[Multibooter]

Drugwash, on 07 June 2012 - 10:00 AM, said:

I don't have a (working) router in my house, connection goes through a GPRS modem (ZTE MF-190 or something). No clue on the hardware used by my ISP along the way.

Your modem http://www.alibaba.c..._modem.html?s=p seems to be recent. Perhaps changing your FTP settings (bigger local cache, I increased mine from 4096KB to 40960KB) could help if the files not downloaded were big files, as I would speculate. Or repeat the download for just the missing files. Or try another modem, maybe the FTP of your modem doesn't work with the hardware of your ISP...

[Multibooter]

submix8c, on 07 June 2012 - 10:49 AM, said:

Hmmm. maybe something to do with C-Drive and marked Active(? normally required). More than likely using System Commander is causing problems. BOOTEDIT does NOT alter any other file (there's even a tab to display the contents).... "unofficial" updates?

The C partition is Primary and Active. I have copied BOOTEDIT.EXE + BOOTEDIT.HLP to the root of C: and ran it there, with the attributes SHR of MSDOS.SYS set to on and off, same error message. Unofficial updates can probably be excluded, but I currently can't check with an opsys selection which just has a virgin Win98SE installed, this computer is busy with a long download.

From the name of the program "BOOTEDIT" I would speculate that it also tries to modify the boot sector (if it does, then BOOTEDIT would be useless to me). System Commander swaps in its own boot code, so perhaps the error message by BOOTEDIT is misleading and BOOTEDIT doesn't find something in the System Commander boot record.

This post has been edited by Multibooter: 07 June 2012 - 11:44 AM

[Drugwash]

Multibooter, on 07 June 2012 - 11:01 AM, said:

Drugwash, on 07 June 2012 - 10:00 AM, said:

I don't have a (working) router in my house, connection goes through a GPRS modem (ZTE MF-190 or something). No clue on the hardware used by my ISP along the way.

Your modem http://www.alibaba.c..._modem.html?s=p seems to be recent. Perhaps changing your FTP settings (bigger local cache, I increased mine from 4096KB to 40960KB) could help if the files not downloaded were big files, as I would speculate. Or repeat the download for just the missing files. Or try another modem, maybe the FTP of your modem doesn't work with the hardware of your ISP...

The modem is under lease from the ISP, on subscription and alternatives are much more expensive and less advantageous, something I can't afford.
FlashGet never had trouble downloading big files over HTTP or other protocols, but one never knows. Not sure if there's any such FTP cache setting in FG.

submix8c said:

@Drugwash - the POINT of my post is to save you some hassle - MY LIST IS ACCURATE! By REPLICATING the List on YOUR downloads and LINE COMPARING, you have what you need to "correct" your download. I do NOT have TC, and DirPrt is... FREE!!! (Not sure about TC but you DO get the point, don't you?).

WHY should ANYONE "browse a list" when the Method I indicated will yield ONLY NECESSARY "FIXES"? After all I didn't suggest "browsing" ANYTHING! I could easily use my method for Comparison against ANY "version" of the ResKit (Much like BeyondCompare)! BTW, I also have DirPrudence for Directory/File comparisons and CompareIt for contents comparisons (hence "Tool of your choice").

Well, the tool of my choice is TC and what you do with a dozen separate apps I can do with only one, provided any necessary plug-ins (which are mostly freeware/open-source) are installed and properly configured.

To the point: the list you provided has the same format as my .lst, only it has the extra MD5/CRC that the TC plug-in DiskDirExtended doesn't provide. Even so, changing file extension from .txt to .lst allows me to browse the folder tree in your list - difference is that date and time will be zero. The point of this "browsing" is to have a direct visual of the folder tree structure, as opposed to a long list of files and folders in a hard-to-define order. Other than that, to each their own.

Please note I am not directly interested in the Reskit itself - as I can build my own tools when necessary - but more in the quirks of FTP downloading and other side-effects of this exercise. If anything, we just share personal experience. Thanks for your input so far.

[submix8c]

To each their own...

[Multibooter]

Drugwash, on 07 June 2012 - 12:46 PM, said:

FlashGet never had trouble downloading big files over HTTP or other protocols, but one never knows. Not sure if there's any such FTP cache setting in FG.

I like the download log of FlashGet. Downloading a whole FTP site (e.g. 2000 files), instead of just a few files, clutters up this log, so FlashGet doesn't appeal to me for this task. After downloading with FlashGet, the left pane of FlashGet started to fill up with lots of subdirectories, which take quite some time to delete again.

