The Unauthorized Guide to Windows 98 Table of Contents Part 1—Windows 98: Beyond the Basics Chapter 1—Beyond the Hype: A Critical Look at What's New in Windows 98 Web Integration and the Active Desktop New Internet Features The Windows 98 System Tools New Hardware Support Other New Features What's New Since Windows 3.x Chapter 2—Ten Things You Should Know About the Windows 98 Setup Going Beyond the Minimum Windows 98 Hardware Requirements Upgrading from DOS or an Existing Version of Windows Upgrading from DOS or Windows 3.0 Upgrading from Windows 3.1x Upgrading from Windows 95 Dual-Booting Windows 98 with Another Operating System Partitioning for Dual-Booting FAT32 Dual-Boot Considerations Installing Windows 3.1x After Windows 98 Dual-Booting Windows 98 and Windows NT Other Dual-Boot Options Performing a Clean Installation Preparing Your System A Preparation Checklist Better Backup Ideas Running the Windows 98 Setup Using Setup's Switches Creating Automated Setup Scripts Launching Setup Adding and Removing Windows 98 Components Extracting a File from the Windows 98 Setup Files Customizing Setup Settings in the Registry Editing Your User Name and Company Name Specifying a New Setup Source Path Uninstalling Windows 98 Running the Uninstall Feature Uninstalling Windows 98 by Hand Chapter 3—Understanding and Controlling the Windows 98 Startup How the Startup Process Works Notes about Config.sys and Autoexec.bat Working with the Windows 98 Startup Menu Win.com Switches for Startup Troubleshooting Controlling Startup Using the System Configuration Utility Controlling Startup Using Msdos.sys How the Shutdown Process Works Creating Custom Startup and Shutdown Screens Chapter 4—An Insider's Guide to Three Crucial Configuration Tools An Insider's Guide to the Registry Why Is the Registry So Important? Keeping the Registry Safe Copying the Registry Database Files Backing Up the Registry Using the Registry Checker Launching the Registry Editor How the Registry is Structured Working with Registry Keys and Settings Finding a Key, Setting, Or Value Changing the Value of a String Setting Changing the Value of a Binary Setting Renaming a Key or Setting Creating a New Key or Setting Deleting a Key or Setting Exporting a Key to a Registration (.Reg) File Importing a Registration (.Reg) File An Insider's Guide to System Policies Installing the System Policy Editor Working with a Local Registry An Insider's Guide to TweakUI Installing TweakUI Running TweakUI TweakUI's Boot Options Chapter 5—Getting the Most Out of Your Applications Installing Applications Safely An Installation Safety Checklist Installing the Application Applications and the Registry Launching Applications Launching Applications Automatically at Startup Using the StartUp Folder Using the Registry Using WIN.INI Switching Between Running Applications Special Considerations for DOS Programs Using MS-DOS Mode Creating Custom Startup Configurations Disabling DOS Uninstalling Applications Using Add/Remove Programs to Uninstall 32-Bit Applications Uninstalling 16-Bit Applications by Hand Uninstalling DOS Applications by Hand Chapter 6—Expert Windows Explorer Techniques Quick Fixes for Making Windows Explorer More Usable Displaying the Status Bar Turning on File Extensions Displaying Hidden Files Basic File and Folder Chores: The Techniques Used by the Pros Selecting Files and Folders Selecting a Single Object Selecting Multiple Objects Making Sense of Windows 98's Rules for Moving and Copying Expert Drag-and-Drop Techniques Taking Advantage of the Send To Command Creating New Folders and Files Renaming Files and Folders The Recycle Bin: Deleting and Recovering Files and Folders Deleting a File or Folder Setting Some Recycle Bin Options Recovering a File or Folder Recovering a "Permanently" Deleted File or Folder File Maintenance Using the Open and Save As Dialog Boxes Powerful Search Techniques for Finding Files Working with Floppy Disks Formatting a Floppy Disk Copying a Floppy Disk Customizing Windows Explorer Changing the View Activating Thumbnails Sorting Files and Folders Exploring the View Options Using Windows Explorer's Command Line Options Part 2—Advanced Windows 98 Customizing Chapter 7—Getting to Know the Control Panel What is the Control Panel? Opening