New Windows 98 Owner seeks some Advice

I have worked with Windows 98 before; but this is the first time I have installed it on my own home computer, so its "inner workings" are new to me.

I would like to know if anyone has answers/advice on the following:

1. Partitions - Is it a good idea to keep data and apps on a separate partition from the operating system files? Does this benefit the operating system?

I assume the system files are everything that is inside the "Windows" folder (directory). Is this correct?

2. Tutorials - Are there any online tutorials that explain the purpose of the various system files, how Win 98 installs software, etc.?

3. Seeing what was Installed / Removed - Is there any utility that shows what files were placed where after one installs new software? (And likewise, what was taken out when one removes software.) OR does the Add/Remove Software Control Panel provide a log like this?

Thanks for the advice.

well partitions is a good idea when u have a good HD, but id suggest u get a smaller HD about 5-10mb and keep all ur OS files in there, thats what i got, 2 HD, 1 with only OS files, windows and stuff, the other for everything else, since the loading will begin from the hd where u got ur OS unnecessary apps will increase booting process. tutorials u will find plenty on the microsoft site where else lol... the add/remove is probly the best way to install and uninstall ur stuff, but u can also remove the entires of what u removed using the registry... Start-Run type in regedit it will give u all the keys and what not, and u can search from there.... but im not the best for this lol since i only know what ive tryed.

glomedia--You sound like someone who knows what they are doing, so I will provide some references so you can do the work! :D
1) Partitioning
http://partition.radified.com/partitioning_2.htm
2) Tutorials
I am a big fan of www.google.com . If you enter a topic, you usually get an answer. To get the best results you have to know how to ask Google. You will find a tutorial :) on that at the Google site. Or use Advanced Search. Putting quotes around a topic with several words helps. If you specifically want a tutorial, type +tutorial after the topic. So if you want to know what msconfig.exe does just enter that into the Google search line and click Enter. It is not always the first reference that gives you the best info.
Another source is the MS Knowledge Base. Many people get frustrated with it. (Searching is not always straight forward), but it is the Horse's Mouth on Win files and other issues.

http://support.microsoft.com/default...;EN-US;KBHOWTO

Another way to learn at least something about a system file is to right click the .exe or .dll file, then Properties. That should identify the program the app is associated with. (Try that with msconfig.exe and on the Version tab you will learn it is the System Configuration Utility.) Then put that info into Google or other search program.
And finally you can buy a book. Books on Win98, which sadly is at the end of Microsoft's support cycle, should be pretty cheap now. "Windows 98 for Dummies" is very basic. MS' "Running Microsoft Windows 98" is moderately complicated and "Resource Kit" is at the other end--only for those who are really into it.
Not sure I understood your question about "How Win98 installs software?" Do you want the deep-down technical details of what is happening or just what you do to install a program?
3) Seeing what was installed/removed. If it is only files you care about, System File Checker will do the job. Use it to scan after you have installed something and then click on the Settings button|click View Log. It will show all files added, modified or deleted.
http://badour.freewebsites.com/html/using_sfc.html

However, beware that SFC can get you into trouble. For example

http://support.microsoft.com/default...;EN-US;q192832

To lessen the problems you might get into, when you scan I would disable "Check for changed files" and "Check for deleted Files" on the Settings dialog box--unless you really know what you are doing. Remember I suggested SFC primarily as a tool to give you a log of what files have changed, not to do anything about the changes.
Another way to detect additions in files is the Find function|Date tab
And if you want to check changes in the Registry there are third party programs like Regshot
http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/fil...d,19540,00.asp

1. Partitions: There can be several advantages to using multiple partitions:
A) If you have a large hard drive, using a FAT32 partition, if a partition is over 8.4gb in size, the cluster size doubles from 4096kb to 8192. With small files the larger number can waste space.

B) When you Scandisk or Defrag a drive, it goes much faster on a smaller drive. To defrag a large drive my take an hour or two. Doing smaller partitions one day at a time, you don't have to have your computer tied up for such long periods.

