[bristols]

MDGX,

Could you please spell out the options available to someone who has installed 98SE2ME (with Option 2/the system files) and who wants to update GDI32.DLL and GDI.EXE to the latest available version (e.g., 4.90.3003, as found in the latest 918547 unofficial hotfix for ME)? Can these files be safely replaced by hand/DOS? I ask this in the light of the "EXTREMELY IMPORTANT" message in 918547.txt about the need for a reboot.

Also, am I right in thinking that to be protected from the vulnerabilities addressed by 891711, I must keep the temporary fix version (U891711, with the running KB891711 process) because there's no unofficial update for the ME versions of USER32.DLL and USER.EXE (which I have as a result of using Option 2 in 98SE2ME)?

TIA.

[myelin]

Hello, i wanted to know that whether this project adds some new features to MS Paint, like saving as Gif or Jpeg. Thanks for any replies.

[dencorso]

Dear MDGx:
I do appreciate your 98SE2ME a lot.
But the modded SYSDM.CPL 4.90.3001 included in it, besides saying "Microsoft Windows 98 Second
Edition", instead of "Microsoft Windows ME", suppresses the display of the version info to avoid the
old "4.90.3000 A" version mistake from appearing. But there it remains...
So I decided to try my hand at it and modded once again the SYSDM.CPL 4.90.3001, which I got from
ME280800.EXE, for it to say "Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition", but did not suppress the version
info display. All I accomplished up to this point was to get the "4.90.3000 A" version apearing once more...
But, it turns out that SYSDM.CPL gets its version info from inside USER.EXE (of which I use 4.90.3001,
of course!). In fact, the ASCII string "4.90.3000" can be found inside it exactly three times. The last one
is part of the version info resource, so I let that one alone and hexedited the other two to be "4.10.2222",
and, bingo!, now SYSDM.CPL shows the windows version correctly as "4.10.2222 A". I have been using
these two modded files on my system for over a fortnight now, and have detected no adverse effects
from the above described mods. So I feel confident they are safe. Hence I decided to post here about
my modded files, in case you, or any other member of the forum, find them interesting.
They can be uploaded at http://rapidshare.co...8442/Nu_Mod.zip
Keep on the great work!

[MDGx]

dencorso, on Jun 29 2007, 01:23 AM, said:

... the modded SYSDM.CPL 4.90.3001 included in it, besides saying "Microsoft Windows 98 Second
Edition", instead of "Microsoft Windows ME", suppresses the display of the version info to avoid the
old "4.90.3000 A" version mistake from appearing. But there it remains...
So I decided to try my hand at it and modded once again the SYSDM.CPL 4.90.3001, which I got from
ME280800.EXE, for it to say "Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition", but did not suppress the version
info display. All I accomplished up to this point was to get the "4.90.3000 A" version apearing once more...
But, it turns out that SYSDM.CPL gets its version info from inside USER.EXE (of which I use 4.90.3001,
of course!). In fact, the ASCII string "4.90.3000" can be found inside it exactly three times. The last one
is part of the version info resource, so I let that one alone and hexedited the other two to be "4.10.2222",
and, bingo!, now SYSDM.CPL shows the windows version correctly as "4.10.2222 A". I have been using
these two modded files on my system for over a fortnight now, and have detected no adverse effects
from the above described mods. So I feel confident they are safe. Hence I decided to post here about
my modded files, in case you, or any other member of the forum, find them interesting.
They can be uploaded at http://rapidshare.co...8442/Nu_Mod.zip

Thanks a lot for your work.
I have added your modded files to 98SE2ME options 1 + 2.

