tested on 98SE only
download wmp10 (free), extract it to a folder with a good zip program
find l3codecp.acm (free), delete the rest.
make a folder called MP3WMP9
put l3codecp.acm in the folder & copy below, call it l3codecp.inf and put it in the folder also.
;---------------------------------copy in between these lines-----------------------------

; WIN98SE WMP9 MP3 SUPPORT FROM WMP10
; INTERNAL USE ONLY !
; 2005
; miko.

[Version]
Signature="$CHICAGO$"
Class=MEDIA

[SourceDisksNames]
1="MP3WMP9",,0001

[SourceDisksFiles]
l3codecp.acm=1
l3codecp.inf=1

[Installable.Drivers]
l3codec=1:l3codecp.acm,"msacm.l3codecp","Fhg IIS MPEG Layer-3 Codec (professional)",,,

[DefaultInstall]
CopyFiles=MP3WMP9.Copy,MP3WMP9.Copy.Dec,MP3WMP9.Copy.Inf
Updateinis=MP3WMP9.Updateini
AddReg=MP3WMP9.AddReg,MP3WMP9.AddReg.9x,MP3WMP9.DoReg
MediaType=SOFTWARE

[DefaultUninstall]
AddReg=MP3WMP9.UnReg
DelReg=MP3WMP9.DelReg
DelFiles=MP3WMP9.Copy.Inf
UpdateInis=MP3WMP9.DelIni

[MP3WMP9.Copy]
l3codecp.acm

[MP3WMP9.Copy.Dec]

[MP3WMP9.Copy.Inf]
l3codecp.inf

[MP3WMP9.UpdateIni]
system.ini,drivers32,,"msacm.l3codec=l3codecp.acm"

[MP3WMP9.DelIni]
system.ini,drivers32,"msacm.l3codec=l3codecp.acm",

[MP3WMP9.AddReg]

[MP3WMP9.AddReg.9x]
HKLM,"SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\drivers.desc",l3codecp.acm,,%L3ProAudio%
HKLM,"SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Drivers32",msacm.l3codec,,l3codecp.acm

; WMP9 ENCODING SETTINGS
; LOWRATE
; 64 kBps @ 22.050 Hz
HKLM,"SOFTWARE\Microsoft\MediaPlayer\Settings\MP3Encoding",LowRate,0x10001,00,fa,00,00
HKLM,"SOFTWARE\Microsoft\MediaPlayer\Settings\MP3Encoding",LowRateSample,0x10001,22,56,00,00
; MEDIUM RATE
; 128 kBps @ 44.100 Hz
HKLM,"SOFTWARE\Microsoft\MediaPlayer\Settings\MP3Encoding",MediumRate,0x10001,00,f4,01,00
HKLM,"SOFTWARE\Microsoft\MediaPlayer\Settings\MP3Encoding",MediumRateSample,0x10001,44,ac,00,00
; MEDIUM HIGH RATE
; 160 kBps @ 44.100 Hz
HKLM,"SOFTWARE\Microsoft\MediaPlayer\Settings\MP3Encoding",MediumHighRate,0x10001,00,71,02,00
HKLM,"SOFTWARE\Microsoft\MediaPlayer\Settings\MP3Encoding",MediumHighRateSample,0x10001,44,ac,00,00
; HIGH RATE
; 192 kBps @ 44.100 Hz
HKLM,"SOFTWARE\Microsoft\MediaPlayer\Settings\MP3Encoding",HighRate,0x10001,00,ee,02,00
HKLM,"SOFTWARE\Microsoft\MediaPlayer\Settings\MP3Encoding",HighRateSample,0x10001,44,ac,00,00

HKLM,"SOFTWARE\Microsoft\MediaPlayer\Settings\MP3Encoding",PreferredCodecName,0,"Fraunhofer MP3 (professional)"
HKLM,"SOFTWARE\Microsoft\MediaPlayer\Settings\MP3Encoding",PreferredCodecPath,0,"%11%\L3CODECP.ACM"

HKLM,"SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\MediaResources\acm\msacm.l3codec",Description,,%L3ProAudio%
HKLM,"SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\MediaResources\acm\msacm.l3codec",Driver,,l3codecp.acm
HKLM,"SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\MediaResources\acm\msacm.l3codec",FriendlyName,,%L3ProAudio%

HKLM,"%UnInstallPath%","DisplayName",,"%UninstallDispName%"
HKLM,"%UnInstallPath%","UninstallString",,"%10%\rundll.exe setupx.dll,InstallHinfSection DefaultUninstall 132 %17%\%InfFile%"

[MP3WMP9.DoReg]

[MP3WMP9.DelReg]
HKLM,"SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\MediaResources\acm\msacm.l3codec"
HKLM,"SOFTWARE\Microsoft\MediaPlayer\Settings\MP3Encoding"
HKLM,"SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\drivers.desc",l3codecp.acm,,""
HKLM,"SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Drivers32",msacm.l3codec,,""
HKLM,"%UnInstallPath%"

[MP3WMP9.UnReg]

[DestinationDirs]
DefaultDestDir=11;LDID_SYS
MP3WMP9.Copy=11
MP3WMP9.Copy.Inf=17

[Strings]
L3ProAudio="Fhg IIS MPEG Layer-3 Codec (professional) v3.3.2.44"
InfFile="l3Codecp.inf"
UninstallDispName="Fraunhofer MP3 Codec (remove only)"
UnInstallPath="Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\MZIND_MP3WMP9"
MediaClassName="Media Devices"
Mfgname="MZIND"

