soporific

I haven't worked on it for a bit - the autopatcher was taking up all my time - but the new version of my other project will include the function to choose the installation drive. Actually, you'll be able to choose everything - Keyboard, regional setting, windows folder, etc. go here: - http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=53392 Now I know at least two people are looking around for unattended boot cds for Win98se, I'll resume work!

Try my original project out - http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=53392 I'm sorry I didn't see your original post, but I'm a bit dismayed that no-one else pointed you to my project. But then again i'm not surprised in the slightest.

This list is great, thanks! --- these are your list of "problematic" installs - ie my code needs improving to handle these files better. If Unicows is now not present, that's a good thing. You'll see the results of your feedback in the change log, if any. Thanks heaps for this info --- i'd noticed this bug but I couldn't replicate it on demand -- i'll definitely try to integrate Gape's method of getting thru this, because it does interrupt the whole autopatch process. Thanks again ... I actually have no idea when its a good idea to move this project from alpha to beta. Any ideas?

The Win982ME module in v1.5 is a custom module that doesn't use the normal code to run everything. It uses the old method of checking if the update is installed (using file sizes). I've changed this to use the same code that all the other modules use, and now the check is for the file version of user32.dll (checks for version number 4.90.0.3001 or higher and skips install if found). With regard to unicows, the code should be right. It checks for the file version of unicows.dll and if its lower than 1.1.3790.0 the report will say it needs to be installed. If its the same, it will report its already installed, or if its higher it will report that it has been superceeded. So check your version of unicows and get back to me. Version 1.6 will be released very soon, currently only 2.4mb in size ... Change log for v1.6 Buxfixes: - all bugs in v1.5 have been fixed (see main post for list) Additions: - to IE6sp1 module: kb886677 & kb834158 - to Windows Components module: System Policy Editor for Windows 98 Improvements: - the Win98 to Me module uses a better upgrade check - the report function has been tweaked further - autopatcher now promtps to manually install Dial-Up Networking 1.4 if not already installed. version 1.6 screenshots: ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

thanks heaps man. I have cleared up the confusion - q276602 is back in the main list (i've determined its a good idea to install it because of mshdc.inf which is not installed with any other hotfix. The inf file looks like it could be useful in certain circumstances.)23rd Nov 2006: Added to Main list: kb834158, q280448 Moved from Main list to obsolete list: kb888113 Moved from obsolete list back to Main list: q276602 Please thank the following for the latest additions: erpdude8, the_guy, & problemchyld