I haven't found a setting in FlashGet for changing the cache size, but there are so many settings, and getting FlashGet to work with this FTP site and hardware, may turn into a learning exercise, by trial-and-error

BTW, adding in -> Tools -> Site Explorer -> Tools -> Site Explorer Options into the field FTP Extra List Command (after "-la", with a leading space) "-T" (or "-lT"??, "l" of (L)IST) may perhaps have an impact on file dates. Under Beyond Compare v2.5.3 I have selected this parameter for "Complete Time", together with "-a" for "Show Hidden". I am not sure about the FTP commands, "-L" stands for "Resolve Links" in the Beyond Compare (I have not selected this setting). Maybe an FTP expert can find parameters which may help.

This post has been edited by Multibooter: 07 June 2012 - 02:45 PM

[Multibooter]

Drugwash, on 07 June 2012 - 12:46 PM, said:

Please note I am not directly interested in the Reskit itself - as I can build my own tools when necessary - but more in the quirks of FTP downloading and other side-effects of this exercise. If anything, we just share personal experience. Thanks for your input so far.

@dencorso: Do you think it would be helpful to add a subtitle to this topic, like: "from an interesting FTP site"? This would cover the 2 sub-topics discussed here.

[submix8c]

Multibooter, on 07 June 2012 - 02:35 PM, said:

I like the download log of FlashGet. Downloading a whole FTP site (e.g. 2000 files), instead of just a few files, clutters up this log, so FlashGet doesn't appeal to me for this task. After downloading with FlashGet, the left pane of FlashGet started to fill up with lots of subdirectories, which take quite some time to delete again.

In the left-hand pane right-click on "Downloaded", click "New Category". Now when you Download, change the "Category" and all will show up under that one. It's how to "organize"... otherwise, everything by default shows up under "Downloaded" (and "Default Download Location" is "C:\Downloads"). Right-Click on that newly-created Category to change the "Default Download Location" (of which the default is "C:\Downloads\CategoryFolderName").

There is no such thing as a "Cache"... Files/Folders are directly allocated and directly "copied" There is no "intermediate" - does NOT work like Windows FTP "copy" (which uses your "TEMP" directory). Download any LARGE file and watch it "allocate" that space pre-download.

The only "cache" (per se) that I know of is the MTU in the Router (if using one) and TCP/IP settings. I've used TCP Optimizer to increase throughput on the OS.

As far as the "Extra Commands", I'd venture to say that since FlashGet is using proprietary HTTP/FTP methods that '-la" means List using Any Installed Protocol (ref. this also this).

HTH

[Multibooter]

Windows 98 Resource Kit Beta Release
There is also an earlier version v98.0.1.110 of the Win98 Resource Kit. The CD creation date is 22-Jan-1998. The tools on it are nearly all different versions from those on the Book CD and from the FTP site.

I have attached a scan of the CD, from my collection. I have also added a screen shot of the beta version to posting #120 http://www.msfn.org/...post__p__999860 , for easier comparison.

Attached File(s)

•  CD_RKWin98_Beta.jpg (14K)
  Number of downloads: 6

This post has been edited by Multibooter: 08 June 2012 - 06:18 PM

[JorgeA]

Multibooter, on 08 June 2012 - 06:01 PM, said:

Windows 98 Resource Kit Beta Release
There is also an earlier version v98.0.1.110 of the Win98 Resource Kit. The CD creation date is 22-Jan-1998. The tools on it are nearly all different versions from those on the Book CD and from the FTP site.

I have attached a scan of the CD, from my collection. I have also added a screen shot of the beta version to posting #120 http://www.msfn.org/...post__p__999860 , for easier comparison.

Multibooter,

Do you know what it means (on the CD in the screenshot) when it says that it "expires" on 12/31/98?

--JorgeA

[Multibooter]

JorgeA, on 08 June 2012 - 08:55 PM, said:

Do you know what it means (on the CD in the screenshot) when it says that it "expires" on 12/31/98?

Hi JorgeA,
Only the Windows 98 Beta 3 operating system installation expires, not the Windows 98 Resource Kit. The tool apps can all run as standalone and don't expire.

I have attached a screen shot of the Tools Management Console BETA. The About screen says "Version 1.0 Release". In contrast, the About screen of the Book CD and of the FTP version says "Microsoft ® Management Console 1.2".
In the screen shot there is also "Cfgback", a tool neither on the Book CD nor in the FTP version. The Beta version appears in the Add-Remove list as "Microsoft Windows 98 Resource Kit", the Book CD and the FTP versions as "Microsoft Windows 98 Resource Kit Tools".

The printed book has printed on the cover "Special Limited Edition! Includes Windows 98 Beta 3 (Time-Limited Beta Preview)". The back of the book states: "The Microsoft 98 Resource Kit, Beta release, is the first full technical överwiew for corporate administrators and support professionals evaluating Windows 98 for their organizations." The Beta CD includes a special WIN98RK.HLP for the utilities on the Beta CD, but does not include an eBook version (.CHM) of the printed Resource Kit.