This is how to install these modded files if one already installed 98SE2ME options 1 or 2 before [excerpt from UPDATES.TXT]:

Quote

MUST copy these files manually into %windir%\SYSTEM because they are NOT
replaced IF SAME builds already installed:
1. Exit to native/true/real/pure MS-DOS mode:
Start button -> Shut Down... -> Restart in MS-DOS mode -> OK button.
2. Run these commands or save them using Notepad as DOS Style BATch file and
then run it:
ATTRIB +A -H -R -S %winbootdir%\SYSTEM\SYSDM.CPL
ATTRIB +A -H -R -S %winbootdir%\SYSTEM\USER*.*
COPY/Y/Z %winbootdir%\SYSTEM\USER32.DLL %winbootdir%\SYSTEM\USER32.W98
COPY/Y/Z %winbootdir%\SYSTEM\USER.EXE %winbootdir%\SYSTEM\USER.W98
IF EXIST C:\9!M\SYSDM.CPL COPY/Y/Z C:\9!M\SYSDM.CPL %winbootdir%\SYSTEM
IF EXIST C:\9!M\USER*.* COPY/Y/Z C:\9!M\USER*.* %winbootdir%\SYSTEM
3. Type WIN and press Enter to (re)load Windows.

HTH

[MDGx]

myelin, on Jun 28 2007, 12:24 PM, said:

Hello, i wanted to know that whether this project adds some new features to MS Paint, like saving as Gif or Jpeg. Thanks for any replies.

Thanks for your feedback.

Those features require to install (1) fixed MS Paint executable and (2) MS Paint Graphic Filters package:
http://www.mdgx.com/add.htm#PNT
and is beyond the scope of 98SE2ME, which is only a 98 SE to ME upgrade package.

98SE2ME options 1 + 2 install 2 MS Paint filters from WinME CABs/CD-ROM, the only ones included in the Graphic Filters package mentioned above:
MSJPEG32.DLL
MSPCX32.DLL
This is the list of all 98SE2ME installed files + and their locations:
http://www.mdgx.com/98-5.htm#FME
All other filters from the Graphic Filters package are from other packages/updates/(hot)fixes/SPs/etc.

Besides, WinME MSPAINT.EXE is buggy, must be replaced with the fixed executable mentioned above:
http://www.mdgx.com/add.htm#PNT

HTH [Hope This Helps]

[myelin]

@MDGX: Thanks for the Graphics filter package link. Now MS Paint is opening and saving jpeg and gif files.

[Hu$tle]

1.How many files exactly do 98SE2ME install?

2.Why isn't the patch Notepad that erpdude8 fixed added
don't get me wrong the pfe is cool but its for people like you
who is computer savvy with all those advance features i'm a basic
person.

3.Whats the purpose of option 6 if option 1,2 install the file anyway
and can get it here
http://www.mdgx.com/files/EXPLOR98.EXE

4.Files that are not replaced but re-named do they add registry keys if so
thats a problem registry will continue to get bigger for nothing

option 1 installs all files
option 2 installs all WinME files only
option 3 remain as is
option 4 really no purpose for it,if one wanted it option 1 will do the trick.
option 5 really no purpose for it,if one wanted it one will have they own preference
option 6 really no purpose for it
option 7 should be re-named to option 4
then option 5 could be a option to only install games or whatever
(not a bad idea)

5.When we choose the option to backup the system
is it possible to have the back up files compress to a M$ cab file
to keep space on the hard drive.Space is like money to me don't have alot of it.

6.wmi/wbem works on 98SE i have tested and witness no bugs
it also has an update ME260710.EXE which need to be applied

and there you go cleaner and smaller 98SE2ME without a hassle insight.
thanks for a darn good Win98SE systems

This post has been edited by Hu$tle: 12 July 2007 - 12:24 AM

[awergh]

well you need the other options because i only use option 2 because i dont want some of that extra stuff like pfe and me usb stuff. and by removing some of those options wouldnt really effect the size because its only like 3mb because it extracts the files from the winme cab files rather than including them.

[Hu$tle]

awergh, on Jul 11 2007, 07:49 PM, said:

well you need the other options because i only use option 2 because i dont want some of that extra stuff like pfe and me usb stuff. and by removing some of those options wouldnt really effect the size because its only like 3mb because it extracts the files from the winme cab files rather than including them.

option 2 install all the files except
logo,pfe
it also install the usb stuff so what are you talking about

[awergh]

i installed 98se2me and what i did was the copy all 600 system files and then it asked me if i wanted usb stuff and i said no.

what i meant was it is good to have multiple options so that you can have some of the smaller things without having everything, but 98se2me has probably changed since i last used it since i dont upgrade my install i only install 98se2me on a new installation

[MDGx]

bristols, on Jun 23 2007, 12:39 PM, said:

MDGX,

Could you please spell out the options available to someone who has installed 98SE2ME (with Option 2/the system files) and who wants to update GDI32.DLL and GDI.EXE to the latest available version (e.g., 4.90.3003, as found in the latest 918547 unofficial hotfix for ME)? Can these files be safely replaced by hand/DOS? I ask this in the light of the "EXTREMELY IMPORTANT" message in 918547.txt about the need for a reboot.

