Which Non-Critical MS Updates?

[JorgeA]

Hello,

I recently performed a clean installation of Windows 98 Second Edition on a new hard disk for an old notebook computer that had come with a powerhouse 1.5GB hard drive.

(In case you're wondering -- no, it's not the same PC as the one we've been discussing in the long thread having to do with Spybot Search & Destroy. That one's a Dell tower with Windows 98 Standard Edition.)

For this non-expert it was a bit of a technical challenge, as the computer has a slot for EITHER s floppy disk drive OR a CD-ROM drive, and having been purchased on eBay several years ago it only had the floppy drive. After some investigation, I theorized that in principle it should be possible to:

1) copy the CAB files from the original HD to a USB thumb drive;

2) create a bootable (system) floppy diskette;

3) place DOS drivers for USB (drive and controller) on the floppy;

4) replace the hard disk; then

5) reboot with the floppy and copy the CAB files to the new HD off the USB thumb drive; and finally

6) install Win98SE fresh on the new HD.

It all worked like a charm! While I admit that that might not sound very impressive to the Windows 98 connoisseurs here, doing this gave me a real sense of accomplishment, as I had never tried anything like it before. I feel like I graduated from some (primitive) level of computing expertise to the next (less primitive) level.

Anyway, I've been downloading the available Microsoft critical and other updates to Win98SE, and I would like your advice. There are four remaining non-critical updates: Microsoft .NET Framework version 1.1; Internet Explorer Navigation Sound Update; the Euro Conversion Tool; and the Mapped Drives Shutdown Update. (I don't have a need for the multi-language features updates.)

So the question is -- Do you recommend downloading any or all of these four, or can/should I ignore them?

I know that there are many neat items available on this forum (or through it) that one could add to enhance Windows 98. I'll ask about those in due time, but for now I'd like to know what you think I should do about these ones from MS in particular.

Thanks very much in advance for your advice!

--JorgeA

Edited May 11, 2010 by JorgeA

[Guest wsxedcrfv]

I don't think there's any reason to install .net (dot-net) on a win-98 system. I've gotten different answers regarding the degree of "bloat" that dot.net adds to windows. (ie - is it just hard-drive bloat, or does .net take up cpu cycles in some way, shape or form).

Did you install the most recent directX as part of your updating?

[rilef]

JorgeA--

I don't think you should install any of the non-critical updates. In particular, applications which require Net framework to run probably require Windows XP or higher, as well as a version of Net above 1.1.

You should find all the updates you need for Windows 98SE at http://www.mdgx.com/upd98me.php, especially:

1. Unofficial Daylight Savings Time Update for Windows 9x at 4-25-2010: http://www.mdgx.com/files/DST_9XME.EXE .

2. Unofficial Internet Explorer 6.0 SP1 Component Update (MDIE6CU) 3.2 for Windows 98 SE installs all current MS IE 6.0 SP1 updates + security fixes at 4-23-2010: http://www.mdgx.com/spx/MDIE6CU.EXE (IMPORTANT)

3. Consider Unofficial Windows 98 SE Service Pack 2 (SP2) installs ALL previously released Hotfixes, Patches + Updates (free) at http://www.mdgx.com/web.htm#98SE : http://www.mdgx.com/spx/SESP21A.EXE

Note the Unofficial Windows 98 SE Service Pack 2 (SP2) includes all the updates you've already downloaded from Windows Update (except for IE and WMP), plus a few more (such as an updated defrag program from Windows ME).

