
Windows 98 From A to Z


- H -
Hardware System Requirements
The hardware requirements for a Windows 98 computer are roughly the same as those
for Windows 95:
- A computer that already has a DOS file allocation table created and has been
formatted. This requirement is satisfied if your PC already has another version of
Windows installed on it--such as Windows 95 or Windows 3.x--or if you are able to
get to a DOS command prompt--such as C:\.
- An Intel or Intel-compatible 486SX-66 MHz or faster microprocessor CPU.
- A hard disk drive that has at least 110 MB of free space.
- 16 MB of memory (commonly referred to as RAM or DRAM).
- VGA or higher-resolution monitor (preferably a color one).
- A high-density, 3 1/2-inch floppy disk drive.
- A CD-ROM disk drive, if you plan to install Windows 98 from its CD packaging
instead of from an endless series of floppy disks. (Using the Windows CD-ROM is the
easiest method, and should be used if at all possible.)
- A Microsoft mouse or compatible pointing device.
NOTE: If you are installing Windows 98
over an existing version of Windows, you are really performing an upgrade
installation and not a new install. This can be important when you consider that
in the past, Microsoft has charged less for upgrade versions of its operating
systems than it has for full-blown new versions.
HyperTerminal
HyperTerminal permits you to connect to another computer system via a telephone
line. Although HyperTerminal is similar to Dial-Up Networking (covered in the section
titled "Dial-Up Networking"), which is also built into Windows 98, it is
different in a few key aspects:
- HyperTerminal provides you with a fully functioning terminal window that can
be used for controlling remote systems without any additional software.
- HyperTerminal enables you to easily transfer files between you and another computer
user, even if that other user has an old DOS-based PC.
To use the HyperTerminal application, do the following:
- 1. Click the Start button and choose Programs, Accessories,
Communications, and then HyperTerminal, as shown in Figure H.1.
Figure H.1
- 2. The HyperTerminal application window, shown in Figure H.2, opens.
Icons representing three HyperTerminal contact points are already pres-ent in the
folder: AT&T Mail, MCI Mail, and CompuServe. The fourth
icon, HYPERTRM.EXE, represents the application you use to create new points
of access. Double-click the HYPERTRM.EXE icon.
- 3. The HyperTerminal splash screen shown in Figure H.3 is the first
screen to appear. It is displayed only for a few seconds.
NOTE: Splash screen is a slang
term for an entry screen--usually a pretty
picture--to an application program.
- The splash screen is replaced by the Connect To dialog box, shown in Figure
H.4. Here you enter the information for the computer that you are attempting to contact.
Click OK when you are certain that the information you've provided is correct.
Figure H.2
Figure H.3
Figure H.4
NOTE: For your convenience, information
in the Country Code, Area Code, and Connect Using sections of
the Connect To dialog box is pulled from information you provided when you
enabled Windows 98 Dial-Up Networking features. You can alter any of this information
simply by typing over the information provided.
- 4. In the Connect dialog box, shown in Figure H.5, you can accept
the default dialing properties or alter them as needed (review the section titled
"Dial-Up Networking" for further details). Click the Dial button
to initiate the connection.
Figure H.5
- 5. The Connect dialog box shown in Figure H.6 tracks the status
of the connection.
Figure H.6
NOTE: Upon connection to the remote system,
you can perform a variety of tasks, including transferring files, online chatting,
and controlling remote terminal connectivity. For more information about these topics,
refer to a good telecommunications manual.
- After the connection is made, you are brought to the main HyperTerminal screen
(with the name of your connection in the top border of the window), shown in Figure
H.7. This is where all contact with the remote system is made.
NOTE: HyperTerminal can get confusing
here: You are connected, but the screen is blank and there is no icon or message
telling that you have connected to the remote system correctly. To determine whether
you have connected, press Enter once or twice (depending on who you are connecting
to, it may take two strokes of the Enter key to initiate the screen information).
Figure H.7
- After you are connected, the screen should begin to display information about
your connection, as shown in Figure H.8.
Figure H.8
- 6. You will probably be prompted to enter some sort of user ID and password
identification in order to access a remote system. Unfortunately, the password information
is repeated back to you clearly onscreen, with no security implemented to keep your
information secret.
- 7. After you have been established as a valid user, most systems prompt
you for specific information regarding the features that your PC can handle (such
as the number of lines per screen and characters per line that your PC screen is
capable of showing, and whether your system can handle ANSI support), as shown in
Figure H.9.
Figure H.9
- 8. After this screen configuration is complete, you may be prompted for
more detailed personal information, or you may be taken directly into the practical
aspects of the system to which you are connecting.
- 9. When you finish with the remote system, disconnect from that session.
To do this, click the Disconnect icon, shown in Figure H.10.
Figure H.10
- As shown in Figure H.11, it looks as though nothing has happened even though
the telephone connection has been terminated.
- 10. To exit the HyperTerminal application, click the File menu
option and choose Exit.
- 11. The message box shown in Figure H.12 appears, prompting you to save
your connection configuration. Fill in a name for your connection in order to save
it to your hard disk.
Figure H.11
Figure H.12
- 12. You are returned to the HyperTerminal window from where you started,
but now you are able to see the icon, shown in Figure H.13, that represents your
new connection.
Figure H.13
- 13. To reconnect at a later date, return to the screen shown in Figure
H.13 and double-click one of the HyperTerminal connection files (these files are
the ones with .ht extensions).


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