Also, am I right in thinking that to be protected from the vulnerabilities addressed by 891711, I must keep the temporary fix version (U891711, with the running KB891711 process) because there's no unofficial update for the ME versions of USER32.DLL and USER.EXE (which I have as a result of using Option 2 in 98SE2ME)?

TIA.

I have removed GDI*.* 4.90.3003 from 98SE2ME and reverted back to GDI*.* 4.90.3002 because of this problem [from UPDATES.TXT, the 8-22-2006 update]:

Quote

* Options 1 + 2: replaced newer WinME GDI32.DLL + GDI.EXE 4.90.3003 from
unofficial WinME Q918547 MS06-026 security fix with older GDI32.DLL + GDI.EXE
4.90.3002 from unofficial WinME Q912919 hotfix:
http://www.mdgx.com/web.htm#MEU
to avoid power management errors. [thank you PROBLEMCHYLD]

But if you determine that those files [4.90.3003] work ok on your Win98 SE computer, please feel free to install them any way you want.

I have added those "extremely important" warnings because I was notified by soporific that some people try to install an update twice [I have no idea why], without rebooting after the 1st install. So with some updates [exe installers created with iexpress] that actually deletes the original files, effectively locking up the OS after reboot, because those updates rename the original system file(s) in order to back them up, but fail to install the new ones 2nd time over.
I've also added a reboot message that pops up at end of install, for same purpose.

You are right, there are no USER*.* files to protect you from the vulnerabilities addressed by 891711, if using WinME.
I am waiting to see if the anonymous author decides to fix those WinME files, that's why I haven't removed them yet from 98SE2ME.

HTH

[MDGx]

Hu$tle, on Jul 11 2007, 01:52 PM, said:

1.How many files exactly do 98SE2ME install?

2.Why isn't the patch Notepad that erpdude8 fixed added
don't get me wrong the pfe is cool but its for people like you
who is computer savvy with all those advance features i'm a basic
person.

3.Whats the purpose of option 6 if option 1,2 install the file anyway
and can get it here
http://www.mdgx.com/files/EXPLOR98.EXE

4.Files that are not replaced but re-named do they add registry keys if so
thats a problem registry will continue to get bigger for nothing

option 1 installs all files
option 2 installs all WinME files only
option 3 remain as is
option 4 really no purpose for it,if one wanted it option 1 will do the trick.
option 5 really no purpose for it,if one wanted it one will have they own preference
option 6 really no purpose for it
option 7 should be re-named to option 4
then option 5 could be a option to only install games or whatever
(not a bad idea)

5.When we choose the option to backup the system
is it possible to have the back up files compress to a M$ cab file
to keep space on the hard drive.Space is like money to me don't have alot of it.

6.wmi/wbem works on 98SE i have tested and witness no bugs
it also has an update ME260710.EXE which need to be applied

and there you go cleaner and smaller 98SE2ME without a hassle insight.
thanks for a darn good Win98SE systems

1. All replaced files are listed here:
http://www.mdgx.com/98-5.htm#FME
as specified in READ1ST.TXT [under the "FAQ" section]:
http://www.mdgx.com/9s2m/read1st.php

2. I am actually considering replacing PFE with fixed WinME Notepad [probably in the next update], and thus eliminate option 5 altogether.

3. Actually, now that erpdude8 sent me the newer explorer.exe 4.72.3612.1710 fix [from MS IE 4.01 SP2], the older one you mention just became obsolete, so I'll remove explorer.exe 4.72.3612.1700 completely from 98SE2ME in the next update, and thus eliminate option 6 altogether.
This way I kill 2 birds with the same stone [or shoot 2 rabbits with the same bullet, if you wish ], and avoid potential conflicts with option 3 [for people that install EXPLOR98.EXE], which installs [among other files] explorer.exe 5.50.4134.100 from WinME CABs.