OK, lets see if we can't clear away some deadwood... its like a battle between the myth makers and myth destroyers, choose your side now!! -- most of these discoveries come from this site: http://mywebpages.comcast.net/SupportCD/XPMyths.html ***************************************************************************************** ***************************************************************************************** Tweak - Increase IoPageLockLimit (disk cache) [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Memory Management] "IoPageLockLimit"=dword:00020000 Myth - "Increasing the IO Page Lock Limit will lock more memory for exclusive access by the kernel, improving performance." Reality - "Indeed, it does do this but only in an RTM Windows 2000 machine. It does absolutely nothing in Windows 2000 Service Pack 1 and up, and absolutely nothing in Windows XP. This makes it effectively useless, since no one in their right minds would be running RTM Windows 2000. The RTM kernel references IoPageLockLimit. The SP1 kernel does not. Neither do any subsequent editions of the kernel; neither does the XP kernel in any of its incarnations." Sources - http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showto...amp;mode=linear, http://www.thegline.com/win2k/issues/2003/16.html ***************************************************************************************** ***************************************************************************************** Tweak - Prioritize CMOS Real-Time Clock Using IRQ8 [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\PriorityControl] "IRQ8Priority"=dword:00000001 Myth - "Adjusting the Priority of IRQs especially IRQ 8 improves system performance." Reality - "IRQs don't even HAVE a concept of "priority" in the NT family; they do have something called "IRQL" (interrupt request level) associated with them. But the interval timer interrupt is already assigned a higher IRQL than any I/O devices, second only to the inter-processor interrupt used in an MP machine. The NT family of OSes don't even use the real-time clock (IRQ 8) for time keeping in the first place! They use programmable interval timer (8254, on IRQ 0) for driving system time keeping, CPU time accounting, and so on. IRQ 8 is used for profiling, but profiling is almost never turned on except in very rare development environments. Even if it was possible it doesn't even make sense why adjusting the real-time clock priority would boost performance? The real-time clock is associated with time keeping not CPU frequency. I would not be surprised if this originated in an overclocking forum somewhere. This "tweak" can be found in most XP all-in-one tweaking applications. This is a perfect example of why they are not recommended." Sources - http://mywebpages.comcast.net/SupportCD/XPMyths.html ***************************************************************************************** ***************************************************************************************** Tweak - HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\PriorityControl] "Win32PrioritySeparation" Myth - "Setting this value to 26 gives a boost to the priority of foreground applications." Reality - "This is already the default and optimal setting in Windows XP. Myth - "Setting this value to 38 gives a boost to the priority of foreground applications." Reality - "People are confusing the Hexadecimal and Decimal value settings of this Registry Key. By Default Windows XP already sets this value optimally to 26 Hexadecimal = 0x00000026 which is automatically translated to 38 Decimal = (38). This is shown as 0x00000026 (38) in this registry key. The Windows XP Registry Editor defaults to changing the Hexadecimal Value when you go to modify a Registry Key. The problems is it is commonly recommended to change this value to "38" with no mention of this being the Decimal value and instead the Hexadecimal Value is changed because it is the default. This makes the key show 0x00000038 (56). This is not one of this key's functional values and setting a bit field in Win32PrioritySeparation to values other than those shown in the table will result in the default option being selected (26 Hexadecimal). Thus this does absolutely nothing." - Source Functional Values - source: http://blogs.msdn.com/embedded/archive/200.../04/543141.aspx Win32PrioritySeparation ... Foreground ... Background 0x28, 0x29, 0x2A ................. 18 ..................... 18 0x18, 0x19, 0x1A ................. 36 ..................... 36 0x24 ................................... 6 ....................... 6 0x25, 0x14 ......................... 12 ....................... 6 0x26 (default) ..................... 18 ....................... 6 0x15 ................................. 24 ....................... 6 0x16 ................................. 36 ....................... 6 ***************************************************************************************** ***************************************************************************************** Tweak - HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\SessionManager\MemoryManagement] "LargeSystemCache" Myth - "Enabling LargeSystemCache improves desktop/workstation performance." Reality - "LargeSystemCache determines whether the system maintains a standard size or a large size file system cache, and influences how often the system writes changed pages to disk. Increasing the size of the file system cache generally improves file server performance, but it reduces the physical memory space available to applications and services. Similarly, writing system data less frequently minimizes use of the disk subsystem, but the changed pages occupy memory that might otherwise be used by applications. On workstations this increases paging and causes longer delays whenever you start a new app. Simply put enable this on a file server and disable it on everything else." - Source "System cache mode is designed for use with Windows server products that act as servers. System cache mode is also designed for limited use with Windows XP, when you use Windows XP as a file server. This mode is not designed for everyday desktop use. When you enable System cache mode on a computer that uses Unified Memory Architecture (UMA)-based video hardware or an Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP), you may experience a severe and random decrease in performance. For example, this decrease in performance can include very slow system performance, stop errors, an inability to start the computer, devices or applications that do not load, and system instability. The drivers for these components consume a large part of the remaining application memory when they are initialized during startup. Also, in this scenario, the system may have insufficient RAM when the following conditions occur: - Other drivers and desktop user services request additional resources. - Desktop users transfer large files. By default LargeSystemCache is disabled in Microsoft Windows XP." - Source ***************************************************************************************** ***************************************************************************************** Tweak - [HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\SessionManager\MemoryManagement] "SecondLevelDataCache" Myth - "Adjusting the SecondLevelDataCache Registry value to match your CPU's L2 Cache size improves performance." Reality - "SecondLevelDataCache records the size of the processor cache, also known as the secondary or L2 cache. If the value of this entry is 0, the system attempts to retrieve the L2 cache size from the Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL) for the platform. If it fails, it uses a default L2 cache size of 256 KB. If the value of this entry is not 0, it uses this value as the L2 cache size. This entry is designed as a secondary source of cache size information for computers on which the HAL cannot detect the L2 cache. This is not related to the hardware; it is only useful for computers with direct-mapped L2 caches. Pentium II and later processors do not have direct- mapped L2 caches. SecondLevelDataCache can increase performance by approximately 2 percent in certain cases for older computers with ample memory (more than 64 MB) by scattering physical pages better in the address space so there are not so many L2 cache collisions. Setting SecondLevelDataCache to 256 KB rather than 2 MB (when the computer has a 2 MB L2 cache) would probably have about a 0.4% performance penalty." - Source - Source 2 ***************************************************************************************** *****************************************************************************************

No, its not weird --- this is exactly the reason I wanted people to do this. For quite a few of the hotfixes, autopatcher looks for the INF file that is usually left behind, but some people might be installing the updated system files in another way other than using the original hotfix package. All the unofficial service packs do this. So, for these cases i'll change the method of checking to the FILC method which is my file version checking system. I want to leave as many of the hotfix checks finding the INF file as possible because this is the fastest, and significantly saves time throughout the program's operation. I'll check up on SE2ME and Unicows and report back soon ...

