Windows 98/98 SE
©Tricks + Secrets - Part 5
NOTE: I've been testing these replacements for more than a year now, ONLY on my home built PC [withOUT ANY errors so far! ;-)], but NOT ALL these files may work properly for you, based on your particular system settings/updates and/or installed software, because some may depend on and/or check for the ORIGINAL Win98 SE system files!
WARNING: By replacing Microsoft copyrighted files you
will BREAK the EULA, VOID your software warranty and FORFEIT your right to
benefit from tech support!
DO THIS AT YOUR OWN
RISK!
MAKE A FULL BACKUP OF YOUR WINDOWS 98 SE SYSTEM
BEFORE GOING ANY FURTHER!
Prior to replacing ANY system files you MUST delete these 2 Registry keys by running Regedit:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\control\SessionManager\CheckVerDLLs
and:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\control\SessionManager\WarnVerDLLs
To replace ANY system files already in use, you need to exit Windows or
reboot to native MS-DOS mode by holding Shift and pressing F5
while your PC boots, replace the files you want (eventually by creating
dedicated DOS batch files in Notepad), and then reboot one last time [business
as usual :)] to load Windows GUI.
See "2 DOS OR NOT 2 DOS"
+ "MS-DOS
PROMPT", both also in MYTIPS95.TXT [part of W95-11D.EXE], for more
details.
There are possibly other files that may be replaced this way, but
you need to exercise EXTREME CAUTION, because some may generate system
errors, lockups or even data loss, because of their eventual INCOMPATIBILITY
with Win98 SE.
STRONGLY RECOMMENDED:
Even more files can be
replaced [the official way :)] with newer (fixed) versions by installing ALL
specific Microsoft Win98 SE, MS DirectX, System Add-ons, MS IE/OE + MS WMP
updates, patches + fixes listed at my "FREE Software
ESSENTIALS" web page.
Files like: HOSTS, NETWORKS, PROTOCOL + SERVICES (residing in %windir%), LMHOSTS, *.BIN, *.CFG, *.KBD, *.MSG, *.NLS, *.PIF, *.SAM + *.SCR (residing in %windir%\SYSTEM), *.CNT (residing in %windir%\HELP) and *.ICM (residing in %windir%\SYSTEM\COLOR) do NOT need to be replaced because they are IDENTICAL.
Certain files extracted from the WinME Setup CD-ROM have different names than the ones used by both Win98 and ME OSes. :( The only 3 I know of are DESK.CPL, COMMDLG.DLL + SHELL.DLL (all located in C:\Windows\System), found as DESKW95.CPL (inside the WinME WIN_9.CAB file), COMMDLG.NEW + SHELL.NEW (both inside the WinME WIN_19.CAB file), respectively. Rename them to match your Win98 file names by using Windows Explorer or File Manager (FM = %windir%\WINFILE.EXE) by (right)-clicking on each file and selecting Rename, or by running these commands from any DOS prompt (using C:\EXTRACT as base folder):
REN C:\EXTRACT\DESKW95.CPL DESK.CPL
REN
C:\EXTRACT\COMMDLG.NEW COMMDLG.DLL
REN C:\EXTRACT\SHELL.NEW
SHELL.DLL
You need to change ALL Hidden (H), Read-Only (R) and/or System (S) files attributes to Archive (A) in order to be able to replace them. To do this, open a DOS prompt box and run (example):
ATTRIB -H -R -S +A %winbootdir%\FONTS\*.FON
System files attributes already in use by Windows canNOT be modified from within the GUI. :( To do this, exit/reboot Windows to native MS-DOS mode (as detailed further above), and then run ATTRIB (see this example) for ALL such files BEFORE replacing them.
