MSFN Forums > Auto-Patcher For Windows 98se (English)

Full Version: Auto-Patcher For Windows 98se (English)

MSFN Forums > Microsoft Software Products - Discussion & Support > Windows 95/98/98SE/ME > Windows 9x Member Projects

Pages: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22

billygoat

Mar 7 2007, 02:55 PM

First, thanks for this effort! An amazing amount of work!

I've finally gotten around to having a try installing the 1.8 package with 1.92 updates. (It took me a long time to realize that the 1.8 exe file was really an unpacker, not the real installer!)

I restored my 98SE system back to just after most hardware drivers were installed, so basically clean. I changed very few of the module options, but will be wanting to get more details on some of the modules at some point. (Still amazed at how much is in here!)

Anyway, on my system the Auto-Patcher fails during the Win98-to-ME module. I get a "Windows could not upgrade the file" message, then a prompt to press any key to continue. Briefly, I see "Error loading User.exe" (and a bit more, I think) before the system shuts down. Looks like System\User.exe is renamed to 'User.w98' and the module doesn't proceed past that point. I haven't found any pertinent log files on that module, but I've left the system partition and the 'autopach' directory alone for now, so let me know if there's something to look for.

Additionally, though you may have already addressed this, I'm not sure if it's recommended to go back and install optional modules later, in no particular order. My next step, of course, will be to install without the Win98-to-ME module.

Thanks again for this very interesting project! I had followed the Unofficial SESP after stumbling on it, and found the Auto-Patcher thread while checking for updates after SP2.1a.

nathanson1947

Mar 7 2007, 07:39 PM

QUOTE (submix8c @ Mar 7 2007, 01:05 PM)

Soporific: Good news (I think)

The problem to the "You must have a Mac" when going to WU web site APPEARS to be one of MS's making. MAYBE related to "ending support" and MS MAY be transitioning away from the V4 website, or at least away from many supported fixes. I stumbled across a KB article referencing WSUS services that indicates "dropping" many "fixes" from the search engine/.CAB file (an XML document).

SO...

Using clean install SAME THING!

Installed MSInstaller, then installed IE6SP1, then did the following (partial quotes from another source, then modified):

-------------------------------------------
For Windows 98 and Windows Millenium Edition.
Manually install the latest controls:
1) Download the controls from:
http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/cab/x86/ansi/iuctl.cab
Save them to your desktop. Extract the .cab file following the steps below:
*) Go to the desktop and right click the iuctl.cab file.
*) Right-click "Extract to"
*) Point to a known location (like the desktop) and click "OK"
*) Go to the location you selected and right click on the iuctl.inf file.
*) Click "Install." (the two DLL's go to "WINDOWS\SYSTEM")
- OR just copy the two DLL's to folder... (faster) -
2) Download:
http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/v4/iuident.cab
*) Create "Program Files\WindowsUpdate\V4\temp" folder(s)
*) Copy iuident.cab to BOTH "V4" and "V4\temp" folders
*) Go to "V4" folder and right-click "Extract to"
*) Point to the "V4" folder (i.e. "Here") and click "OK".
3) Try Again!!!

-------------------------------------------

Apparently, there is currently a glitch at WU that refuses you UNLESS you already have these files/folders, because I applied the above procedure to the TEST machine (ALL Autopatch applied, kinda) and it WORKED as WELL

.
How long this will work? Dunno...

NOW back to cross-checking the 6 updates WU THINKS(?) I need...

(p.s. Remember, LOCATE.COM is DOS-based and CANNOT find anything OTHER than "8.3" filenames...)

l8tr, dude...

I tried both methods mentioned here, but I still get directed to the "You must have a Mac" page. Oh, well,Viva la Revolucion!

soporific

Mar 7 2007, 08:36 PM

Wow, new people and lots of feedback and info. You people are all great !!

* I will try to add the Windows Update IUIDENT package to save the USER having to do it ... it will probably go into the Critical and recommended system updates module.

* I repeat what worked for me with WU - clean install of Win98se, run the IE6 module from Auto-Patcher, run the newest rootsupd.exe file, go to WU.
- can someone confirm that it DOESN'T work for them doing exactly the above, so we can start to get somewhere with this problem.

* For those trying to get the v1.80 / v1.92 package from Softpedia --- i'm sorry you are having problems, I am nearly finished v1.95 which is going to be another preview release and so i'm going to upload it via emule, bittorrent, & ShareBigFile probably within a few days (get your feedback IN!) --- Bittorrent is probably your best bet so if you aren't familiar with bittorrent, get familiar now!

* Submix8c: you will find that WU reckons you need either 6 or 7 updates that you definitely DON'T NEED - here's the bit of code that i'm putting back into the program that explains all this.

EDIT: re: WU --- you do need to have all the files in the WindowsUpdate folder as described in a post above --- i am preparing a fix for you to download that will do this automatically

CODE

:OpenWU
CLS
echo.
echo. A short note about Auto-Patcher and Windows Update:
echo.
echo. After you fully patch your computer using this program,
echo.  when you visit Windows Update it will report you have
echo. either 6 or 7 missing updates (see the list below).
echo.
echo. These are all false alarms: in all these cases, all that is missing
echo.  is the hotfix information that was deleted because the hotfix is now
echo.  superceeded by other updates released since Microsoft stopping counting.
echo.
echo. There is no harm whatsoever in installing these updates as nothing
echo.  of value is installed. You just waste a little bit of bandwidth!
echo.
echo. The list is:
echo.  1) Security Update for Internet Explorer 6 Service Pack 1 (kb916281)
echo.  2) Security Update for Windows 98 (kb891711)
echo.  3) Windows Share Level Password Update
echo.  4) Q323172: Security Update (Windows 98)
echo.  5) Security Update, May 19, 2000
echo.  6) Security Update, March 17, 2000
echo. 
echo. Press any key to open Windows Update
PAUSE >nul
echo.
echo. Opening Windows Update...
echo.
START IEXPLORE.exe http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com
echo.
echo. When you have finished, press any key to return to the main menu...
PAUSE >nul
goto RETMENU

submix8c

Mar 8 2007, 09:00 PM

Soporific, et al:

DID have a problem with WU (using the Start Menu/Windows Update), and went to folder WINDOWS, created a shortcut to WUPDMGR.EXE and placed it on the Desktop. The difference in the two shortcuts is the "generated" one has "Start In C:\WINDOWS". THAT one worked (beats me

)!

As for the WU thinks I need updates, NO PROBLEM!; tracked them all down and the SOLUTION is to install certain things (including two you do NOT have) before OTHER certain things JUST SO THE REGISTRY GETS UPDATED! Have not actually tested this yet (getting tired myself...) but will and get back to you. **** MS

!
There a a couple more ("Recommended") that are related to others already installed that will never appear again that I also have. Links for all 6 and several extra have been saved (direct downloads). Still testing... (ONE UnOfficial did NOT install due to Offical NOT being installed).

BUT, so far, so good.

BTW, have you thought of placing the package onto a CD and running it from THERE? Would certainly save a LOT of disk space! (check out FINDCD.EXE; on the WIN98 CD Boot Image). Find the CD drive letter, use THAT as the path to the package, then write logs, etc., to the HDD. Hmmmm???

l8tr, dude: keep it up and you'll have one heckuva package!

(oops... **** was NOT that bad, but will refrain from now on...)

soporific

Mar 8 2007, 09:29 PM

QUOTE (fruityloops @ Mar 8 2007, 05:12 AM)

hey guys,i wanted to download the 234 MB file of Auto-patcher for Windows 98SE 1.92 Update / 1.80 Preview, but the download is not stable .After sometime the SOFTPEDIA server doesn't resume my download and dont even support it.Sincew i have 64 Kbps connection ,my downloading is slow so i want resume supported server link.So please i request u guys that if anyone having the complete file then please upload it on any free file-sharing and hosting site .

Sorry, i missed this post ... um, I have had problems with free hosting ever since I started releasing to the public --- your best bet is to wait for v1.95 which is due out very soon, and there will be lots of download options including emule and bittorrent.

QUOTE (billygoat @ Mar 8 2007, 07:55 AM)

Anyway, on my system the Auto-Patcher fails during the Win98-to-ME module. I get a "Windows could not upgrade the file" message, then a prompt to press any key to continue. Briefly, I see "Error loading User.exe" (and a bit more, I think) before the system shuts down. Looks like System\User.exe is renamed to 'User.w98' and the module doesn't proceed past that point. I haven't found any pertinent log files on that module, but I've left the system partition and the 'autopach' directory alone for now, so let me know if there's something to look for.

Just out of interest, what unofficial update packs had you already installed before trying to run the Win98 to Me module as you described above? My guess you had at least one ...

QUOTE (submix8c @ Mar 9 2007, 02:00 PM)

Soporific, et al:

BTW, have you thought of placing the package onto a CD and running it from THERE? Would certainly save a LOT of disk space! (check out FINDCD.EXE; on the WIN98 CD Boot Image). Find the CD drive letter, use THAT as the path to the package, then write logs, etc., to the HDD. Hmmmm???

Thanks for all your comments, lots of good info. Re: running from CD: was it you that saw from my code I had already planned to have the option of using from a CD? Well, that was at the very very start before the program started to use so many marker files (check out the markers folder just before the program ends, you'll see what i mean. I know this could easily be got around --- but I was following how the guys who do the AutoPatchers for WinXP et al, and they aren't afraid to whack 350mb on your computer to store all the files, so I suppose neither am i.

If there was a very good reason to make the change, i might do it, but unless there are some who live with less than 500 mb of free space, most should be fine.

By the way, I have made the automatic Windows Update fix like i promised: go here to get: http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=94225

soporific

Mar 9 2007, 12:52 AM

QUOTE (billygoat @ Mar 8 2007, 07:55 AM)

I'm a bit concerned that someone is experiencing a problem with Win98 to Me module so its at the top of the priority list for things to do before next release ... just letting you know and if you can provide as much information about the context of the error that would be great. Things like security apps protecting files inside certain folders and not allowing changes, or any customizations you have made to your OS, or what exactly happened when the error occurred (more details) ... thanks for all comments and feedback you're all helping to keep Windows 98 alive.

soporific

Mar 9 2007, 03:02 AM

QUOTE (Drugwash @ Feb 2 2007, 10:40 PM)

I'm thinking there may be - rare or not - reasons for someone not to install a certain version of an update, while he already has one installed that would serve the purpose and not interfere with the other updates.