Well, first, if you log in as Administrator, then you'll be wanting to use this code: DEL "%UserProfile%\Start Menu\Programs\*.lnk" If you want to be able to delete the administartors profile shortcuts outside of being logged in as Administrator, i'm not sure this can be done ... but I am having a quick go to see if my guess was right ... i will report back soon ... HTH

I don't think this is a good one. In my experience I found that it significantly degradated system performance. Let's try to get to the bottom of this ... AFAIK the above SYSTEM.INI entry forces the computer to use as much of the physical memory as possible, and as little of the swap file as possible. This issue became obvious when newer computers with over 128mb of RAM became the standard computer spec and people were wondering why there was disk activity relating to the swap file when there was still lots of spare RAM. This setting will stop this. When it is not good to do this: after some research, it seems there are circumstances where it's still not a good idea to use this tweak --- the main one is when the computer still needs to use the swap file when the ConservativeSwapfileUsage setting has been set to 1. If you are playing a game that loads lots of stuff to memory, some report that it will be better to ask the computer to use the swap file like normal to better manage the data in the RAM and the swap file. So, we could maybe say, for gaming computers (or other apps that use big amounts of RAM) don't set it, but for all other situations, do set it. EDIT: --- here is the sort of feedback i'm after ... here's the report file from a fresh install system upon which I ran every one of the other service packs currently available. And this was after manually installing IE6sp1, MDAC 2.8 sp1, DX9c (Oct 06) and WMP9 -- the list of missing updates is huge !!! ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ This report log for AutoPatcher for Windows 98se was generated on Friday, 17 November 2006 - the time is now: 14:04:33 - the most recent report is at the end of this log file. - this text is stored in C:\autop\logs\Report.txt - the program folder is located at: C:\autop - run the StartPch.bat file to start the program The following list of updates were not found on this computer: 14:04:33 -- AutoPatcher has started compiling the report. - dun14-se: Dial-Up Networking 1.4 for Windows 98se - q276602: Hotfix for Device Manager Reports Code 10 for Device Bug - 98Updsys: Unofficial CPU Microcode Update - EnabMenu: the Enable Boot Menu tweak - kb916528: Unofficial MDAC 2.8 sp1 update with sqlsrv32.dll - kb918144: Unofficial Hotfix for various issues in the Jet 4.0 data engine - q322656: Msinfo32.exe causes an Access Denied error in Internet Explorer - kb824220: Hotfix for Images Not Appearing in some Web Pages in IE 6 sp1 - kb886677: Unofficial Hotfix for DBCS Corruption in MLANG.DLL - kb911567: Unofficial Cumulative Update for Outlook Express 6 sp1 - kb918899: Unofficial Cumulative Update for Internet Explorer 6 sp1 - HHUPD141: Unofficial HTML Help 1.41 Update - un924191: Unofficial MSXML 3.0 SP7 Update - kb925486: Hotfix for Vulnerability in Vector Markup Language - WinMP7: Windows Media Player Legacy Files - WMEncode: Windows Media Encoder 7.1 - q308567: Hotfix for Vulnerability in .ASF Processor in WMP - kb817885: Hotfix for bug in the WMP9 OCX Control with Netscape Browsers - kb891122: Unofficial Update for Windows Media DRM-enabled players - kb911564: Hotfix for Vulnerability in WMP Plug-in in Non-M$ Web Browsers - LC3codec: Unofficial MP3 codec for WMP9 & WMP7 from WinXP WMP10 - q238453: Hotfix for Spoofed Route Pointer Vulnerability - q258765: Hotfix for Remote Update Option Vulnerability - q269239: Hotfix for NetBIOS Vulnerability May Cause Duplicate Name - q273991: Share Level Password Update - q274113: Hotfix for WebTV Vulnerability - q314941: Hotfix for Vulnerability in Universal Plug 'n' Play - q323255: Hotfix for Windows Help Facility Vulnerability - kb918547: Unofficial Hotfix for Vulnerability in Graphics Rendering Engine - TTFext: OpenType Font Shell Extension - q259253: Hotfix for bug in ACPI with Anti-Virus Software - q240896: Hotfix for Invalid Page Fault Bug in OpenGL Programs (OPENGL32.DLL) - q274175: Hotfix for bug with More Than Eight Folder Levels on CD-ROM - q301540: Unofficial fix for bug in Installable File System Manager - RootCUp: Root Certificate Update - q323455: Directory Services Client Update for Windows 98 - OleUp240: OLE Automation Libraries 2.40.4522 update - 98TShoot: Unofficial Windows 98se HTML Help Troubleshooting Fix - RichEd9x: