98SE2ME = Killer Replacements: ME -> 98 SE

[PROBLEMCHYLD]

I'm sorry i don't know how 2 post a Gif screenshot.

but what i mean is when you click the start button the menu comes up and

it has Windows98Second edition on the banner.I meant replacing 98 second edition with

98se2me killer replacements.

[PsycoUnc]

-hey, I like that idea! Something flashy, worthy of all the effort put into the wonderful stability/speed improvements, something that says "-THIS BABY HAS BEEN SUPERCHARGED!" (-not literally, lol, of course, that's a bit over the edge )

[MDGx]

I'm sorry i don't know how 2 post a Gif screenshot.

but what i mean is when you click the start button the menu comes up and

it has Windows98Second edition on the banner.I meant replacing 98 second edition with

98se2me killer replacements.

That's the %windir%\explorer.exe BMP [Windows BitMaP].

In 98SE2ME I'm using a custom modded explorer.exe which shows the "Windows 98 Second Edition" banner, "borrowed" from Gape's SP2, and patched as described here:

http://www.dr-hoiby.com/TrayIconIn256Color/

Al this info is also detailed in READ1ST.TXT:

READ1ST.TXT

under the "98SE2ME.PIF COMPLETE GUIDE" section, please see "* Option 6:".

I could patch explorer.exe to show "Windows 98 SE Killer Replacements" or something similar, but I need at least a few people to vote for this, and so far you're the only one.

Edit:

Now there are 2 of you who want this, so I'll give it another thought.

And besides, 98SE2ME option 3 installs another explorer.exe, the newer one from WinME CD, which displays the "Windows Millennium Edition" banner.

If you like to see a 98SE2ME or Killer Replacements or similar banner, you can mod explorer.exe in Resource Hacker [freeware]:

http://www.users.on.net/johnson/resourcehacker/

and replace BMP #157 [under 1033 for English editions] with your own, you can even put your name in it if you wish.

To create a 16 colors BMP is easy, just open MSPAINT.EXE.

Export the original one from within explorer.exe, open it up in Mspaint, look at its witdth x height, and then create your own with same dimensions. Make sure the file size is aproximately the same as the original BMP.

If it's not, reduce the number of colors to 16.

Better, you can also use any of these graphics editors [most are free(ware)] for this purpose:

http://www.mdgx.com/toy.htm#GRA

HTH

[Marius '95]

I'd like to see Win95 explorer.exe running with Win98 shell32.dll

After all the updates on this forum Win98 is no longer fast. It's beginning to crawl like a Windows XP.

[PROBLEMCHYLD]

I've replaced mine and might i add

stability remains stable and i notice a increase in speed

with shell32.dll from 98SE Thanks for the tip Marius '95

Edited May 9, 2006 by PROBLEMCHYLD

[MDGx]

I'd like to see Win95 explorer.exe running with Win98 shell32.dll

After all the updates on this forum Win98 is no longer fast. It's beginning to crawl like a Windows XP.

I've replaced mine and might i add

stability remains stable and i notice a increase in speed

with shell32.dll from 98SE Thanks for the tip Marius '95

Sorry guys, 98SE2ME is about upgrading Win98 SE to WinME level, not downgrading to Win95B/95C OSR2.x level. ;(

And besides, in order to add Win95B/95C explorer.exe to 98SE2ME, you will need a Win95B/95C OSR2.x setup CD or CABs [which you have to provide at the time of installation], a.k.a. a legitimate license to own such a CD or CABs.

And as you might have guessed, this unfortunately is beyond the scope of 98SE2ME.

But if you wish to do this at home, Marius '95 has graceously provided the guide [excerpt from READ1ST.TXT, the "KNOWN BUGS + FIXES" section]:

READ1ST.TXT

BUG:

One of 98lite:

http://www.litepc.com/

options replaces Windows 98 SE EXPLORER.EXE with older Windows 95 version.

In such case 98SE2ME options 1, 2 + 3 fail to install.

FIX:

MUST perform all steps below in this exact order:

1. Backup to a safe location [%windir% = usually C:\WINDOWS]:

%windir%\EXPLORER.EXE

%windir%\SYSTEM\COMDLG32.DLL

%windir%\SYSTEM\SHELL32.DLL

BEFORE installing 98lite or 98SE2ME.