... just saying "older version found" instead of "not installed" would be enough in such cases. Or just the version of the checked file, as in the above DS Client case, so the user would have a clue on what he got and what he should do further.

The reason i dug this post out of the history was that it also refers to the problem of you finding that Directory Services is missing ... i totally agree with you that in an ideal world it would be great for the report function to give more useful information other than listing the title of an update - ie separate the updates into those that are totally missing and those that are newer versions of what you already have. Hence you are getting the report saying you are missing an update when that's not technically true. Its not missing, its just old. You see, at the moment its a binary choice - there or not - and that's very easy to code for. If someone was to suggest the entire method of how we could insert some code into what we have right now, i would be interested but its just not high up enough on the priority list to implement without it.

The one thing i am doing is constantly improving the title names for the updates. eg I've changed the title for Directory Services (ie q323455) to Directory Services Client Update (NEGOTIAT.DLL 5.0.2195.4784) which does two things: it shows the user what they can search and check for to see if they have the latest update, and it shows what the code is checking for to tell if the update is needed. There a few cases where i've added this info to the title - bugger if i know which ones but i did, honest.

Anyway, the code is looking for version of NEGOTIAT.DLL (5.0.2195.4784) for Directory Services and i think we've already confirmed you have an older version but i could be wrong.

Please feel free to criticise the above mercilessly!!

billygoat

Mar 9 2007, 08:45 AM

QUOTE (soporific @ Mar 8 2007, 10:29 PM)

Just out of interest, what unofficial update packs had you already installed before trying to run the Win98 to Me module as you described above? My guess you had at least one ...

I had restored C: back to a point where only hardware drivers had been installed, just prior to my first installation of the SESP2. (In case I'm an id***, I have to say that I have a second primary DOS partition which I switch to 'Active' and boot into, in order to 'backup' by copying my 'real' system partition. AFAICS this doesn't cause problems, but it's unusual, so I'd better mention it.)

(Hmmm.. the system seems very sensitive - should I say 'fool' instead? Surprising...)

QUOTE (soporific @ Mar 9 2007, 01:52 AM)

Well, it does remind me of the grief I had trying to install DirectX 9.0c in earlier installations. Protection bits set by default (and re-set on every boot IIRC!) caused the MS installer to fail without any details. I only found the answer from other users.

There is nothing installed other than hardware drivers at this point. I'm planning to restore to that state again and look at User.exe properties, then either install *only* the Win98-to-ME module or else install Auto-Patcher defaults *without* the Win98-to-ME module. Then I could try installing Win98-to-ME on its own and see if that works, then go back and try it again with Auto-Patcher. But if you think my unorthodox backup routine is questionable, it doesn't give you any reliable info.

Also, I'm wondering still about effects of omitting some updates and opting to re-run Auto-Patcher to pick them up later, if the order makes a difference or if that's fairly bullet-proof in the checking routines. There's a lot of stuff I'm not aware of or sure if I want/need - MSDA/JetEngine, .Net Framework, etc. - and I'd be inclined to only install the critical updates first but wanted to pretty much follow the Auto-Patcher defaults the first time. (But I didn't strictly...)

I'm guessing you would have mentioned any logs or markers to look at, so I'll probably not save anything from this first try. Any other ideas on best procedure (no w98-ME, w98-ME first, etc.) would be welcome, but I may have a go before you're on again.

FWIW, the error Windows spits out seems broken, too: "Windows could not upgrade the file [blank, several lines] from [blank, more lines] : "

I was suprised that a missing User.exe causes the system to shut down - I still haven't managed to catch the last bit of the error message! Thank goodness for the alternate Pri DOS partition.

soporific

Mar 9 2007, 09:41 AM

QUOTE (billygoat @ Mar 10 2007, 01:45 AM)

Well, that is unusual, but it shouldn't be anything different --- unless you AREN'T hiding the backup primary partition from Windows (does it show up as a drive letter?) ... You aren't supposed to be able to have 2 able to be seen by Windows but i think it's actually possible. If you do, well this may stuff up the WININT.INI method that i use to install the Win98 to Me update. But it shouldn't really. But i can't be sure ...

QUOTE (billygoat @ Mar 10 2007, 01:45 AM)

Also, I'm wondering still about effects of omitting some updates and opting to re-run Auto-Patcher to pick them up later, if the order makes a difference or if that's fairly bullet-proof in the checking routines. There's a lot of stuff I'm not aware of or sure if I want/need - MSDA/JetEngine, .Net Framework, etc. - and I'd be inclined to only install the critical updates first but wanted to pretty much follow the Auto-Patcher defaults the first time. (But I didn't strictly...)

No, there shouldn't be ANY restriction in the order you install the modules and updates. Of course there are barriers i've put in place that will stop errors - eg any MSI installer packs need "Windows Installer v2" installed first ... until you install it, you get a message saying an update can't be installed because you don't have X -- but you can do them in whatever order you think you need to. In those cases, you may need to keep running Auto-Patcher (ie installing single items) until you've unlocked all the barriers. Another example is DirectX 9.0c (DX) --- if you run the report for missing updates, an update for DX won't appear until you have installed DX first.

But don't forget, this project was made for the sole purpose of allowing a COMPUTER PROGRAM to do all the work for you. Why waste time? Just whack the installer on a CD, when you re-install your OS, after its done installing - whack in the CD, install AP, and set it to auto-patch your system. I also had in mind that your OS could be in ANY state prior to using AP - you might have 2 updates installed, you might have only 2 missing - it shouldn't matter. This project doesn't install anything unless the program THINKS you NEED it. NO OTHER unofficial service pack, or update pack does this. You only have to worry about what you already have installed for OTHER projects, not THIS one! YAY!!

I think its a good idea to try the Win98 to ME update on its own. Tell me how you go ...

Molecule

Mar 9 2007, 10:00 AM

Hi soporific!

I've been lurking for a while, in great anticipation of your wonderful project, and if I might I wanted to throw in a small prayer. Admittedly this might be "on a wing" too far out there -- maybe it should really be in another thread -- but if you could integrate this idea as an option of your autopatcher, that would be great.

I'd like to use a 98se Autopatcher-Kiosk edition for connection to the internet (56k), and use a w2k system for personal work -- under the totally paranoid theory that even if a hacker "has" my w98e system (it is my absolute assumption that any computer with a wire going out the back is controlled by a foreign power), the 98 kernel can't detect or molest files on a nt-partition. I would load the OS and all 98se programs on a 8-12 gig VFAT C-drive, and I keep all important data on other drives.

Since I'm not a programmer, so I can only tell you what would make me "feel safe," which I understand is a kind of haha, but nonetheless, I hope it can't hurt to ask --

I would love to have the option to setup 98se as a Kiosk operating system -- creating a "98seR" R for Restored.

After setting up the system with autopatcher, I'd love to have an easy way to keep it that way -- that is add an autopatcher restore function, as a routine and daily part of 98se-Autopatcher, Kiosk edition.

On shutdown, I'd be given over to a simple batch file which gives me the option on a daily basis to Restore the system to pristine condition (or adopt new changes, such as after a program install).

If the default Restore (or kiosk option) is selected, the system reboots down to DOS, runs a batch which lfn-copies the system directories from a "safe" area onto C-drive, and turns off the computer. Each time I boot up, I'm restored to autopatcher pristine. If the update option is selected, the system directories are lfn-copied over to the operating system "safe-area" and the system shuts down, so that the next time I boot up, I will see the updated system. (After the kiosk has been setup, I don't want to save *any changes to the registry ... later it might be possible to modify that, for certain keys for known programs, but that would have to be done on a personal basis for each user -- so it's setting up the core part of a 98se-Kiosk edition which stumps me.)

Any chances for an Autopatcher-Kiosk edition?

Regards, and thanks for your help!

billygoat

Mar 9 2007, 11:24 AM

QUOTE (soporific @ Mar 9 2007, 10:41 AM)

Well, that is unusual, but it shouldn't be anything different --- unless you AREN'T hiding the backup primary partition from Windows (does it show up as a drive letter?)

Hmmm... more on this later, but currently the partition is *not* hidden. I can't remember how I set this up, seemed to be a bit of a trick, IIRC. I have a vague memory of trying to hide the alt PriDOS and messing things up - couldn't get it back. (It shows up as one of the last drive letters, before or after a Secondary Master physical drive I try to hide in BIOS, but which Windows finds after boot anyway.)

QUOTE (soporific @ Mar 9 2007, 10:41 AM)

No, there shouldn't be ANY restriction in the order you install the modules and updates. Of course there are barriers i've put in place that will stop errors...

Great! That's what I thought.

QUOTE (soporific @ Mar 9 2007, 10:41 AM)

But don't forget, this project was made for the sole purpose of allowing a COMPUTER PROGRAM to do all the work for you. Why waste time?

Yes, however once into the Auto-Patcher I suddenly realize there are several modules I know nothing about, and want to go ahead with the obvious ones. Which reminds me - I know there's a lot of info about what Auto-Patcher does, and I've skimmed it, but some people (like me) could use a quick summary of some of the modules. I don't own XP, so I have only the vaguest idea of some of the post-98SE features. I'm sure I'll find what I need to know eventually, though, so don't waste any effort - just if it's already in front of me but I can't find it.

QUOTE (soporific @ Mar 9 2007, 10:41 AM)

I think its a good idea to try the Win98 to ME update on its own. Tell me how you go ...

Good, thanks. I'll give it a shot.

soporific

Mar 9 2007, 12:09 PM

QUOTE (Molecule @ Mar 10 2007, 03:00 AM)

Any chances for an Autopatcher-Kiosk edition?

The easiest way to achieve this is to automate a ghost image restore. There's no 'easy' way for me to do what you ask unless major work is involved, but it wouldn't be the best option anyway. From what I understand, you want to go back to 'pristine' each time if you want, Ghosting is the way to go --- obviously this doesn't give u the option of gradually accepting updates, but even that can be overcome by gradually building up a stable series of images, each one with additions to the program list, etc.

Unfortunately for you, AutoPatcher isn't also mascarading as AutoGhostImager !!

... but it was a nice idea though!