Unofficial Rich Text Edit Controls Update - UCopy2GB: Unofficial Fix for Bug When Copying Files Over 2gb in Explorer - UShell98: Unofficial Fix for Bug with Windows Explorer and numerous large files - UVS6SP6: Unofficial Visual Studio 6.0 SP6 Components Update - NPUpdW98: Unofficial Update for Windows Notepad - FdskFrmt: Unofficial Fix for Windows 98 SE Display Errors with FORMAT & FDISK - 48BITLB2: Unofficial Update for Drives over 137gb (for IBM portables) - kb925672: MSXML 4.0 SP2 Update - qfechkup: the Update Information Tool - 2-4-date: the 2-to-4 Digit Date Conversion Tool - q237493: System Date Reflects Changes While Date-Time Tool Is Open - q239696: Hotfix for bug with High Disk Activity or Low Memory - q241052: Hotfix for bug with Password Synchronization - q242193: Hotfix for Bug in Microsoft Client for NetWare Networks - q245065: Hotfix for bug with Automatic Repeat and USB Keyboards - q249824: Hotfix for VOLTRACK Is Erroneously Unloaded bug - q250514: Hotfix for bug with Print Jobs on the Same Printer - q250876: Hotfix for Print Queues May Appear Offline bug - q253711: Hotfix for ACPI Computer May Not Shut Down Properly Bug - q257360: Hotfix for ACPI Compliant Computer May Hang bug - q257821: Hotfix for Windows Sockets Function Adds 500ms Time-Out Bug - q258680: Hotfix for Bug in Screen Saver Activation While Suspended - q262232: Hotfix for Bug Using Floppy Disks with LS-120 Drives - q271701: Hotfix for Dial-Up Networking with an ATM adapter Bug - q272621: Hotfix for bug in Reported Size in Virtual Memory Tab - q275873: Hotfix for Sleep and Power Buttons Are the Same bug - q277628: Hotfix for Last Access and Creation Time Access Denied bug - q278033: Fix for Bug in MS Video For Windows Apps with USB Digital Cameras - q278368: Hotfix for Memory Leak in Atmuni.sys - q283032: Windows 98 Cannot List Users in Windows 2000-Based Domain - q288550: Hotfix for Bug in Plug and Play Printer May Not Resume (Vcomm.vxd) - q293197: Windows Explorer Hangs When Inserting PC Card During Resume - q295629: Enumeration Problems in Texas Instruments CardBus Controllers - q307004: Hotfix for Group Policy Bug in Groups with Long Names - q308349: Hotfix for Bug when Turning Off Computer with USB Modem Present - q309081: Hotfix for Infrared Devices Data Features bug - q310695: Hotfix for DVD Player Program Cannot Access Data bug - q315575: Hotfix for DCOM Program Hangs After Server Reboot - q319571: Hotfix for bug in Detection of Non-US Enhanced Keyboards - q321467: Hotfix for bug in SWENUM.SYS with PortCls devices - q323708: Hotfix for Computer Hangs Bug During Infrared Communication - Win982Me: Win98-to-Me by MDGx - msl2tp: Microsoft L2TP/IPSec VPN Client - MMC12: Microsoft Management Console 1.2 - NetFrame: Microsoft .Net Framework 2.0 - NetMeet3: Microsoft NetMeeting 3.01 - ieak6: Internet Explorer 6 Administration Kit 14:07:01 -- AutoPatcher has finished compiling the report. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ A HUGE amount of kudos will be granted to the first person to post their report log file. Just so you know, kudos will be the currency of the future, so start collecting them now !! Edit 2: here's the latest info on issues with v1.5 -- copied from the first post. Bugs or issues with v1.5: - there is a bug in the 'saved choices' function (which allows you to save your module choices for the next time) -- your choice for Internet Explorer 6 Administration Kit won't be saved if you try, and will always reset to 'by-pass' when you load your saved choices. - in the WMP9 module, the LC3codec update has been duplicated - there are two entries exactly the same - which will result in 2 entries in the report log file for LC3codec being missing if LC3codec has not yet been installed. This only affects the report function, the rest of the code handles this mistake quite gracefully (if you ask me) - the shortcut that the program puts on to the desktop is configured wrong --- you need to change the target filename from StartPatch.bat to StartPch.bat --- sorry! - if you have the OS installed on any drive other than the C drive, the missing updates report reports that the Disable Boot Logo tweak is not installed, when it actually is. I mistakenly put the file path for msdos.sys as %windrive%\msdos.sys (%windrive% is a custom variable that sets the location of the drive where Windows is installed) instead of c:\msdos.sys --- this will be fixed in v1.6 - i mistakenly included a zipped version of the kb873374 update in the hotfixes folder. This takes up a whopping 253 bytes of unnecessary space! This will be removed for the next version.

