[jumper]

> Here's the sdbcreate I built earlier today: download

Thanks...it confirmed my worst fears.

http://dependencywalker.com/faq.html

"You do not need (or want) APPHELP.DLL on Windows 95/98/ME/2000."

The bad news: Sdbcreate needs apphelp.dll which won't be working on win9x anytime soon (too many dependencies, too low priority):

"Usage: sdbcreate.exe dbspec.ini out.sdb [out.reg]\n"

The good news: This is MSI-related and we don't really need the MSI installer. Once users have 4.52 installed, they can update individual files; or we can create a new installer that can be built on Win9x.

[Drugwash]

Thanks Den, I got it. Update went smoothly.

Jumper, sdbcreate should build a file called KernelEx.sdb that's required by the NSIS (not MSI) installer to build the KernelEx installation package. Without that file, the installer script bails out, so we cannot build a KernelEx installer under 9x unless the .nsi script gets modified (which I don't think we should try).

[Xeno86]

Drugwash,

While I've added these files to repository a couple of days ago to the repository I didn't update source code packages which I'm correcting now.
I've just updated source code distribution on SourceForge to include the files in question.
http://sourceforge.n...KernelEx/4.5.2/

---

Jumper,

KernelEx.sdb is a special database containing Microsoft Installer (MSI) transform files. These files allow the system to modify the MSI files on the fly so you don't have to mess with Orca by hand, eg. remove VersionNT dependencies.
Having that said, KernelEx.sdb needs to be recreated only if new transforms are added.

Currently there are transforms for:

• Google Earth 5.1
  
• Google Earth 5.2
  
• Google Earth 5.2.1
  
• Google Earth 6 beta
  
• Office 2007 File Format Converters
  
• Word Viewer 2003
  
• Excel Viewer 2003
  
• Office 2003 Professional
  
• Acrobat Reader 7

[Drugwash]

Excellent! Now that KernelEx.sdb is in the package, the NSIS installer gets built without a hitch. It's a bit larger though: 229,518 bytes versus original 228,428 bytes. But as it turns out, that's entirely the fault of NSIS (can be seen by opening both original KEx and the newly built one in 7-zip - Packed Size for $PLUGINSDIR is 182,410 vs 181,320). Maybe I should've installed v2.44 instead of 2.46 but that's me: pushing things to the limit.

Well, all in all, things went just fine. Where to, now?

[PROBLEMCHYLD]

Drugwash, on 25 February 2013 - 06:53 PM, said:

Well, all in all, things went just fine. Where to, now?

Send me a test package. LOL, Thanks

[MiKl]

Drugwash, on 25 February 2013 - 06:53 PM, said:

Well, all in all, things went just fine. Where to, now?

Hmmm, I think most of us would benefit if KernelEX could be updated to get the latest browser version/build as possible to work flawlessly.
Maybe also Java 7 and up ?

This is so exciting and I wish I could help but I don't understand one bit of programming

[Drugwash]

Well, what we need most is a whole lotta luck, right now. I don't know much of programming either, when it comes to real languages such as C/C++/C#, Delphi, ASM and so on. I could read and possibly understand portions of code, but not the "full picture", unfortunately. I've been working mostly with AutoHotkey, which is a macro language, interpreter-based, single-threaded, completely unsuitable for kernel-related tasks. I can at most build a few small utilities to aid in programming or daily computer operation, but other than that, I'd leave it to much more knowledgeable people.

Thing is, all (or greatest majority) of nowadays' applications are completely disregarding RAM, CPU, storage limitations, considering the new hardware's capabilities. However, us 9x users cannot benefit from newest hardware, but are limited to old one that we can still find drivers for. As such, any software we use should take into account the maximum RAM size (512MB for standard 98SE, 1.15GB or more for ME or R. Loew's patch users), maximum CPU type (instruction sets, speed, number of cores, etc), maximum HDD storage considering the FAT/32 file system and cluster size, maximum USB speed (no USB 3.0+ drivers for 9x) and whatever else I may have omitted here.

Since nowadays' software doesn't care about the above, we either need programmers that could build drivers for newest hardware, or programmers that could build a whole new set of applications with regard to the 9x limitations mentioned above. But then, another issue arises: old hardware will eventually fail, spare parts will be hard - and at some point, impossible - to find and with no drivers for new hardware, we will be forced to give up. And personally, I would rather give up internet and computers as a whole, than being just an extension of 'the cloud'. Simple as that!

[jumper]

A good place to start might be to review and update all the version strings.