Anyway, v1.95 will make you happy enough i think. I just finished the essential code for the debug function and i'll be switiching it on more often than not, its very useful now (i hated it before and never used it unless it was a drastic need)... actually, why don't i give you guys a little sample ... i'm right in the middle of tweaking the text, so its not the finished product, but you'll get the idea...

CODE

-----------------
 Debug log for Auto-Patcher v1.95 Preview Release 2
 Saturday, 10 March 2007, 05:04:30
-----------------
 --- variables ---
 COMSPEC=C:\WINDOWS\COMMAND.COM
 LOCATE=C:\AUTOPACH
 windrive=C:
 windodir=WINDOWS
 
 Program modes:
 Force re-installation mode is OFF
 Undo tweaks mode is OFF
 Make report mode is OFF
 
 Now running code inside C:\AUTOPACH\CODE\RUN-MOD.BAT
 
 variables:
 LOCATE is C:\AUTOPACH
 1st switch is Fullup
 2nd switch is C:
 3rd switch is WINDOWS
 4th switch is "C:\AUTOPACH"
 5th switch is 
 6th switch is 
 7th switch is 
 
 Now running code inside "C:\AUTOPACH\code\modules\Fullup.bat"
 -- variables --
 TRACK=Inst07
 NEXT1=Inst08
 FILES=DirectX
 
**** Now starting to run code in the DirectX 9 module
 
 Now running code inside "C:\AUTOPACH\code\MainCode.bat"
--- variables ---
 TRACK="DirectX9"
 TITLE="DirectX 9.0c (December 2006)"
 PARTH="Files\DirectX"
 FILES="DXSETUP.bat"
 FILE2=""
 CHECK="C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\d3dx9_32.dll"
 CHEC2="9.16.843.0"
 CHEC3=""
 CHEC4=""
 USECH="FILC"
 USEDP="none"
 GONUM="1EXE"
 ABOOT="G"
 ARGUS=""C:\AUTOPACH\files\DirectX""
 SKIP!=""
--- label checkpoints ---
 DIALOG1  -- start to process the update
 DIALOG2  -- the update has no confirmation marker set yet
 DIALOG3  -- the update looks like it needs to be installed
 DIALOG4  -- the update has been cleared to be installed
 OKayEnd  -- the update has finished installing
 ExitMe   -- finished processing the update
 REGBOOT  -- the computer is set to reboot and restart the current module
 
 Now running code inside "C:\AUTOPACH\code\Run-Mod.bat"
 
 variables:
 LOCATE is C:\AUTOPACH
 1st switch is fullup
 2nd switch is C:
 3rd switch is WINDOWS
 4th switch is "C:\AUTOPACH"
 5th switch is 
 6th switch is 
 7th switch is 
 
 Now running code inside "C:\AUTOPACH\code\modules\fullup.bat"
 -- variables --
 TRACK=Inst07
 NEXT1=Inst08
 FILES=DirectX
 
**** Now starting to run code in the DirectX 9 module
 
 Now running code inside "C:\AUTOPACH\code\MainCode.bat"
--- variables ---
 TRACK="DirectX9"
 TITLE="DirectX 9.0c (December 2006)"
 PARTH="Files\DirectX"
 FILES="DXSETUP.bat"
 FILE2=""
 CHECK="C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\d3dx9_32.dll"
 CHEC2="9.16.843.0"
 CHEC3=""
 CHEC4=""
 USECH="FILC"
 USEDP="none"
 GONUM="1EXE"
 ABOOT="G"
 ARGUS=""C:\AUTOPACH\files\DirectX""
 SKIP!=""
--- label checkpoints ---
 DIALOG1  -- start to process the update
 DIALOG2  -- the update has no confirmation marker set yet
 GoFouee  -- the Update was found
 ExitMe   -- finished processing the update
 
 Now running code inside "C:\AUTOPACH\code\MainCode.bat"
--- variables ---
 TRACK="kb904706"
 TITLE="Hotfix for Vulnerability in DirectShow"
 PARTH="Files\Hotfixes"
 FILES="kb904706.exe"
 FILE2=""
 CHECK="C:\WINDOWS\system\quartz.dll"
 CHEC2="6.5.1.907"
 CHEC3=""
 CHEC4=""
 USECH="FILC"
 USEDP="DX90c"
 GONUM="1EXE"
 ABOOT="G"
 ARGUS="/Q:A /R:N"
 SKIP!=""
--- label checkpoints ---
 DIALOG1  -- start to process the update
 DIALOG2  -- the update has no confirmation marker set yet
 DIALOG3  -- the update looks like it needs to be installed
 DIALOG4  -- the update has been cleared to be installed
 OKayEnd  -- the update has finished installing
 ExitMe   -- finished processing the update
 HF_END   -- the DirectX 9 module has completed
 NoBoot   -- the computer doesn't need to reboot, so start the next module
 
 Now running code inside C:\AUTOPACH\CODE\RUN-MOD.BAT
 
 variables:
 LOCATE is C:\AUTOPACH
 1st switch is fullup
 2nd switch is C:
 3rd switch is WINDOWS
 4th switch is "C:\AUTOPACH"
 5th switch is 
 6th switch is 
 7th switch is 
 
 ++ The modules have all finished ++
 
 now dumping the contents of the marker folder into this debug file
StartTim.TRA
@_Inst01.tra
@_Inst02.tra
@_Inst03.tra
@_Inst04.tra
@_Inst05.tra
@_Inst06.tra
@_NumIns.TRA
@_Inst08.tra
@_Inst09.tra
@_Inst10.tra
@_Inst11.tra
@_Inst12.tra
@_Inst13.tra
@_Inst14.tra
@_Inst15.tra
@_Inst16.tra
@_OP0201.skp
@_OP0202.skp
@_OP0203.skp
@_OP0204.skp
@_OP0205.skp
@_OP0601.skp
@_OP0602.skp
@_OP0603.skp
@_OP0604.skp
@_OP0901.skp
@_OP0902.skp
@_OP0903.skp
@_OP0904.skp
@_OP0905.skp
@_OP1401.skp
@_OP1402.skp
@_OP1403.skp
@_OP1404.skp
@_OP1405.skp
@_OP1406.skp
@_OP1407.skp
@_OP1408.skp
@_OP1409.skp
@_OP1501.skp
@_OP1502.skp
@_OP1503.skp
@_OP1504.skp
@_OP1505.skp
@_OP1506.skp
@_OP1507.skp
@_OP1601.skp
@_NumIns.REP
go_debug.txt
DirectX9.txt
mybat.reg
DirectX9.fou
kb904706.txt
@_GoBoot.tra
@_Inst07.tra
 
 That's it! No more debug info for you, my friend... see ya later!
 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

ps yes, the time is right, it is 5:04am and i'm still up from the night before coding away ...

Drugwash

Mar 9 2007, 05:08 PM

QUOTE (soporific)

Anyway, the code is looking for version of NEGOTIAT.DLL (5.0.2195.4784) for Directory Services and i think we've already confirmed you have an older version but i could be wrong.

You are right, my version is 5.00.2195.1. If you ever manage to add third state (older/newer) to this binary detection, it would be wonderful - much less (if any) confusion.
Apologies for not being of any help lately; luckily, now there's someone really skilled that is doing a good job.

billygoat

Mar 9 2007, 10:11 PM

I started again, selecting only the W98-to-ME module this time. Same result. The original files Explorer.exe User32.dll and User.exe are all renamed with a '.w98' extension. Not sure if the registry information gets updated - couldn't see anything changed in RegEdit even after doing it by hand. (I also then copied the three files from the Win98-2-ME folder. There was no obvious reason the files could not be copied by the script.)

Somehow, I didn't find the I_Result.Log when I first ran this, but anyway it ends like this after the failure:
--------------------------------------------------------------------
00:58:00 ++ the Win98-to-Me module was started
--------------------------------------------------------------------
00:58:04 -- was installed: Win982Me - The core of Win98-to-Me by MDGx
00:58:08 .. the computer was set to reboot.

So anyway, then I ran Auto-Patcher pretty much with defaults, with Win98-to-ME on 'Install' to check. It seemed happy, and the other updates seemed to install fine. Generated a report afterward which seems as expected.

I think another user may have also noticed this, but I have a long delay after login after booting - about 10 seconds.

I'd be happy to help test the Win98-to-ME issues on this system, but for now it looks like it's solved for me. I still want to try to learn more about some of the updates and options, and I'm curious about some of your reasons for the default install/bypass setup.

soporific

Mar 9 2007, 10:49 PM

QUOTE (billygoat @ Mar 10 2007, 03:11 PM)

I think another user may have also noticed this, but I have a long delay after login after booting - about 10 seconds.

Yeah, i guess this is a result of updating ... i have no idea what Microsoft is doing with their latest stuff, they've added some detection routines when starting up Windows to see what you've got before loading the desktop, i dunno. But i would expect a different feel to how the computer boots up. For example, one of the most common tools i use is "Install Watch" which tells me exactly what got installed so i can see how to code for it. When i run it on a newly re-installed Win98se OS, the snapshot hardly takes anytime at all to create --- there's hardly any files on your machine, and not many registry entries to sort through. If i do the same after a full auto-patch, it takes 5 to 10 times longer to create the snapshot, especially if you also have .Netframework installed. If you had to choose between a machine that booted faster, or one that had everything you needed for computing in 2007, which would you choose?

billygoat

Mar 9 2007, 11:40 PM

QUOTE (soporific @ Mar 9 2007, 11:49 PM)

Yeah, i guess this is a result of updating ... i have no idea what Microsoft is doing with their latest stuff, they've added some detection routines when starting up Windows to see what you've got before loading the desktop, i dunno. [...] If you had to choose between a machine that booted faster, or one that had everything you needed for computing in 2007, which would you choose?

Quite right. I still can't get over how many updates are packed into this thing! As you say, it may be cumulative, so no wonder.

I once spent many weeks trying to assimilate the best advice on Win95 updates from places like Walbeehm's System Updates page, and it was only about a tenth of what is involved here. Thanks again for all your efforts.

soporific

Mar 13 2007, 05:17 AM

latest news: i was going thru my final tests of the file i was going to upload as v1.95 ... and discovered a few things ...

* one of them is that to regularly access Windows Update, i have to use the WU_fix i made, and also make use of both options ... i'd prefer to fix it and make it STAY fixed ... we need to do more work it seems, thanks a bunch microsoft...

