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This article's introduction section may not adequately summarize its contents. To comply with Wikipedia's lead section guidelines, please consider expanding the lead to provide an accessible overview of the article's key points. (February 2009) |
| Windows 98 | |
|---|---|
| Part of the Microsoft Windows family | |
 |
|
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| Screenshot of Windows 98 | |
| Developer | |
| Microsoft | |
| Releases | |
| Release date | 25 June 1998 (info) |
| Current version | 4.10.1998 ("Gold"), 4.10.2222A ("SE") (1998-06-25 ("Gold"), 1999-5-5 ("SE")) (info) |
| Source model | Closed source |
| License | Microsoft EULA |
| Kernel type | Monolithic kernel |
| Support status | |
| Unsupported as of 11 July 2006[1] | |
| Further reading | |
| Development of Windows 98 | |
Windows 98 (codenamed Memphis) is a graphical operating system by Microsoft. It was released on June 25, 1998, and is the successor to Windows 95. Like its predecessor, it is a hybrid 16-bit/32-bit monolithic product based on MS-DOS. Windows 98 was succeeded by Windows Me on 14 September 2000.
Contents |
Windows 98 Second Edition
Windows 98 Second Edition (often shortened to SE) is an updated release of Windows 98, released on 5 May 1999. It includes fixes for many minor issues, improved USB support, and the replacement of Internet Explorer 4.0 with Internet Explorer 5.0. Also included is Internet Connection Sharing, which allows multiple computers on a LAN to share a single Internet connection through Network Address Translation. Other features in the update include Microsoft NetMeeting 3.0 and integrated support for DVD-ROM drives. A memory overflow issue was resolved which in the older version of Windows 98 would crash most systems if left running for 49.7 days (equal to 232 milliseconds).[2] Also included on the CD-ROM is the option to install Microsoft Plus! themes for Windows 98.[3] Windows 98SE could be obtained as retail upgrade and full version packages, as well as OEM and a Second Edition Updates Disc for existing Windows 98 users.
New driver standards
Windows 98 was the first operating system to use the Windows Driver Model (WDM). This fact was not well published when Windows 98 was released and most hardware producers continued to develop drivers for the older driver standard, VxD. The WDM standard spread years after its release, mostly through Windows 2000 and Windows XP, because these systems are not compatible with the older VxD standard.[4] Today, even if hardware producers are not developing drivers optimized for Windows 98, the drivers written to WDM standards are compatible with Windows 98 based systems.
System requirements
- 486DX-2/66 MHz or higher processor (Pentium processor recommended)
- 16 MB of RAM (24 MB recommended, it's possible to run on 8 MB machines with /im option used during the installation process)
- At least 500 MB of space available on HDD. The amount of space required depends on the installation method and the components selected, but virtual memory and system utilities as well as drivers should be taken into consideration.
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- Upgrading from Windows 95 (FAT16) or 3.1 (FAT): 140-400 MB (typically 205 MB).
- New installation (FAT32): 190-305 MB (typically 210 MB).
- Note 1: Both Windows 98 and Windows 98 SE can have significant problems associated with hard drives that are over 32 Gigabytes (GB) in size. This issue only occurs with certain Phoenix BIOS settings. A software update has been made available to fix this shortcoming.[5]
- Note 2: Also, both Windows 98 and Windows 98 SE are unable to handle hard drives that are over 137 Gigabytes (GB) in size, because of missing 48 Bit LBA support. Data corruption is possible. An experimental third party software update is available to fix this shortcoming.[6]
- VGA or higher resolution monitor
- CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive
- Microsoft Mouse or compatible pointing device (optional).[7]
Like its predecessor, Windows 95, and its successor, Windows Millennium Edition (Me), users can bypass hardware requirement checks with the undocumented /im setup switch. This allows installation on computers with processors as old as the 80386.
Press demonstration
The release of Windows 98 was preceded by a notable press demonstration at Comdex in April 1998. Microsoft CEO Bill Gates was highlighting the operating system's ease of use and enhanced support for Plug and Play (PnP). However, when presentation assistant Chris Capossela plugged a scanner in and attempted to install it, the operating system crashed, displaying a Blue Screen of Death. Gates remarked after applause and cheering from the audience, "That must be why we're not shipping Windows 98 yet." Video footage of this event became a popular Internet phenomenon.
