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Windows 98 Installation & Configuration Handbook


About the Authors

Lead Author

Rob Tidrow is a writer, Web site designer, trainer, and president of Tidrow Communications, Inc., a firm specializing in content creation and delivery. Rob has authored or co-authored over 25 books on a wide variety of computer topics, including Windows 95, Netscape Communicator 4.0, Windows NT, and Microsoft Internet Information Server 4.0. He authored Windows 95 Registry Troubleshooting, Windows NT Registry Troubleshooting, Implementing and Supporting Windows 95, all published by New Riders and Windows 95 Installation and Configuration Handbook, published by Que. He is also contributing author to Special Edition Using Microsoft Office 97, Inside Windows 95, Deluxe Edition, Platinum Edition Using Windows 95, Inside the World Wide Web, and Windows 95 for Network Administrators, all published by Macmillan Computer Publishing. He lives in Indianapolis, IN with his wife Tammy and their two sons, Adam and Wesley. You can reach him on the Internet at rtidrow@iquest.net.

Contributing Authors

Dean Andrews is a freelance writer living in Boston. After receiving a bachelor degree in computer science from the University of California at Berkeley, he worked as software developer at IBM and was a systems consultant to small businesses in the San Francisco bay area. In 1991, he joined the computer press and has worked on staff at InfoWorld, as a Senior Test Developer, and PC World, as the Manager of Usability Testing. Now, as a freelancer writer, he frequently contributes to a variety of publications including PC World, Macworld, and Boston.com, the online hub of the Boston Globe. Mr. Andrews is also a contributing author in Peter Norton's Guide to Upgrading and Repairing PCs and Special Edition Using Windows 98.

Christopher Gagnon is a network analyst and consultant with an Atlanta-based software development firm. He has worked with Digital Equipment Corporation, IBM, and several practice management firms in the healthcare industry. He has served as network administrator on several occasions and knows only too well the politics and technical nuances of this unique environment. While he's not reading trade magazines and technical manuals, he enjoys playing his didgeridoo, chasing his cat, and reading about theoretical physics. He currently resides in the Atlanta suburb of Roswell, Georgia with his wife Keshly and their daughter, Paige. Christopher is also a contributing author in Platinum Edition Using Windows NT 4.0.

James M. Spann is a Microsoft Certified Professional who has spent the last six years working as a trainer and lecturer in the computer industry. James received his Bachelor of Science degree in 1984 and immediately started working as a computer and networking troubleshooter. From there James advanced to the Director of Information Systems for a large investment corporation headquartered in Orlando, Florida. In 1992, James went out on his own and began working with Spann & Associates, Inc. to provide training and consulting services to Fortune 500 companies and government clients. Since then, Mr. Spann has logged more than 5,000 hours teaching classes in both the United States and Europe. Most recently, James has started another new company in Lake Mary, Florida. This new company, Surf Solutions, Inc., is dedicated to providing networking and Internet solutions to small businesses in the Orlando metropolitan area. James can be reached at jay@surfsol.com. James is also a contributing author in Networking Essentials Unleashed.

Keith Underdahl is an electronic publishing specialist for Ages Software in Albany, Oregon, where he produces electronic versions of classic texts on CD-ROM. Keith is also a prolific author and personal computing consultant and has served as technical editor on numerous titles from Que. When he is not goofing off with computers, Keith is a road tester and regular contributor to Street Bike, a motorcycle magazine serving the western United States.

Serdar Yegulalp has been writing both as a freelancer and staffer for a number of computer publications, including Computer Buyer's Guide and Handbook and Computer Retail Week, and has contributed to other MCP books in the past, including Platinum Edition Using Windows NT 4.0 and Inside Windows 98. He is currently Associate Technology Editor for Windows Magazine, where he writes on and researches Windows 98, Windows NT 4.0, and Windows NT 5.0. Email him at syegul@winmag.com.

Dedications

This book is dedicated to my wonderful wife, Tammy and two great boys, Adam and Wesley.

--Rob Tidrow

Acknowledgments

I would like to thank all those who have worked on this book over the past nine months to help make it happen. A big thanks to Mark Cierzniak, Jeff Koch, Jane Brownlow, and Stephanie McComb. Also, thanks to Walter Glenn and Ron Ellenbacher. Finally, thanks to my wife and kids and to all my family and friends who helped us move to our new house during this project. I couldn't have done it without you.