;---------------------------------copy in between these lines-----------------------------

right click l3codecp.inf and click 'Install'

thats it.

you can also uninstall from the usual places

this codec is fast (which is good for slower machines)
and in my experience, wmp9 will not
automatically download an inferior version if the
'Download codecs automatically' setting is enabled.

the following bitrates are setup for encoding
and can be selected from the four 'Audio quality'
settings in WMP9 (btw WMP10 apparently doesn't do 160 kBps)

64 kBps @ 22.050 Hz
128 kBps @ 44.100 Hz
160 kBps @ 44.100 Hz
192 kBps @ 44.100 Hz

all encoding is 'joint stereo' by default,
(and cannot be changed via the GUI )
this is the same as WMP10 in XP.

album title, song name, artist, etc
can be downloaded and added to ID3 tags
automatically.

files will be named inline with the downloaded info
and your selection of settings in WMP9 at
Tools > Options > Copy Music > Copy music to this location >
'File Name'.

mp3s will be placed in folders named by album
in 'My Music' inside 'My Documents' by default.
however you can change this in WMP9 via
Tools > Options > Copy Music > Copy music to this location >
'Change'.

D.A.E.
afaik digital audio extraction can be enabled as follows :

1. your CD-ROM and sound card should be
correctly connected with the correct lead.

2. in 'Multimedia Properties' in the 'Control
Panel' on the 'CD Music' tab, select the correct CD-ROM
from the drop down list and tick the checkbox for
'Enable digital CD audio for this CD-ROM device.'.

3. in WMP9 go to Tools > Options > Devices
select your CD-ROM, then click the 'Properties' button
here you can fine tune your CD-ROM playback & copying.
for digital extraction you should probably select
'Digital' and 'Use error correction'.

accumulated from various bits and pieces
thought some might like.

miko.

Good job-- outfrigginstanding...candidate for inclusion in the 98SEMP10!

BTW those who've done the WMP10toW98 bit should have that codec already...

thanks horsecharles,
no one else seems to have noticed my posts
btw i updated it alittle to correct some things that were the wrong case
ps. it goes nice with my webview update
miko.

I've submitted it / you've got my vote for it to be included in the 98seWmp10 replacement...... maybe you can send it to MDGx via his site feedback button-- all this included in the 98se2me would make such an outstanding package...

Maybe we can re-emphasize to catch others' attention:

the following bitrates are setup for encoding
and can be selected from the four 'Audio quality'
settings in WMP9 (btw WMP10 apparently doesn't do 160 kBps)

64 kBps @ 22.050 Hz
128 kBps @ 44.100 Hz
160 kBps @ 44.100 Hz
192 kBps @ 44.100 Hz

all encoding is 'joint stereo' by default,
(and cannot be changed via the GUI )
this is the same as WMP10 in XP.

album title, song name, artist, etc
can be downloaded and added to ID3 tags
automatically.

after installing the codec can also be used in additional programs like
Exact Audio Copy & VirtualDub


ps. it may also (should) work in wmp7 & 8 (but i haven't tested that !)

It just so, so needs to be included in the 10toSE..

miko:
I've posted your MP3WMP9 script at my site:
http://www.mdgx.com/wmp.htm#L3C
File size [L3C.EXE] is 190 KB because I've added find.com, mem.exe + start.exe to the installer so people who deleted C:\WINDOWS\COMMAND and all its files, can still install this codec.
Works also with Win98 FE + WinME.
No need to d/l WMP10, the installer does everything, just d/l and run L3C.EXE.
Contains also your guide in TXT format [L3CODECP.TXT], which automatically opens in Notepad when u run L3C.EXE.
L3CODECP.TXT is installed in %windir% [usually C:\WINDOWS] for further reading.
The Control Panel -> Add/Remove Programs removal option deletes the TXT file too.

The codec will be picked up by any DirectShow aware application/game that uses codecs/filters to play audio/video. Those include EAC + VirtualDub.

Hope u like.

Everybody:
Enjoy.

Nice, Thanks.

UPDATED 10-19-2005

WMP10 MP3 Codec now installs on Windows 98 [all editions], ME, 2000, XP + 2003, if WMP7 or WMP9 already installed.

Unofficial Windows 98/ME/2000/XP/2003 Media Player 10.0 (WMP10) Fraunhofer MP3 Professional Codec L3CODECP.ACM build 3.3.2.44 for Windows Media Player 7.0 (WMP70), 7.1 (WMP71) + 9.0 (WMP9):
http://www.mdgx.com/files/L3CODECP.TXT
Direct download [227 KB, English]:
http://www.mdgx.com/files/L3C.EXE
Requires WMP7:
http://www.mdgx.com/wmp.htm#MP7
or WMP9:
http://www.mdgx.com/wmp.htm#WMP9
already installed!
More info:
http://www.msmvps.com/chrisl/archive/2004/09/04/12994.aspx
WMP10 MP3 Codec MSFN Forum:
http://www.msfn.org/board/?showtopic=38261
WMP10 MP3 Codec also installs as part of 98SEMP10:
http://www.mdgx.com/wmp.htm#98MP10

Enjoy.

MDGx continues to refine the first (rather amateurishly done on my part) .inf
nice!