* the good news is i've finally cracked the false Windows Updates problem ... the answer was inside the hotfixes all along ... i've still yet to tame the cumulative updates but that's 5 red herrings solved, just 2 to go ... so the release will be delayed for a bit ...

MDGx

Mar 13 2007, 12:22 PM

QUOTE (soporific @ Mar 13 2007, 04:17 AM)

* the good news is i've finally cracked the false Windows Updates problem ... the answer was inside the hotfixes all along ...

Can you post more details about what's wrong with WU access, and eventually how you fixed it [REG entries, DLLs, roots update problems etc]?

I've also noticed that WU/WUC can't be accessed unless one reinstalls the newest roots update over and over whenever WU/WUC sites don't work???

Thanks.

billygoat

Mar 13 2007, 12:59 PM

A quick note about my earlier report on the Win98-2-ME module: I mumbled something about not seeing changes in the registry - didn't realize those Keys are *deleted* so never mind. Also, I thought my failure to remove my SCSI Zip drive from the system might have caused the trouble, but another try without it produced the same failure. Oh well.

Onward... I'm wondering if there's anything alarming about the message "Locate error - user variable not found" during the installation of q301540 - 'Unofficial fix for bug in Installable File System Manager' - in the Critical System Hotfixes Pack.

I've run Auto-Patcher a number of times and wanted to give some further feedback per your request. In general, I think the level of information during the Auto-Patcher execution is about right, but the log could alternatively be more informative if there's more info to be provided. I still would like to find some citation for some of the unofficial fixes - some of the descriptions are pretty vague. The option 'Tweaks for Fast Computers' leaves me wondering what is considered 'fast', though I particularly doubt my 933 MHz PIII is one. ;-) At least those tweaks can be investigated, but I don't see any place a user can evaluate benefits or advisability. Also I'm curious about the 48BitLBA patch as this has been a thorny problem for 98, and a fix might need some thorough testing to be safe. (With another solution I've tried, the drive still must have partitions smaller than 137GB.)

So, regarding the official patches, I'm just slightly concerned about the advisability of installing everything regardless of symptoms or relevant hardware, but I'm only an obsessive user, no real understanding of this stuff. The update for LS120 drives, for instance. MS says on a lot of these updates not to install unless the system exhibits the particular problem mentioned, but maybe that's just boilerplate language. I don't have an LS120 drive, for this example.

Similarly, I wonder about q323455 - 'Directory Services Client Update for Windows 98' - in the Critical System Hotfixes Pack. *That's* the update which seems to be the reason for the ten-second delay after login, and the information page lists a lot of symptoms cured by various components, but I don't see any pertinent to me.

Anyway, I'm just asking. I know you primarily intend this as a click-and-forget installer, but even for someone who wants to understand everything that's going on, this is a really nice package to have it all in one place. (I finally decided I wanted to defer some of this, like the WMP stuff, and just have the 'critical' stuff nailed down, hence my interest in installing some modules later.) If appropriate (I don't know) it might be nice to have a few more toggle options for some of the modules (though it's not hard to skip certain updates by editing the .bat files.)

Thanks again for all your work. Maybe the documentation I'm hoping for is asking too much, but perhaps other users can chime in with comments for a FAQ.

soporific

Mar 13 2007, 01:42 PM

QUOTE (MDGx @ Mar 14 2007, 05:22 AM)

the bit about solving the false alarms refers to the 7 updates that WU reckons you haven't got installed after fully auto-patching. The list is now only 2: the kb891711 update (which i tell people that the unoffical update is better), and also the last official cumulative update for IE6 (kb916281), which is just not going to play well, ever it seems.
Regarding the Windows Update problem, that discussion is better had in the proper thread (there's a few, i'm referring to the one i started). I'll post more info there.

QUOTE (billygoat @ Mar 14 2007, 05:59 AM)

type this at the command line for me can you:

ECHO Y> "%windir%\wininit.ini"

and tell me if you get any error messages ...

QUOTE

Onward... I'm wondering if there's anything alarming about the message "Locate error - user variable not found" during the installation of q301540 - 'Unofficial fix for bug in Installable File System Manager' - in the Critical System Hotfixes Pack.

That's a known bug related to the fact that one of my variables is %LOCATE% which clashes with the LOCATE.COM utility which clears a variable called LOCATE at some stage. This was recently discovered by Submix8c and is now fixed in the next version.

QUOTE

I've run Auto-Patcher a number of times and wanted to give some further feedback per your request. In general, I think the level of information during the Auto-Patcher execution is about right, but the log could alternatively be more informative if there's more info to be provided.

This is where the debug mode comes in. Maybe I should change the name from Debug mode, to Verbose mode. Actually, i will. i've posted a version of the log that is produced. Please comment about whether that has enough info!

QUOTE

I still would like to find some citation for some of the unofficial fixes - some of the descriptions are pretty vague. The option 'Tweaks for Fast Computers' leaves me wondering what is considered 'fast', though I particularly doubt my 933 MHz PIII is one.

This is good, you are picking me up on everything that i've improved for the next version. There is no more "Tweaks for Fast Computers" - i have included a version of AutoSYSTEMini instead that tells you EVERYTHING about the settings you can configure. Talk about overkill. Have you checked out AutoSYSTEMini? its up to v0.54!!

QUOTE

Also I'm curious about the 48BitLBA patch as this has been a thorny problem for 98, and a fix might need some thorough testing to be safe. (With another solution I've tried, the drive still must have partitions smaller than 137GB.)

Most of these unofficial updates have threads that contain all the discussion about testing, bugs, etc. 48BitLBA has been around for a while and is considered pretty stable these days. The thread can be found here: http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=78592

QUOTE

... The update for LS120 drives, for instance. MS says on a lot of these updates not to install unless the system exhibits the particular problem mentioned, but maybe that's just boilerplate language. I don't have an LS120 drive, for this example.

MS says that for EVERY update! We live in a world where a company like MS provides information so they don't get sued, as opposed to providing information that is precise and correct. Makes me rather angry and uptight is what it does ... anyway, my philosophy is that an update becomes OPTIONAL if it is possible that installing it could cause problems.

QUOTE

Similarly, I wonder about q323455 - 'Directory Services Client Update for Windows 98' - in the Critical System Hotfixes Pack. *That's* the update which seems to be the reason for the ten-second delay after login, and the information page lists a lot of symptoms cured by various components, but I don't see any pertinent to me.

Yeah, this one has been known to cause funny things to happen. I hadn't noticed that this is the cause of the 10 second delay --- maybe its a good reason to turn it into an optional install so you can by-pass it. Don't forget, this program is SO easy to edit for your own purposes. If you don't want anything in any modules, you can just cut it out ... (i can provide more info about how to do this if you need) -- the installs aren't linked together so you won't break anything by taking the odd hotfix out. You can definitely take out q323455.

QUOTE

Thanks again for all your work. Maybe the documentation I'm hoping for is asking too much, but perhaps other users can chime in with comments for a FAQ.

I'm always adding to the information, but i've been staring at this project for so long now that its hard for me to get a fresh perspective -- i will eventually get around to updating the list of Auto-Patcher contents, but apart from that, what more could we do? Maybe point people to the complete updates list that i maintain --- that one page has all the download links and info links for all the updates currently available. I should add a link to the main page ... good idea 99.

submix8c

Mar 13 2007, 07:55 PM

Soporific et-al

:

Well, this bites... I posted a reply, then found out I wasn't logged in ("post saved", but where?). SO, here I go again...

What I found (re: WU "Not Installed")
------ Begin notes:
1) Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer 6 Service Pack 1 (KB916281)
***** MUST INSTALL THIS ONE ALWAYS AFTER IE6SP1 and BEFORE unofficial KB925454 *****
- Unofficial KB925454 is NEWER (and is XPSP2) + includes pgm NIRCMD.EXE (nifty!)!
2) Security Update for Windows 98 (KB891711)
***** MUST INSTALL THIS ONE ALWAYS BEFORE u891711 *****
- Unofficial version has NEWER versions (WHERE DID THIS PATCH COME FROM?)!
3) Windows Share Level Password Update (Q273991)
***** MUST INSTALL THIS ONE ALWAYS BEFORE Q273727 ! *****
- Installed correct version with Q273727 !
4) Q323172: Security Update (Windows 98)
***** MUST INSTALL THIS ONE ALWAYS BEFORE IE6SP1 ! *****
- Installed correct version with IE6SP1 !
*********** GET THESE TWO ***************
5) Security Update, May 19, 2000 (Q259728)
***** MUST INSTALL THIS ONE ALWAYS BEFORE Q238543 / Q269388 ! *****
-- Q238543 (older)
-- Q269388 (THIS ONE installed) STUPID MS same module!
-- ** q238453/q269388 - Hotfix for Spoofed Route Pointer Vulnerability (per AutoPatch)
http://download.microsoft.com/download/win.../259728USA8.EXE
6) Security Update, March 17, 2000 (Q256015)
***** MUST INSTALL THIS ONE ALWAYS BEFORE Q273017 / (?q301540?) ! *****
-- Q273017 (THIS ONE installed) STUPID MS same module!
-- IDE Hard Drive Cache Package for Windows 98se
-- http://support.microsoft.com/kb/273017
-- Q301540 (UNOFFICIAL newer dates / NOT INSTALLED)
http://download.microsoft.com/download/win.../256015USA8.EXE
=== Recommended Updates ===
1) Internet Explorer Navigation Sound Update
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/319303
says to install latest IE Service Pack (applies to IE 6.0)?
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/327922 (says go to Windows Update?)
(go ahead and download it; I have it stored away; you can too)
2) Mapped Drives Shutdown Update
***** MUST INSTALL THIS ONE ALWAYS BEFORE WIN982ME / (?KB239887?) ! *****
http://download.windowsupdate.com/msdownlo...rtf/en/3662.htm
- also see: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/260067
http://download.microsoft.com/download/win.../260067USA8.EXE
3) Microsoft .NET Framework version 1.1 (IRRELEVANT)
4) Windows Critical Update Notification 4.0 (IRRELEVANT)
5) Euro Conversion Tool (IRRELEVANT, unless you want it)
=== Internet and Multimedia Updates ===
1) Agent 2.0 ! Irrelevant (applies to Merlin, etc.) !
------ Endof notes:

Sound familiar? Those that are NOT INSTALLED are because of Registry enries that are MISSING!