--Rob Tidrow

Introduction

What, you didn't have problems installing Windows 98? You only experienced problems when you restarted your computer to run Windows 98? Don't worry. You're not alone. Most Windows 98 installation problems occur after you've installed the software and when you reboot your computer. This is when the Windows Setup program configures your computer to work with Windows 98.

Windows 98 is designed to ease installation and configuration burdens. Setting up your Windows environment has never been easier. If you're new to the world of Windows, you'll find installation very easy and simple.

So why do you need this book? In short, because nothing is perfect--including Windows. It's not that Microsoft doesn't want Windows 98 to be perfect and fit every situation perfectly. The problem is that no two computer systems are alike. In fact, chances are that if you have two computers in your office or home, they have two different setups and configurations. Even if the two computers are the same make and model, they are unique and have their own idiosyncrasies. What all this means is that Windows 98 must be flexible enough to work on different configurations, yet offer a simple way to customize each individual PC.

That's where this book comes in. Windows 98 Installation and Configuration Handbook guides you through the entire Windows 98 installation process. You are shown how to prepare your computer before you install Windows 98, as well as how to upgrade hardware, tweak memory settings, install and uninstall software, and add other devices after Windows 98 is up and running.

For the most part, you can use Windows 98 straight out of the box and get most of your work done. If you need to change a setting (called a property in Windows 98), you need to dig a little deeper into the operating system and become familiar with some of Windows 98's configuration features. Some of these include the Add/Remove Software and Add New Hardware utilities, the Windows Update feature, the Device Manager, and Property sheets. You find out about all these in this book.

Who Should Use This Book

This book is designed for users who need to install Windows 98 and who want to customize and reconfigure the way Windows behaves and looks. For beginning Windows users, this book includes step-by-step procedures that guide them through setting up the Windows environment. The new Help utility available in Windows 98 is a much-welcomed addition to Windows. However, not all procedures are covered in Help, and many assumptions are left up to the user to figure out. This book attempts to fill in many of those gaps.

For experienced Windows 3.x users, this book includes customization procedures and techniques to help them configure the Windows 98 environment the way they want it. In many places in this book, comparisons to how a procedure or step was performed in Windows 3.x are included. This helps the experienced user become comfortable with Windows 98 more quickly.

Finally, those who are upgrading from Windows 95, this book shows how to install and configure many of the new features of Windows 98. These include configuring the Web View desktop, setting up multiple monitors, installing PC TV and DVD devices, and more.

Who Should Not Use This Book

Any user of Windows 98 who wants to install new hardware, add software, or reconfigure the Windows 98 environment should appreciate this book. If you need a tutorial of the way in which Windows 98 works, however, you may find that this book does not meet your needs. Although some chapters give basic overviews of how a feature works or some of the benefits of using a configuration setting versus another setting, you need another book to learn how to use Windows 98.

Fortunately, an outstanding book is available that does just this. Que's Special Edition Using Windows 98 is full of instructions, tutorials, and reference materials to help you understand and master Windows 98. If you need to learn how to use Windows 98, you may want to pick up a copy of that book.

How To Use This Book

Use this book as you would a reference book. Unless you find your local library or bookstore lacking entertaining novels, you probably don't want to read this book from cover to cover. The best way to use this book is to look over the table of contents at the front of the book and the index in the back to find the topic you want. Turn to that chapter or section and use the instructions and discussions provided. Then close the book and start working with Windows 98.

If you have specific questions, scan the book for the troubleshooting sidebars in the book. Troubleshooting sidebars are provided in almost all chapters to help you solve many of the common problems associated with installing and configuring Windows 98.

The following is a quick look at each of the chapters in this book.

Part I: Installing Windows 98

Chapter 1, "Preparing to Install Windows 98," is the place to start if you have not installed Windows 98. Windows 98 requires you to perform several system level procedures before you start installing it. One of these is to defragment and optimize your hard disk. Chapter 1 shows you how to prepare your system for Windows 98 and introduces the new Windows 98 installation features.