Attached File(s)

•  RKWin98_BETA_Limited_Edition.jpg (4.23K)
  Number of downloads: 4
•  RKWin98_Beta_About.gif (16.31K)
  Number of downloads: 16

This post has been edited by Multibooter: 09 June 2012 - 03:09 AM

[JorgeA]

Multibooter,

Thanks a bunch for the complete, comprehensive answer -- wow!

--JorgeA

[bphlpt]

Well now that there have been three different versions identified, with slightly different tools and docs available, here is what I would be interested in.

First off, note that forensic accuracy is not important to me at all. Functional accuracy is. I would like to understand the list of all the tools available in the different versions, what each tool does, and for tools that were in early versions of the Resource Kit but were removed in later versions I would like to know why they were removed and if they would still be of any use even if they are no longer supported. Essentially I would like to see a merger of the three versions with everything that is still worth having. If everything that is worth having is in the last version, ie the one still on the server, then except for forensic accuracy I see no reason for continued discussion of the other versions.

Cheer and Regards

[Multibooter]

bphlpt, on 09 June 2012 - 10:19 AM, said:

Well now that there have been three different versions identified ...

The scan and screen shot in posting #150 http://www.msfn.org/...ost__p__1000579 is of released Beta 1, v98.0.1.110.
The Book CD has v98.0.1.118. So there are possibly 7 more versions of the Windows 98 Resource Kit Tools. The question is which versions were released, and which versions were not released.

It would be interesting to know the criteria used by Microsoft to classify a version as a "Release", compare the screen shot in posting #150. The sold Beta version v98.0.1.110 is classified as a Release in the About screen. What about a beta version distributed free-of-charge to external beta testers? I was not really a technical guy, but I was given a beta version on floppies of Windows 95 Arabic, and signed some kind of agreement around 1996, if my memory is not playing tricks on me. Somehow I remember the Middle Eastern version came out late, MS had issues and eventually moved the Arabic localization back to the US. The documentation of the beta consisted of several volumes of fast-bound sheets, no idea whether I still have the stuff, so I can't check the About screen whether it contains the term "Release". I am sure in this forum there are real beta-testers who can clarify this term.

Quote

First off, note that forensic accuracy is not important to me at all. Functional accuracy is.

Not released versions, which possibly were not for sale but emanated somehow, from the archives or otherwise, thru dark channels, might become of particular interest to some crazy collectors. In some collecting areas, e.g. historic banknotes, the unreleased/not-for-sale stuff, e.g. sketches and artist designs, essays, specimen and proofs of bank notes, or sheets of finished and unfinished banknotes, are in particular demand by collectors. And next to these crazy collectors are even crazier experts, who certify the genuineness and trace the provenance/origin.

Here an example of a collectible Microsoft Windows 3.0 Resource Kit, 1991, offered at ebay for $140 http://www.ebay.com/...1-/150821656392 In the item description there is no indication whether the 3 floppies are still readable, "Due to Age Sold AS-IS", so even unreadable floppies, with zero functionality, may be collectible.

Quote

I would like to understand the list of all the tools available in the different versions, what each tool does, and for tools that were in early versions of the Resource Kit but were removed in later versions I would like to know why they were removed and if they would still be of any use even if they are no longer supported.

This sounds like a major project. Possibly an initial step could be to de-compile the WINRK98.HLP/WINRK98.CHM files of the various versions and compare them, these files are index and docu files of the various versions. Go ahead

More extensive info is probably available in the archives of Microsoft, and could eventually reach the public, if and when MS is merged or goes belly up. There was, for example, a high demand by collectors, when the archives of private security printing companies, which printed banknotes, stock and bond certificates or postage stamps of many countries, were auctioned off.

Quote

Essentially I would like to see a merger of the three versions with everything that is still worth having.

No idea if such a hypothetical merger with stuff from various owned CDs would be legal. A description of files of an eclectic selection could be interesting, but what if more versions of the Win98 Resource Kit are discovered?. Again, go ahead, at your own peril

This post has been edited by Multibooter: 09 June 2012 - 07:39 PM

[Multibooter]

Creating an installation source of the Windows 98 Resource Kit Tools
The creation of an installation source which contains just the Win98 Resource Kit Tools, not the other applications thrown in, is very easy:
Simply create a folder which contains the whole Book CD (or FTP site), without the subfolder \APPS\. From the Beta1 CD, the installation source can be created from the folder \RESKIT\, again without the subfolder \APPS\.

WARNING: The installation process from the Book CD source and from the FTP source (perhaps also from the Beta1 source, not tried) overwrites and modifies RESKIT.STF in the installation source, if the installation source is on a HDD. No idea what information is written into the RESKIT.STF file in the installation source. It's a good idea to have a backup of the original installation source, e.g. as a .rar file. The sizes of the rared up installation sources are 7.6MB for the Beta1 CD (no eBook), 16.4MB for the Book CD and 16.0MB for the FTP site, all including a 3% recovery record.

