Explorer installations were included, I certainly would not be happy unless this was optional. I install several things between Internet Explorer and the Service Pack, and some of these would not get the proper updates if they were not present when the Service Pack installs. So, I'd rather not have the Service Pack include Internet Explorer. I would like it to include the necessary updates and fixes to the various IE versions.

I've always noticed that internet downloads are zippier when using XP, for some reason. Whether I use TCPDoctor to manually set some of the speeds doesn't seem to make much of a difference. The broadband tests always tell me everythings looking great. But it's just zippier on XP. I don't get it. Don't thing it's any Service Pack or 98SE2ME relation. It's just something in XP that is better optimized for broadband. Yes, it does get a bit confusing just knowing whether you have all the right updates. I guess we just need to do the best we can without obsessing over it. I know I'm not about to look at every stinking file to see if it's the right one. We all have better things to do.

Ahhh! So you mean it all looks great in my device manager but if I actually had USB 2.0 hard drives and such, I'd be limited to 1.1 speeds, eh? That's strange how Via and Nvidia provide easily installable 98SE/Me USB 2.0 drivers but all SiS offers is a patch that disables the controller from autoexec on every Windows boot. The latest one for my Via board's is always posted on viaarena. Don't even need the older one on the motherboard cd. Still, I think I'd rather have some driver connected to the hardware even if it's a null function, rather than needing to run something from autoexec to turn it off all the time. My Asus board is looking better all the time. The last couple of days I've needed to switch off and on my power supply switch to get the Foxconn SiS board to power on. Hmmm, no wonder it's $35. Perhaps I won't bother swapping out the A7V880 with the 2nd Foxconn board. My ATI x850Pro wasn't crashing while gaming at 400FSB speeds, but I had read so much about everybody else's problems that I thought I was CMA by ordering the SiS boards. Then again, I play a lot of old stuff like Galaxian! Not too taxing I suppose. My new M-Audio Revo 5.1 is at the post office so the last piece of the new setup will be here tomorrow. I guess I will wind up installing the new Foxconn as I at least have to be sure it's not DOA. I'll see how it works on XP. I'll have to talk to the happy Microsoft activation folks again on the phone. They're gonna think I'm wacky, only using a single computer but changing everything, including the motherboard, every few weeks. Good thing it's a retail XP Home.

Maybe you mean the Windows 98 Gold project? I haven't seen any 2.1b references for the Unofficial 98SE Service Pack.

Spock, Don't misunderstand please. I don't mean an installation of Internet Explorer of any version. Anyone can get that too easily on their own. I just mean that the updates to the various versions of Internet Explorer be available in the Service Pack. So, you would install your favorite Internet Explorer, then in the Service Pack Options you would choose the version you have installed and the appropriate security patch's, bug fixes, and addon's would install during the Service Pack installation. Perhaps it could be set up so if the user doesn't select any Internet Explorer version then just the standard updates that are already in the Service Pack for the default 98SE IE 5 would install. I don't understand why you would remove Internet Explorer if you intend to then install it. In fact, I think the Internet Explorer updates might depend on some files from the original version being there. Not sure about this, but I've never experienced a problem installing IE 6 SP1 over what the operating system came with.

Do you mean my problem with the IOS error or RJARRRPCGP's problem with the kXProject install? On my 2 boxes currently, I have an Antec Trublue 480 and a Thermaltake 480. So I think I have quality power coming through. I think it's more a problem with the way newer processors and chipsets use memory. I'm sure if I fired up one of my older boards the SBLive's vxd's would have no problem. But I think is wants to use what is being used by these new motherboards and eventually causes a conflict. Note that this is a dos conflict as is happens before Windows loads the desktop. I'm sure the newer WDM package would work fine though. But in that case I'd rather use my better soundcards. The cool Dos drivers were why I was fooling around with the SBLive. We don't need it these days though, with Dosbox around.

If you don't mind Socket A you can save some money. Newegg has a Foxconn 748K7AA that I've been running for a couple of weeks now. It is not an overclockers board, especially on 9x as the SuperUtilities overclocking within Windows only can do that type of thing on XP and the bios is limited in this area. (But the SuperUtilities monitor does run on 98SE even though they say it only supports XP) I have been using Via Chipsets for years, but found some of the same problems others have with AGP 8x and 400FSB with them. So since I wanted to keep using my Socket A processors for awhile, I decided to experiment with this SiS748/SiS946L chipset board. Unlike Via, it does not suffer from crashes when gaming at 400FSB speeds. I use my own soundcard and Ethernet card as you can do better than what is built in. For Ethernet I have a D-Link DGE530T (Marvell GigaLAN) and for sound an Audigy 2 ZS Platinum Pro. You don't need the Platinum unless you want the extra connections. If you don't mind installing software midi synthesizers like WinGroove if you like midi better than Microsoft provides, then an M-Audio Revolution is an excellent alternative. The 5.1's are newer with slightly better DAC's and SNR than the 7.1. The Revo is better for sound quality, but the Creative cards are better if you want the best FPS in gaming since the Revo does EAX in software. (Still works fine though.) For a cpu, although I already have an AthlonXP 3200+ 400FSB Barton I noticed that directron.com is selling a Sempron 3300+ Socket A 400FSB for less than half the price of my old AthlonXP 3200+. It is an HP OEM processor that is a relabled AthlonXP 3200+! Same thing. So I bought it as a backup or to replace the AthlonXP 3000+ 333FSB on my second box. Crucial is the memory I usually buy. The auto finder there does not list this board but if you instead put in an Asus A7V880 it will show the memory for that board and it all is also compatible with the Foxconn 748K7AA. I'm partial to ATI Radeon's for my videocards. Don't know why, just used to them. My main system has an x850PRO. I got it because I wanted an upgrade from the 9600XT and it was on sale. There are now even better choices for the same money with the newer models, but ATI now supports the x850 series with the Catalyst drivers (though the Windows Me driver) on 98SE. They call it beta support but all features work with the Catalyst 6.2. ATI MMC 9.13 and the DVD also work fine. I'm not sure if the decoder will download onto a 9x system though. I downloaded and saved the setup file while using XP and it is installed on 98SE as long as you browse to it. The Antec P-160 is a sweet case, as are their power supplies.

Since official Microsoft support is exiting in June, wouldn't it be a good idea to include the necessary updates to Internet Explorer 6 SP1 in the Unofficial Service Pack? I think most folks at this point are installing IE 6 SP1 on their 98SE machines. Without Microsoft Windows Update to get the patches and security updates folks will need to manually download and install these. I'm not suggesting that the Service Pack include Internet Explorer itself, or even that the post IE 6 SP1 updates be included in the main package. (Well, I guess that would be ideal for me but some folks still want to use an older version.) Perhaps the main package could remain as it is, simply updating the default version of IE 5 that is installed with 98SE, but one of the optional updates offered could be the package of updates for IE 6 SP1. And, if that is possible, why not some other choices for those who still think IE 5.5 is best for them? Personally I think just requiring IE 6 SP1 be installed before running the Service Pack and having the main package install the needed updates would be fine, but I guess some wouldn't agree with that. That is why I suggest offering separate optional packages in that same menu where users could just check the version of IE that they have and then the Pack will install what is needed.

That's cool, nudgegoonies. Glad it's working. By the way, not all at the windowsbbs are fraidy cats! And even those who aren't thrilled with 3rd party updates have lot's of knowledge and are helpful folks. I don't want to diss them just like I don't like to see the Service Pack's dissed. Especially good is the Netscape, Mozilla forum there. No one can acuse Ramona of being unwilling to try different stuff to fix problems, etc. Nice folks there.