BTW, I know we discussed this

but I have found some interesting tools:

4DOS package - a great COMMAND.COM (comspec) replacement; LOTS of embedded functions!
GETEL.BAT - returns a "display-able" ERRORLEVEL ("GOTO LABEL%ERRORLEVEL%")
FINDCD.COM - returns the CD-Drive
These are free and legit (from reputable sources). I have done rudimentary testing and they are fine.

The purpose I intend for them is to modify AutoPatch v1.95 (whenever you are finished) so that it will:
1) "Generi-size" the Batch modules by utilizing Tables for Menus and Modules-to-install-per-selection
2) Introduce OtherThan "C:" drive installation
3) Allow for "Run From CD"

Why?
* Because it will be cleaner and allow for better HDD utilisation
* Because I can
(yep, I'm an IBM Mainframe Systems/Applications Installer/Programmer/Analyst/Maintainer, bored due to "who wants one? go find another job!". Need a good Mainframe Geek?)

Besides, these old honkers I plan on giving away also need Spyware/Adware/Virus killers and a good Firewall (free from the internet) and my intent is to give a single CD so I can say "NO SUPPORT, You have everything you need". And, in case you didn't notice, if you do a Clean Install (Fisk, Format, Copy WIN98 to Win/Opts/Cabs) then apply patches, it is considered an OEM PC and places copies of update modules in THAT folder AS WELL!

Test environment:
AMD Duron 1.3G
512MB Ram
Virtual PC 2004 (for Win98SE testing)
- VM 64MB RAM, 2GB HDD 1.22 GB used / 788 MB free (wowee!!! Clean Install???)

Don't leave a lot for those MP3's and that Outlook Express Mailbox if you store a lot (BETTER have a burner!). AND for those po-folk who have older OEM boxes that must re-install using Restore disks on a low-end HDD and no burner... well... gefudged! (You don't think I'm gonna give away MY HDD's, do ya?)

SO (whew!), keep up the great work

! Patiently awaiting v1.95 so I can rip IT up instead of repeating the work on BOTH 1.92 AND 1.95!

P.S. Kudos to all participants

soporific

Mar 13 2007, 10:41 PM

QUOTE (submix8c @ Mar 14 2007, 12:55 PM)

What I found (re: WU "Not Installed")
------ Begin notes:
------ Endof notes:

these are already fixed ... 323172, 256015, Q273991, kb981711, kb837009, 260067,

these are already included: IE Navigation Sound Update, Euro Conversion Tool

I HAVE to get v1.95 released !! ... I will comment on the rest soon ...

(and thanks for the sticky !!!)

EDIT: OK, below is the list of REG entries that are run to restore missing hotfix info and make WU happy. If the hotfix that superceeded the "missing" update was installed at some point during an AP session, then the REG file with the same name is run. eg the reg info for q259728 which was superceeded by q269388 is installed via the q269388.reg file (see below) - there are only 2 at this point, i was able to fix q323172 and q260067 properly.

CODE

REGEDIT4

[q269388.reg]
; this restores the hotfix info for q259728. We use q269388 because this is what superceeded it.
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Active Setup\Installed Components\{9664fac0-26c5-11d4-a58a-00902766e933}]
@="Windows 98 Second Edition Q259728 Update"
"IsInstalled"=dword:00000001
"Locale"="EN"
"Version"="4.10.0.2222"

[q273017.reg]
; this re-installs the hotfix info for q256015
; we use q273017 because this is what superceeded it.
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Active Setup\Installed Components\{4ed033a1-6334-4415-9089-bcabcc0b32f5}]
@="Windows 98 Second Edition Q256015 Update"
"IsInstalled"=dword:00000001
"Locale"="EN"
"Version"="4.10.0.2222"

Yes, i think its best to wait for 1.95 otherwise you are re-doing all my work from 1.92 to 1.95. What you can do is help me get from "Preview Release 2" to "Final".

EDIT2: and in other news, i have cracked the DUN14 hotfix ... well, cracked it with AutoIT anyways ... so, it's finally going into AP proper, and we can avoid that false start when you first choose to AutoPatch. IF you would like to have a switchless and unattended installer for DUN 1.4 - grab it from here.

submix8c

Mar 14 2007, 10:46 AM

soporific et-al

:

Congrats on the DUN1.4 fix!

Havent downloaded/tested, but I can trust it's all good!!

On a side note (kinda), got some more ".bat" info that may help clean up the modules (gotta love me!).

Here is a "lengthy" (not that bad) test module; read it; some is good, some you may ignore...

CODE

@ECHO OFF
:::::::::::: From STARTPCH.BAT
:: I look for a different module because I use a more efficient method..
:: IF NOT EXIST .\bin\ASET.exe goto aPROBLEM
IF NOT EXIST .\bin\NSET.com goto aPROBLEM
goto GoSTART

:aPROBLEM
echo.
echo.  Hi there. The program can't continue (ya-dee-yah...)
echo.
echo.  Please press any key to exit ...
PAUSE >nul
goto END

:GoSTART
:: This gets the Where-I-Execute-From-directory...
:: Notice how a SINGLE INSTRUCTION LINE will DIRECTLY set %LOCATE%
:: This is more dependable because I can navigate to the primary folder
::   in a DOS box and it STILL WORKS (old method gets NULL(?) value)
:: .\bin\ASET LOCATE := FPATH('%0')
:: .\bin\ASET TP := LEN('%LOCATE%')-1
:: .\bin\ASET LOCATE := LEFT('%LOCATE%',%TP%)
:: SET TP=
CD | ".\BIN\NSET" LOCATE=$1

:::::::::::: From AUTOPACH.BAT ; %LOCATE% is now "x:\folder"
:: check for necessary program files
FOR %%! in (ASET.EXE GETVER.EXE NSET.COM) DO IF NOT EXIST "%LOCATE%\bin\%%!" goto MISSING
:: I added these (It adds two more and includes LOCATE.COM as well...)
FOR %%! in (GETEL.BAT FINDCD.COM LOCATE.COM) DO IF NOT EXIST "%LOCATE%\bin\%%!" goto MISSING

:: =========
GOTO GOTEMALL
:MISSING
echo. MISSING error (BTW, the label ":MISSING" is MISSING...)
goto aPROBLEM
:GOTEMALL
:: =================== A LITTLE NEW CODE FROM HERE DOWN =================
:: This gets both the Windows-drive and the Where-I-Execute-From-drive...
:: Notice how the first two instructions will DIRECTLY set %windrive%
SET HDD=%windir%
"%LOCATE%\BIN\ASET" HDD := LEFT('%HDD%',2)
"%LOCATE%\BIN\ASET" IAM := LEFT('%LOCATE%',2)
GOTO MAIN1

:MAIN0
::: junk... commented out  
::: CALL "%LOCATE%\TESTX"
:::
ECHO. Wanna go again? (y or n) 
choice>nul /c:yn /n
:: This translates the ERRORLEVEL to something useable (binary to ASCII)...
:: Convenient if you are using Structured Programming....
:: Useable in your routines??? (My intent for modifying v1.95!!!)
:: Notice this is a "CALL"; that means it WILL return TO NEXT INSTRUCTION!
::     (as long as CALL'ed does NOT "EXIT"! 
CALL "%LOCATE%\BIN\GETEL"
:: Notice the usage of ERRORLEVEL in branching...
:: No "IF" Statements for ERRORLEVEL Here!
GOTO MAIN%ERRORLEVEL%

::::: Branch-to for Response=Y
:MAIN1
:: This gets a response from User into a variable...
:: Used in this test to find the CD-Rom that we need (via FINDCD)...
:: ANY name can be give, but MUST include the PATH (case NOT sensitive)!
::    example 1: SETUP.EXE          <--on root
::    example 2: WIN98\OEMSETUP.EXE <--in Win98
Echo. Enter a Filename to find:
"%LOCATE%\BIN\NSET" CDN=$0
IF "%CDN%"=="" GOTO MAIN1
GOTO FINDNAM

::::: Branch-to for Response=N
:MAIN2
:: Clears remaining vars, then exits...
SET LOCATE=
SET HDD=
SET IAM=
SET CDN=
SET CDD=
SET ERRORLEVEL=
SET CMDLINE=
GOTO END

:FINDNAM
:: This attempts to find filename then sets where found (if at all)...
SET CDD=
"%LOCATE%\BIN\FINDCD" -f\%CDN% | "%LOCATE%\BIN\NSET" CDD=$1
"%LOCATE%\BIN\FINDCD" -f\%CDN% -e
CALL "%LOCATE%\BIN\GETEL"
IF "%ERRORLEVEL%"=="254" GOTO MAIN254
:: GOTO MAIN%ERRORLEVEL%

SET CDD=%CDD%:
ECHO. CD-Rom %CDD% found Finding %CDN%; HDD=%HDD% IAM=%IAM% LOCATE=%LOCATE%
GOTO MAIN0

:MAIN254
ECHO. CD-Rom not found Finding %CDN%; HDD=%HDD% IAM=%IAM% LOCATE=%LOCATE%
GOTO MAIN0
:::::::::::::::::::: DOS-window Test Result ::::::::::::::::::::::::
Microsoft® Windows 98
   ©Copyright Microsoft Corp 1981-1999.

C:\WINDOWS>cd ..\_findcd

C:\_findcd>test
 Enter a Filename to find:
x
 CD-Rom not found Finding x; HDD=C: IAM=C: LOCATE=C:\_findcd
 Wanna go again? (y or n)
 Enter a Filename to find:
win98\oemsetup.exe
 CD-Rom D: found Finding win98\oemsetup.exe; HDD=C: IAM=C: LOCATE=C:\_findcd
 Wanna go again? (y or n)
C:\_findcd>
++++ end of test output...
----- Notes on FINDCD.COM: -----
 http://www.nu2.nu/download.php?sFile=findcd.zip
 Usage: findcd <option>
 Option: -a         All CD-Rom drive letters
         -r         Ready CD-Rom drive letters (with media)
         -f<file>   CD-Rom drive letters containing 
                    sample: findcd -f\i386\setupldr.bin
         -e         Return errorlevel only
 Returns errorlevel:
    255:      When CD-Rom extensions (MSCDEX) are not loaded
    254:      No drive(s) found
    0-25:     Drive letter of first CD-Rom (0=A, 1=B, ...)
----- Notes on GETEL.BAT: -----
 http://www.fpschultze.de/smartfaq+faq.faqid+56.htm
    (provides the link to source and further info... VERY compact!)
 Just "CALL" it... whatever was there will be translated...
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
BTW, "EXIT" goes COMPLETELY out of a module...
... also notice everything from last "GOTO MAIN0" to here
... (including the following "EXIT") is NOT GOING TO BE Syntaxed-out
... since they are NOT IN THE IN-STREAM CODE!!!
... Most script languages are generally considered "Compile/Load/Go",
..  similar to mainframe REXX (also availiable for PC), TSO, ISPF
EXIT.
:END

Also, GETEL.BAT has a good example of a FAST way to determine NOT-9x/ME...
(the afore-mentioned 4DOS also caught syntax errors previously not trapped...)

