I've released my Third Public Release of my compilation called Windows 98 PowerPack.

For help and bug reports, please point yourself in this direction:
http://www.msfn.org/
http://www.osbetaarchive.org/
http://www.mdgx.com/

What is it?

It's a package filled with various windows 98 First and Second Edition Patches, modifications, and enhancements, to help the stability of a Windows 98-based system.

What new features are in this release?
* Autoplay menu that has a link to EVERYTHING, in CONCISE organized CATAGORIES!
* More stuff. Lots of new patches for both Windows 98 Gold, Windows 98SE, and Windows Me.
* Descriptions for EVERYTHING
* Screenshots for Revolutions.
**** This has been tested on my own system, as well as a P3-500 w/64MB RAM. The autoplay menu works fine, as well as the patches. ****

What sort of Patches?
Namely, the Unofficial Win98SE Service Pack v2.0.2, which installs most of the publicly-released hotfixes that microsoft has released since 98SE's release, as well as a bunch of patches that MS is reluctant to release. Only fully tested patches are included, so no worries for people who only want STABLE operation of Windows.

Another patch allows for full support of USB Mass-Storage devices, by implanting the usb sub-system from Windows Me into Windows 98.

A few other patches were designed with the programmer and database users in mind, which update certain components that Microsoft has not officially created updates for, including the MDAC components, and all XML libraries.

What sort of modifications?
If you're still using Windows 98SE, but running it on a semi-decent system, and you've grown tired of the 9x UI, there's a modification out there for you. It's called Tihy's 98SE Revolutions Pack.

What does it do?
It modifies Explorer, as well as almost all the icons on the system, to look and feel like Windows XP with no skins. (Actually, v3.6 has skinning support, but is considered beta-quality).
Version 3.0, 3.6, & 4.0 rc2 are provided. v3.0 is more stable than 3.6, but doesn't have as many features. v4.0 rc2 is provided for people willing to risk it all, as it has a lot of bugs and stability issues.

Screenshots of 98SE Revolutions:





What sort of enhancements are included?
WARNING: This patch is EXTREMELY EXPERIMENTAL. PLEASE BACKUP ALL DATA BEFORE ATTEMPTING!
If you have a valid copy and license of Windows Me laying around, but are using Windows 98SE, you can now implant some features of Windows Me into Windows 98SE.

How, you say? Why, 98SE2ME, of course!

98SE2ME was written and researched by MDGX(http://www.mdgx.com, also previously known as AXCEL216), who has maintained windows tweaks and modifications on the web for the past 9 years. Instructions are included.

All these patches are HIGHLY EXPERIMENTAL!!!

Why did I make this?
Mostly to fill in the public on how you can make Windows98SE a viable alternative to NT-based operating systems, while still maintaining the same stability and application-compatibility.

The future of modding Windows 98SE looks rather good, with people currently attempting to create Unicode Libraries for XP-compatibility in programs.

The Readme file included has links to all forums and threads that made this pack possible.

Download Link:
Link put back up:http://www.jimmsta.com/downloads/98PP/98PPv3.iso

Enjoy!

When will v3.1/3.5 be released????!??!?
I'm working on it, slowly but surely. I'm maintaining a larger project called BHT, which is what has taken all my time away from this side project.

BHT? What's that??
Check out the entry on majorgeeks.com: http://majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=4855

P.S: Just remember: Backup your system before you install any of these pathces. They're not entirely designed by Microsoft, so they're not certified in any way. (Aside from the majority of the patches included in the Unofficial Service Pack).

I've made this for the users of this forum, and OSBetaArchives. I REALIZE that there is some tension with me releasing this elsewhere, and these patches in the wrong hands can have adverse effects (hence all the warnings). I'm just compiling all the most-used, if not all the patches on this forum, into one convienient package.

Next version info:
Windows 9x Power Pack v4.0 will include the following features:
Full compatibility with Win98 FE/SE/Me, with various patches, programs, and other unique tools (all found in this forum).
New AutoPlay program (smaller size window, more intuitive navigation)
Smaller download.
Separate Language releases.