Most of the DLL's have product version "4.5.2" and file version "4, 5, 12, 0".
Sheet.dll has product version "1, 0, 0, 7" and file version "1, 0, 0, 7"
At the end of the install (or whenever run) verify.exe reports "v4.5.120".

I suggest updating all product versions to "4.5.3" and verify.exe to "v4.5.3"

Also the copyrights are 2009-2010; should be 2009-2011 (at least).
Comments, Legal Trademarks, Private Build Description, Special Build Description can be removed (unless you want to use them).

Edit: Just realized you might want to start a new topic "KernelEx 4.5.3 alpha"!

This post has been edited by jumper: 27 February 2013 - 04:58 PM

[Leyok]

It will be 4.6.0, the changelog will include (but will be changed during the development):

Spoiler

added to ADVAPI32 :
	- LogonUserA (implemented)
	- RegOpenUserClassesRoot (implemented)
added to KERNEL32 :
	- AttachConsole (implemented)
	- CreateRemoteThread (implemented)
	- GetModuleFileName (implemented)
	- GetThreadId (implemented)
	- GetProcessIdOfThread (implemented)
	- GetProcessShutdownParameters
	- HeapQueryInformation, HeapSetInformation and HeapValidate (all nearly implemented)
	- HeapWalk (unimplemented)
	- InitializeSListHead (implemented)
	- Interlocked*SList (some unimplemented)
	- QueryDepthSList (implemented)
	- SetProcessShutdownParameters (implemented)
core: implemented new handle manager functions (see common/kexcoresdk.h for new functions)
fixed in KERNEL32 :
	- VirtualxxxEx functions : now creating a remote thread to the target process that will allocate/free memory
user32:
	- implemented desktop and window stations functions, now support multiples desktops
	- implemented GetShellWindow and GetLastInputInfo
	- new ExitWindowsEx function for Win9x : properly log off the current user and able to close
	                     other apps will the system is interrogating an app to log off
	- OPTIMIZATION: some APIs that don't need thunk down to USER.EXE were remade like EnableWindow, GetParent, and some others...
	- fixed LockWorkStation(): RUNDLL no longer crash
shell32:
	- DllInstall (stub to Win98)
	- DllRegisterServer (stub to Win98)
	- DllUnregisterServer (stub to Win98)
	- ShellExec_RunDLL (implemented)
ntdll:
	- LdrLoadDll (implemented)
	- LdrUnloadDll (implemented)
	- NtAllocateVirtualMemory (implemented)
	- NtClose (implemented)
	- NtCreateProcess (unimplemented)
	- NtCreateThread (nearly implemented)
	- NtDuplicateObject (implemented)
	- NtFreeVirtualMemory (implemented)
	- NtGetContextThread (implemented)
	- NtOpenFile (nearly implemented)
	- NtOpenProcess (implemented)
	- NtOpenThread (implemented
	- NtRaiseHardError (implemented)
	- NtResumexxx (implemented)
	- NtSetContextThread (implemented)
	- NtSuspendxxx (implemented)
	- NtTerminatexxx (implemented)
	- NtWaitForSingleObject (implemented)
	- Rtl*CriticalSection (implemented)
	- RtlInitAnsiString (implemented)
	- RtlInitAnsiStringEx (implemented)

some minor fixes
Kernel32 process can't be terminated from now (added the terminating flag to the process at init)

This post has been edited by Leyok: 27 February 2013 - 05:35 PM

[rainyd]

Leyok, it would be possible to use a good defragmentation tool like Defraggler when you release a new version of KeX?

[Leyok]

rainyd, on 27 February 2013 - 06:12 PM, said:

Leyok, it would be possible to use a good defragmentation tool like Defraggler when you release a new version of KeX?

The setup run fine, but the app is linked to some missing exports, I'll see what I can do.

This post has been edited by Leyok: 27 February 2013 - 06:32 PM

[dencorso]

Leyok, on 27 February 2013 - 05:32 PM, said:

It will be 4.6.0, the changelog will include (but will be changed during the development):

As soon as you decide to release it, Leyok, please do open a new thread. I'll make it sticky as soon as I see it.

[ivanbuto]

Leyok, on 27 February 2013 - 05:32 PM, said:

It will be 4.6.0, the changelog will include (but will be changed during the development):

It would be great to implement changes so that the latest version of Opera can be used on Windows 98, including fixes for opening links from external programs (which currently crash Opera).

[CyberyogiCoWindler]

Please urgently support a newer Firefox version.

eBay has yesterday changed their page design and now contains tons of javascripts those make it so horrendously slow that it turns almost unusable. I already disabled the "remaining time" entry on the search results page (attempts to redraw now about every second, while each redraw takes 30s, which makes the browser almost freeze). Also long search entries are now printed over the 1st displayed eBay item and so prevent clicking on it.