2. Install 98lite and switch to Windows 95 EXPLORER.EXE.

3. Create a new directory called %windir%\EXPLOR95 [example] and then copy

%windir%\EXPLORER.EXE + %windir%\SYSTEM\SHELL32.DLL into %windir%\EXPLOR95 .

4. Run 98lite and switch to Windows 98 SE EXPLORER.EXE.

5. Install 98SE2ME.

6. Copy %windir%\SYSTEM\COMDLG32.DLL into %windir%\EXPLOR95 and then open

%windir%\EXPLOR95\COMDLG32.DLL into a hex editor [for example XVI32]:

http://www.mdgx.com/toy.htm#HEX

and replace all SHELL32.DLL strings with SHELL31.DLL (2 instances).

7. Reboot into native/true/real/pure MS-DOS mode:

A. by holding down Shift + F5 at the same time during BIOS boot POST (Power On

Self Test) sequence.

B. OR by scrolling down using the down arrow to the "Command prompt only"

option and then pressing Enter from the Windows 98 Startup Menu:

http://www.mdgx.com/msdos.htm#MEN

C. OR from a Windows 98 SE Emergency/Bootup/Startup floppy/CD/DVD/USB/external

disc/stick/tape.

8. Run these commands from the C:\ prompt:

ATTRIB -H -R -S %winbootdir%\EXPLOR95\*.*

ATTRIB -H -R -S %winbootdir%\EXPLORER.EXE

ATTRIB -H -R -S %winbootdir%\SYSTEM\COMDLG32.DLL

ATTRIB -H -R -S %winbootdir%\SYSTEM\SHELL32.DLL

REN %winbootdir%\SYSTEM\SHELL32.DLL SHELL31.DLL

COPY/Y/Z %winbootdir%\EXPLOR95\EXPLORER.EXE %winbootdir%

COPY/Y/Z %winbootdir%\EXPLOR95\COMDLG32.DLL %winbootdir%\SYSTEM

COPY/Y/Z %winbootdir%\EXPLOR95\SHELL32.DLL %winbootdir%\SYSTEM

9. Reboot normal back to Windows.

CAUTION:

Some programs will NOT run with older SHELL32.DLL from Windows 95!

Thank you Marius '95.

HTH

[PROBLEMCHYLD]

?

Edited May 10, 2006 by PROBLEMCHYLD

[PROBLEMCHYLD]

What about adding Resource Meter

and CDPLAYER from Win Me.

EDIT

O.K MDGx

heres what i was think'n if u decide to change the banner

Make the banner black, fadin out towards the top

98SE2ME in Dark gold letters & Killer Replacements in Red letters with the

font style thats used 4 Millennium Edition

get rid of the whole Windows 98 Second Edition stuff

after all we r using Killer Replacements.

Just my 2 cents.

Edited May 10, 2006 by PROBLEMCHYLD

[MDGx]

What about adding Resource Meter

and CDPLAYER from Win Me.

EDIT

O.K MDGx

heres what i was think'n if u decide to change the banner

Make the banner black, fadin out towards the top

98SE2ME in Dark gold letters & Killer Replacements in Red letters with the

font style thats used 4 Millennium Edition

get rid of the whole Windows 98 Second Edition stuff

after all we r using Killer Replacements.

Just my 2 cents.

Resource Meter is already installed by 98SE2ME options 1 + 2.

Please see the complete list of files installed by 98SE2ME:

http://www.mdgx.com/98-5.htm#FME

The complete list also in TIPS98.TXT, part of W95-11D.EXE:

http://www.mdgx.com/95.htm

This info is also linked from READ1ST.TXT:

READ1ST.TXT

in the "FAQ" section, I believe.

These are the rsrcmtr files:

%windir%\RSRCMTR.EXE

%windir%\SYSTEM\RSRC16.DLL

%windir%\SYSTEM\RSRC32.DLL

CDPLAYER.EXE from WinME is just a "stub", only starts WMPLAYER.EXE (WMP).

But the same file name from Win98 SE is the actual CD player application.

That's why I didn't replace it.

FYI [if that's the 1 you were referring to]:

Deluxe CD Player [DELUXECD.EXE] is included only with MS Plus! 98 and Win2000 setup CD.

The 1 from Plus! 98 works with NTx OSes but the 1 from Win2000 doesn't work with 9x OSes.

I'll see what I can do about the explorer banner.

I'll post here a new edition of 98SE2ME when ready.

HTH

[PsycoUnc]

...