Hope this helps...

l8tr... (gotta put more STUB code to test TABLE/Generic into this...)

P.S. don't forget to take some time out to relax to some tuneage; clears the peanut out!

soporific

Mar 14 2007, 11:18 AM

QUOTE (submix8c @ Mar 15 2007, 03:46 AM)

soporific et-al

:

Congrats on the DUN1.4 fix!

CODE

@ECHO OFF
:::::::::::: From STARTPCH.BAT
:: I look for a different module because I use a more efficient method..
:: IF NOT EXIST .\bin\ASET.exe goto aPROBLEM
IF NOT EXIST .\bin\NSET.com goto aPROBLEM
goto GoSTART

:aPROBLEM
echo.
echo.  Hi there. The program can't continue (ya-dee-yah...)
echo.
echo.  Please press any key to exit ...
PAUSE >nul
goto END

:GoSTART
:: This gets the Where-I-Execute-From-directory...
:: Notice how a SINGLE INSTRUCTION LINE will DIRECTLY set %LOCATE%
:: This is more dependable because I can navigate to the primary folder
::   in a DOS box and it STILL WORKS (old method gets NULL(?) value)
:: .\bin\ASET LOCATE := FPATH('%0')
:: .\bin\ASET TP := LEN('%LOCATE%')-1
:: .\bin\ASET LOCATE := LEFT('%LOCATE%',%TP%)
:: SET TP=
CD | ".\BIN\NSET" LOCATE=$1

:::::::::::: From AUTOPACH.BAT ; %LOCATE% is now "x:\folder"
:: check for necessary program files
FOR %%! in (ASET.EXE GETVER.EXE NSET.COM) DO IF NOT EXIST "%LOCATE%\bin\%%!" goto MISSING
:: I added these (It adds two more and includes LOCATE.COM as well...)
FOR %%! in (GETEL.BAT FINDCD.COM LOCATE.COM) DO IF NOT EXIST "%LOCATE%\bin\%%!" goto MISSING

:: =========
GOTO GOTEMALL
:MISSING
echo. MISSING error (BTW, the label ":MISSING" is MISSING...)
goto aPROBLEM
:GOTEMALL
:: =================== A LITTLE NEW CODE FROM HERE DOWN =================
:: This gets both the Windows-drive and the Where-I-Execute-From-drive...
:: Notice how the first two instructions will DIRECTLY set %windrive%
SET HDD=%windir%
"%LOCATE%\BIN\ASET" HDD := LEFT('%HDD%',2)
"%LOCATE%\BIN\ASET" IAM := LEFT('%LOCATE%',2)
GOTO MAIN1

:MAIN0
::: junk... commented out  
::: CALL "%LOCATE%\TESTX"
:::
ECHO. Wanna go again? (y or n) 
choice>nul /c:yn /n
:: This translates the ERRORLEVEL to something useable (binary to ASCII)...
:: Convenient if you are using Structured Programming....
:: Useable in your routines??? (My intent for modifying v1.95!!!)
:: Notice this is a "CALL"; that means it WILL return TO NEXT INSTRUCTION!
::     (as long as CALL'ed does NOT "EXIT"! 
CALL "%LOCATE%\BIN\GETEL"
:: Notice the usage of ERRORLEVEL in branching...
:: No "IF" Statements for ERRORLEVEL Here!
GOTO MAIN%ERRORLEVEL%

::::: Branch-to for Response=Y
:MAIN1
:: This gets a response from User into a variable...
:: Used in this test to find the CD-Rom that we need (via FINDCD)...
:: ANY name can be give, but MUST include the PATH (case NOT sensitive)!
::    example 1: SETUP.EXE          <--on root
::    example 2: WIN98\OEMSETUP.EXE <--in Win98
Echo. Enter a Filename to find:
"%LOCATE%\BIN\NSET" CDN=$0
IF "%CDN%"=="" GOTO MAIN1
GOTO FINDNAM

::::: Branch-to for Response=N
:MAIN2
:: Clears remaining vars, then exits...
SET LOCATE=
SET HDD=
SET IAM=
SET CDN=
SET CDD=
SET ERRORLEVEL=
SET CMDLINE=
GOTO END

:FINDNAM
:: This attempts to find filename then sets where found (if at all)...
SET CDD=
"%LOCATE%\BIN\FINDCD" -f\%CDN% | "%LOCATE%\BIN\NSET" CDD=$1
"%LOCATE%\BIN\FINDCD" -f\%CDN% -e
CALL "%LOCATE%\BIN\GETEL"
IF "%ERRORLEVEL%"=="254" GOTO MAIN254
:: GOTO MAIN%ERRORLEVEL%

SET CDD=%CDD%:
ECHO. CD-Rom %CDD% found Finding %CDN%; HDD=%HDD% IAM=%IAM% LOCATE=%LOCATE%
GOTO MAIN0

:MAIN254
ECHO. CD-Rom not found Finding %CDN%; HDD=%HDD% IAM=%IAM% LOCATE=%LOCATE%
GOTO MAIN0
:::::::::::::::::::: DOS-window Test Result ::::::::::::::::::::::::
Microsoft® Windows 98
   ©Copyright Microsoft Corp 1981-1999.

C:\WINDOWS>cd ..\_findcd

C:\_findcd>test
 Enter a Filename to find:
x
 CD-Rom not found Finding x; HDD=C: IAM=C: LOCATE=C:\_findcd
 Wanna go again? (y or n)
 Enter a Filename to find:
win98\oemsetup.exe
 CD-Rom D: found Finding win98\oemsetup.exe; HDD=C: IAM=C: LOCATE=C:\_findcd
 Wanna go again? (y or n)
C:\_findcd>
++++ end of test output...
----- Notes on FINDCD.COM: -----
 http://www.nu2.nu/download.php?sFile=findcd.zip
 Usage: findcd <option>
 Option: -a         All CD-Rom drive letters
         -r         Ready CD-Rom drive letters (with media)
         -f<file>   CD-Rom drive letters containing 
                    sample: findcd -f\i386\setupldr.bin
         -e         Return errorlevel only
 Returns errorlevel:
    255:      When CD-Rom extensions (MSCDEX) are not loaded
    254:      No drive(s) found
    0-25:     Drive letter of first CD-Rom (0=A, 1=B, ...)
----- Notes on GETEL.BAT: -----
 http://www.fpschultze.de/smartfaq+faq.faqid+56.htm
    (provides the link to source and further info... VERY compact!)
 Just "CALL" it... whatever was there will be translated...
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
BTW, "EXIT" goes COMPLETELY out of a module...
... also notice everything from last "GOTO MAIN0" to here
... (including the following "EXIT") is NOT GOING TO BE Syntaxed-out
... since they are NOT IN THE IN-STREAM CODE!!!
... Most script languages are generally considered "Compile/Load/Go",
..  similar to mainframe REXX (also availiable for PC), TSO, ISPF
EXIT.
:END

Also, GETEL.BAT has a good example of a FAST way to determine NOT-9x/ME...
(the afore-mentioned 4DOS also caught syntax errors previously not trapped...)

Hope this helps...

l8tr... (gotta put more STUB code to test TABLE/Generic into this...)

P.S. don't forget to take some time out to relax to some tuneage; clears the peanut out!

Wow, that's quite a bit of info for me to wade thru ... it's definitely better if I release v1.95 as it is (working of course) -- with a note for 4DOS users that they will be looked after finally in the next version. But it looks like we're gonna be making lots of improvements ... i definitely will benefit from all these DOS tips ... i'm really bad in some areas eg. directory navigation, paths, and also if i find a method that works, i usually go with that rather than find the "best" method. But keep on keeping on with this stream of info ... lots to wade thru ...

submix8c

Mar 14 2007, 11:34 AM

soporific: you got it!

(side bar; you a musician? notice my ID uses the master section of a mixing board? SoundCraft Spirit Studio 16x8x2

)

soporific

Mar 14 2007, 11:52 AM

QUOTE (submix8c @ Mar 15 2007, 04:34 AM)

(side bar; you a musician? notice my ID uses the master section of a mixing board? SoundCraft Spirit Studio 16x8x2

)

I am actually, and i did notice the mixer --- I've still got my old TASCAM 8 track that looks a bit like that .... incidentally, i was supposed to be putting my music hat on this year and taking off my propellerhead cap but someone loaded Auto-Patcher up onto Softpedia and now everyone's interested in this project ... i may disappear for a bit when v1.95 finally gets out ... i want to start playing with my LYNX Aurora16 !! it hardly has a scratch !! You should post a link to some of your stuff if you have any. I'll do the same ... you first!

AP news: testing in the real world has thrown up a possible problem with DirectX ... i'm just testing out an old hack ... until 9.0c came out, you couldn't use the installer that came with 9.0a or 9.0b to install DirectX unattendedly ... but if you nicked the installer from v8.1 it would work. So i'm just checking out if its still good ...

And also it is possible to totally screw up your computer using the SYSTEM.INI tweaks --- you would have to be trying very very hard and ignoring all my messages and notices, but it is possible and so i have added code and so have to check again ... its coming, promise ...

If anyone's interested, my test machine (real world) is: AMD-K6 500, 256 mb RAM, 10Gb hard disk, SiS 530 chipset. And for coding and testing in a VM, i have a PentiumD 940 at my disposal. Yay!

billygoat

Mar 14 2007, 11:21 PM

QUOTE (soporific @ Mar 13 2007, 02:42 PM)

type this at the command line for me can you:

ECHO Y> "%windir%\wininit.ini"

and tell me if you get any error messages ...

