A: Windows 98 was officially released on June 25th 1998.
Q: Will
I be able to upgrade to Windows 98 from Windows NT 4.0?
A: No. The Windows 98 upgrade is only designed to upgrade from Windows 95.
Installing Windows 98 over Windows NT will be considered as downgrading. To upgrade
Windows NT 4.0, you will need to upgrade to Windows NT 5.0.
Q: Will
it be easy to upgrade from Windows 3.1 or Windows 95?
A: Yes. There's one easy-to-use pack for upgrading from Microsoft Windows version
3.1, Windows 95, and Windows for Workgroups version 3.2x. Also, Windows 98 is backward
compatible with Windows 3.1, Windows 95, and the MS-DOS® operating systems.
Q: What
is new in Windows 98?
A: First of all, Internet Explorer 4.0 is integrated as a component of Windows 98
just like Internet Explorer 3.0 to OSR2. There is also a
built-in TV tuner, a better
Dial-Up Network and a system shield called Dr.Watson which prevents crashes ensuring a
better and smoother environment.
Q: Is
Windows 98 faster?
A: Although Microsoft makes no guarantees that general system performance will
increase after installing Windows 98, many users have seen an improvement after upgrading
from Windows 95 + IE4.0.
In addition, with the help of
FAT32 and the updated Disk Defragmenter, you should see a noticeable improvement in
application loading times. Shutdown times and startup times (if your computer supports
OnNow) have also been reduced.
Q: What
are the minimum system requirements?
A: 486DX / 66 MHz
16 MB of memory
Typical installation requires approximately 195 MB of free hard disk space,
but may range between 120 MB to 295 MB, depending on your system configuration and the
options you choose to install.
CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive (3.5" high-density disks available for additional charge).
VGA or higher-resolution monitor.
Microsoft Mouse or compatible pointing device.
Q: Do I
need to purchase the full edition to do a clean install ?
A: No, you can do a clean install on the upgrade edition if you own the previous
Windows Operating System (95 or 3.X), you will be asked to insert a number of your old
disks or a CD for proof of purchase.
Q: Does
Windows 98 supports FAT32?
A: Yes, Windows 98 was designed to run smoothly under FAT32.
Q: Where
has Microsoft FAX gone off to?
A: Outlook Express cannot use Microsoft FAX, so it is not installed by default -
you can however install it yourself via the Windows 98 CD in the following CD Directory -
tools/oldwin95/message/us/awfax.exe.
Q: Is
the Windows 98 interface the same as the Windows 95 interface?
A: The interfaces are similar. But the Windows 98 interface is more like a Web
browser. So you can use the same navigation and viewing techniques whether you're
searching your hard disk or the Internet. Most of these options can be adjusted or
switched off to resemble Windows 95.
Q: My
partition currently does not support FAT32. Does that mean I cannot install Windows 98?
A: Don't worry. Windows 98 setup will have an FAT16-to-FAT32 conversion process.
This means you can install Windows 98 on a non-FAT32 partition or drive and setup can give
you the option to automatically convert it into FAT32. However, Windows 98 will run fine
on FAT16.
Q: Will
I be able to dual-boot in Windows 98?
A: Yes. You might want to try some other third-party software to do this.
Q: Will
my Windows 95 software run under Windows 98?
A: Yes. Almost all software designed for Windows 95 will run well (sometimes even
better) under Windows 98. There are a few cases with various utility programs in which you
will need to check the companies website for an update.
Q: Does
Windows 98 include Multi-Monitor support?
A: With Windows 98, you can use more than one monitor at a time. You can spread out
your work (and play) across your monitors, just as you might spread out papers across your
desk. With multiple monitors, you can simultaneously get different views of a file, work
on multiple files in the same application, or run multiple applications.
Here are examples of things
you can do using two or more monitors with Windows 98:
Easily integrate information
from different files by dragging and dropping it across monitors.
Watch TV on one monitor while
you work on another.
Get two views of a game, such
as Microsoft Flight Simulator cockpit view and tower view, simultaneously.
Use two monitors for Web
development in two screen resolutions.
Each monitor you use needs its
own video card. You can change the settings of the monitors independently.
Q: How
do applications launch faster with Windows 98?
A: Windows 98 features Disk Defragmenter as part of its Windows Maintenance Wizard.
Disk Defragmenter keeps track of the applications you use most, and puts the files needed
to run those applications together on your hard disk and in the order needed for launching
them. As a result, Windows 98 is able to launch your applications up to 36% faster.
Q: When
will I be able to watch TV on my Windows 98 based PC?
A: As soon as you install a compatible TV tuner card and hook up an antenna or
cable TV. Web TV® for Windows and TV Viewer are included in Windows 98, as is Program
Guide, which you can use to find out when programs are on and set reminders to tune in.
Windows 98 lets you watch TV full screen, in a window, or on a second monitor as you work
in another application.
Q: When
Fixes or Upgrades come out for Windows 98 - will they be in the form of a Service Pack?
A: Yes. Various smaller updates will be released on the Windows Update website
though.