(For updates to Windows 98 FE, see http://www.mdgx.com/web.htm#98SE (98 SP2: Unofficial Windows 98 Service Pack 2 (SP2) 2.5.6 upgrades Windows 98 Standard Edition [First Edition (FE)/Gold/RTM] to Windows 98 Service Pack 2 (SP2) and installs ALL previously released Hotfixes, Patches + Updates (free)): http://www.mdgx.com/spx/98FESP2.EXE )

4. For Windows Media Player (WMP), you have a few choices (See http://www.mdgx.com/wmp.htm ):

a. Do nothing.

b. First, if you are going to use and update WMP, install Windows Media Player 9 (for 98se) and all related security updates from the Microsoft site. You may also consider downloading and installing the WMP updated codec file.

c. Next, consider installing 98MP10: Unofficial Windows Media Player 10.0 (WMP10) XP + XP SP3 WMP9 + XP SP1 IE 6.0 SP1 Killer Replacements for Windows 98/98 SP1/98 SE/ME: http://www.mdgx.com/98mp10/98MP10.EXE

Note if you install 98MP10, you should not install WMP9URP, and vice versa.

d.Next, if you did not install 98MP10, consider installing WMP9URP December 2009 for Windows 98/98 SP1/98 SE/ME: http://www.mdgx.com/spx/MP9URP9X.EXE

[JorgeA]

wsxedcrfv,

Thanks! So far it looks like nobody thinks that the .NET download is worth it. I'm not sure how installing it would affect this machine (whether it's resident or called up as needed), but the little notebook came with an astounding 48MB of RAM and I sure don't want to strain it. Just yesterday I received a 64MB memory module to take it to the maximum that the specs claim it'll take, a grand total of 80MB. (There's 16MB built in. The case proudly says that the computer was "Designed for Microsoft Windows 95" !!)

DirectX -- I've downloaded two updates from Microsoft related to DirectX, the "DirectX 9.0c End-User Runtime" and the "Security Update for DirectX 9" (KB904706). I'm not real clear on what DirectX is supposed to be or do (something else to look up!), so please let me know if I answered your question.

--JorgeA

[JorgeA]

rilef,

Thank you very much for the details about .NET, and for the links to MDGx's site. Judging from Microsoft's own notes, none of those remaining four looked to be necessary, but then I come to this forum to learn what's what.

I've visited the mdgx.com site several times, and everything looks so tempting, but being there I feel a little like a guppy out in the ocean. Your notes are very helpful. Unless warned off, I think I'll get the MDIE6CU.EXE that you recommend, and the Daylight Savings Time update.

Also, I see that the Unofficial SP2 version 3.0 is at the "beta" stage. If I were to download SP2, should I go for the latest stable release, 2.1a?

Thanks again!

--JorgeA

[dencorso]

I've had a nasty problem with .NET and my 98SE. For me it breaks the search feature, so I decided to remove it after installing. I succeeded, but had a real hard time at it, and don't reccomend the experience. As soon as I can I'll locate the post I did about it, way back when, and post a link to it here. I have .NET (v. 1.1, 2.0, 3.0 and 3.5, in parallel, as reccomended)on XP SP3, and there it works OK. But it's never been of much use for me, anyway.

Here's it: Obnoxious find bug, related to NFR 1.1.

[rilef]

Net Framework, once installed, can be very difficult to remove, as noted by dencorso. A handy tool, and last resort for removing Net Framework, is the utility "dotnetfx_cleanup_tool". Explanation of the tool and download links can be found at http://blogs.msdn.com/astebner/pages/8904493.aspx . Also note, that included in Internet Options for Internet Explorer, Security options, is provision to enable or disable Net Framework.

For the clean installs of Windows 98se I did recently, I used the "Unofficial Windows 98 SE Service Pack 2 (SP2)" as a timesaver, to install all the updates quickly and all at once. Then I went to Windows Update to complete the process. Since you've already downloaded all the critical updates from Windows Update, installing the unofficial SP2 is not necessary, but still recommended, since some of the tweaks in SP2 are not found in Windows Update (such as, the improved defrag, the powertoy "Tweak UI", and perhaps other updated file and configuration changes. However, all the additional tweaks in SP2 can be downloaded and installed separately, if you prefer.

"Microsoft DirectX is a collection of application programming interfaces (APIs) for handling tasks related to multimedia, especially game programming and video, on Microsoft platforms" (See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DirectX).

An explanation of SP3 Beta's can be found at http://www.htasoft.com/sesp30b4-en.txt . The explanation includes several caveats and cautions, such as, "This version contains patched ESDI_506.PDR, so be careful." So yes, I would stick with the stable release of SP2, or not install SP2 or SP3.