Thanks for the links for 280448, and the info about 318307 --- is there any information about 280448? I still don't know exactly what it is and the problem its supposed to fix ... anyone, anyone? we try our best. Good idea, i'll add them soon ... Lots of people will still be making them available, and I can guarantee you that every single update can be found in the autopatcher package.

Too Late!!! Your question was asked, and replied to !!! LOL --- it WASN'T STUPID !!!! There's at least one reason I can see why this is a good question to ask --- saving space in the autopatcher package. I'm pretty sure you can't delete posts --- but you can edit out your question if you are fast enough !! ie before it becomes historical when someone replies ... like what just happened. LOL!! Why exactly did you want to know? To save space in the autopatcher package? Another reason? No, its not a stupid question at all --- I think the DirectX pack has the extra NT-based files removed but I haven't taken any files out of the installer packs, no. I can imagine we can save some space by removing them, but i have no idea what we can take out, etc. This project is really an automatic hotfix installer (as well as doing other things) so you can safely assume, unless otherwise said, that the hotfixes are exactly the same as the ones you download from the Windows Update. Just in case I haven't already said: FEEDBACK IS ALWAYS WELCOME in whatever the form it comes.

Can you report which version of HHCTRL.OCX is currently installed on your machine?

I was thinking about doing that (separating the autopatcher into 2 - main & extras), but it would still result in a very big Main file size, with the extras not nearly being so big. That is how it would be right now. Depending on how many extras i include, this may be the way to go sometime down the track. OK, with regard to feedback --- some people are saying they will use the autopatcher when they need to re-install their operating system --- yes, you could wait that long, but that's not going to help get this project from alpha to beta. There is something more you can do ... PLEASE TEST THIS USING THE REPORT FUNCTION!! --- the most recent addition to this project, which means some may not be aware, is the report function. This allows you to see before-hand what autopatcher thinks you need to install. IF ALL THE REGULARS ON THIS LIST ran the report function on their current system, i'm sure this would either bring up lots more bugs and mistakes (ie reporting the wrong thing) or not. The report function doesn't change or install a single thing on your computer, so it should be safe to use!! Come on, give it a go ... here's an example report to look at - in this example, I ran every module except Internet Explorer 6 sp1 to see if some updates that required IE6 installed would recognise that its missing and respond appropriately. It worked as expected. This was the report generated after running the above modules. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ This report log for AutoPatcher for Windows 98se was generated on Wednesday, 15 November 2006 - the time is now: 11:15:55 - the most recent report is at the end of this log file. - this text is stored in D:\WIN98\TEMP\AUTOPACH\logs\Report.txt - the program folder is located at: D:\WIN98\TEMP\AUTOPACH - run the StartPch.bat file to start the program The following list of updates were not found on this computer: 11:15:55 -- AutoPatcher has started compiling the report. - StopLogo: the Disable Boot Logo tweak - EnabMenu: the Enable Boot Menu tweak - IE6sp1: Internet Explorer 6 sp1 - q322656: Msinfo32.exe causes an Access Denied error in Internet Explorer - q329115: Hotfix for Certificate Validation Flaw Vulnerability - kb816362: Hotfix for Bug in Mshta.exe With Multiple Modal Dialog Boxes - kb824220: Hotfix for Images Not Appearing in some Web Pages in IE 6 sp1 - kb870669: Hotfix for vulnerability in ADOB Stream in IE - kb888113: Hotfix for Hyperlink Object Library Vulnerability - kb893627: Hotfix for Bug with Group Policies Not Applied in IE6sp1 (IEDKCS32.DLL) - kb896156: Hotfix for bug when removing an HTML element from a Web page - kb891781: Hotfix for DHTML ActiveX Control Vulnerability - kb905495: Hotfix for Vulnerability in the Windows FTP Client - kb908519: Hotfix for vulnerability in Embedded Web Fonts - kb911567: Unofficial Cumulative Update for Outlook Express 6 sp1 - kb913433: Hotfix for Vulnerabilities in Flash Player - kb918439: Hotfix for Vulnerability in ART Image Rendering - kb916281: Official Cumulative Update for Internet Explorer 6 sp1 - kb918899: Unofficial Cumulative Update for Internet Explorer 6 sp1 - DXMedia6: Unofficial DirectX Media Update for IE 6 sp1 - HHUPD141: Unofficial HTML Help 1.41 Update - un924191: Unofficial MSXML 3.0 SP7 Update - kb925486: Hotfix for Vulnerability in Vector Markup Language - WMEncode: Windows Media Encoder 7.1 - q314941: Hotfix for Vulnerability in Universal Plug 'n' Play - 48BITLB2: Unofficial Update for Drives over 137gb (for IBM portables) - msl2tp: Microsoft L2TP/IPSec VPN Client - NetFrame: Microsoft .Net Framework 2.0 - NetMeet3: Microsoft NetMeeting 3.01 - ieak6: Internet Explorer 6 Administration Kit 11:18:28 -- AutoPatcher has finished compiling the report. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Thanks for backing me up, Eck .... but .... oops, I forgot to delete the hot girl-on-girl bdsm videos from the extras folder !!! No wonder the size is so big ...!!! (of course i'm joking -- my point is, its not as if I've included completely spurious updates and other useless junk --- I consider everything I've included as completely relevant to an AutoPatcher for Windows 98se. Everyone, please advise which particular apps should be left out of the next version if you disagree with what was included. The size of the file is likely to increase significantly --- I haven't even nearly finished!!) OK, I have shunted aside the problematic installs into a folder called 'manual installs' --- when you run the autopatcher and you don't have Dial-up Networking 1.4 (DUN14) installed, the program asks you if you want to install that first. If you say Yes, it launches the setup program for DUN14... (and then quits out so you don't get any hanging windows) ---- with regard to the others problem files (Web folders update and native USB drivers), there's a note in the log file reminding the user that the 'manual installs' folder exists and that anything inside the folder should be installed manually. Hopefully we can get this folder empty in the end. I haven't added the tray icons, Win2K colors, or the icon cache size increase --- but they shouldn't be too hard to add as optional extras. I will have a look at this ... Everyone, please note: IF YOU WOULD LIKE SOMETHING ADDED TO AUTOPATCHER -- it is really only determined by my coding skills. If I can't do it, sorry. HOWEVER --- if you know how to package your desired installation into a self-installing package, then do so and I will add it to the program. What would be really excellent, would be for someone to package Gape's stuff that I've yet to include (ie all of Eck's suggestions from above) so all I have to do is add another section to the appropriate module. Credit will be given to all those who contribute in this way. I don't intend to make a big thing about the fact that it was ME who wrote the autopatcher, so if anyone wants to come on board in a more official capacity to help with development, you are more than welcome. Most of the credit goes to the wealth of information that can be found on the msfn website anyway ...

