The Complete Idiot's Guide to Windows 98

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Windows 98

Windows 98 Online Resources

Although I've crammed as much useful Windows 98 information as I could into this book and The Complete Idiot's Guide to Windows 98, there's just no way to cover absolutely everything. Besides, the Windows world is in a constant state of flux, so keeping up with what's new is a full-time job. To help you keep your head above the Windows waters, this page presents a list of some online sites that offer practical information, the latest news, and first-rate shareware and other files.

The World Wide Web

There's no shortage of Windows 98 pages on the Web, but many of these pages are pure dreck. The following is a list of the Windows 98 Web pages I think you'll find useful. First, some links to pages on Microsoft's Web site:

Windows 98 Home Page

URL:	http://www.microsoft.com/windows98/
Content:	Files, how-to, news, shareware, troubleshooting
Comments:	This is the place to begin all your Windows 98 Web wandering (see the following figure). All the latest Windows 98 news from Microsoft, updates, new Windows 98 programs—it's all here.

Microsoft Technical Support Search

URL:	http://support.microsoft.com/support/
Content:	How-to, troubleshooting
Comments:	If you're scratching your head over some weird Windows 98 behavior, chances are someone else has found the same thing and has asked Microsoft Tech Support about it, and the engineer has posted a solution in the Microsoft Knowledge Base. This Web site lets you search the Knowledge Base and other support content (see the next figure) to track down a problem you might be having. Note that you have to register with Microsoft to use this site.

Windows 98 Software Library

URL:	http://www.microsoft.com/windows98/downloads/default.asp
Content:	Files
Comments:	This site contains miscellaneous Windows 98 files from Microsoft, including updated components, device drivers, and more.

Here are a few more links to other Windows 98 pages:

32BIT.com

URL:	http://www.32bit.com/
Content:	Files, how-to, news, shareware
Comments:	This site is dedicated to 32-bit operating systems, and so has extensive Windows resources, particularly shareware.

Allen's Windows 95 Applications List

URL:	http://www.winappslist.com/
Content:	Files, shareware
Comments:	An extensive collection of Windows software arranged in over 40 different categories.

Consummate Winsock Apps List

URL:	http://cws.internet.com/
Content:	Files, shareware
Comments:	Not just your average list of Windows 98 shareware and files. This site sticks out from the crowd thanks to the in-depth reviews given to each program by the site's proprietor: Forrest Stroud.

DOWNLOAD.COM

URL:	http://www.download.com/PC/Win95/
Content:	Files, how-to, news, shareware, troubleshooting
Comments:	At the time of writing, this site was still geared toward Windows 95, but I expect you'll find Windows 98 resources by the time you read this.

PC World Magazine's Windows 98 Page

URL:	http://www.pcworld.com/workstyles/win95/index.html
Content:	How-to, news, troubleshooting
Comments:	A huge list of Windows articles from the pages of PC World magazine. Includes a search engine.

PCWin Resource Center

URL:	http://pcwin.com/
Content:	Files, how-to, news, shareware, troubleshooting
Comments:	A nice collection of Windows 98 software.

Tech Support Guy

URL:	http://www.cermak.com/techguy/
Content:	How-to, troubleshooting
Comments:	Thousands of troubleshooting articles, many of which are related to Windows problems. Can't find your answer? Ask the Tech Support Guy!

TUCOWS

URL:	http://tucows.mcp.com/window95.asp
Content:	Files, shareware
Comments:	One of the premier download sites for Windows 95/98 shareware (see the following figure). Approximately 70 separate software categories.

Windowatch

URL:	http://www.windowatch.com/
Content:	News
Comments:	Subtitled "Electronic Windows Magazine of the Internet," this site keeps you up-to-date on the latest developments in the Windows world.

Windows 98 Megasite

URL:	http://www.winmag.com/win98/
Content:	Files, how-to, shareware
Comments:	This site is run by Windows Magazine and also includes discussion groups, reviews, and access to the rest of the Windows Magazine Web site.

WindowsCentral

URL:	http://www.windowscentral.com/
Content:	How-to, news, troubleshooting
Comments:	This is one of the busiest Windows sites on the Net thanks to its large collection of tips and features related to the Windows world.

WinFiles.com

URL:	http://www.winfiles.com/
Content:	Files, how-to, shareware
Comments:	This site has loads of useful links, and the shareware collection is second to none. The site's clever layout is designed to resemble the Windows 98 interface (see the following figure).