The download is too huge! Maybe you could compress it using 7zip. As far as I know, 7zip offers the best compression ratio. That way, you can reduce bandwidth usage and download time for the leechers.

cool!

Keep up the good work. :

PS:
I've added a link to your pack here:
http://www.mdgx.com/

PS2:
finally, somebody put them all together in a single "all-u-can-eat" [all-in-1] package.

This is great! But when you say that your PowerPack contains various patches, etc., can you say what it doesn't include? For example, if someone wanted all official and unofficial Win98SE patches and updates, what would they be missing, what would they have to get in addition to your pack?

It basically includes all the patches found on this forum, so I really should say that the patches included are only unofficial patches, created by members of a forum, not microsoft.

Also, thank you MDGX!

And the reason why I didn't 7zip the ISO, is because many people in the past have commented that using non-zip files isn't the best way for mass distribution of files... but, if I do end up having a bandwidth situation, I will probably compress the file using 7zip.

First of all thank you so much! for sharing your hard work with us...



I wanted to ask if you were missing any of the pre-beta RP4 patches
for RP3.xx? If so I have some extra files for you to add if you'd like.

Second I'd like to suggest that you use a more customized setup for
IE6SP1...instructions on how to do so are here:

[ http://www.petri.co.il/download_the_full_ie_package.htm ]

If you do it this way you can choose to select on the IE6SP1 files needed
for Windows 9x...which would save you some space on your ISO and
allow you to either streamline your download or add more files to your
iso...

PS: Read your reply already..glad you've heard of it already...what do
you think of trying to rip out the XP login from Calmira XP and make it work
in your 98 Power Pack?

-iWindoze

EDIT- changed the PS...

Or you could create a self-extracting 7zip-compressed file.

I've had complaints with using SFX archives in the past... but, I usually use them anyway.

Looks like I'll be re-releasing it as soon as 2-3 days from now, as a 7zip compressed SFX archive.

This sounds really nice jimmsta, I am glad you are using USP2.02 instead of reinventing the wheel!

> The download is too huge!

Nonsense, please make it multi-gigabytes if possible.

Please include other patches that Alper thought USP2.02 shouldn't have because they are too big + old. MS JavaVM update might be one of these. Also other MS downloads like MS Agent?

Will you please include IE6 SP 1 with full patches? Also BROWSEUI.DLL and BROWSELC.DLL fixes to prevent known IE 6 SP1 bug of hanging + resource leaks while deleting files in Explorer? (I can explain more info if you need it).

What about all of the MSXML / MDAC / Jet stuff? Maximus Decimus has a nice patch for this. Maybe it would be a good starting point?

What about DirectX 9.0c Oct 2005?

Please include MDGx's 98SE2ME if possible. It's super stable and a must-have IMHO.

Please make the Revolutions Pack optional. I haven't used it since about 3.5, but I gave up on it a while ago due to major stability problems (resource leaks? or just too much resource usage?). Also, please make USB stuff optional since I think it conflicts with my digital camera's TWAIN drivers. I just install device drivers manually for USB devices now.

jimmsta:
UPDATE:
Please see my next post below.

Thankx.

The 9/30 version of 98SE2Me is included. Looks like between the fact that Maximus Decim released a patch, and this project has gone up a version, I'll have to update it to v3.01. Expect to see a new download within the week.

that wont be a huge problem for users who have broadband internet connections using cable modems or DSL modems AND have installed any download manager/accelerator like FlashGet, Download Accelerator Plus, Lightning Download [derivative of Getright], or Mass Downloader (shareware) or even Download Express (freeware). sometimes I wish I were using my friend's PC who has SBC Yahoo DSL, where I can download very large files at 10 Mb per second. someday I should get DSL and kiss dialup goodbye.

if any of you people are downloading this 300-Meg something package, use any of the download managers/accelerators that I've mentioned so you can start downloading part of it a day, then pause it and resume it the next day and so on until the whole download has been completed. I'll assume jimmsta's server does support resuming interrupted downloads and it is wise to use download managers & accelerators. It wont matter much if you have a slow connection or a fast connection just as long as you have a download manager/accelerator tool installed on your computer and you are comfortable using that download utility to download and resume your downloads.

