[MDGx]

PsycoUnc, on Jan 10 2006, 02:23 AM, said:

"thx for noticing"... lol...
-thx for correcting that one mistake, but... that doesn't correct the overall 98se2me flaw... I hate to yell at ya, since you've done so much to help all of us, BUT... ya realllllly need to make sure this flaw doesn't happen w/other files, by making sure every (I know, this hurtz) file replaced by 98se2me first checks version numbers... if not, then we can't trust 98se2me in the future, which would be VERY unfortunate...
-perhaps a loop call with a data file, would make it much easier than coding every single file call... -have u thought about doing 98se2me with other than just batch files? -perhaps a very simple virtBasic/etc prog?

I thought of using INF and/or VBS scripts [I have no programming knowledge, any help from you guys is always appreciated], but that would require a major rewrite, and unfortunately I don't have as much time as I need to do this. Maybe 1 day...

BTW:
Yelling never helps.
But feedback does.

I have checked option 2 files list against XP SP2 files list:
http://www.mdgx.com/98-5.htm#XP
and cabinet.dll is the only 1 that needed to be removed from option 2, because the 1 installed by XP SP2 is newer.
EXTRAC32.EXE 5.2.3790.0 installed by 98SE2ME [all options] is newer than XP SP2, because it is from 2003 Server setup CD.

As you well know, I've spent 1 year [since 1-20-2005 when I started this] creating + improving 98SE2ME, but like everybody else, I'm not perfect, therefore 98SE2ME cannot be [especially because of the nature of this particular project] perfect, there will always be some kind of flaw, error, bug etc...
And that's why I opened up this forum, to get feedback from as many as possible testers [thank you guys!].
IMHO that's the only way this project can be improved.
Therefore please keep sending your feedback, it is always welcome and valuable, because this way I can correct whatever errors/bugs/flaws/etc I fail to catch on my own.

Hope this helps.
____________________________________

crashnburn, on Jan 10 2006, 02:21 PM, said:

with all the positives that the 98SE2ME has done for my particular unit, a 1.4ghz.......... would it be possible to install a DVD-RW that stated for an XP/2000 OS???

I'm afraid you need to post more details about what exactly you want 98SE2ME to do.

In case this is what you want...
please see the "FAQ" chapter from READ1ST.TXT:
READ1ST.TXT
Here's a fragment:

Quote

* Including all these > 700 WinME system files into a custom built [eventually
unattended, MSBATCH.INF based]Win98 SE Setup CD/DVD requires tedious work and
lengthy research, because we're talking about modding an entire OS here, in
order to abide by MS standards, which include among other things:
- making sure checksum detection [mostly INF code] corresponds with
altered/replaced files code;
- keeping original CAB structure, which means repack ALL Setup CABs after
replacing files inside: MS Setup CABs are interlinked, which means certain
files are split among multiple CABs.
Unfortunately I don't have [some of] that information, nor time to investigate
or create necessary scripts.
If anybody wishes to pursue such projects, please post your detailed
results/scripts here:
http://www.msfn.org/...hp?showforum=91
so we can all benefit.
More info + needed tools:
http://www.mdgx.com/add.htm#DEV
To add 98SE2ME scripts + Windows ME Setup CD CABs to your unattended Windows
98 SE Setup CD/DVD:
- Copy ALL *.CAB files from \WIN9X [Windows ME Setup CD] to your CD/DVD.
- Open with Notepad or similar plain text editor/viewer ALL *.BAT + *.INF
files from C:\9!M and replace ALL C:\9!M text strings with X:\9!M where X is
your CD/DVD drive letter.
- Copy ENTIRE C:\9!M folder + ALL its files modified as detailed above
[installed by 98SE2ME.EXE] to your CD/DVD.
- Add these lines to your CD/DVD MSBATCH.INF (example = modify if necessary):

-----Begin cut & paste here-----
[Install]
RunPostSetupCommands=98SE2ME
[98SE2ME]
"X:\9!M\E0!X.BAT"
------End cut & paste here------

where X is your CD/DVD drive letter.
E0!X.BAT is responsible for installing all ~ 700 WinME system files completely
unattended: 98SE2ME option 2.