Chapter 2, "Installing Windows 98 on a Desktop and Laptop," is intended for readers who have prepped their machines and want to install Windows 98 on their desktop or laptop computers. For laptop users, there are several sections geared for users who have mobile computers and want to install only those files and programs that are necessary for laptop computers. Many of these users have both a mobile PC they take with them on the road and a desktop PC that remains in the office or at home. Windows 98 includes some new components that enable mobile users to transfer files back and forth between the mobile computer and the stationary computer. This chapter shows how to configure these options.

Chapter 3, "Selecting Windows 98 Components," provides an overview of the different components you can select during or after Windows 98 Setup runs. This chapter is intended for users who are comfortable with their computer and know which components they want to install.

Chapter 4, "Installing Windows 98 from a Network Server," shows how to use the Microsoft Batch 98 utility to create an installation batch file to help you install Windows to multiple machines that will use the same setup parameters.

Chapter 5, "Installing and Configuring New Hardware and Software," shows you how to setup new hardware on your computer using the Add/New Hardware applet. You also are shown how to update device drivers using the Update Driver Wizard. Finally, you are shown how to install and uninstall applications under Windows 98.

Part II: Configuring and Customizing the Windows 98 Desktop

Chapter 6, "Configuring Windows 98 Classic and Web View Desktops," shows how to set up both the classic and new Web View desktops. The Web View desktop turns your desktop into a Web page so you can navigate it like you do Web pages, as well as display active content on it.

Chapter 7, "Configuring Monitors and Video Cards," shows you how to set resolution settings, configure color palettes, and set font sizes for your monitor. You also are shown how to set up dual monitors on your system.

Chapter 8, "Configuring the Desktop and Fonts," picks up after you have Windows 98 installed and running. You are now ready to customize your Windows 98 environment. This chapter shows how to change wallpaper, select screen savers, and create shortcuts.

Chapter 9, "Configuring the Taskbar and Start Button," helps you modify the way the Windows 98 taskbar behaves and looks. You are shown how to add programs and files to the Start menu, which gives you one-button access to them. You also are shown how to set up Windows 98's new taskbar toolbars.

Part III: Configuring Storage Devices

Chapter 10, "Installing and Configuring Hard Disk Drives," shows how to install and configure hard disk drives to work under Windows 98. You also learn how to partition and prepare a new hard drive to use with Windows 98.

Chapter 11, "Installing and Configuring Floppy Disk Drives," leads you through adding a floppy drive to your system and includes troubleshooting topics that help you configure your floppy drive for Windows 98.

Chapter 12, "Installing and Configuring CD-ROM and DVD Drives," may become dog-eared from use if you upgrade or add a CD-ROM to your system. This chapter shows you how to install and set up a CD-ROM to work with Windows 98. You also learn how to set up DVD drivers under Windows 98.

Chapter 13, "Setting Up Backup Systems," shows you how to install a backup system to work with Windows 98. Although you may not use a tape backup system, DAT system, or other backup media, you should seriously consider adding one to your system. This chapter leads you through this process.

Chapter 14, "Configuring Memory, Disks, and Devices," provides information on using system memory, modifying virtual memory, improving hard disk performance, and how to use the Device Manager.

Part IV: Configuring Multimedia for Windows 98

Chapter 15, "Installing Sound and MIDI Cards," is your guide to setting event sounds in Windows 98, setting sound volumes, and configuring MIDI sounds.

Chapter 16, "Configuring Full-Motion Video Capabilities," introduces you to setting up Windows 98's digital video support. You also learn how to use the Windows Media Player to play these digital video files.

Chapter 17, "Configuring PC TV Devices," provides coverage on how to configure television devices to work with Windows 98. You also learn how to retrieve program listings and scan for channels using the WebTV for Windows component.

Part V: Configuring Windows 98 Communication Capabilities

Chapter 18, "Configuring Modems," should be used in conjunction with the chapters on setting up online and Internet connections and configuring Microsoft Fax. You need to configure your modem before you start any of those other configurations. This chapter includes updated information about 56Kbps modems, as well as ISDN and cable modem technology.