If you like to see a 98SE2ME or Killer Replacements or similar banner, you can mod explorer.exe in Resource Hacker [freeware]:

http://www.users.on.net/johnson/resourcehacker/

and replace BMP #157 [under 1033 for English editions] with your own, you can even put your name in it if you wish.

To create a 16 colors BMP is easy, just open MSPAINT.EXE.

Export the original one from within explorer.exe, open it up in Mspaint, look at its witdth x height, and then create your own with same dimensions. Make sure the file size is aproximately the same as the original BMP.

If it's not, reduce the number of colors to 16.

Better, you can also use any of these graphics editors [most are free(ware)] for this purpose:

http://www.mdgx.com/toy.htm#GRA

...

-hmm, does sound pretty easy... tho it would probably lack your own creative flare, a signature of sorts, for your wonderful 98se2me project...

(perhaps some entries, as usual, for ideas...)

[MDGx]

If you like to see a 98SE2ME or Killer Replacements or similar banner, you can mod explorer.exe in Resource Hacker [freeware]:

http://www.users.on.net/johnson/resourcehacker/

and replace BMP #157 [under 1033 for English editions] with your own, you can even put your name in it if you wish.

To create a 16 colors BMP is easy, just open MSPAINT.EXE.

Export the original one from within explorer.exe, open it up in Mspaint, look at its witdth x height, and then create your own with same dimensions. Make sure the file size is aproximately the same as the original BMP.

If it's not, reduce the number of colors to 16.

Better, you can also use any of these graphics editors [most are free(ware)] for this purpose:

http://www.mdgx.com/toy.htm#GRA

-hmm, does sound pretty easy... tho it would probably lack your own creative flare, a signature of sorts, for your wonderful 98se2me project...

(perhaps some entries, as usual, for ideas...)

I like that...

So let's see what you guys think of a custom 98SE2ME explorer banner.

Specs:

- BMP format, either RGB or RLE [compressed], doesn't matter.

- 16 colors [4-bit]. I could probably "scrunch" a 256 colors [8-bit] BMP, but may or may not display properly [haven't tried anything else besides 16 colors].

- file size must be minimum 1500 bytes, max 8000 bytes [preferably ~ 3000 bytes].

- BMP width x height must be 21 x 233 pixels [original pic size]. Height can be more or less that, up to max 300 pixels. Width should be 21 pixels, but can go down to 18 or up to max 25.

- writing has to vertical facing the left side of the screen.

- single color background acceptable, but gradient of multiple colors better.

Attached here:

the original BMP banner from explorer.exe in Win98 SE, the 1 from Gape's SP2 and the 1 I'm using.

All 3 are in GIF format.

Download ZIP + then use an unZIPper to extract files:

http://www.mdgx.com/toy.htm#ZIP

BANNR157.ZIP

Please show off your drawing talent, and post here your own creations.

Thanks.

Edited May 20, 2006 by MDGx

[Targaff]

Just to note that TClock* might be an easier way to mess around/test this rather than reshacking, since it skins the start button and banner already.

[PROBLEMCHYLD]

Upnp does work on 98SE.

I haven't witness any bugs or errors.

Edited May 25, 2006 by PROBLEMCHYLD

[MDGx]

I just spent a few long hours writing batch + inf files and testing.

UPnP will have to be implemented at a later time.

HTH

______________________________

Edit:

Changed explorer Start menu banner:

http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=46349

with generic "Windows Killer REplacements 98 SE -> ME", because nobody posted a better one. ;(

[Eck]

The Zipfolder description confused me.

I regularly install the latest Winzip version first on a new 98SE installation. I use it for unzipping all the motherboard drivers and such. Eventually I install the Microsoft 98Plus! cd with Zipfolders being the only utility from it that I install, the rest just being the screensavers and themes stuff.

After installing the Zipfolder security update, I just run Winzip and when it asks to restore zip files to open with Winzip I say yes. Thereafter, Winzip works normally with zip files. The zip icons appear with the Winzip icon.

So, Zipfolders are available to use if I want to, but I use Winzip as the default normal operation.

How come you say that I must remove the zipfolder's dll if I want to use Winzip? I haven't noticed this.

On another change.

What if I like what Gape's pack installs as the StartMenu banner? I like the Windows 98 Second Edition there, not the Killer Replacements thing. I use Option 2 in 98SE2ME.

Can you possibly make this change optional?