The .rar files created from the installation sources also permit some interesting experiments:
By extracting 2 rar files flat (i.e. -> right-click on rar file -> Extract files -> Advanced tab -> select Do not extract paths) 2 folders with just the files of the various Reskit sources can be created for an easier comparison, without subfolders (on the original sources of the various versions, corresponding files are contained in different folders). I am attaching a screen shot of the comparison with Beyond Compare v2.5.3 of the files of the Beta1 CD vs the files on the Book CD, both extracted flat without paths.

In the Beyond Compare screen shot only the files different in a binary compare are indicated, with the display of version, size and modification time (incl. seconds). The different files of the Beta1 CD are displayed in the left pane, and the different files of the Book CD are displayed on the right pane, for example:
- BATCH.HLP exists on the Beta1 CD only, BATCH98.CHM only on the Book CD, reflecting a change from .HLP to .CHM
- BOOTEDIT.EXE, differs on both CDs, even if they have the same version number
- CFGBACK.EXE exists only on the left, the Beta1 CD, not on the the Book CD
- CHAT(1).ADM on the right pane of the Book CD was created by WinRAR during the flat extraction, because 2 files with the same name existed in different folders, perhaps a source of bugs

This attached screen shot shows that a comparison of the features etc of various versions of the Win98 Resource Kit would be quite a project. BTW, I am running out of space for uploading images, so I will delete some uploaded screen shots and scans shortly.

Attached File(s)

•  Beta1CD_vs_BookCD_differences_flat.gif (33K)
  Number of downloads: 12

This post has been edited by Multibooter: 09 June 2012 - 10:57 PM

[Multibooter]

RK98BOOK.CHM, the actual eBook
I am attaching a screen shot, showing a comparison of the 2 versions of the eBook RK98BOOK.CHM, which I apparently didn't upload with my posting #48 http://www.msfn.org/...post__p__999203

OT: Uploaded screenshots
I am archiving and then deleting some of the screenshots etc which I have uploaded here, I am running out of space for new uploads

@submix8c:
I just saved your screenshot in posting #63 http://www.msfn.org/...post__p__999298 , before you delete it, it's a gif with 90KB, you must be running out of upload space too. Sometimes gifs are smaller, sometimes jpgs. I usually have the compression factor of uploaded jpgs set to 50% in Paint Shop Pro 7, so a screenshot of about the same quality would use only 60KB upload space, which is still a lot somehow.

After I made a screen shot or scan with Paint Shop for uploading to msfn.org, I:
- sometimes reduce the image size
- then reduce the colors to 256
- then save a copy of both as gif and jpg_50%
- then upload the smaller of the two.
But I am still running out of space Perhaps you could have reduced the size of the 90KB gif uploaded to about 30-40KB, with the indicated sequence.

Attached File(s)

•  RKWin98_MSDN_vs_1st_version.gif (38.8K)
  Number of downloads: 8

[loblo]

PNG is smaller than GIF by about 30% or so for applications screenshots such as those you post.

[Multibooter]

Thanks loblo, I'll check it out with the next uploaded screen shot.

Tools Included with the Microsoft Windows 98 Resource Kit
KB247024 Rev1.3 http://support.microsoft.com/kb/247024 of 25-Jan-2007 seems to list the applets included in the Win98 Resource Kit Tools of the older v98.0.1.118 (Book CD). The listing includes FileWise.exe, which is not contained in the newer v98.0.1.119 (FTP site). The KB listing does not include CFGBACK.EXE of the Beta1 CD.

KB247024 Rev1.3 does not mention that there are several versions of the Microsoft Windows 98 Resource Kit.

BTW, the Beta1 CD includes in \FILE\ a DOS file copy utility CP.EXE v5.0.1708.1, 46864 bytes, modified 16-Nov-1997, which is not listed in WIN98RK.HLP of the Beta1 CD.

This post has been edited by Multibooter: 10 June 2012 - 02:25 PM

[dencorso]

Here's the Nov 13, 2001 version of KB247024 for comparison.
Whatever revisions were there dealt solely with the html code (i. e.: the presentation). The content, AFAICS, remained exactly the same.

[bphlpt]

loblo, on 10 June 2012 - 01:17 PM, said:

PNG is smaller than GIF by about 30% or so for applications screenshots such as those you post.

As an example of how much better that PNG can be Multibooter, I downloaded the screenshot from your last post, which as a GIF was 38.7KB, loaded into IrfanView and saved it as a PNG with the highest compression level and it became 19.1KB, less than half the size. That should free up some space for you.

Cheers and Regards

 RKWin98_MSDN_vs_1st_version.png (19.16K)
Number of downloads: 4

This post has been edited by bphlpt: 11 June 2012 - 09:56 AM

[PROBLEMCHYLD]

It would be great to combine all 3 packages into 1.