the Control Panel Folder A Review of the Control Panel Icons Controlling the Control Panel Understanding Control Panel Files Hiding and Displaying Control Panel Icons Moving Control Panel Files Customizing with Control.ini Customizing Control Panel with TweakUI Customizing Control Panel with the System Policy Editor Control Panel and the Registry Easier Access to the Control Panel Alternative Methods for Opening Control Panel Icons Putting the Control Panel on the Taskbar Putting the Control Panel on the Start Menu Chapter 8—An In-Depth Look at Web Integration and the Active Desktop How Does Web Integration Change Windows 98? Toggling Web Integration On and Off Setting Web Integration Options Viewing Folders as Web Pages Activating the Web View Creating a Custom Web View Background Understanding Web View Templates Under the Hood: The Structure of a Web View Template Understanding the Template Body Understanding the Template Header Inserting Links to Local, Intranet, and Internet Resources Disabling the Annoying "Show Files" Link Working with the Active Desktop Turning the Active Desktop On and Off Working with Desktop Items Turning the Active Desktop Into a Web Page Chapter 9—Customizing the Windows 98 Interface Changing an Icon More than Just Wallpaper: Customizing the Desktop A Quick Look at Windows 98's Display Settings Modifying the Desktop Items Changing the Desktop Icons Editing the Desktop Item InfoTips Hiding Desktop Items Working with the My Documents Icon Renaming the Recycle Bin Saving Desktop Settings when Exiting Windows 98 Setting Up Custom Shell Folders Customizing Windows 98's System Icons Renovating the Start Menu Adding and Removing Start Menu Shortcuts Using the Create Shortcut Wizard Dragging-and-Dropping Onto the Start Button Working with the Start Menu Folder Working with Start Menu Shortcuts Directly Removing Built-In Start Menu Items Putting System Folders on the Start Menu Creating Accelerator Keys for Start Menu Shortcuts Redoing the Taskbar Setting Taskbar Properties Moving and Sizing the Taskbar Customizing the Quick Launch Toolbar Displaying Other Taskbar Toolbars Activating User Profiles Setting Up User Profiles Setting Up the Default Profile Setting Up the Profiles for Other Users Logging On Understanding How Windows 98 Works with User Profiles User Folders User Profiles and the Registry Part 3—Secrets of the Windows 98 File System Chapter 10—Powerful Techniques for File Types Understanding File Types File Types and File Extensions File Types and the Registry A Front-End for HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT Opening a Document with an Unassociated Application Working with Existing File Types Editing a File Type Working with File Type Actions Creating a New File Type Using Open With to Create a Basic File Type Using the File Types Tab to Create a More Advanced File Type Associating Two or More Extensions with a Single Application Customizing the New Menu Figuring Out Browser File Types: Internet Explorer vs. Netscape Chapter 11—Taking Advantage of Shortcuts Understanding Shortcuts Windows Shortcut Files DOS Shortcut Files (PIFs) Creating a Shortcut Modifying Shortcut Properties Customizing a Windows Shortcut Customizing a PIF Shortcut Finding a Moved or Renamed Target Using the Link Check Wizard to Deal with Dead Links Some Unofficial Shortcut Tricks Viewing Shortcut Extensions Disabling the Shortcut to Text Customizing the Shortcut Icon Arrow Getting the Most Out of Shortcuts Part 4—Windows 98 Performance Tuning and Troubleshooting Chapter 12—Maximizing Your System's Memory Memory: The Lifeblood of Your Computer The Address Space Types of Memory Determining How Much Memory Is Installed Restricting Memory Usage How Much Memory Is Enough? Managing the Windows 98 Swap File Tracking and Optimizing System Resources Using the Resource Meter to Track System Resources Some Ways to Save System Resources More Memory Management Techniques Maximizing Memory for DOS Programs DOS Memory Concepts Setting DOS Memory Properties for Individual Applications Maximizing Conventional Memory Chapter 13—Optimizing Your Hard Disk Examining Hard Disk Properties Using Disk Cleanup to Remove Unnecessary Files Detecting and Repairing Hard Disk Errors with ScanDisk Optimizing Disk