Tihiy: i'd be interested to hear what could (or should) be left out of it ... fair enough there's lots of duplication of files within each of the hotfixes but this doesn't really add up to that much. the autopatcher for XP is over 200mb, mine is in good company. No, it doesn't - sorry. Is there some info I can read that will help me implement a languange check? What is it exactly supposed to do?

AutoPatcher for Windows 98se v1.5 alpha has been released... go get it from here: http://www.filefactory.com/file/43b15f its a fast server --- should not take over an hour if you have fast broadband.

This is a well documented issue -- and TweakUI should fix it ... can you confirm you've tried using TweakUI to fix it and it doesn't work? or try this: http://samvit.org/freeware/salone.html (look for FiFoFo) more info here: http://word.mvps.org/FAQs/AppErrors/CommonFontProbs.htm And while we're talking about issue with fonts, don't ever try to copy fonts directly from the fonts folder to another location while in GUI mode (ie using explorer to drag and drop) --- for some reason this sometimes stuffs up the standard fonts Windows 98 uses and you'll find it very very hard to return things to normal -- the only safe way is to open a DOS box and use the COPY operation to copy font files.

Fair enough, but you haven't seen how the options work --- you can very easily ask AutoPatcher to skip installing any of the optional extras you don't want to install. It is very quick to do this as well. So, until you see it in action, its best to proceed assuming you'll be easily able to choose which updates you want. I don't think this is a good one. In my experience I found that it significantly degradated system performance. So what would be the "safe" high performance tweaks? I could go nuts and create a separate option for each and every SYSTEM.INI option so you can select at will -- I could even add a function that allows you to enter your own desired setting. But I only want to write code for stuff people are going to use. Maybe I should just release v1.5, you can see what I'm going on about, and then we could re-visit this question ... recent updates and add-ons to the project: - the best news is the report function is now complete. You can ask AutoPatcher to search for all missing updates and it will open the results in Notepad so you can see before-hand what AutoPatcher wants to install. How cool is that? It uses the same module routines and was so easy to implement it wasn't funny. - many more things have been added: Netmeeting 3.01, Microsoft Management Console 1.2, Microsoft L2TP/IPSec VPN Client, Internet Explorer 6 Administration Kit, Unofficial Update to Allow Drives over 137Gb (both versions), Unofficial Fix for Bug with Windows Explorer and numerous large files, Windows Media Encoder 7.1, NPUpdW98 (the update for notepad ), and the controversial High Performance Tweaks update. All the above can be selected and unselected. So don't fret!!

