PROBLEMCHYLD

Is it possible to patch the Win98 version SYSDM.CPL to act like the Windows ME version? I know the Windows ME versions keep the CPU info which is broken in Win98. Maybe one can dump the CPU info and add it to the Win98 version. IDK, just a thought.

Nope, and the future doesn't look promising atm

First thing you need to do is grab the updated BIOS, flash utility etc... if the bios files needs to be extracted, then use a tool like 7zip. If you have trouble, post a link and one of us will do it for you. After that, you need to copy the necessary files to the C:\ drive for easier navigation. After that, run the flash program in dos and follow the instructions. You can load dos up by holding ctrl button on start up. Most of my computers are laptops and I wasn't going to buy a floppy drive for each and everyone of them. These instructions should work for you as well Instruction 1. Give us a link to your updated bios. Then we will go to step 2. One step at a time before you end up with a doorstop, I'm not joking either. I would hate for you to brick it for not following instructions.

I don't have it on my system and I do use RDP from time to time.

Thats fine if you are not comfortable using me and jaclaz methods. We were just informing you, that there is more than one way to skin a cat. I have never done this, but in case I do, how do you fix something like this? You both are correct. Here is the thing, SYSDM.CPL 4.10.0.2224 from Win98 SE hotfix/update removes the cpu information. Microsoft did this, not me. If you install Main Updates you'll get SYSDM.CPL 4.10.0.2224. If you install USBSTACK.EXE, which updates SYSDM.CPL 4.10.0.2224 to SYSDM.CPL 4.90.0.3002, you will get the cpu info back. It also allows silent installation of USB flash drives etc... You can also use the original Win98 SE version, but it doesn't have the bug fixes. Thanks submix8c and nostaglic98, I will add it to important notices/bugs in the chm file. There is also some threads about this issue, I'm too lazy to search atm.

I was able to update the bios on all my computers through pure DOS mode. Copy the bios files to the HDD, navigate to dos and run the necessary app. It has worked everytime. Sometimes users need to improvise and I'm pretty good at that Believe it or not, I wasn't going to release SP 3.24 until I had added IE and Direct X. I found some bugs when I was doing a clean install, and it annoyed the HELL out of me. I know the SP is far from flawless, but its a lot further from troublesome. I didn't notice any bugs, but................................

I'll start working on it soon. Thanks buddy. I will do one pack at a time.

This helps a lot. Thanks, and do the basic version install outlook express, bells, and whistles? Will users complain since its not a full version. Same as with Direct X. I also need to download the basic version, gotta link?. Thanks. I will add IE 6 SP1 first and see how that turns out before I work on a 5.5 SP2 version. 21mb for IE 6 SP1 and 15MB for Direct X 9c lite. I can work with this.

Sorry guys, I won't be adding IE atm. No versions will be added until we find a better solution. I can't afford the bandwidth. We are looking at 65MB for the lite version of the SP and about 200MB + for IE 5.5 SP2 and IE 6 SP1 each. If we can find a reliable FREE host, then I will reconsider. We are knocking on about a half gig with all three packages. There is also many broken links on MDGx site atm. I can't gather all necessary updates either. Some links work and some don't. What I will do, is when MDGx site is back up and fully running, I will try and create a installer to update IE 5.5 SP2 + IE 6 SP1. So users will have to install IE, the updated IE package, Direct X, SP main Updates, All other optional components in SP. This leaves users with about 5 or 6 steps. Another solution is that, many files that are installed by IE are already included in Main Updates. There will be many files overlapping. With you guys help, we can probably strip it down to necessities. SP already has a option for Windows Scripting Host 5.7, so there will be no need for IE to install version 5.6. You guys get it, its a lot of work. Stripping files from IE, might lead to breakage due to other files missing. Lets see what others think before I make it final. I'm open to suggestions, but let them benefit all of us. Dial up users download a 200mb + package can be painful. People with lower computer specs couldn't handle the package. I sorry to say it, but not all of us is as fortunate as others.