4. Files from WinME that are renamed, like MSCONFIG.EXE renamed to MECONFIG.EXE, or MMSYS.CPL renamed to SOUNDS.CPL, or SIGVERIF.EXE renamed to SIGVRFME.EXE, do not add new/different/weird registry entries after being renamed, because registry entries are dictated by internal code, not be external file name.

I am actually considering creating a new option to install the WinME games separately.
I believe option 4 should be kept, some people don't want to install 98SE2ME, but want the logos [which also install as part of option 1], so it should be optional.
As I said above, I will delete options 5 + 6.

5. Good idea, I will add a backup option [in a future update] to zip up all backed up files into a single archive [zip or cab, easy to decompress with available tools provided by the OS].

6. I will probably add WMI/WBEM in a future update, I just need more testing.

HTH [Hope This Helps]

[MDGx]

awergh, on Jul 12 2007, 01:16 AM, said:

i installed 98se2me and what i did was the copy all 600 system files and then it asked me if i wanted usb stuff and i said no.

what i meant was it is good to have multiple options so that you can have some of the smaller things without having everything, but 98se2me has probably changed since i last used it since i dont upgrade my install i only install 98se2me on a new installation

About being asked to install or not USB files:
98SE2ME usually does not install newer WinME files if same versions of those files have been installed previously.
98SE2ME performs file-by-file version check using getver.exe .

HTH

[Hu$tle]

Thanks for your replies and
and if you replace the the Notepad with WinME version can you keep the WinXP newer looking
icon also

I have made a list of the files you have removed

SYSTRAY.EXE
VCACHE.VXD
MPREXE.EXE
DEVMGR32.DLL
MPLAYER.EXE
SHIMGVW.DLL
NETAPI.DLL,
NETAPI32.DLL
NETDI.DLL
NETOS.DLL
MSVCIRT.DLL
DSKMAINT.DLL
FIOLOG.VXD
DRVSPACE.EXE
DRVSPACE.SYS
DRVSPACX.VXD
MFC42.DLL

some of these files should be added back like office files
MSWRD832.CNV
WRITE32.WPC
MSOWS409.DLL
because everybody don't have a copy of office products and everybody might
not install the unofficial service pack.
also with these files being removed i would like to asked if they can be re-tested
only because we have had so many newer updates/patches etc...
that might fixed the bugs these files were causing.
files like shell32.dll explorer.exe user32.dll all have been updated
so they might help in fixing bugs
also do these removed files work well with option 3 instead of option 1+2
alot of people don't used option 3 but i do.Will they be better suited there.

I really would like to see a final build thats why i'll give it all i got.
you have my support a 100%

This post has been edited by Hu$tle: 20 July 2007 - 07:04 PM

[MDGx]

Hu$tle, on Jul 15 2007, 09:41 PM, said:

Thanks for your replies and
and if you replace the the Notepad with WinME version can you keep the WinXP newer looking
icon also

I have made a list of the files you have removed

some of these files should be added back like office files
MSWRD832.CNV
WRITE32.WPC
MSOWS409.DLL
because everybody don't have a copy of office products and everybody might
not install the unofficial service pack.
also with these files being removed i would like to asked if they can be re-tested
only because we have had so many newer updates/patches etc...
that might fixed the bugs these files were causing.
files like shell32.dll explorer.exe user32.dll all have been updated
so they might help in fixing bugs
also do these removed files work well with option 3 instead of option 1+2
alot of people don't used option 3 but i do.Will they be better suited there.

I really would like to see a final build thats why i'll give it all i got.
you have my support a 100%

Thanks for your feedback.

98SE2ME 7-18-2007 update installs fixed NOTEPAD.EXE 4.90.3001 [as part of options 1 + 2] which has the WinXP Notepad icon. Although...

Quote

MUST copy NOTEPAD.EXE 4.90.3001 manually from C:\9!M into %windir% because
it is NOT copied IF older NOTEPAD.EXE 4.10.199x or 4.90.3000 NOT present in
%windir% .