Access Times with Disk Defragmenter Running Disk Defragmenter Understanding the Intel Application Launch Accelerator Using WinAlign to Speed Up Program Launching Compressing Files with DriveSpace Using DriveSpace to Compress Files Using DriveSpace to Compress Free Space Chapter 14—Making the Move to FAT32 Understanding the FAT The FAT and Cluster Size Calculating Cluster Slack What is FAT32? How Much Disk Space Will You Save? Converting a Partition to FAT32 Using FDISK Using Drive Converter Chapter 15—Crucial System Maintenance Skills Getting the Big Picture: Windows 98 Information Utilities The System Information Utility The File Information Utility Finding the Version Number of a File Protecting System Files Running System File Checker Changing System File Checker Settings Starting the Check Extracting Windows 98 Files Using Version Conflict Manager to Deal with Conflicting System Files Controlling Viruses with Plus! 98's McAfee VirusScan Running VirusScan Understanding VShield Other Ways to Protect Yourself From Viruses Chapter 16—Preparing for Trouble Putting Together an Emergency Boot Disk Creating a Windows 98 Startup Disk Creating a FAT32 Startup Disk Test Driving the Startup Disk Backing Up Your Files Setting Up a Backup Job Notes Towards Easier Backup Jobs Restoring a Backup Job Using System Recovery to Recover from a Crash Gathering Troubleshooting Information Part 5—Inside Windows 98's Communications and Internet Features Chapter 17—Getting the Most Out of Your Modem Understanding Modem Communications Installing a Modem Running the Add New Modem Wizard Running Modem Diagnostics Running AT Commands Does Your Phone Line Support 56Kbps Transmissions? Your Modem and the Registry Setting the Modem's Properties Setting the General Properties Setting the Connection Properties Working with Port Settings Working with Advanced Connection Settings Setting Dialing Properties Chapter 18—Getting on the Internet How to Get on the Internet Using a Phone Line Information You Need Before Getting Started Using the Internet Connection Wizard Using Dial-Up Networking Setting a Few More Connection Properties Making the Connection Creating Scripts to Automate Dial-Ups Disconnecting from Your ISP How to Get on the Internet Using a Local Area Network Information You Need Before Getting Started Installing and Configuring the TCP/IP Protocol Some Internet Utilities You Should Know Chapter 19—Expert Internet Explorer Techniques Basic Browsing Techniques Understanding Web Page Addresses Opening and Browsing Pages Searching for Sites Customizing the Links Bar Address Bar Tricks Using the Favorites Folder to Save Sites Opening Favorite Sites Maintaining Favorites Dealing with Subscriptions Setting Up a Subscription Controlling the Cache Internet Explorer's Advanced Options Chapter 20—Communicating Efficiently and Effectively with Outlook Express A Quick Look at Some Outlook Express Email Basics Setting Up Mail Accounts Sending a Message Retrieving Messages Reading a Message Dealing with a Message After You've Read It Working with Outlook Express Folders Filtering Incoming Messages Finding a Message Finding a Person Customizing Outlook Express Reorganizing the Message List Columns Rearranging the Layout of the Outlook Express Window Chapter 21—Internet Security Features for the Sophisticated Surfer Some Thoughts on Email Virus Hoaxes Windows 98 Security Updates Internet Security and the TCP/IP Protocol Internet Explorer's Security Features Working with Internet Explorer's Security Zones Adding and Removing Zone Sites Changing a Zone's Security Level More Security Settings Using a Digital ID for Secure Email Setting Up an Email Account with a Digital ID Obtaining Another Person's Public Key Sending a Secure Message Receiving a Secure Message Part 6—High-Powered Hardware Techniques Chapter 22—Taking the Mystery Out of Hardware Crucial Hardware Concepts IRQ Lines, I/O Ports, and Other Device Settings Interrupt Request Lines Input/Output Ports Direct Memory Access Channels Memory Addresses Understanding Device Drivers How to Make Plug and Play Work (Most of the Time) Installing Device Drivers Using Automatic Hardware Detection Installing a Driver By hand Working with the Signature Verification Tool Using Automatic Skip Driver Agent