Here is the crazy thing, I don't use IE at all, but I don't have a problem adding it. 98lite rips out IE on a clean install. If users notice, I added IE 5.5 SP2 Core files because it is Super stable over the IE 6 SP1 files. I'm not sure if I can use 98lite as an example because every APP might require different files from IE. This is why the core files in SP are aimed at 98lite users only. If users want IE, I will try to give them IE. You guys input is very valuable, so keep it coming.

Another solution. Thank You! I'm working on it as we speak.

Sure, I don't mind constructive feedback and input. Here is the thing, I'm trying to figure out the best solution, there will be users that have their personal preference when it comes to Internet Explorer. As I said before, their will be some who use IE 5.0 SP.X, IE 5.5 SP2, IE 6 SP1 and users like myself who don't use IE at all. I don't have the bandwidth muscle to host multiple packages that are HUGE unless I upgrade to a Business package from my ISP. That means, I will need to start taking donations and I'm trying to avoid that. Certain free sites allow a size limit on files, meaning I have to pay them for hosting huge packages.

These are the only updates that SP3 doesn't install. Direct X and Netmeeting would not be a problem adding. I will eventually get VPN working, because it has kicked my @$$ and I don't quit. Netmeeting, I haven't heard anybody request it, but I might still add it, just to make the SP complete. DirectX 9c Internet Explorer 6 Microsoft L2TP/IPSec VPN Client 1.0 NET Framework Netmeeting 3.01 Windows Image Acquisition 1.1 (WIA) Windows Media Player 9 (WMP)

If I added Direct X, it would bring the package up to 80mb approximately. Thats not too bad Now adding Internet Explorer and it depends because some people use IE 5.0 SP, IE 5.5SP2 or IE 6 + updates for Outlook Express and IE would bring it close to a 100MB. In total, thats about 180mb + The bandwidth would eventually become slow, upload time would take longer aswell as download. If it becomes that size, we should look into torrents. I agree with rloew and Drugwash, we are eventually going to have to move away from older versions of IE. There will be users with no or limited internet connections, but a full blown SP would be useful to others with no internet connection. If bugs occur, users will have to fix the issues manually until the next update. p.s. I don't see me adding Internet Explorer. Reason, you have people who don't even use IE or use different versions from others, and just to download an extra 100mb is pointless. We will find some type of work around or another solution but adding IE is not worth it.

I tried to maintain the approach Gape set for me. Adding more options wouldn't be considered bloat, since everything is optional. I was giving you an idea of what the full documentation would consist of. I have to constanstly compile the chm when I make changes. Direct X will add 15MB to the SP, and IE would add about another 75MB. Then you would have users who don't use IE at all, or have some users who might use a older ver such as 5.5SP2. I see a headache. But if users want to go that route, I will be willing to put in the work. I was trying to keep it small and simple, but I could add a full blown package.

Thanks again for the confirmation I will eventually write up a full document explaining the goals of the SP. Here is a brief introduction, the SP is intended for users who don't have fast internet, that are not able to download large packages. On a 850mhz, 40 GB HDD, 512MB, the SP installs on a system with all updates selected in about 4min and 25sec. This is what I use for a test bed. Since Microsoft, has completely killed off support for the Win9x systems, its my civil duty as a Win9x power user to try my best and pick up where they have dropped us off. The pack has very minor cosmetic changes. Service Pack does NOT have any hidden agenda. It is there to use if needed. The main goal of the SP is to increase system stability, system performance, and the option of allowing users to install what they want. Blah, blah, blah etc.... I will do the full documentation in the final release.

If someone created a GUI for the commandline tool, that would probably shed some light.