... as specified in UPDATES.TXT:
http://www.mdgx.com/9s2m/updates.php

I have removed those files you mention not because they are part of [or suitable for] MS Office or whatever other packs/software, but because newer versions than the ones installed by 98SE2ME [from WinME CABs or from WinME updates/fixes] can be installed from other sources/packs/fixes/updates, and which I strongly recommend to install, because newer versions usually fix bugs/security flaws.

SHELL32.DLL, EXPLORER.EXE + USER*.* files have been updated, but only for Win98 SE [4.10.xxxx], not for WinME [4.90.3xxx].
98SE2ME installs only WinME files, among which are the files above.

Option 3 installs only the files that otherwise do not work properly if installed separately. They must be installed together or not at all.

HTH

[Hu$tle]

Is SHELL32.DLL 5.50.4134.120 added to 98SE2ME because i was reading
and it said SHELL32.DLL 5.50.4134.100 was installed from the cd.
I think you missed my point about option 4 the boot logos
this is what i was saying
option 4 really has no purpose only because option 1 will install option 4 the boot logos
now think about for a second who is gonna install only option 4?
other than that i appreciate your work with the utmost thanks again.

[PROBLEMCHYLD]

Hu$tle, on Jul 11 2007, 02:52 PM, said:

1.How many files exactly do 98SE2ME install?

I counted over 800 files including option 3

[AbyssHunted]

Just a quick question:

I've allready installed the latest 98SE2ME (July 18th), but every time I boot my machine, during the processing of AUTOEXEC.BAT, I get messages saying something like this:

ATTRIB firstfilename
1 file(s) copied
0 file(s) copied

ATTRIB secondfilename
1 file(s) copied
0 file(s) copied

etc...

Is this supposed to happen every time I boot?

[BPoller]

Did anyone tranlated 98SE2ME into german already. Only found some postings from somebody who wanted to try. I am using Win98SE again, since i got some Thin Clients which i want to make Win98 CF-Card boot into RAM-Disk ready. Have used Win2k the last 5 years, but found Win98 on friends PCs to fix often. And now i am interested to make a small up2date Win98SE like so many did before.

I own legal german licences of Win95 original, Win98SE, WinME (and Win2k).
- The unoffical ServicePack v2.1d is available in german
- IE6 & OE Updates are available in german
- USB 1.1 & 2.0 UpdatePacks (NUSB?) are available in german
- The Revolution Pack 7 is available in german (following the readme)
- KernelEX does not need special Language as far as i remember

If there is no offically posted german version, i would like to try it myself, also i dont want to invent the wheel twice (as we say in Germany).
And if there are other Tweak-Packs which are needed to translate, i would be lucky, if i could help.

Beeing my first posting here, i also want to say hello and wish to join your group of Win98SE-is-still-alive fans.

[MDGx]

Hu$tle, on Jul 20 2007, 07:25 PM, said:

Is SHELL32.DLL 5.50.4134.120 added to 98SE2ME because i was reading
and it said SHELL32.DLL 5.50.4134.100 was installed from the cd.
I think you missed my point about option 4 the boot logos
this is what i was saying
option 4 really has no purpose only because option 1 will install option 4 the boot logos
now think about for a second who is gonna install only option 4?
other than that i appreciate your work with the utmost thanks again.

1. SHELL32.DLL 5.50.4134.120 was added to 98SE2ME back in December 2006 [as stated in UPDATES.TXT, the 12-13-2006 update]:
http://www.mdgx.com/9s2m/updates.php

Quote

12-13-2006
* Option 3: added newer SHELL32.DLL 5.50.4134.120 [%windir%\SYSTEM] from WinME
hotfix:
http://www.mdgx.com/web.htm#MEU

Also, READ1ST.TXT states under the "98SE2ME.PIF COMPLETE GUIDE" section, the "* Option 3:" sub-section:
http://www.mdgx.com/9s2m/read1st.php

Quote

- Patched WinME Shell 32-bit Control = SHELL32.DLL 5.50.4134.120:
http://www.msfn.org/...showtopic=84451
available at:
http://www.mdgx.com/web.htm#MEU

2. Actually some people here, at MSFN, told me a while back, they would like to see a separate option for installing the 98SE2ME logos, so I haven't removed it.

HTH