This post has been edited by CyberyogiCoWindler: 19 March 2013 - 06:30 PM

[Drugwash]

Unfortunately, Firefox has become a huge resource hog. I have to use it everyday under XP and at some point it takes about 1GB of memory + HDD space, goes slower and slower until it can't be operated anymore and needs restarted. Of course, this may also be the fault of certain extensions I have active, but if it wasn't for those, I wouldn't be browsing the Internet nowadays. I have a fixed monthly download quota and can't afford to waste it with useless advertising, Flash and whatnot.

Guys, I'm afraid we need a new browser, designed from scratch for Win9x, that can use HTML5 but can also be able to reject all that advertising that's cluttering the pages. But I already know the answer to that: "keep dreaming..."

[Dave-H]

Drugwash, on 20 March 2013 - 08:29 AM, said:

Unfortunately, Firefox has become a huge resource hog. I have to use it everyday under XP and at some point it takes about 1GB of memory + HDD space, goes slower and slower until it can't be operated anymore and needs restarted. Of course, this may also be the fault of certain extensions I have active, but if it wasn't for those, I wouldn't be browsing the Internet nowadays. I have a fixed monthly download quota and can't afford to waste it with useless advertising, Flash and whatnot.
Guys, I'm afraid we need a new browser, designed from scratch for Win9x, that can use HTML5 but can also be able to reject all that advertising that's cluttering the pages. But I already know the answer to that: "keep dreaming..."

Opera 12.02, the last version which will work on 98SE with KernelEx at the moment, is probably the best you'll do for now.
It does have its idiosyncrasies when running under 98, but is perfectly usable.
Of course many people on the Opera forum say that it's a resource hog too, although I personally haven't found that to be particularly the case.
I don't use extensions, just an ad blocker which works very well indeed!

This post has been edited by Dave-H: 20 March 2013 - 08:46 AM

[Drugwash]

It's kind of you to try and help and I thank you for that.

Over the years, I've attempted to use Opera in its different versions. None of them was able to perform what I needed, there were bugs, missing features, illogical behavior and so on. I'm sworn not to touch Opera again. If it were the last available option, I'd rather cancel my Internet subscription and I mean it.

There are a few open-source projects at SourceForge. Many of them are .NET-based but some are C/C++ or Qt. Of all I've tried, three might be usable, but need fixes and improvements:
- dplus
- Internet Surfboard
- Weltweitimnetz Browser
Unfortunately, my main system has a bad habit of breaking the video driver short after launching these new browsers (and also k-meleon, SeaMonkey and old Firefox 3.5), so I can't say which is best. Maybe someone else could try them out and share their experience. KernelEx may be needed - my system has a lot of updates (AutoPatcher, Revolutions Pack, KernelEx, manually updated system files) and can run all of them but that video issue (crash in NVDISP.DRV) prevents me from a thorough testing.

[Dave-H]

Drugwash, on 20 March 2013 - 09:31 AM, said:

It's kind of you to try and help and I thank you for that.
Over the years, I've attempted to use Opera in its different versions. None of them was able to perform what I needed, there were bugs, missing features, illogical behavior and so on. I'm sworn not to touch Opera again. If it were the last available option, I'd rather cancel my Internet subscription and I mean it.

Fair enough!
I've been using Opera as my main browser for many years, and never had a serious problem with it, but maybe I've been lucky!

[Drugwash]

Well, there's a lot of variables in this equation: hardware capabilities, driver versions, additional software, settings and then it boils down to browsing habits. It's bound to work for some and fail for others. That's why we need viable alternatives.
Anyway, let's not go off-topic here.

[loblo]

Drugwash, on 20 March 2013 - 09:31 AM, said:

Over the years, I've attempted to use Opera in its different versions. None of them was able to perform what I needed, there were bugs, missing features, illogical behavior and so on. I'm sworn not to touch Opera again. If it were the last available option, I'd rather cancel my Internet subscription and I mean it.

You need about 2-3 days to become used to Opera. Past that period, you then wonder how you've been able to live without it and regret you haven't made the plunge sooner. That was my experience anyway.

Opera 12.02 is the best browser we've got. Period. And it's the best by a big margin IMO. I've got about 30 extensions installed, several of which are interacting/parsing every page I view and it's still way faster than Firefox without extensions. The only extension I have installed that slows things a bit down is "No Google Search Redirect" which strips redirection from every google search result and this affects only google search obviously.