No, silently it creates C:\Windows\wininit.ini containing text "Y".

QUOTE

Good to know, thanks.

QUOTE

heh, heh... mostly over my head, but good. I'll have a another look. Did I miss the instructions on enabling debug/verbose mode?

QUOTE

Excellent, glad to know how you're thinking!

QUOTE

Good, thanks. This probably touches on the main docs issue. I've not been actively searching out unofficial tweaks or updates, so haven't been aware of the community efforts. A few links like that in the readme would help people catch up. Without inclusion in the Auto-Patcher, I wouldn't know about it, but optional status makes me immediately want to do some research. Without a direct link or included comments it's frustrating. So this is good, thanks.

QUOTE

MS says that for EVERY update!

Hah, nuff said! :-)

QUOTE

All good to know. After peeking at your code, I tried my hand at a few GOTO lines to skip individual updates, and by trial and error eliminated the other possibilities for the 10-second delay. I could see I could always comment out the relevant block, too, or just snip it. Generally I wouldn't want to take out things without a good reason, because I don't *want* to have to understand all of these fixes! But it's good it isn't a monolithic executable without possibility of editing for those who wish to do so. I *have* been concerned about the whole issue of some updates requiring others, but as you say, that seems to be pretty bullet-proof in Auto-Patcher.

QUOTE

I'm always adding to the information, but i've been staring at this project for so long now that its hard for me to get a fresh perspective...

Yes, well even poking into it and running it several times I've begun to see it very differently than the first time.

QUOTE

-- i will eventually get around to updating the list of Auto-Patcher contents, but apart from that, what more could we do? Maybe point people to the complete updates list that i maintain --- that one page has all the download links and info links for all the updates currently available. I should add a link to the main page ... good idea 99.

Thanks, Max. :-) Well, now I've had a look at your 'complete list of updates' page, and yes, that's a large part of what I would be looking for, though in the end the MS info pages can cause more trouble it seems! But for ease of use it would be nice to have links directly in the 'features' readme or at least have an html file for the links which has them organized in the same order. But also the unofficial updates and tweaks don't seem to be there, if I'm not missing stuff, so links to threads covering those would be even more important.

But I may not be very clear about what got me going on this. The very fact of having optional modules and optional features in the modules makes the user want more info if they don't already have an opinion. Depends on the type of user it's intended for. When I see you have some things set to bypass by default, I'm reluctant to set them to 'install' without more info, so I'm curious about benefits and consequences. The note you make about one of the updates eliminating the possibility to alter shortcut icons is perfect. It gives me a very clear idea of why you made it optional and why it's set to bypass by default, and made it easy to decide I want to install it anyway.

Anyway, for the most part I'm one who would install *all* the critical security stuff without question (my main purpose) and nearly all of the critical updates based on your recommendation. Everything else I start to be at least a bit curious about, so including links to discussion threads on any of that stuff would be very convenient. (Not so much for me personally now - I think I'm getting there, and I'll just pester you here for anything still unclear - but to make it as clear as possible for others in the future.)

soporific

Mar 14 2007, 11:41 PM

QUOTE (billygoat @ Mar 15 2007, 04:21 PM)

Anyway, for the most part I'm one who would install *all* the critical security stuff without question (my main purpose) and nearly all of the critical updates based on your recommendation. Everything else I start to be at least a bit curious about, so including links to discussion threads on any of that stuff would be very convenient. (Not so much for me personally now - I think I'm getting there, and I'll just pester you here for anything still unclear - but to make it as clear as possible for others in the future.)

Re: more info on all the updates and unofficial hotfixes --- I think this is the only weakness of AP, you are right in saying that for the curious, there's little info at hand on what all these updates are for. How we go about correcting this is another thing. Even though i've already started uploading the execuatable that I want to release, i'm also still doing last minute checks and so if there is any reason to re-upload the file, I will add more information about how to find out more about the updates. I think a link to the complete list, and also a link to MDGx's site is the way to go.

Thanks for all your feedback. I'm sorry we didn't get to the bottom of why Win98 to ME doesn't work for you but as you are the only one to have ever reported problems, i'm going to go ahead with the code as it is. It seems you are able to manually install it so that's good at least.

Just wanted to repeat for all and sundry ... if you were around when I first released v1.0 or v1.5 then you would have noticed the extreme improvement as the program went up in version --- 1.0 to 1.5 was big, 1.5 to 1.8 was very big, 1.8 to 1.92 was quite big, and 1.92 to 1.95 is out of this world !!!! Really, i should indicate this by calling the next release version 3 or something. Anyway, v1.95 it is ... if you haven't checked out Auto-Patcher since v1.80 you are missing out !!!

EDIT: here's the text of the updates.txt file that can be found in the root directory of the project:

CODE

***********************
Updates & Hotfixes Info
***********************

Hi there!

Auto-Patcher for Windows 98se (english) contains many, many more updates and hotfixes than Microsoft ever released, due to a community out there in the real world that doesn't want to upgrade their operating system for whatever reason. Many of the updates were released AFTER Microsoft officially ended support on July 11, 2006 which patch the vulnerabilities discovered since JUly 2006.

The main forum where all these updates come from is -- www.msfn.org -- which stands for the Microsoft Software Forum Network. I discovered the site about two years ago when I was trying to create an unattended boot CD for my Windows 98 machine in order to be able to re-install the operating system quickly and easily. I was successful and the project you are trying out now (or about to try out) is the end result after many months of development of part 2 of the original project. So now I have a CD that will re-install Windows 98se completely hands free (it also does customizations of all setting BEFORE setup starts), and also a program that will fully auto-patch my machine so its completely up-to-date. How cool is that?

To get more information on the following, copy and paste the URL into your web browser and hit ENTER:

The complete list of hotfixes & updates for Windows 98se
 -- with d/l links!! - last update 10th March, 2007
http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=84886

Auto-Patcher for Windows 98se (english) (ie this project's homepage):
http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=80800

Windows 9x Power Pack v4.1
http://www.msfn.org/board/?showtopic=78666
The power pack includes:
 - All Unofficial Service Packs for 98 Gold, SE, And Windows Me.
 - MDGx's 98SE2Me
 - Tihiy's (re-release) RPLite v5, and instructions/zip for lameskin v6 preview.
 - 7-Zip
 - Windows Media Player 9.0 + Codecs
 - MDGx's Windows Media Player 10.0 for Win98SE
 - Xeno86's Kernel Update Project v0.2.7
 - Maximus Decim's NUSB, NUSB Decorator patches
 - Maximus Decim's MDAC update package
 - Maximus Decim's IE6.0 components update for Win98SE
 - Microsoft XML Update

Unattended Boot CD for Windows 98se
 -- v4.4
http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=88008

Tweaks Pack for Windows 98se
 -- v1.20 out now ... 8 new tweaks added
http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=90202

The web site of the guru of Windows OSes (MDGx):
http://www.mdgx.com
his MSFN page (extremely useful!):
http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=46581

The Windows 98 + ME *still* alive campaign
http://www.mdgx.com/spx/

The Windows 95/98/98SE/ME section of MSFN:
http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showforum=8

The Unofficial Win98 SE Service Pack subforum section of MSFN:
http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showforum=91

If i've missed any URLs just say so ... the idea is to give the user of Auto-Patcher awareness of EVERY other unofficial upgrade pack in existence. I thought that the Power Pack would suffice for the unofficial service packs and Maximus Decim's stuff.

Molecule

Mar 15 2007, 09:52 AM

though Iz feelz like a total noob -- me trying offering "advice" on file sharing services -- ha!

This site http://www.openomy.com/ which has a free version which gives 1GB file size, 10GB/mo bandwidth, and a download link to files (so that users don't have to open a free account and log in).

Other file sharing sites were http://www.dropboks.com/ which offers 1GB storage and unlimited BW, and operates on donations; and http://www.omnidrive.com/ which offers 1GB storage, 5GB BW, and java based interface.

I got the links from http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1697,2098950,00.asp. Can't remember how I came across that.

anyway, if this helps, great.

billygoat

Mar 15 2007, 12:01 PM

QUOTE (soporific @ Mar 15 2007, 12:41 AM)

I think a link to the complete list, and also a link to MDGx's site is the way to go.

Sounds good.

QUOTE

I'm sorry we didn't get to the bottom of why Win98 to ME doesn't work for you but as you are the only one to have ever reported problems, i'm going to go ahead with the code as it is. It seems you are able to manually install it so that's good at least.

Yes, I'm covered. I might have a look at MDGx's original package to see if it does the same thing. I can't imagine why it bails out before copying the files, though, but I have almost zero knowledge.

I would say, though, that the failure was amazingly catastrophic on my system, but I guess it goes without saying that everyone using such a package should make sure they have a reliable backup.

QUOTE

...here's the text of the updates.txt file that can be found in the root directory of the project:

Looks good! Thanks again for everything. Looking forward to AP 1.95!

soporific

Mar 15 2007, 11:25 PM

I am going to try to upload again in a few hours ... if you have downloaded the test version or the code, and have any comments or suggestions, get them in quick!

I have already made a change -- the Time Zones update was put into the manual installs folder because it's not a completely unattended hotfix, but I forgot that i know how to use AutoIT, and so i have re-packaged the hotfix and its back inside the Recommended Updates module. I tried to also do the Web folders update, but that is much trickier and so i'm not going to keep at it.

FEEDBACK PLEASE !!!

NEWS UPDATE for v1.95:

I am updating the first post more regularly than this one, so please check that ...

Bugs found in the TEST version:

* When you are in the 2nd modules menu page, if you try to start the "Make Report" function, nothing happens. You can work around this by navigating to the 1st modules menu page and start the report from there. This will be fixed in the release.

* When using the report function, all the "Set to by-pass" updates are logged in the installation log, when they aren't supposed to be logged at all. This will be fixed in the release ...

submix8c

Mar 16 2007, 08:23 AM

soporific et-al

QUOTE

This post has been edited by soporific: Today, 08:26 AM

Time lag between Australia and USA? My clock says 9:43am... When do you sleep? (Scratch that... DUH!!!)

Ennyhoo, I have done some preliminary testing of 4DOS. Appears to be no problem with the following caveat: must make a SINGLE CHANGE "AutoPach.bat" (VER returns 4DOS plus a perfectly good alternate value to detect Win98SE). In addition, you do NOT have to actually INSTALL 4DOS to utilize it and the results are the same; it will run as a "Secondary %comspec%".

