End of support for Windows 98 and Windows ME

[Golden Screwdriver]

I started computers in 1982 with a Radio Shack. I went through all the steps of MS-DOS and was very unhappy when Win 3.0 came along. I have hated every version since then but I have to use them because I'm in the repair business. Win 98SE (in my opinion) is the very best, most stable, of any versions. I have managed to avoid NT & 2000. The versions of XP, both Pro and Home, are a joke. You can have the same problem that you had yesterday but the fix is never the same. I have noticed that each version requires more disk space, faster CPUs and more RAM than the prior. It appears that M$ has investments in hard drives, RAM manufactorers and CPUs. I just hope that Virtual Doctor will stay w/Win 98. Thank you!

[lgbpop]

I felt the same way about 98SE, but 2000 is starting to grow on me. I just installed it for the first time a month ago and am finding it as stable as 98; it handles large files without heartburn and the smaller cluster size seems to make finding and storing stuff faster. I much prefer 2000 to XP, which is too full of junk for my taste.

You can find all M$ Win98 updates available for download here, if and when M$ stops listing them. I haven't been to the M$ website for a month so I don't know if they're still there.

[Steve Canyon]

Lotsa cynics out there I note, based on the critics of Mr. Gates.

I agree. I might well update to XP, but I understand, from what the Techs at the computer store tell me, that you can't run MS-DOS programs on it, or even shell to MS-DOS. I have lotsa MS-DOS programs, and cut my eyeteeth on MS-DOS, and am a dyed in the wool MS-DOS user.

Also, maybe a kid at heart for some of the MS-DOS games.

[chaszal]

I agree. The difference between Win98 and WinXP (which I do have on my laptop) seems to be that with 98, you control the computer and the OS/DOS; a little tweaking, a few freeware programs, basic maintenance and you can get it to operate like you want it to. With XP, the challenge has been to try and configure it to not do things.
Chas

[A31Chris]

I felt the same way about 98SE, but 2000 is starting to grow on me. I just installed it for the first time a month ago and am finding it as stable as 98; it handles large files without heartburn and the smaller cluster size seems to make finding and storing stuff faster. I much prefer 2000 to XP, which is too full of junk for my taste.

You can find all M$ Win98 updates available for download here, if and when M$ stops listing them. I haven't been to the M$ website for a month so I don't know if they're still there.

Yeah my roommate and I have noticed the same thing about 2000 vs. XP. 2000 is the much preferred choice between the two.

Overall, why M$ didn't keep the behavior and interface the same as 95, 98 but use the NT Kernel is beyond me.

[104456]

I get the impression the XP and 2K operating systems were never designed to be totally backward compatable with all legacy software but did provide some limited abilities under compatability mode.
As to running the legacy applications in a operating system that is more compatable with their base nature you can use the likes of DosBox,VMware or Microsoft Virtual PC[freeware] running on XP or 2K.Installing them on an OS which they are more familiar with will extend their lifespan.
Running a 95,98 or ME system which connects to the internet these days is more risky and open to exploit than XP,2K etc given the lack of newer support offered by MS and the dwindling availability of security software.Also given that many hardware manufacturers are not providing driver support for earlier operating systems its going to be harder and harder to find peripherals to use on these systems.

[A31Chris]

Running a 95,98 or ME system which connects to the internet these days is more risky and open to exploit than XP,2K etc given the lack of newer support offered by MS

This in my experience is pure propoganda.

It seems the 2k and ESPECIALLY XP are mor eopen to exploit than the older system mainly because they have so much plumbing and once they do get infected it is harder to undo them. Somehow it seems, some viruses are able to get past AV protection in XP and burrow themselves in like a tick.

[lgbpop]

Overall, why M$ didn't keep the behavior and interface the same as 95, 98 but use the NT Kernel is beyond me.

I've had it explained to me that NT and 2000 are the NTFS versions of 95 and 98SE. It makes sense to me after having tried them all. 2000 is the best of them IMO. If I didn't have so many files on my main computer's XP install I'd put 2000 on it instead. Next computer I build is going to be 2000, for sure. Maybe I'll keep room for Vista, but that's a real resource hog at the beta level at least.

[ProfessorU]

2000 is nice but 2003 is even stronger, since it was the first OS that MS released under its "secure by default" mantra. Because all the fluff is disabled you will get even better performance. I'm holding off on Vista until DirectX10 is a reality.

If you need to run legacy apps go dual boot... and don't let 98 play on the internet.

This in my experience is pure propoganda.

It seems the 2k and ESPECIALLY XP are mor eopen to exploit than the older system mainly because they have so much plumbing and once they do get infected it is harder to undo them. Somehow it seems, some viruses are able to get past AV protection in XP and burrow themselves in like a tick.

Propaganda? The "plumbing" of 98 is more complicated because you're running TWO OSes at the same time. The reliable DOS underneath the rickety Win98. There is NO security in Win98. No encryption, no permissions, and any app/user can get any file, mod the registry, etc. If someone physically has your Win98 HD it's over. They can get anything they want. "User Profiles" are an afterthought.
AV protection in XP? There is none. Just like 98. MS doesn't do virus protection, and it's probably for the best. If you want virus protection at no extra cost go get AVG free.

[Doc]

For those of you still needing patches and updates for the new threats that have come about since support ended, check out the post at http://discussions.virtualdr.com/sho...d.php?t=211520

Doc

[gypsy63]

I just got here and found there is no longer support for WD 98SE any more. I have used this site for years and don't even attempt to go anywhere else for help. Now I am at loss where to go to get help for my WD 98SE. I can't upgrade to a newer version of Windows as my computer is too old to run a newer version. And I can't afford to buy a newer computer because we are barely making it financially in the economic depressed area where I live and my husband may not even have a job after this month. (another business closing down) I have had WD 98 SE ever since it came out. I have never had but one virus and on Trojan on my computer. I use Anti-virus software, anti-Trojan software, Anti-Spyware software and have a great firewall that has protected me all these years. My husband has a newer computer than I do and runs Windows XP and is always having a problem with his computer. I have never had to reformat my hard drive, but my husband has had to reformat several times since he started using WD XP. I have been a lot happier with the performace of my older computer using WD 98SE than my husband has been with his newer computer using WD XP. Can no one suggest a site that my offer help for people having to still use WD 98SE? I am having problems right now with my email (IE 6-Outlook Express).
Thanks for any suggestions where I can get help.
Sheila

[photolady]

Sheila, we still support win98/SE but Microsoft has stopped supporting it. We still have a forum for issues with win98/SE and Outlook Express via our Internet Related Issues forum.

Windows95/98/ME forum link:

http://discussions.virtualdr.com/forumdisplay.php?f=22

And Internet Related Issues forum link:
http://discussions.virtualdr.com/forumdisplay.php?f=29

The second link is where you post to ask your question about Outlook Express/IE6.

[gypsy63]

After posting here, I went back to the main menu and discovered the Internet Related Issues forum concerning email & posted my problem there concerning Outlook Express. But thanks for answering my post because I might not have discovered the link on my on and your answer would have been a life saver to me.
Thanks,
Sheila

[ProfessorU]

I have been migrating all my poor friends running 95, 98, 2000, and ME to ubuntu linux. It's free and will run on older hardware. Its graphical interface is similar to windows and I've had fewer service calls. For internet, email, photos, music etc. it's completely capable.

[Dude111]

I think i was dumb of them to end support on 98!!

98 is one of the BEST os's out there

Im glad to see as many running it as there are