Hope this helps.

[Marius '95]

Hi!
I am a new user of 98SE2ME and I found a compatibility problem with 98lite. Maybe someone already reported it but I don't have time to read all these topics and posts. Sorry.

The problem:
I used 98lite to replace Windows 98 Explorer interface with Windows 95 version. 98SE2ME installation failed.
I tried to put back Win98 Explorer, install 98SE2ME and then switch to Win95 Explorer. Installation was OK but 98lite made a complete mess when I tried to switch to Win95 Explorer.

I found a solution to the problem. Install in the following order:
0) Backup all files mentioned below.
1) Install 98lite and switch to Win95 Explorer
2) Copy EXPLORER.EXE and SHELL32.DLL to a new directory. I will name it "Explorer95".
3) Run 98lite and switch to Win98 Explorer
4) Install 98SE2ME
5) Restart to MS-DOS mode
5) Rename SHELL32.DLL to SHELL31.DLL
6) Edit COMDLG32.DLL using a hex editor and replace "SHELL32.DLL" with "SHELL31.DLL". (SHELL32.DLL appears in 2 places)
7) Delete EXPLORER.EXE
8) Copy EXPLORER.EXE and SHELL32.DLL from Explorer95 directory to their original locations.
Done!

Note1: I didn't test this on another computer!
Note2: SHELL32.DLL will be the old version, from Windows 95. Some programs don't run.

[MDGx]

Marius, on Jan 12 2006, 04:16 PM, said:

Hi!
I am a new user of 98SE2ME and I found a compatibility problem with 98lite. Maybe someone already reported it but I don't have time to read all these topics and posts. Sorry.

The problem:
I used 98lite to replace Windows 98 Explorer interface with Windows 95 version. 98SE2ME installation failed.
I tried to put back Win98 Explorer, install 98SE2ME and then switch to Win95 Explorer. Installation was OK but 98lite made a complete mess when I tried to switch to Win95 Explorer.

I found a solution to the problem. Install in the following order:
0) Backup all files mentioned below.
1) Install 98lite and switch to Win95 Explorer
2) Copy EXPLORER.EXE and SHELL32.DLL to a new directory. I will name it "Explorer95".
3) Run 98lite and switch to Win98 Explorer
4) Install 98SE2ME
5) Restart to MS-DOS mode
5) Rename SHELL32.DLL to SHELL31.DLL
6) Edit COMDLG32.DLL using a hex editor and replace "SHELL32.DLL" with "SHELL31.DLL". (SHELL32.DLL appears in 2 places)
7) Delete EXPLORER.EXE
8) Copy EXPLORER.EXE and SHELL32.DLL from Explorer95 directory to their original locations.
Done!

Note1: I didn't test this on another computer!
Note2: SHELL32.DLL will be the old version, from Windows 95. Some programs don't run.

Many thanks for your fix.
I have added it under the "KNOWN BUGS + FIXES" chapter in READ1ST.TXT:
READ1ST.TXT

Multumesc si mult noroc.

[jimmsta]

I think I made the mistake of using option 2 on a 2GHz machine... Now it takes ~ 3 minutes to boot, the usb wifi adapter wifi manager application crashes after 5 minutes... and the system performace is slow, overall. This is on a 2GHz celeron w/640MB RAM, and a fully tested hard drive/ram... My testbed for these sorts of things.

Seeing the newly released 1-16-06 release, I'll have to test it out and see if any issues are due to some of the new files (however, I doubt it, and it's probably related to ndis.vxd). Also, msgsvr32 crashes at random... but I have always had that crash on ALL WinMe systems I have ever used... even in vmware.

[RainyShadow]

jimmsta, on Jan 17 2006, 07:06 PM, said:

Also, msgsvr32 crashes at random... but I have always had that crash on ALL WinMe systems I have ever used... even in vmware.

About msgsvr32 crashes... is there any driver which you always install, even in vmware? might be a driver for a virtual device too, like a software midi synth,daemon tools,etc.
Does it crash before installing all needed drivers and applications? If not, try to find which driver/app causes this crash and switch it with another version.