Never had that issue before. Thanks for the bug report. It really depends on the individual system. Some users may have runtimes and the necessary files installed already, so there would not be a need for them to install Main Updates. They could just install the other options. I can't think of a solution ATM. This is why I suggest a clean install. SP covers almost everything except for Internet Explorer, Windows Media Player, Direct X and DotNET framework. Also, the SP doesn't target a specific audience, it targets anyone who wants to update their system. There is no one size fits all. There are other geeks, gurus, newbies, computer savvy techs who uses the SP besides the people on MSFN, we are not the only users. If users are too lazy to read the manual or instructions, then thats on them. I posted them, its up to them to follow. I will add your instructions in the next release.. If you have some free time, I would appreciate if you could test those two app with SP3. Its good to see the SP is playing well with your software. Another plus for the pack. Thanks for your findings, which is going to help me improve SP.

Can you post a screenshot? Some files from Main Updates needs to be installed first, before installing certain options. This will always be a problem with your patches. Your patches are superior over the standard Microsoft files. Therefore, all your patches needs to be installed after the SP to avoid system problems. There are two solutions. The Service Pack installs VMM.VXD 4.10.2226 and ESDI_506.PDR 4.10.2230.Solution 1. Change your versions to the following, VMM.VXD 4.10.2226 > 4.10.2227, ESDI_506.PDR 4.10.2230 > 4.10.2231. This will help distinguish the rloew patches and SP patches. Solution 2. Back up your patched VMM.VXD and ESDI_506.PDR, Install the SP, replace the files in dos before Windows start up. You shouldn't have any problems if you follow the instructions. SP3.x has a CHM file with instructions. Same instructions on the Main website. I don't have any USB troubles ATM. Sorry can't help you. Sorry, don't have any USB audio.rloew, Install Windows, all your drivers, your ram and sata patch. Either change the version or back them up and replace them in dos after you install the SP. Then install all your patches, DLLHOOK, WDMEX.VXD etc..... Report back and thank you for testing.

I wasn't referring to you or others like you. You have tested the SP in the past years and have given constructive feedback.You have not b***h about what was added and what was removed, what should be added and what should be deleted. You and many others don't complain. I have some of your freeware patches included, and even though you don't use it, you have help me fix many bugs. Thats a hell of a contribution

Since the users who don't use the SP was bitching about Win98 SP3.x, I decided not to continue with it. I didn't or don't want to go through it all over again with windows me. I was on the verge of getting banned and a good friend of mine, asked me to fallback. I still read a lot on the forum, but as far as being thoroughly active, I have taken my business elsewhere. You can thank the non-SP users for their crying

Thanks, but I already have it stored. Its only good for downloading ISOs from MSDN. It does not work with other websites besides Microsoft, it does not work with Opera or Firefox. It does use ActiveX which is somewhat good, because a programmer can create a ActiveX plugin, which might make it worth while.

Thanks submix8c. I don't think these guys got the updated hardware part. I understand its not the most up to date hardware but its far from very old too. It has 2 network cards, 2 graphic cards, 2 DVD burners etc... I also said, that anyone can get a stock system of any brand for $125.00. And, I ask myself, why would I sell the system updated for $125.00, when the stock is worth that. I guess everyone does it differently from city to city, state to state and country to country. Another example is, why do most people think because something new comes out every 6 month/year, the old automatically becomes obsolete? Most companies don't upgrade their systems every 6 month/year because their is no reason for it. I really hate to start using it because, I'll start putting wear on the hardware.

Same here. Even wayback machine send you to the WinXP version.

That's all about how much you value your time. But puntoMX has been IMHO a bit on the low side. That rig is worth all of 130 US$ . You see, the point is not about value of the thingy, but a lot about WHO would be the prospective buyer, let's see: a gamer? No. a business? No. a grandma/grandpa? No. a kid (see gamer above)? No. a hobbyist interested in SOME of the parts? Yes, BUT he/she will want to attribute a value to only those parts, and will offer you at the most 125/130 US$ someone interested in EACH and EVERY of the parts? Yes. (the difficult part is finding him/her). jaclaz Thanks I'll just slap Windows 2000 Server on it, and call it a day. I have all the drivers for WinXP/2000 for it. I guess it is a piece of $h!+. I'll just take a hammer to it. JK