Usenet Newsgroups

If you need help with a specific Windows 98 question, fumbling around various Web sites looking for the answer might not be the best way to go. In some cases, posting a question to the appropriate Usenet newsgroup is often a better approach. The following table summarizes newsgroups that focus on Windows 95 and that are available through regular channels. (Note that no Windows 98 newsgroups were available as I wrote this.)

Newsgroup	Description

`alt.os.windows95.crash.crash.crash`	The name sounds like a joke, but this group has plenty of serious posts related to troubleshooting issues.
`comp.os.ms-windows.apps.compatibility.win95`	This is the place to look for help related to applications that won't run under Windows 98.
`comp.os.ms-windows.apps.utilities.win95`	This group deals with issues related to the Windows 95 accessories.
`comp.os.ms-windows.networking.win95`	Check out this group if you need help with networking, Internet access, or other connectivity issues.
`comp.os.ms-windows.setup.win95`	This group covers setup, configuration, and installation issues.
`comp.os.ms-windows.win95.misc`	This is a catchall group for other Windows 95 issues. A word of warning: This is a very busy group with hundreds of posts each day.
`comp.os.ms-windows.win95.moderated`	A high-signal, low-noise group that posts about one-tenth the number of messages that go through the `misc` group.
`comp.os.ms-windows.win95.setup`	Another group related to installation. No, I don't know why there are two of them.

Microsoft also runs its own newsgroups. To view them, set up your newsreader to use the server msnews.microsoft.com. The table below lists the newsgroups that deal with Windows 95 topics. (Again, no Windows 98 groups were available when this book went to press.)

Newsgroup	Description

`microsoft.public.win98.apps`	Issues related to running applications in Windows 98.
`microsoft.public.win98.comm.dun`	Covers installation, configuration, and use of Dial-Up Networking.
`microsoft.public.win98.comm.modem`	Deals with issues related to modems, serial ports, HyperTerminal, Phone Dialer, and general telephony.
`microsoft.public.win98.disks.general`	Primarily a forum for disk drive issues, especially questions related to ScanDisk, DriveSpace, and DoubleSpace.
`microsoft.public.win98.display.general`	Discussions related to video cards and monitors.
`microsoft.public.win98.display.multi_monitor`	Covers Windows 98's support for multiple monitors.
`microsoft.public.win98.fat32`	Deals with the FAT32 file system.
`microsoft.public.win98.gen_discussion`	Miscellaneous Windows 98 topics.
`microsoft.public.win98.internet`	General Windows 98 Internet topics.
`microsoft.public.win98.internet.active_desktop`	Questions and answers related to the Active Desktop.
`microsoft.public.win98.internet.browser`	Discussions related to Internet Explorer and other browsers.
`microsoft.public.win98.internet.netmeeting`	Covers all aspects of NetMeeting conferencing.
`microsoft.public.win98.internet.outlookexpress`	Deals with email and newsgroup issues in Outlook Express.
`microsoft.public.win98.internet.windows_update`	Questions and answers related to the Windows Update Web site.
`microsoft.public.win98.multimedia`	Discussions on audio, video, and other multimedia.
`microsoft.public.win98.multimedia.directx5`	Covers multimedia topics related to DirectX version 5.
`microsoft.public.win98.networking`	Installation, configuration, and troubleshooting of Microsoft and NetWare networks.
`microsoft.public.win98.performance`	Deals with overcoming poor Windows 98 performance.
`microsoft.public.win98.pnp`	Windows 98's Plug and Play support.
`microsoft.public.win98.power_mgmt`	Questions and answers related to power management.
`microsoft.public.win98.printing`	Discussions about printing in Windows 98.
`microsoft.public.win98.pws_4`	Covers Personal Web Server.
`microsoft.public.win98.scanreg`	Deals with Windows 98's Registry Checker system tool.
`microsoft.public.win98.setup`	Covers issues related to Windows 98 installation.
`microsoft.public.win98.setup.win31`	Questions and answers related to upgrading to Windows 98 from Windows 3.1.
`microsoft.public.win98.shell`	Discussions on the Windows 98 shell and user interface.
`microsoft.public.win98.sys_file_check`	Covers the System File Checker utility.
`microsoft.public.win98.taskscheduler`	Deals with the Task Scheduler utility.
`microsoft.public.win98.webtv`	Questions and answers related to WebTV for Windows.

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