Chapter 19, "Configuring an Internet Connection," leads you step by step to setting up Windows 98 built-in support for the Internet, including how to set up a new Internet account if you don't currently have one.

Chapter 20, "Configuring Microsoft InternetÍÁplorer 4.0," shows you how to configure the Internet Explorer 4.0 Web browser.

Chapter 21, " Configuring Outlook Express," shows how to set up and configure Outlook Express, Microsoft's Internet mail, newsreader, and address book application.

Part VI: Configuring Windows 98 In a Networked Environment

Chapter 22, "Configuring Windows 98 as a Network Client," shows how to configure Windows 98 as a Windows NT or Novell NetWare client. You also are shown how to set up user profiles to enable roving computing, enabling users to use their own system settings regardless of the computer they use to connect to the network.

Chapter 23, "Configuring Network Hardware," shows how to configure network adapters, install network cables, configure Microsoft Fax for a workgroup environment, and how to share CD-ROMs on a network using Windows 98.

Chapter 24, "Setting Up Windows 98 on a Peer-to-Peer Network," provides coverage of how to set up a peer-to-peer network that uses only Windows 98 as the network operating system. You're also shown how to set up shares to printers and files.

Chapter 25, "Configuring the Personal Web Server," shows how to configure the Personal Web Server application to serve Web pages from your desktop to other clients on a Web or intranet.

Part VII: Running Your Software on Windows 98

Chapter 26, "Using Windows 98 Software," shows some of the Windows 98 applications available on the market and how to use Windows 98 software on the Windows 98 operating system. This chapter also includes information on the Windows 98 Registry.

Chapter 27, "Using DOS Software," is intended for those users still using their favorite (or forced to use their least favorite) DOS software under Windows 98. See this chapter to set Property sheets for DOS programs.

Part VIII: Configuring Common Peripherals

Chapter 28, "Configuring Input Devices," shows how to set mouse properties, troubleshoot common problems with installing pointing devices, and how to configure your pointing device to work with Windows 98. You also learn how to configure keyboards under Windows 98.

Chapter 29, "Configuring Printers," helps you install a printer for a single computer. The Add Printer Wizard makes installation a breeze, but you may have some problems that this chapter can help you correct. You also can find information about how to obtain updated printer drivers for Windows 98.

Chapter 30, "Configuring Scanners," shows how to set up scanners to work with Windows 98. You also learn to pick out a scanner and are given some tips on getting the most out of your scanners.

Chapter 31, "Configuring Game Cards and Joysticks for Windows 98," provides information on maximizing your Windows 98 environment for games by showing how to set up joysticks and game adapters. This chapter provides updated troubleshooting information about Microsoft GamePad and SideWinder devices.

Chapter 32, "Configuring Digital Cameras," teaches you how to set up and configure digital cameras, which let you take pictures and save them on your hard drive as an image file.

Part IX: Appendixes

Appendix A, "What's New with Windows 98," leads you through all the new features of Microsoft's newest operating system.

Appendix B, "Configuring Windows Messaging and Microsoft Fax," shows you step by step how to set up Microsoft Fax prior to installing Windows 98. If you have Windows 95 and want Fax support under Windows 98, you must install Fax in Windows 95 first. Then, when you upgrade to Windows 98, Fax is supported. In this chapter, you find all the Microsoft Fax options discussed, including those intended for more advanced audiences. You also are shown how to use the Fax Cover Update to fix bugs found in the release version of Microsoft Fax.

Obtaining Additional Windows 98 Information

Other valuable sources of information for Windows 98 include Microsoft's Internet World Wide Web site (http://www.microsoft.com). You can find white papers, some technical support documents, and updated drivers for some hardware devices at those sites.

Conventions Found in This Book

You find four visual aids that help you on your Windows 98 installation journey: Notes, Tips, Cautions, and Troubleshooting.


NOTE: This paragraph format indicates additional information that may help you avoid problems or that should be considered in using the described features.


TIP: This paragraph format suggests easier or alternative methods of executing a procedure.


CAUTION: This paragraph format warns the reader of hazardous procedures (for example, activities that delete files).


TROUBLESHOOTING: This paragraph format provides guidance on how to find solutions to common problems. Specific problems you may encounter are shown in bold. Possible solutions appear following the problem.


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