This looks promising. When the latest 98SE2ME and usb drivers get added in along with making some installs optional it could become an all in one. Whats the install order of the stuff? Bearing in mind the SP2 install guide thread.

Right now, the CD is just a compilation - you choose from text labels what you want to install. I haven't provided any more information that that. The CD is directed towards members of this subforum, mostly. I'll probably try and have v3.01/3.1 out by next week. A flood in my basement has forced me out of my normal 'headquarters', and I'm now timesharing with two systems with family members... it's not fun in the least.

jimmsta:
UPDATE:
I've updated 98SE2ME [again ] on 10-13-2005:
http://www.msfn.org/board/?showtopic=46349

If you plan to include 98SE2ME into your new version of PP, please d/l the current file [2.2 MB]:
http://www.mdgx.com/4

Thanks.

why not use WinGUI to compress files????? I have compressed my NERO 7 Editions full 585 MB files to only 77 Mb !!!! using WinGUI...it gives Ultimate Compression!!!

Could you be more specific ? What is WinGUI ?

What is WinGUI?

Also, The reason why my package is bigger than yours... erm. Bigger than it should be - I included both the Options pack AND IE 6.0 SP1, as a separate install, not knowing that teh options pack will work on 98-Me. Hence, there's a 113MB folder that doesn't really need to be there.

v3.1 will be out soon... I will not, however, be able to use my own bandwidth, as the original v3.0 seems to have used over 80GB of bandwidth this month (which is just over 200 or so, downloads).

3.1 will be a bit slimmer, but also add a few new items, and notices, such as the fact that the 98SE revolutions pack is no longer developed, and a few other things.

3.1 will be based on 3.0, but due to the way that I released the original file, no patch will be available.

I just did a bit of work on v3.1, and I have to report the following: I've gotten the ISO down to ~250MB. This is almost 100MB smaller, and it includes some new things, such as the current alpha release of the SP2 for First Editon, and the latest 10/13 release of 98SE2Me.

That's great to hear! I hope you could get it even smaller!

BTW, in case you're out of bandwidth for it, I suggest you use bittorrent and a tracker instead. That way, people downloading it share the burden of the bandwidth.

Can't wait for the next version.

kewl

I had to pull the plug on the download, as I'm almost out of bandwidth... my limit is 100GB on that specific site, and it's up to 98GB.

v3.1 will probably be released onto Majorgeeks, so I can compensate for v3.5 or something next month.

So when will it be available to Majorgeeks? Do you have any idea?

v3.1 will not exist. It has been renamed 3.5, and will become available sometime late this month.

this has probably been thought of before, but can't hurt to jump in

to reduce the hit on your bandwidth allowance, why not submit a download list of files which can be downloaded from their origination points (MS, and etc.), prior to install. This places bandwidth demand for "outside files" on their source originator (no reason for you to take a bandwidth hit for retransfers of MS's files) ... give instructions for setting up the local directory for the install program. Prior to running, your install would do run through the "if exists" or whatever, and let her rip ...

Or I can host it I have unlimited bandwidth....

v3.5 is in the works.

I've just aquired a 2GHz celeron machine, of which I put ~$80 into to make into a decent testbed machine.

Here's my current list of ideas for v3.5:

*Will include a batch script to silently install Ad-Aware, Spybot Search & Destroy, as well as several updates.
*Will use my 'BHT' launcher application, instead of the graphics-intensive launcher from the last version.
*Will NOT use the Options Pack, as I've only observed problems with it more times than not. (IE: directX installation fails, IE installation fails, random errors on bootup after installation of the pack)
*Will include individual packages, such as IE6SP1, DirectX, and various other packages.
*Will be smaller than the last version, and compressed using RAR, set to BEST+SOLID+Recovery Record.
*The ISO should NOT be as large as the previous release.

My website has gone from 100GB/month transfer, up to 1TB/month transfer... gotta love Dreamhost.com.
I'll be distributing from my site, rapidshare, and possibly bittorrent.

