Why Windows 98?
Understanding the nature of the problem
• Windows 95 did not fail gracefully
• 95 was too reliant on customer knowledge
• Routine troubleshooting steps were too
troublesome
• Backward compatibility and additional
features increased complexity
The aim of Windows 98
• Integrate the Operating System and the
internet
• Multiple levels of support are available
from Microsoft’s server via the Internet
• An Active Desktop that can be used to
display a Web page or a movie
• Networking tools to share information
easier
• Enhanced multimedia that provides TV and
streaming audio and video
What’s New in 98
• Simplified Setup using existing 95 settings
and automatic reboot
• OnNow technology eliminating need to boot
• Win32 Driver model allowing a single set of
drivers for both Windows 98 and NT
• Windows Update-checks the internet for the
latest drivers and OS files
• Windows 98 help providing local-disk, localnetwork and internet-based help
More new Features
• System Information utility that provides
information similar to the old MSInfo utility
but in a Windows Explorer-like window.
• Year 2000 support will help solve the many
problems older software has with the
millennium change. Providing a systemwide setting for aplications to use for
interpreting a two-digit year.
More Features of Windows 98
• Drag and drop programs in the start menu
allow you to drag and drop items within the
cascade.
• Using Communications and the Internet are
made easier with the Active Desktop
• Internet Explorer has a new search and
favorites Explorer bar that is easier to use.
A new way of working with Files,
Folders, and Disks
• FAT32 allowing a single disk partition of 2TB
• Drive Converter allows you to convert a Hard
Disk from 16-bit FAT to FAT32
• Explorer displays Internet and intranet Web
pages as well as your disk’s folders
• Web-centric file handling allows pointing at an
object to select it and single-clicking to open it.
• New Backup Utility
Disk Cleanup
How does Windows 98 improve
supportability?
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Self-healing
Gathering system information
Automating troubleshooting
Reducing compatibility issues
Self -healing
If failing is inevitable, fail gracefully
• Registry Checker
• ScanDisk after Bad Shutdown
• Automatic Skip Driver
Windows 98
Hardware Requirements
• An Intel 486 DX66 MHz or Pentium
processor
• 16 MB memory min, 32 MB recommended
• 125 MB free space on the Hard Drive
• Standard (VGA) display adapter-monitor
• Mouse and keyboard
• Modem if you plan to use an ISP
Additional Optional Hardware
• Sound Card with speakers or headphones
• DVD Drive and DVD decoder card or
software
• Scanner or digital camera
• TV tuner card
• Network card if you plan to use the network
Gathering system information
Collects available data to diagnose problems
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Microsoft MS-DOS Report Tool
Microsoft Windows Report Tool
Microsoft System Information
Use Dr. Watson to diagnose system faults
takes a snapshot of your system whenever a
system fault occurs. It intercepts software
faults, identifies the software that faulted,
and offers course of action.
Automating troubleshooting
Understand and automate repetitive troubleshooting tasks
• System Configuration Utility
• Troubleshooting Wizards
• Emergency Startup Disk
Automatic Skip Driver
• Identifies the specific failed device on start
up.
• After two failed attempts to load, ASD
disables the device driver or stops the
operation that caused system startup to fail.
Windows will no longer attempt to identify
the component.
Registry Checker
• SCANREGW automatically scans registry
for corruption and deleted entries, backing
up the configuration files once daily.
• If Registry Checker detects corruption in
the Registry it will guide the user through
the restoration process.
Reporting Tools WINREP
• An Internet-based reporting tool that can be
invoked from a Web page, and when
submitting the report it hosts a Web page
that programs it.
• WINREP creates an info file uploads it
across the internet, allows the support
engineer to inspect the system as if sitting in
front of it.
Version Confilict Tool
• During installation of new software, older
versions of software files may be detected
and then replaced with the newer versions.
• Older versions are backed up and saved on
your hard disk.
• If you have conflicts with your system or
software files after you install an
application, this is used to restore from
backup.
Before you install Windows 98
• Verify that your system meets minimum
requirements
• Back up important files
• Print or save to floppy your autoexec.bat
and config.sys files
Installing Windows 98
• Install Upgrade or Full Install on a blank
hard disk for the cleanest possible
environment
• Upgrade requires a copy of the old media
(either CD or Floppy) be available for proof
of ownership
• Upgrade may be done from Windows 3.1 or
Windows 95