Hope this helps

This post has been edited by RainyShadow: 17 January 2006 - 03:42 PM

[MDGx]

jimmsta, on Jan 17 2006, 10:06 AM, said:

I think I made the mistake of using option 2 on a 2GHz machine... Now it takes ~ 3 minutes to boot, the usb wifi adapter wifi manager application crashes after 5 minutes... and the system performace is slow, overall. This is on a 2GHz celeron w/640MB RAM, and a fully tested hard drive/ram... My testbed for these sorts of things.

Seeing the newly released 1-16-06 release, I'll have to test it out and see if any issues are due to some of the new files (however, I doubt it, and it's probably related to ndis.vxd). Also, msgsvr32 crashes at random... but I have always had that crash on ALL WinMe systems I have ever used... even in vmware.

Unfortunately I can't reproduce your hardware/software settings to see where the problem is.
If you have time, please compare the files installed by 98SE2ME option 2 into %windir%\SYSTEM with the ones you had from before. That is if you selected to create the backup into C:\W98SEOLD .
Then you could restore old files back to original locations 1 at a time [or small groups of related files], using only the ones you suspect caused the slowdown, of course.
If you come up with something, please post your findings here.
Many thanks for your time + concern.

About MSGSVR32 crashes, I googled some articles which may be of use:
http://www.google.co...=msgsvr32+crash
Here are a few:
http://www.generatio...uf/ermsgs32.htm
http://support.micro....com/?id=262998
http://forums.thatcomputerguy.us/?showtopi...indpost&p=80197
http://www.glencove....khware.html#g10
http://forums.techguy.org/windows-95-98-me...-shut-down.html
http://www.cybertechhelp.com/forums/archiv...php/t-1527.html
http://www.pcguide.c...read.php?t=1949
http://www.uni-giessen.de/faq/archiv/ms-wi...7/msg00007.html
http://uk.europe.creative.com/support/foru...d.asp?thre=8582
Hope this helps.

PS:
How did you install 640 MB of RAM, do you have 3 [or more] RAM banks that support RAM sticks of different amounts?
Maybe [just a thought] your crashes and/or slowdowns are caused by RAM sticks with different specs [CAS, RAS, frequency etc].
It is usually advised to install all RAM sticks of the same kind, and if possible [optional] of same RAM amount.
This depends mostly on what kind of mobo you have.

This post has been edited by MDGx: 17 January 2006 - 04:09 PM

[el.sagitario]

so what is the best thing to do ?
what should be the best order of installations available here?
why not fussion all these artwork into one big transplant?
any way until this happens what do i replace first? suggestion?

[jimmsta]

I'm going to try again with a new install. for now, I really don't think it has anything to do with 98se2me. It's probably something to do with my way of installing things...

On a completley different topic, I was wondering if you've tried getting the Windows Me program "tuneup.exe" working on a 98se machine? The dependencies are listed if you try running the executable in WinXP. It seems that tuneup.exe contains a few reg entries, and a script file that runs scandisk, disk cleanup, compression agent, and disk defragmentor. The file itself is tagged as being copyright 1998, but has the WinMe name. as far as I can tell, the program itself was kept hidden, and unused... or at least, I've never seen it run...

[MDGx]

el.sagitario, on Jan 18 2006, 03:52 PM, said:

so what is the best thing to do ?
what should be the best order of installations available here?
why not fussion all these artwork into one big transplant?
any way until this happens what do i replace first? suggestion?

Most of these questions [and many others] are already answered in detail in READ1ST.TXT:
READ1ST.TXT
under the FAQ section.