Windows 98 System tools
- ScanDisk - System utility used to maintain the file system. It offers a DOS and a GUI version. Used to check the integrity of the file system and files stored within.[8]
- Disk Defragmenter - Used to counter the negative effects of filesystem fragmentation. It collects fragmented file parts, reconnects them and rearranges all files in optimal order, thus speeding up file access and allowing faster boot times.[8][9]
- Scanreg - Used to restore the System registry. It tests the registry's integrity and saves a backup copy each time. The maximum amount of copies could be customized by the user through "scanreg.ini" file. Due to a bug the oldest registry copy available cannot be restored (before restoration, the current configuration is backed up and it erases the oldest registry backup listed). The restoration of a faulty registry can only be done in DOS mode. Important DOS commands: scanreg/opt - optimizes the registry by deleting dead entries; scanreg/fix - repairs registry settings.[8]
- Msconfig - A system utility used to disable programs and services which are not required to run the computer. It is a very powerful tool that can greatly enhance the system's stability and speed, but is also capable of rendering the system non-functional if used incorrectly.
- Regedit - Allows manual editing of the registry.[8]
Editions
 |
This section does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (July 2008) |
| Release | Version | Release Date | Internet Explorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Windows 98 | 4.10.1998 | 25 June 1998[10] | 4.01 |
| Windows 98 Second Edition | 4.10.2222A | 5 May 1999 | 5.0 |
Product life cycle
Microsoft planned to discontinue its support for Windows 98 on 16 January 2004. However, due to the continued popularity of the operating system (27% of Google's pageviews were on Windows 98 systems during October-November, 2003),[11] Microsoft decided to maintain support until 11 July 2006. Support for Windows Me also ended on this date.[12] By that time, Windows 98 market share had diminished to 2.7%.[13] Windows 98 is no longer available from Microsoft in any form due to the terms of Java-related settlements Microsoft made with Sun Microsystems.[14]
See also
Notes
- ^ "Windows 98, Windows 98 SE, and Windows Me Support ends on 11 July 2006". Microsoft. http://support.microsoft.com/gp/lifean18. Retrieved 2006-06-10.
- ^ Miles, Stephanie. "Windows may crash after 49.7 days - CNET News". News.cnet.com. http://news.cnet.com/2100-1040-222391.html. Retrieved 2009-03-11.
- ^ "Description of Windows 98 Second Edition". Support.microsoft.com. 2007-08-24. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/234762. Retrieved 2009-03-11.
- ^ "You cannot use virtual device driver (.vxd) files common to Windows 98 or Windows 95 drivers with Windows 2000."
- ^ Staff (28 December 1999). "Windows 98 Large IDE Update". Microsoft Windows Update. Microsoft Corporation. http://www.microsoft.com/windows98/downloads/contents/WURecommended/S_WUFeatured/bigide/Default.asp. Retrieved 2006-08-30.
- ^ Staff (12 July 2006). "Enable48BitLBA-Break-the-137Gb-barrier". MSFN. MSFN. http://www.msfn.org/board/Enable48BitLBA-Break-the-137Gb-barrier-t78592.html. Retrieved 2008-07-13.
- ^ System requirements from the Microsoft Windows 98 SE manual
- ^ a b c d Davis; Crosby (1998)
- ^ Introducing Windows 98, Second edition.
- ^ http://windowsitpro.com/article/articleid/17693/windows-98-release-date-set-june-25.html
- ^ "Zeitgeist". Google Press Center. Google. October-November 2003. http://www.google.com/press/zeitgeist/zeitgeist-nov03.html. Retrieved 22 April 2006. Note: A graphic depicting the decline in use of Windows 98 from June 2001 to June 2004 as an operating system to access Google is available on Wikimedia Commons; IMAGE.
- ^ Ward, Mark (2006-07-11). "Technology | Microsoft shuts down Windows 98". BBC News. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/5164450.stm. Retrieved 2009-03-11.
- ^ "July 2006 market share by Hitslink". Marketshare.hitslink.com. http://marketshare.hitslink.com/report.aspx?qprid=10&qpmr=24&qpdt=1&qpct=3&qptimeframe=M&qpsp=90. Retrieved 2009-03-11.
- ^ MSDN Subscriptions Subscriber Download Help
References
- Davis, Fred; Crosby, Kip (1998). The Windows 98 Bible. Berkeley, California: Peachpit Press. ISBN 0-201-69690-8.
- Microsoft Windows 98 Review - IT Reviews
External links
- Windows 98 System Requirements
- GUIdebook: Windows 98 Gallery - A website dedicated to preserving and showcasing Graphical User Interfaces
- BBC News: BBC News: Microsoft shuts down Windows 98
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