C) When a partition gets full, I still have lots of room on other partitions. I'm not out of commission. But it let's me know it time to clean up those un-needed files.

2. Tutorials: Of course the internet is one big encyclopedia. You can search for "Delta" topics on this forum to pickup some ideas. Searching this forum or the internet for a question can give you lots of information to wade through.

3. Seeing what was Installed / Removed: When you install a program, some have an installation "log" file, maybe and "inf" file which has a record of what was installed. For removal, there is often an uninstall "INF" file. This one can often be located by checking the properties of the uninstall listing in the control panel (which involves searching the registry) or, if there is an uninstall icon or menu item, this should have to name of such an "INF" file.

There are programs that track installation. I think Symantec's Clean Sweep is one.

------------------
My
Two Cents
Dennis
Visit Politalk

So long as you remember to use it, Incontrol5 will track and log your installs.

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,4149,9882,00.asp
You have to log in(register) to download from PCMag but it is painless and free. They have many good aps.

Quote:

---

I assume the system files are everything that is inside the "Windows" folder (directory). Is this correct?

---

The windows only system files are there, but there is another folder you might want to know about, C:\Program Files\Common Files\ . Browse around there and you will find other supporting folders and files. Under C:\Program Files\Accessories you should find the Hyperterminal and MSBackup programs.

Quote:

---

Originally posted by [TheFORCE]
... the add/remove is probly the best way to install and uninstall ur stuff, but u can also remove the entires of what u removed using the registry... Start-Run type in regedit...

---

Hi, TheFORCE. I've heard much about the registry but I don't really know what it is. When I got into the registry editor, it was all Greek to me.

Can anyone give me a quick definition of what is meant by "registry keys"? And if I uninstall software, TheFORCE, what do you mean when you say I can also remove the "entries" of what I uninstalled?

Thanks for your input.

Thank you, everyone for your contributions. And Welshjim, that's a real treasure trove of information you provided. I'll be checking out all those links in your post immediately.

Thanks for the vote of confidence (you wrote that I "sound like I know what I'm doing" ... I don't hear that very often! :p But please - this talk about the Windows Registry is scaring me. I went into the "Registry Editor Help" in Windows and saw all these warnings about how one can damage the system if one doesn't know what he/she is really doing. So I think I'll wait until I'm really proficient before I confront the registry.

In your opinion, does the average user need to be concerned about the registry? Or is it something that computer devotees mainly deal with?

skip the registry.. always a welcome to a new 98 user (never figured I'd say that.. if I ever did?)

system stabilizing is important to the registry.. all background stuff. i.e. don't install a lot of stuff unless after a couple of reboots and get some advice before you do anything radical..

really have been a lot of cures to 98se so best to check on version.

mach

Quote:

---

does the average user need to be concerned about the registry?

---

Yes! Don't worry about the "Greek".

Each time you start Windows 98, a new registry is built. As you open windows , move Icons, or whatever, the registry is constantly changing. I consider this constant changing to be a bad thing. But maybe I am in the minority. The old one is backed up when you start. These backups are in a folder:
windows\sysbckup\
The are CAB files which start with RB. They will include numbers. By default, Windows will store your last 5 "successful" startup registries. You can set it to save up to 10 (I believe). So you should see:
rb000.cab
and others. Note that this folder is "hidden". So you have to set Windows to show hidden files under View, Options in the View window.

If you have a problem or even a virus, but you start Windows successfully 5 times, there is no going back as all of those "good" backups will have been replaced. What I recommend is, if Windows is working just how you want it, copy the latest file (see the time and date of the file) to another location, even another disk, although these are too big for a floppy disk. If you ever have a failure because of damage to your registries, you can copy that file back at DOS.

At DOS you can type scanreg. This will give you the option of restoring one of those files in that SYSBCKUP folder. Or you can save a new one. You can run this in Windows with the Run command. Each file contains copies of:
system.dat
system.ini
user.dat
win.ini
Keep in mind that if you install a program or change settings after one of these backups is made, when you restore, you will most likely have to install that program again, as any keys it added will not be in the older registry.