Q: How
can I get the latest drivers and system updates for Windows 98?
A: You can access new drivers, system updates, and technical support for Windows 98
through Windows Update, an online extension of Windows 98 for registered users.
When you visit Windows Update,
Update Wizard scans your computer, tells you which (if any) of the latest offerings you
don't have, and asks whether you want to add them.
Windows Update keeps track of
what you add so you can easily uninstall it later.
Q: I had
problems installing Windows 95 over Windows 3.1. Will it be easier to install Windows 98
over Windows
95?
A: Yes. Upgrade Wizard will walk you through the upgrade process and help you solve
problems right away. Also, the Plug-and-Play driver library has been expanded to diminish
potential hardware problems.
Q: Will
my DOS games and programs run under Windows 98?
A: Yes. Just like Windows 95, DOS programs and games will still run well.
Q: Can
Windows 98 run DVDs?
A: Yes. Windows 98 has built-in support for digital video disc (DVD) drives. One
DVD can hold about 15 times more information than a CD. An entire movie - with full-motion
video and lush surround sound - can fit on just one disk.
Note: Windows 98 own DVD Player does not have great support for a
variety of DVD Decoder cards - only a couple are
currently supported, this will change in
both the SP 1 and OSR releases.
You can however purchase any number of DVD Software
Decoders such as XingDVD or Power DVD for a small charge, these programs allow you to
watch DVD movies without the need of purchasing a DVD Hardware Decoder card.
Q:
Recently upgraded to Win98 now I notice that the system will hang on the "Windows is
shutting down" splash screen indefinitely, with no disk activity.
A: Disable Fast Shut-Down
**You should be off-line to do this**
1.)Open ' Start ' menu and
select ' Run '
2.)In the field type without the quotes "msconfig"
3.)From the System Configuration Utility, on the ' General ' tab
select the ' Advanced ' button
4.)Enable by checking off the box next to ' Disable Fast Shutdown'
5.)Click ' OK ' on that tab and also on the next.
6.)Click on ' Yes ' in order to reboot.
Q: How
do I uninstall Internet Explorer 4 from Windows 98?
A: You can't - Internet Explorer 4 is the shell for Windows 98. You don't have
to use the browser - Netscape or any other browser will install just fine on Windows 98.
Q: My
Windows 98 CD is scratched and broken, how do I go about getting a new one?
A: Contact your computer manufacturer if it came with your computer or if it is
from MS, call 1 800 426 9400.
Q: Does
Windows 98 include antivirus software?
A: No, but Microsoft Plus! 98-a separate package of enhancements and extras for
Windows 98-includes McAfee antivirus software and six months of updates.
Q: Does
Windows 98 have Dual Processor Support?
A: No, only Windows NT currently supports Dual Processors.
Q: How
can I copy files from win98 cdrom onto hard drive so that when I re-install win98 I can point it to hard drive and NOT have to use win98 cdrom?
A: New Installation:
Simply copy the win98 folder to your hard drive. Run setup from the copied folder and
that's all there is to it.
Already Installed:
If you have already installed win98, copy the folder anyhow then when an installation file
needs a file from the cd, browse it to your copied folder.
Remember to keep your product
key which is on your cd cover, so even if you don’t need the cd to install you need
the product key on the cd rom cover.
Q: Is there an option in
Dial-up Networking in Windows 98 where it will automatically redial a number if the number
is busy?
A: Yes, Open DUN, and click "Connections", "Settings". You'll see the
redial options there.
Q: Is it safe
to install Internet Explorer 5 over Windows 98?
A: Yes it is.
Q:
Whenever I try to shut down to MS-DOS I get a blue screen error - what is wrong?
A: It is likely that you have run into the USB problems that Windows 98 has
brought with it. If you have a USB device plugged into your computer (Gamepads etc) then
sometimes, when you shut down into DOS - Windows 98 will give you a blue screen error,
that only a reboot can fix. The work around is to unplug the USB device before rebooting.
Q: Is
Windows 2000 the next version of Windows 9*?
A: NO - Windows 2000 is the next version of Windows NT and will come in many
different packages.
Q: Is Windows 98 Second Edition Going To Be
Available For Download?
A: No - But a Service Pack 1 release for Windows 98 will be available for
download in the very near future and will include most of the bug fixes that
were included in the Windows 98 Second Edition Release.
Q: Can I use the Windows 98 Upgrade to
Windows 98 Second Edition to do a clean install of Windows 98 Second Edition?
A: No - You must have Windows 98 Gold installed.
Q: I am seeing a strange 4-5 seconds slow
down just after my taskbar and start up programs load, what is causing this, as
I cannot click on anything until the 4-5 seconds have passed?
A: Currently we have no clue as to what is causing this as it isn't happening
for everyone. We are working hard to find out what is causing it. Update:
On bootup the TSRQuery is taking far too long to load up for some people.
Q: Does Windows 98 SE include the Active
Desktop?
A: Yes. The Active Desktop component has been included as part of Internet
Explorer 5.