14th Nov 2006: Added to Main list: kb873374, kb893627, kb896156 Added to list of needed download links: q280448, q318307 Added to "not really sure" section: q280448, q318307 (see section for more info) Replies to previous posts: Q830849: - what this fixes: The Automatically Detect Settings feature is turned on even with restricted access in Internet Explorer 6 - url: http://support.microsoft.com/?id=830849 - APPLIES TO: Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 Service Pack 1, when used with Microsoft Windows 2000 Standard Edition (-- so why will it apply to Win98se? --) - contains: Shdocvw.dll (superceeded by kb918899) and Inetcpl.cpl (version 6.0.2800.1413) which would update the existing version of Inetcpl.cpl (version 6.0.2800.1106) - any further info? - Where can we get this file? Q834158: - what this fixes: Web page does not print when you change from landscape orientation to portrait orientation - url: http://support.microsoft.com/?id=834158 - APPLIES TO: Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 Service Pack 1 - contains: Mshtml.dll (superceeded by kb918899) and Shdoclc.dll (version 6.0.2800.1443) which would update the existing version of Shdoclc.dll (version 6.0.2800.1106) - any further info? - Where can we get this file? Q873374: - has been added to the main list. It was already in AutoPatcher but was left off this list. Thanx for spotting... Q893627: - has been added to the main list. It was already in AutoPatcher but was left off this list. Thanx for spotting... Q896156: - has been added to the main list. It was already in AutoPatcher but was left off this list. Thanx for spotting... Q813951: - contains: Urlmon.dll (superceeded by kb918899) SCT10EN: - what is this??? wucsp: - this is the service pack 1 update --- I didn't think this was needed for Windows 98se ... Q256015 and Q273017 are the same in Update Information Tool: - they contain different versions of the same file, but they are definitely different hotfixes - Q256015 looks like its superceeded by Q273017 Q259728,Q269388 are the same: - they contain different versions of the same file, but they are definitely different hotfixes - Q259728 looks like its superceeded by Q269388 ccfg95.dll 7.1.2134.1 (for WinME) - will this work with Win98se? re: Why someone don't make a new version of Unofficial Win98SE with all these updates. - the entire reason for compiling this list of updates for Win98se was to make sure my autopatcher was fully up-to-date, so, as has already been pointed out, AutoPatcher is what you're looking for ... update 1.5 will be available v.v.v.v. soon - find it here: http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=80800 (download link to be added v. soon)

it's coming, promise!! --- just while you're waiting, any comments on the following: the 'High Performance' tweak update makes the following adjustments to SYSTEM.INI: %10%\system.ini,386Enh, , "ConservativeSwapfileUsage=1" %10%\system.ini,386Enh, , "LocalLoadHigh=1" %10%\system.ini,386Enh, , "MaxPhysPage=60000" %10%\system.ini,386Enh, , "LocalLoadHigh=1" %10%\system.ini,386Enh, , "PageBuffers=32" %10%\system.ini,386Enh, , "DMABufferSize=64" %10%\system.ini,386Enh, , "PerVMFiles=200" %10%\system.ini,386Enh, , "MinSPs=4" %10%\system.ini,386Enh, , "MaxBPs=300" %10%\system.ini,386Enh, , "VGAMonoText=Off" %10%\system.ini,386Enh, , "VideoFastPaste=On" %10%\system.ini,386Enh, , "PageOverCommit=20" %10%\system.ini,386Enh, , "MinTimeSlice=40" %10%\system.ini,386Enh, , "RemovableIDE=1" %10%\system.ini,386Enh, , "SysVMEMSLimit=-1" %10%\system.ini,386Enh, , "NoWaitNetIO=On" %10%\system.ini,386Enh, , "NetHeapSize=20" %10%\system.ini,vcache, , "Chunksize=1024" %10%\system.ini,vcache, , "NameCache=4096" %10%\system.ini,vcache, , "DirectoryCache=96" %10%\system.ini,vcache, , "MaxFileCache=524288" These are directly from the performance tweaks INF in the Upgrade Pack 98 by X-Pachner. I admit to being mostly ignorant of exactly what these do. Any information I'm sure will be greatly appreciated by all.

I was lucky enough to be able to test v1.5 of the autopatcher on a real working system that was struggling to work int he real world because it had virtually no updates whatsoever, but was trying to access the internet and send email, etc. --- it was all good, except a new bug was found ... before the hotfixes started to install, the system would hang on shutdown and give the message: DDE Server Window This program is not responding. It may be busy, waiting for a response from you or it may have stopped running Doing some research on this issue, I came upon the following post here and at the bottom was this: Anyone know any info about this? in particular, v.2225 of ifsmgr.vxd is buggier than v.2223 ??? MDGx, i'm looking at you for this one... your site was mentioned in the evidence...