I do not have a release date as of yet, as I'm creating the pack from scratch, so as to remove all the bloat that cropped up in the last release (344MB ISO...)

hello....

i will update my windows 98se. I come from Germany and I have a german win98 version. I want conserve the German language. Is that a language problem when I install that PowerPack ???

i can´t find a download link...

thx
salute

Any updates, as to the status of this package?

Seems a great project jimmsta, keep it up!

I'm working on it, slowly but surely. It currently weighs in at 172MB uncompressed, which is a great deal smaller than v3.0. I do need to get it out the door asap, as I actually use this with many old systems @ work, and using the USP v2.0 probably isn't a good idea... I think older machines benefit from the latest updates.

So, I figure, I'll try and push for a release Next Week.

It will be any new release in the future?

I need some download link plz.


Thanks

I'm not done with the latest release. The current thing that I'm trying to go after is managing different languages - right now, the powerpack is ONLY english. I'm hoping to get as many other languages in the pack, so ANYONE can download it and be satisfied.

Download links will be set back up later today/tommorow, for v3.0. v3.5 is not done yet.

Link put back up. I'm working on v3.5... it's a side-project for me, as I maintain something called BHT, a utility compilation, which is available here: http://majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=4855

I've begun work on v3.5 again today... i'm working towards a April 1st release (not a joke).

I'm not sure if I'm going to keep the UI that I currently have, or dump it for a new ui. .... This brings up a good question - should I dump the current autorun in favor of a smaller, less-bloated approach, or should I stick with the current autorun?

Development has begun again.

Now, I need the following:

Every single variant of the unofficial servicepack. (Languages).
I have almost all of theme, except for French. I can only read so much (I know very little french).

I need every variation of all available patches.

I want to create a CD with ALL languages supported, which has been a big request from some people.

I want to slim down the size of the CD. I don't want another 350-ish ISO. Something along the lines of 250-300mb is where I want it to be. I may be creating a simple selector interface that allows for language selection -> language-specific packages. Either that, or I'll be compiling different Language-oriented versions of the Win98 PowerPack.

Any questions/comments, please post in this thread!

do u have to have 98SE or WINME CDs to use this because I only have 98 Gold Edition... ? And do I need to burn it to a CD or can I just double click the ISO file and install within windows...??

Dead Light Eye

I advice downloading the german version of the unofficial service pack for w98se (sorry I don't know the link, do a search). Or wait for the mulitlingual release of the power pack.



nowshining

AFAIk, ISO file are only for buring on CD, then you install from the CD. So in fact you need a CD-w drive...

you could always use Daemon Tools, which mounts ISOs into virtual drives. Very handy in these cases

lol the main question tho is do I need 98SE CD or ME CD...CDRW burning is no problem for me..I will just format a drive and save all my one CD backups on it and burn the .iso.. or I might just partition my hd, my seagate disk has a partition free space option....

Hi, jimmsta.

This all-in-one idea of yours is good, it saves a lot of headaches. I'm not sure though about adding all language versions to the same compilation. I mean, why would a german - for example - need the English, French, Polish and whatever other versions of the packages?

Personally, I think language-oriented compilations would be preferrable, both in terms of bandwidth used on your host's side, and the downloaders' bandwidth, DL time and storage space. Just my personal opinion...

Another thing is, which would the contents be, exactly - language diversity apart? Could you post a list of all (or at least major) applications/packages that would be included in the compilation? This way there may come suggestions for improvements, additions or replacements.

For example, I've been using for quite a long time Spyware Blaster from Javacoolsoftware.com, instead of Spybot S&D, which I found to be blocking a wanted site some time ago and also had some other issues with it. Could there be an alternative here?

I have to mention that I just got to know about your package so I didn't get a chance to download and try it. I'll wait until the next release, which would hopefully include the upcoming RPLite 5, Kernel Update and Unofficial SP, as well as the ME Service Pack, while 98SE2ME is already included.

Keep up the good work and stay out of floods.

This is a concern of mine at the moment, as I have no way of knowing exactly what patches are available for each language. Someone needs to compile a list (probably will be me), to make creation of the next PowerPack easier.

This is also a concern. I've already gotten the English version down to about 175mb, from something like 350mb. I'm working on slimming it down even more, and getting it all working. Other language versions will have to take a backseat while I finish up on the English version.