As you get bolder, you may try tailoring your registry. If you have backups, that is not so risky.

------------------
My
Two Cents
Dennis
Visit Politalk

Thank you, Eeyore. That was a clearly explained introduction.

Can you clarify something for me? You wrote that at DOS you can type "scanreg" to restore one of the backed up registries. Then you state that "you can run this in Windows with the Run command."

Does this mean that instead of typing "scanreg" at DOS, you can instead stay in Windows, press Start - Run and then type "scanreg"?

Thanks for clarifying.

glomedia--You are welcome!!
I think use of the Registry is something that should be done only as a last resort--for example, cleaning up something that was not completely uninstalled by using Control Panel|Add/Remove, or for a much needed OS tweak.
That does not mean you have to be in mortal fear of the Registry, but use it only as needed and back it up before you make changes. Here are a couple of tutorials on the Registry.
http://www.winguides.com/article.php...guide=registry
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/tre...rt6/wrkc31.asp
And, I think Eeyore meant that you should go to Start|Programs|MS-DOS Prompt to run the Scanreg commands. (At least in Win98. It is possible you can run them from Start|Run in WinME.)

Advice and tutorials. A great combination, I always say. Thanks again Welshjim.

Quote:

---

You wrote that at DOS you can type "scanreg" to restore one of the backed up registries. Then you state that "you can run this in Windows with the Run command."

---

Scanreg will run in either environment. You can use the run command while in Windows. This allows you to make backup of you current (active) registry. You will be told that your "registry has already been backed up. Would you like to back it up again?"

If you are in "Real DOS Mode" you can run it. There you will have the option to restore from those already backed up. If your Windows won't start, restoring from a backed up registry set could get you back in operation. That is the sole purpose for the Scanreg.

If Windows detects an error in the registry while it is booting, it will restore the last backup. But if that also has an error, you have to manually select from the older backups. Having one good copy stored so Windows won't over-write it is my purpose in suggesting making your own copy.

------------------
My
Two Cents
Dennis
Visit Politalk

Just a point,,keep in mind that from DOS,(true DOS,that is,not a windows DOS box),you need to type: scanreg /restore :then press "enter" and use the arrow keys to choose a "started" copy of the registry at a time before the problem began...;)

When it comes to commands,,DOS is not very forgiving...

1. Partitions - No. The question was is there any advantage to having the apps in a partition other than in with the OS.

2. Tutorials - Yes. Google for them.

3. Seeing what was Installed / Removed - Probably & yes.

Registry? I shall provide the following:
<rant>Before you "adjust" the registry, you ought to consider a backup program such as Norton's Ghost or PowerQuest's Drive Image. The programs make a compressed copy of all data in a partition and allow a 10 minute restoration of a completely trashed system. I won't compute without Ghost.

GoBack is another restoration many like. Demo versions of these programs are available.</rant>

After making a copy of the operating partition, hack away at the registry with full knowledge that Ghost or Drive Image can save your butt. I'm no fan of GoBack so I don't know if it can "repair" the damage done to the registry or not.

--------------------------

Why isn't colour spelt correctly in HTML code?

At pure DOS, typing scanreg brings up a menu. It will offer to check the registry. When you click OK, It offers you a choice of backing up the current registry or restoring from the backups. If you select Restore, it offers you the option to view the backups. There you will see the filenames and date/time stamps of the stored backups.

Adding the /restore switch to the scanreg command bypasses the opening and takes you directly to the restore options menu.

------------------
My
Two Cents
Dennis
Visit Politalk

Quote:

---

Originally posted by glomedia
I have worked with Windows 98 before; but this is the first
3. Seeing what was Installed / Removed - Is there any utility that shows what files were placed where after one installs new software? (And likewise, what was taken out when one removes software.) OR does the Add/Remove Software Control Panel provide a log like this?

Thanks for the advice.

---

Pardon me if someone has already posted this, but the link below is a very neat, and handy, utility to tell you everything you have running through Windows:

http://www.belarc.com