[JorgeA]

dencorso,

I read your post about that bug and I see what you mean. It really loooks like .NET is more trouble than it's worth unless one has specialized needs.

What applications (that might be used by people who are not IT professionals) would be based on the .NET Framework?

--JorgeA

Edited May 13, 2010 by JorgeA

[JorgeA]

rilef,

It's good to know that the unofficial SP2 includes all the updates available on the MS site. If I ever have to reinstall Win98 (not such a far-out idea anymore, now that I did it once), this will save a bundle of time.

Thanks for the scoop on DirectX, too. That did help to make it clearer in my head.

--JorgeA

[rilef]

JorgeA,

The unofficial SP2 does NOT include all the updates available on the MS site from Windows Update. Users of the "Unofficial Windows 98 SE Service Pack 2 (SP2)" should thus go to Windows Update, after installing SP2, to complete the process. (The major omissions from SP2 are updates relating to IE and WMP, but I recall there may have been 1 or 2 others).

My understanding also is that some, but NOT all security updates for Internet Explorer 6.0 SP1 are available through Windows Update for win9x/me. Later security updates for Internet Explorer 6.0 SP1 must be downloaded and installed from those SP1 updates made available for Windows 2000. Or, much more conveniently, use Unofficial Internet Explorer 6.0 SP1 Component Update (MDIE6CU) 3.2 for Windows 98 SE (http://www.mdgx.com/spx/MDIE6CU.EXE}, a cumulative compilation of all IE 6 SP1 updates.

[JorgeA]

rilef,

Ahh, thanks very much for pointing out all these things -- especially about the IE6 updates that we wouldn't get through the normal Windows Update channels. I'll download the MDIE6CU.

In case a reinstall is ever needed, I should print out this thread for reference!

--JorgeA

[dencorso]

Gape's uSP contains HotFixes, not only critical updates and brings your system to the most up-to-date state possible.

I think it's a must, not an option. And yes, you can stick to uSP2, if you want.

An explanation of SP3 Beta's can be found at http://www.htasoft.com/sesp30b4-en.txt . The explanation includes several caveats and cautions, such as, "This version contains patched ESDI_506.PDR, so be careful." So yes, I would stick with the stable release of SP2, or not install SP2 or SP3.

There's nothing to be careful about LLXX's patched ESDI_506.PDR. Her comment is from release time, many years ago. By now, it's time proven to be safe. So, after adding uSP, I'd add NUSB 3.3 [link] and, at least, the following unofficial updates: LLXX's patched ESDI_506.PDR v. 4.10.0.2225 (aka v. 4.10.0.2230) [link] or, better still, Maximus-Decim BHDD31e [link] , which includes it and EXPLORER.EXE v. 4.72.3612.1710 [link], and:

Unofficial SHELL32.DLL 4.72.3812.634 (Explorer Lockups Fix) [link] (do read also: PATCHED SHELL32.DLL BUG + FIX).

Unnofficial KERNEL32.DLL 4.10.0.2226 (2-4 GB Files Errors Fix) [link] (this I think you already use).

Unnofficial KRNL386.EXE 4.10.0.2000 (Stack Corruption Fix) [link].

This is my opinion, based on my experience.

[rloew]

Unnofficial KERNEL32.DLL 4.10.0.2226 (2-4 GB Files Errors Fix) [link] (this I think you already use).

I examined this Patch. It only properly supports 4GB when Seeking from the beginning of a File. This may be sufficient for Copying, but it does not properly support Seeking from Current Position, or from End of File. I have a Patch that corrects all modes.

[JorgeA]

Thanks, dencorso -- it looks like I have my work (more like fun, really) cut out for me!

I'll go slowly, adding one thing at a time.

From the MS Update site, shall I skip the Euro Conversion Tool, IE Navigation Sound Update, and the Mapped Drives Shutdown Update? They wouldn't seem to apply in my case, but the prudent thing is to ask.

--JorgeA