I'll be posting a list as soon as the contents are finalized. At the moment, the download contains slightly old versions of the Win98SE Service Pack, 98SE2Me, and various other applications. I'm really waiting on Gape now for the latest version of the SP.

I may include my other compilation - BHT - into the PowerPack, as it definitley helps to have a toolkit available to all users when installing various applications off the PP cd.



Make sure to grab the latest version of 98SE2Me, as the version included on the CD (current edition) is very out of date. I'll be creating some sort of auto-updater for the final cd.


Thanks, I will!

This project is not dead, but in active development. More details will follow.

thank you so much for this pack, perfect!

however, there is one thing that i might be able to help out with (ok, it doesn't need to be changed, i just wanna help out ) i was wondering if maybe you wanted to update the autorun file. perhaps i could help in this, maybe make one that will work with multiple languages and stuff. then the autorun will have a guided installer. to help the less computer oriented people out. let me know what ya think, and if your interested, i really want to help!

-brian

edit : wait, nevermind, sorry. i didnt pay enough attention to the auto run you already had in there, i didnt realize that when you click on the names of the programs it runs them or takes you to the folder. so nevermind what i said there. man im dumb

i hope you know i dont mean any disrespect to your autorun

if you would like to see the new auto-run however, here it is.

[constructive criticism]

The L in "Revolutions" is missing from the RP logo. A few other typos/spelling errors as well.

I wonder why Killer Replacements section comes after Revolutions Pack... I've always installed it before that.

Also, the size of the splash window might be too big, considering OS might be freshly installed and untweaked, which means desktop size would be 640x480, usually.

It also has a lot of dependencies; did you try it on a fresh 98? I hope you don't mind me asking...


[EDIT] I used the FileInfo plug-in in Total Commander to check for dependencies, as I find it much more handy, although not as thorough as Dependency Walker.

wow really? that many dependencies? dang i gotta check that out. ill try it in a virtual pc later on tonight. im so tired right now

thanks for letting me know all that.
-------------------------------------------------

edit: im gonna test it now, with both 98 and 98 se. ill include the various DLL's itll need in the zip folder. then hopefully itll work. but i have a feeling its gonna put a ton of files on the root of the cd, and if thats the case. ill just delete it. i only tested it on my 98 machine After installing all the updates and such

the window is 512 x 360, i dont think it will cause a problem, the person can minimize it if they want/need to.


----------

edit # 2
updated the file, changed a few things (including order of installation) and changed the spelling errors. i havent loaded the copy of 98 into a virtual pc yet, my 98 se cd seems to be screwed up for some reason. ill get back on that as soon as i can.

-brian

The new autoplay exe file is in the works. I will probably be releasing different language-oriented versions, as a multi-language version will be too bloated. I've included the dependency walker log file from the new autoplay.exe. I've switched to a much better autoplay creation studio, which allows for full customization of practically anything, and full PNG support (All logos in my autoplay's are PNGs). I've included a screenshot of my work so far:

WYSIWYG - The Resolution seen in this Screenshot is the original res.




Is this an autorun that has checkboxes, and a 'Go' button? I'd love to integrate that into the next release. I'd offer it as a simple installation tool. PM me.

Hello

Thanks for this good pack !

In the future, if you want help for translate it in french, ask me

++

Just the english edition is looking like it will weigh in at 230mb uncompressed.

I'm including:
IE6.0SP1 - repacked installation for Win9x.
DX9c w/Managed DirectX (June 2006 release) - Stripped to bare minimum
Various utilities (7zip for archiving, codecs for video and audio)

More news to come. I'm still looking for various patches, and waiting on the_guy's WinMe Service Pack.

Which patches are you looking for?
Maybe some [?] are at my site:
http://www.mdgx.com/web.htm
http://www.mdgx.com/add.htm
http://www.mdgx.com/ietoy.htm
http://www.mdgx.com/wmp.htm
http://www.mdgx.com/dx.htm

I'm looking for the_guy's last release of the Unofficial Windows Me Service Pack... Aside from that, and a few missing things in the autoplay, the compilation is done.