If you meant by "fussion all these artwork into one big transplant" that Gape's SP2, 98SE2ME, NUSB and eventually Tihiy's RP should merge in 1 happy package, that's not possible, because of the completely different purposes of each of these packages, and even if this could be done, there will be lots of conflicting files and tweaks/settings/etc, that would render your OS totally unusable.
But there are [still available, I believe] 2 huge packages that bundle all of the above [you can install separately or setup your OS to install unattended and then install them sequentially from dedicated scripts], and much more [but these are not supported by Gape, Tihiy, myself or any other separate package developers, for obvious reasons = see above]:
the_guy: Windows 98/98 SE/ME Option Pack (OP) Full [100 MB] + Lite [33.5 MB]:
http://www.msfn.org/...showtopic=52318
jimmsta: Windows 98 PowerPack [344 MB ISO]:
http://www.msfn.org/...showtopic=57352

Hope this helps.
________________________________________________

jimmsta, on Jan 18 2006, 09:25 PM, said:

On a completley different topic, I was wondering if you've tried getting the Windows Me program "tuneup.exe" working on a 98se machine? The dependencies are listed if you try running the executable in WinXP. It seems that tuneup.exe contains a few reg entries, and a script file that runs scandisk, disk cleanup, compression agent, and disk defragmentor. The file itself is tagged as being copyright 1998, but has the WinMe name. as far as I can tell, the program itself was kept hidden, and unused... or at least, I've never seen it run...

Great idea.
I never tried WinME tuneup.exe under 98 SE.
I will, and will post my findings here.

Thanks for the tip.

[suta]

hello Mdgx, why don't you include the msn gaming zone? its nice.. convinient and so much better to find opponent online..

[MDGx]

suta, on Jan 20 2006, 11:41 PM, said:

hello Mdgx, why don't you include the msn gaming zone? its nice.. convinient and so much better to find opponent online..

Thanks for your tip.
The idea crossed my mind, but haven't tried the MS internet games from WinME yet.
I'll try them out and if they work, I'll add them to 98SE2ME.

[winxpi]

suta, on Jan 21 2006, 12:41 AM, said:

hello Mdgx, why don't you include the msn gaming zone? its nice.. convinient and so much better to find opponent online..

It's already included in

Quote

Upgrade Pack 98 !!!!!!+ © by X-Pachner ®
50 Microsoft Updates,USB-Mass Storage Device Drivers for Windows 98,Internet-Games,Movie Maker 1.0 with 287564 Update, and many more

Here's the proof.

This post has been edited by winxpi: 31 January 2006 - 03:09 PM

[MDGx]

Ok, I give up.
I have added all 5 "MSN Gaming Zone" WinME internet games.
Run 98SE2ME option 1 or 2. Then run 1 of these shortcuts to play:
Start button -> Programs -> Accessories -> GameZone -> run Backgammon, Checkers, Hearts, Reversi or Spades.
Enjoy.

PS:
Windows XP + 2003 CDs include newer versions of these internet games.
________________________________________________

jimmsta, on Jan 18 2006, 09:25 PM, said:

On a completely different topic, I was wondering if you've tried getting the Windows Me program "tuneup.exe" working on a 98se machine? The dependencies are listed if you try running the executable in WinXP. It seems that tuneup.exe contains a few reg entries, and a script file that runs scandisk, disk cleanup, compression agent, and disk defragmentor. The file itself is tagged as being copyright 1998, but has the WinMe name. as far as I can tell, the program itself was kept hidden, and unused... or at least, I've never seen it run...

I have tried tuneup.exe from WinME, and when I allowed it do its thing, it ran cleanmgr.exe, which erased most of my C drive, and if I wouldn't have stopped it, it would have also erased most of my D drive.
I restored all my files/folders from backups, but that's not the point.
If it did that on my computer, it can do even worse on others' computers, so I don't consider it safe enough to add it to 98SE2ME.

This post has been edited by MDGx: 08 February 2006 - 12:51 AM

[jimmsta]

Whoa... holy crap. I didn't expect for something like that to happen... I think I'll stay away from that file for now...

[Marius '95]

I found another bug:
After installing 98SE2ME, MPLAYER.EXE v4.90.3000 from Windows directory does not start. Error: MPLAYER caused an invalid page fault in module <unknown> at 0000:84017398.

Solution 1: Do not copy MPLAYER.EXE from WinME. Version 4.10.1998 from 98 works fine.
Solution 2: Remove MCIQTZ.DLL form Windows\System\ The new version of MPLAYER starts OK without it.