to Bypass Troublesome Drivers Getting Device Information Dealing with Device Manager Viewing Devices by Resource Working with Device Properties Chapter 23—Setting Up and Customizing Input Devices Working with Your Mouse Customizing the Mouse Exchanging the Left and Right Mouse Buttons Adjusting the Double-Click Speed Changing the Mouse Pointers Adjusting the Mouse Pointer Speed Activating Pointer Trails Working with the IntelliPoint Settings StepSavers Pointers Basics Visibility Productivity Wheel Setting the Tweak UI Mouse Properties Working with Your Keyboard Customizing the Keyboard Setting the Delay Setting the Repeat Rate Playing Tones When Toggling Caps Lock and Other Keys Controlling Num Lock at Startup Typing Extended Characters Using Keyboard Languages Calibrating a Game Controller Chapter 24—Maximizing Multimedia Hardware Installing and Configuring a Graphics Adapter Changing the Adapter Driver Configuring the Color Depth and Resolution Working with Windows 98's Monitor Features Changing the Monitor Type Using Your Monitor's Power Management Features Setting Up Multiple Monitors Working with Scanners and Digital Cameras Installing a Scanner Capturing Images Wiring Windows for Sound Assigning Sounds to Windows 98 Events Recording a WAV File Editing a WAV File Chapter 25—The Ins and Outs of Windows 98's Notebook Features Power Management for Notebook Users Putting the System Into Standby Mode Setting Up a Power Scheme Monitoring the Battery Hot Docking and Hardware Profiles Windows 98's PC Card Support Transferring Files Between Computers Using Direct Cable Connection Using Briefcase to Synchronize File Sharing Notes About Infrared Ports Part 7—Windows 98 Networking Skills Chapter 26—Understanding Networking Network Types: Client/Server Versus Peer-to-Peer Network Hardware: NICs, Cables, and More The Connection Point: The Network Interface Card The Connection: The Network Cable Other Network Hardware Network Topology: Star Versus Bus Network Protocols: NetBEUI, IPX/SPX, and TCP/IP Chapter 27—Setting Up Your Own Local Area Network Some Preparatory Chores An Eight-Step Guide to Setting Up a Network Client Step 1: Installing a NIC Driver Step 2: Installing a Network Client Driver Step 3: Installing Network Protocols Step 4: Installing Network Services Step 5: Setting Up File and Print Sharing Step 6: Identifying the Computer Step 7: Specifying Access Control Step 8: Specifying the Network Logon Finishing Up Creating a Microsoft Mail Postoffice for Network Email Installing the Postoffice Creating the Postoffice Creating User Mailboxes Installing Microsoft Mail in Windows Messaging Setting Microsoft Mail Options Sharing a Dial-Up Connection Between Network Clients Chapter 28—A Complete Tour of the Network Neighborhood Accessing the Network Logging on to the Network Logging On to Windows and the Network at the Same Time Setting Up an Automatic Logon How to Access the Network Neighborhood Understanding the Universal Naming Convention Sharing Your Resources on the Network Working with Share-Level Access Working with User-Level Access Mapping a Shared Resource as a Local Disk Drive Mapping a Resource Disconnecting a Mapped Resource Printing Over the Network Customizing the Network Neighborhood Some Remote Administration Options Administering a Remote Registry Other Remote Administration Options Chapter 29—Connecting Remotely with Dial-Up Networking Configuring the Dial-Up Adapter Creating and Configuring a Network Connection Connecting to Your Network Configuring Dial-Up Networking Setting Up Windows 98 as a Dial-Up Server Setting Up the Dial-Up Server Monitoring the Connected User Using Microsoft Mail Remotely Creating a New Remote Mail Profile Configuring Microsoft Mail for Remote Sessions Running a Remote Microsoft Mail Session Appendix A—A Glossary of Windows Terms Appendix B—Online Resources for Windows 98 The World Wide Web Microsoft Sites Non-Microsoft Sites Usenet Newsgroups Appendix C—Windows 98 Keyboard Shortcuts Windows 98 Startup Keys Interface Keys Application Keys Dialog Box Keys Drag-and-Drop Keys Windows Explorer Keys Internet Explorer Keys Doskey Keys Windows Logo (() Keys Return to the Unauthorized Guide to Windows 98 home page Copyright © 1995-2008 Paul McFedries and Logophilia Limited