MDGx -- thanks for the link, but I've already tried that but I did it again just to be sure. I have some other ideas about how to defeat this so i'll report on my progress soon ... thanks again

LOL!! - Problemchyld, where do you find these updates?!? You're like a gnarled and wily old treasure hunter on the beach with the metal detector and an old pair of headphones, sweeping the sand for lost treasure (in this case - old hotfixes) ... and every now and then you go 'ooohh, what do we have here? --- can this be the fabled long-lost holy hotfix?? Does this update hold the secret to ever-lasting system stability? Who better to ask than the keeper of the holy hotfix chronicles ...??' ----- so, have you asked him? cause it aint me!! --- his online name starts with M and he's a bit of a legend with his over-achieving website and all the Windows tips info under the sun, etc etc. No prizes for guessing, sorry ... But if you're asking lil old ME, well, here's the results of your pilgrimage to the sacred sands... KB841873: Non-Affected Software - Microsoft Windows 98, Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition (SE), and Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition (Me) - why was this a possibility? KB888092: superceeded by - kb918899 (but it didn't look like it was for Win98se) - why was this a possibility? Its superceeded anyway ... MP911565 (ie KB911565): superceeded by - kb917734 MP832353: superceeded by Windows Media Player 9 MP911564: already in the list ... OYE! MP912452: superceeded by - kb917734 OE911567: already in the list ... OYE! Q222930: superceeded by unknown. Q222930 contains v7.00.1995.1 of ccfg95.dll but v7.00.2008.1 is found on a totally patched system. Q242928: totally unknown -- please provide more info about this suggestion... Q257360: already in the list ... OYE! Q264650: totally unknown -- please provide more info about this suggestion... Q280448: totally unknown -- please provide more info about this suggestion... Q288550: already in the list ... OYE! Q301540: we may have a hotfix to put into the list! -- the file Ifsmgr.vxd is version 4.90.3003 inside the hotfix, and 4.10.2225 on a fully patched computer. - it does say its for WinMe but probably a good chance it is fine for Win98. - where do we get this update? Q318307: totally unknown -- please provide more info about this suggestion... Q323061: we may have a hotfix to put into the list! -- the file Ieakeng.dll is version 6.0.2800.1125 inside the hotfix, and doesn't seem to be on a fully patched computer. - it does say its for Win2K and above (with IE6) but there is a chance it is fine for Win98. - where do we get this update to have a look? Q816362: was missing from the list! I have already included this hotfix in the auotpatcher but for some reason left it off the complete hotfixes list. Thanks for pointing this one out. It makes up for all the other red herrings! - it has been added. q818506: superceeded by kb918899 q818857: superceeded by kb918899 Still to check: Q830849,Q834158,Q873374,Q893627,Q896156,SCT10EN,wucsp,q813951

MDGX and I think it is, and my updates list now reflects this (and I was reminded by the note on MDGX's site - thank the universe for MDGx!!!)

Thanks for the tips ... I can't for the life of me work out how to use the offical add-on so it'll be one of the other two it seems ... OK, some help is needed ... * Dial-up Networking 1.4 --- i've been studying Gape's service pack for quite a while and I can't for the life of me work out what he's done to install DUN 1.4 --- I can't even find the files inside the install package that InstallWatcher tells me is needed to install it. This is a real shame because this is a highly recommended update (and its needed to install stuff like IPsec VPN). If there is anyone that can repackage this update to fix the unattended issues, that would be great. Otherwise DUN 1.4 will need to be installed manually. * ditto the Webfolders update (kb892211) - although this is nowhere near as important. The problem is it wants to immediately reboot after installation. I have even tried to accomodate this, ie set a runonce command to restart autopatcher after the computer reboots, and then exit out immediately after starting the update. When I do this, the installer plays funny buggers with me by exiting like it is supposed to (ie exits without rebooting) --- and when I think that its OK to not accomodate the automatic reboot, it does it anyway. Its like it knows what I want it to do and does the opposite just to spite me. * ditto the .Net Framework 2.0 update (kb917283) --- the problem with this seems to be the switch -- it works by itself ( /q) but when used within the program it causes the same problem as kb892211 (see above) * ditto NUSB23e .... this is just bewildering ... please see the screenshot below: As you can see (look at the title of the window), the switch is /Q:A /R:N -- and it still wants to reboot with a message prompt. Arrgghhhh!!! MDGx has helpfully tested it on his system and didn't get the reboot message. So maybe this is a problem with the batch file process. Does anyone know of any issues where the switch functionality gets changed for some reason? This would explain a lot ... I'm going ahead with releasing v1.5 with the above issues outstanding because v1.5 is mighty fine!!