Note: I saw this error on WinXP too. Micro$oft bug?

[MDGx]

98SE2ME · UPDATED · 2-8-2006

Please see the top of this topic for most recent 98SE2ME update.
____________________________________________

Marius, on Feb 7 2006, 11:58 AM, said:

I found another bug:
After installing 98SE2ME, MPLAYER.EXE v4.90.3000 from Windows directory does not start. Error: MPLAYER caused an invalid page fault in module <unknown> at 0000:84017398.

Solution 1: Do not copy MPLAYER.EXE from WinME. Version 4.10.1998 from 98 works fine.
Solution 2: Remove MCIQTZ.DLL form Windows\System\ The new version of MPLAYER starts OK without it.

Note: I saw this error on WinXP too. Micro$oft bug?

Thanks a lot Marius '95 for noticing this bug.
I've also noticed this bug a while back, but didn't pay much attention to it, thought it was due to M$ installing WMP [6.4/7.0/7.1/9.0] to replace MPLAYER.EXE with WMPLAYER.EXE [or MPLAYER2.EXE].
I have also noticed this under XP, no matter if SP1(a) or SP2 are installed or not.

P.S.:
On my PC with 98SE2ME [option 2] + all updates installed, this IPF error happens no matter which MPLAYER.EXE version I use.
WMP 9.0 installed [with WMP9 from XP SP2 "enhancements"].
I have even tried MPLAYER.EXE from Win95B OSR 2.0 setup CD. No go.

This post has been edited by MDGx: 08 February 2006 - 01:04 AM

[MDGx]

jimmsta, on Jan 17 2006, 10:06 AM, said:

... even in vmware.

BTW:
Just in case some don't know yet, VMWare Server Edition is now freeware:
http://www.vmware.com/products/server/
Where to d/l:
http://www.vmware.com/download/server/
The only catch = they log all customers:
Must login with unique ID in order to receive SN:
http://www.vmware.co...8/serverbeta.do
New customer registration login:
http://www.vmware.co...ustomerLogin.do

See d/l links for both Windows + Linux here [scroll down to or search within the page for VMware Server Beta]:
http://www.mdgx.com/xptoy.htm#2KXP

Have fun.

This post has been edited by MDGx: 09 February 2006 - 03:05 AM

[Eck]

I just used System File Checker to extract MPLAYER.EXE from the Windows\OPTIONS\CABS folder where I have my 98SE setup files stored.

That's the same thing as extracting it from Dos, right?

And I just checked back to see that it doesn't matter which version, eh? Oh well. I use WMP 9 anyway. Hmm, let's see...

Hey, I just ran the mplayer.exe from the Windows folder (the original, restored version) and it starts fine! I wonder why it wouldn't?

Let's see...

I've got MCIQTZ.DRV and MCIQTZ32.DLL in the System folder, but no MCIQTZ.DLL. Maybe that's it? Why do I have the 32 bit dll and some systems have the MCIQTZ without the 32? Maybe the MCIQTZ.DLL is replaced by the 32 bit one by some update I apply but some folks don't?

I do WMP9 and the security updates for it, the WMP7 Bonus Pack, the Microsoft WM codecs for the 6 player, the WMP9 VCM, the WMF7 install and the WM codec for the 7+ player, as well as the WMP10 codecs for the 9 series 98SE player and the WMencoder 7. I also install Microsoft WorksSuite 2005 and I don't know what that might install.

This post has been edited by Eck: 08 February 2006 - 05:29 PM

[PROBLEMCHYLD]

suta, on Jan 21 2006, 12:41 AM, said:

hello Mdgx, why don't you include the msn gaming zone? its nice.. convinient and so much better to find opponent online..

the msn gaming zone for xp works with 98se
newer faster and better

This post has been edited by PROBLEMCHYLD: 08 February 2006 - 09:09 PM

[Eck]

Heh, maybe someday they'll be a ME2XP? Seems unlikely though.

Jeez, I think we can just go to the gaming zone and play all these without the shortcuts, no? They just were put there for advertising reasons to get folks to check out the zone. Nobody will miss the XP version of the shortcuts, I suspect.