Another oddity I have not tried/fixed is (under DOS window) being in another path (e.g. C:\Windows>) then keying the full path (or ..\..\etc.) to the "APfolder\StartPch.bat". Also does not correctly identify the "%LOCATE%" value correctly. WILL find the bugger!!!!

So... I will be downloading your latest upload for inspection/testing. If you find/fix any bugs PLEASE upload JUST the "fixed" modules (etc.) for overlay (as in the v1.5->v1.7 scenario) so I won't be too confused (I may have "old-timer's" disease; no offense any of you other oldsters...).

In the process of gathering variable names/values used to place into tables. Since 4DOS does NOT have to be installed, plan on utilizing it for Table I/O functions AND the wonderful "IF/THEN/ELSE/ENDIF" sequences. VERY similar to some high-end scripting (and programming) languages and convenient as all HE-double-hockey-sticks! Me likey (as a Programmer)!!! Whenever I have a feasible modified test set, I will inform and upload (e-mail?) to/for you and YOU ONLY (after all, this is YOUR project!) for YOUR inspection/testing. I do NOT plan on changing the code, per-se, JUST the methodology (catch-22; I will be changing code...). Oh yeah, 4DOS also obviates the need for FINDCD.COM...

In case U want to check it out (if you already haven't):
http://www.jpsoft.com/download.htm
4DOS for DOS/Win9x is free (MS does not support less than Win2K/NTFS-type either) and has been aroud a LOOOOONG time... 4DOS for NT is NOT free (MS still supports NTFS-style greater than NT4). To use as "Secondary %comspec%", just rename the AUTOEXEC.BAT/001 and CONFIG.SYS/001 and reboot (suggest installing into folder "C:\4DOS" for evaluating).

P.S. I stumbled across the ERRORLEVEL conversion routine (GETEL.BAT) in one of your modules (MainCode.bat)... $ late and a $ short when I passed it to you; BUT at least a method of utilizing was realized... JEEZ, I'm Trying to be Useful here, since I need this too!!!

Don't bother to respond if you don't want to... I KNOW you are busy AND... a month until final release might be realistic; but then again, with all the GREAT feedback and suggestions you've been getting (and hopefully my personal efforts), it may be pushed up. After all the sooner you get to "play with your instrument" the better

.

edit: AWESOME DOWNLOAD SPEED!!! I use FlashGet and have RoadRunner (cable) and speed is up to 600k/s; time to download-8min!!!

l8tr

...

soporific

Mar 16 2007, 08:50 AM

QUOTE (submix8c @ Mar 17 2007, 01:23 AM)

Ennyhoo, I have done some preliminary testing of 4DOS. Appears to be no problem with the following caveat: must make a SINGLE CHANGE "AutoPach.bat" (VER returns 4DOS plus a perfectly good alternate value to detect Win98SE). In addition, you do NOT have to actually INSTALL 4DOS to utilize it and the results are the same; it will run as a "Secondary %comspec%".

Submix8c, quick, please suggest an alternative method for confirming that the user is indeed trying to update a Win98se OS --- what exactly does 4DOS say when you type VER? --- i will download 4DOS and check for myself, but you might reply quicker ... (and i might get it wrong)

some feedback from your earlier post: that method you posted for getting the 'Where-Am-I" value for the PATH ... did you test it with long filenames? I initially thought it worked, but when i was testing out AP when installed in Program Files, it didn't work. Maybe I was too hasty in testing, but ... that's what I found ... this is the code you suggested: CD | ".\BIN\NSET" LOCATE=$1

TO ALL:
The other thing is I am now confident that I can upload the release version of v1.95 when I want to (I have found a very good hoster) -- so i'm just waiting to see if there are any more bugs ... i'll be uploading any second now, so get your FEEDBACK IN while there is still time ... I know it shouldn't be too hard to upload a fix (the bugs will most likely be in the BAT files which are negligible in size) --- but i'd prefer the release to be as perfect as possible...

EDIT:
I'm trying to turn off the brief messages that occur with 4DOS --- i normally would use the CTTY NUL ... [insert code you want to hide]... CTTY CON method but it doesn't work because the messages come from 4DOS loading up ... its not a biggie but if there was a way to easily turn it off, i would do it ...

EDIT2: stuff the messages problem, we have bigger fish to fry ... i'm not sure how easy it is going to be to convert the code to be 4DOS compatible ... i'm already getting ASET errors and I don't know why ... also, some of the commands behave differently eg:

using the DEL command doesn't produce any screen message in MSDOS, but it does in 4DOS. I can add a switch, but my question is: how many changes will i have to make? Is there a handy list of what's different between 4DOS and MSDOS ?? Is there a way to ask a 4DOS user to temporarily use MSDOS while using AutoPatcher? This is our best option rather than making wholesale changes that will then need testing, testing and more testing...

EDIT3:
Well, my analysis is that ... unfortunately, 4DOS support will NOT be added to v1.95 because it appears that too many changes will need to be made to the code to be able to release it without rigorous testing ... i have added code to trap the 4DOS user and tell them all about this rather than let them see the "This will only work in Windows 98se, sorry to get your hopes up" message. At least they will know what's going on ... I have suggested that they un-install 4DOS first so they can use Autopatcher --- they can always re-install it afterwards ... so unless anyone has further info that i don't know about, this is what's happening ...

submix8c

Mar 16 2007, 10:49 AM

soporific

:

Sorry for late reply... was downloading/expanding/inspecting new code (as of 3/15/07 4:51am?)

Ok... MAY have been hasty (maybe not...)

. Here is the "test" check for 4DOS (in AutoPach.bat which is now/also tested for in START_ME.BAT/START_DEBUG.BAT)

CODE

:::::::::::::::::: Support for 4DOS (I THOUGHT, anyway) ::::::::::::::::::
VER | FIND/I "2222" >NUL
:: IF ERRORLEVEL 1 GOTO NOTWIN98
IF NOT ERRORLEVEL 1 GOTO WIN98SE
if "%@eval[2 + 2]%" == "4" echo 4DOS is loaded!
Pause
VER | FIND/I "dos 7.10" >NUL
IF ERRORLEVEL 1 GOTO NOTWIN98
:WIN98SE
:::::::::::::::::: Support for 4DOS ::::::::::::::::::

Use this method to bypass 4DOS until I can figger out this bugger...

ALSO rename the AUTOEXEC.BAT->AUTOEXEC.4DS/AUTOEXEC.001->AUTOEXE.BAT, likewise for the CONFIG.xxx then reboot. This will allow you to "play" (like I am...). A line got added to each. Navigate to the install folder of 4DOS (under DOS window) and enter "4HELP" to get VERY detailed info. If you do not have the time, no worries, mate; I'm on it 'cuz I STILL want to check out the wonderful functions that may STILL be incorporated...

Peace bro!

P.S. Never had an application beat me yet!!!! That's why 200+ people in the office I (used to) work in pestered me A LOT for solutions.... (keywords: HIGH-END programmer/analyst) Saved a multi-million project once just 'cause I knew what I thought was obvious to others (yeah, that's a big Toot-Toot, pat-on-my-own-back).

EDIT: Confuzed??? here is the result for the NSET question...
---
Enter a Filename to find:
x
CD-Rom not found Finding x; HDD=C: IAM=C: LOCATE=C:\_findcd-long
Wanna go again? (y or n)
Enter a Filename to find:
setup.exe
CD-Rom D: found Finding setup.exe; HDD=C: IAM=C: LOCATE=C:\_findcd-long
Wanna go again? (y or n)
---
DOES work!!!

Edit2: DURN! Found the NSET problem

!
I gave you: CD | ".\BIN\NSET" LOCATE=$1
Should be : CD | ".\BIN\NSET" LOCATE=$0
From manual:

QUOTE

string: is usually a token $1...$99 for the n-th word of STDIN, or $0 for a
complete line. But you can use any text string with one or more embedded
tokens to form the resulting string.

Using STDIN, examples:

by PIPE: CD | NSET SDIR=$1 (SDIR=current directory)

from a file: NSET X=$3 < some.txt (X=3rd word from some.txt)

keyboard: NSET IN=$0 (IN=input up to CR)

Tokens $1..$99 refer to "words" from STDIN, defined by the following standard separators:

blank space
comma
semicolon
equal sign
carriage return
line feed

First method truncated at first blank; DOH! (RTFM, rite?) 16-BIT DOS PROGGIES!
More on 4DOS later... finding out how it REALLY works. Currently discovered that for variables passed to the next process (e.g. %1, %2, etc.) that you wrap with quotes (to keep them complete, e.g. "FLDR XX") 4DOS takes LITERALLY when evaluating (result will be ""FLDR XX"") and causes some passed (SPECIFICALLY the new LOC8 variable passed from STARTx.bat to AUTOx.bat) to be horked.
-- Chug, Chug, will keep goin' --

billygoat

Mar 17 2007, 11:44 AM

I've tried 1.95 (no Tweaks) with the same options I used for 1.92.

First, I wonder if 1.92 erroneously skipped the update 'q314941 - Hotfix for Vulnerability in Universal Plug 'n' Play'. 1.95 apparently installs it, even though 1.92 skipped it, claiming I didn't have Universal PnP installed. (At the time, I imagined this might be because I had disabled it in the BIOS at one time, but no, that's no longer true.) I guess now I would suppose W98 has Universal PnP by default, and the update is installed, so I'm good.

More interesting is the IReport.Log shows some weird results. Updates just installed are reported as 'set to by-pass' after the next boot. Maybe this is related to your discussion of reporting bugs. Critical and Recommended is where the trouble starts:
--------------------------------------------------------------------
10:40:20 ++ the Critical & Recommended System Updates module was started
--------------------------------------------------------------------
10:40:33 -- was installed: 98TShoot - Unofficial Windows 98se HTML Help Troubleshooting Fix
10:40:36 -- was installed: ScanFrag - Update of Defrag & Scandisk to Windows ME versions
10:40:40 -- was installed: RichEd9x - Unofficial Rich Text Controls Update (RICHED20.DLL 5.40.11.2220)
10:40:42 -- was installed: UCopy2GB - Unofficial Fix for Bug When Copying Files Over 2gb in Expl