I recommend using HIMEM.EBD contained in the \WIN9X\BASE2.CAB file from the WinME Setup CD instead of HIMEM.SYS, because it provides better compatibility with Win98 SE. To do this, just rename it and then move it to %winbootdir% (usually C:\WINDOWS) after extraction:
MOVE/Y C:\EXTRACT\HIMEM.EBD %winbootdir%\HIMEM.SYS
Another exception is SMARTDRV.EXE (the native MS-DOS mode fixed/removable disk cache TSR), which must be copied manually from your WinME Setup CD \WIN9X folder to %winbootdir%, because it is NOT included in the CAB files. :(
BONUS [:)]:
MD C:\EXTRACT
C:
CD\EXTRACT
EXTRACT
D:\WIN9X\WIN_9.CAB SPIDER.CHM
EXTRACT D:\WIN9X\WIN_17.CAB
SPIDER.EXE
EXTRACT D:\WIN9X\WIN_18.CAB SPIDER.HLP
Then use Windows Explorer or File Manager to move SPIDER.EXE to your
%windir%\Start Menu\Programs\Accessories\Games folder and SPIDER.CHM
+ SPIDER.HLP to your %windir%\HELP folder.
Finally, run
SPIDER.EXE to play the game. Enjoy!
BUG:
After replacing USER.EXE +
USER32.DLL in C:\Windows\System SETUP.EXE may refuse to reinstall Windows 98
SE from the Setup CD-ROM from within Windows GUI.
FIX:
Restore the original Win98 SE USER.EXE +
USER32.DLL from the backup copy you made (as advised at the top of this
article) in native MS-DOS, as detailed above. See "TIMED SHUT
DOWN", also in REGISTRY.TXT [part of W95-11D.EXE], for more info!
BUG:
No matter which system files you
replace, you canNOT properly reinstall Win98 SE into the SAME directory IF you
already installed ANY release of MS Internet Explorer 5.5 or 6.0!
FIX:
You MUST uninstall MS IE 5.5/6.0 FIRST! ONLY after
that reinstall Win98 SE.
More info @ MSKB:
FYI: See "USE WINME DEFRAG + SCANDSKW WITH WIN98", also in TIPS98.TXT [part of W95-11D.EXE], for more details.
UPDATE [Thank you Tweb!]: "I'm using SFC.EXE
(System File Checker) to replace system files one by one, to see if it works
correctly. If it doesn't, I use SFC to restore the original file, and if Windows
won't boot, I use MS-DOS.
This way I didn't have to delete the 2 Registry
keys you mention."
BEWARE: Certain system files
MUST be replaced together or not at all, because of
.386/.AX/.CPL/.DLL/.DRV/.EXE/.MPD/.MOD/.OCX/.PDR/.SYS/.TLB/.VXD
*INTERDEPENDENCIES*. :(
FINAL NOTE: I found out that WinME files listed below are NEWER and provide BETTER and/or FASTER performance with Win98 SE than their OFFICIAL Win98 SE counterparts obtained from Microsoft Windows Update, but if you experience [I haven't so far :)] ANY errors/lockups/etc, please restore the OFFICIAL Win98 SE files from your SAVED BACKUPS!
... And finally, here are the "goods":
This is the complete list of Win98
SE system files I have successfully replaced with their newer WinME
counterparts, classified by target directory, and using default paths:
C:\Windows + C:\Program Files (change if necessary):
- C:\Windows : INETMIB1.DLL MSOWS409.DLL NDDEAPI.DLL NDDENB.DLL TWAIN.DLL TWAIN_32.DLL ACCSTAT.EXE ARP.EXE ASD.EXE CALC.EXE CHARMAP.EXE CLEANMGR.EXE CLIPBRD.EXE CONTROL.EXE CVTAPLOG.EXE DEFRAG.EXE DIALER.EXE DRWATSON.EXE EMM386.EXE FONTVIEW.EXE FREECELL.EXE FTP.EXE GRPCONV.EXE IPCONFIG.EXE KODAKIMG.EXE KODAKPRV.EXE MM2ENT.EXE MPLAYER.EXE MSHEARTS.EXE NETSTAT.EXE NOTEPAD.EXE PACKAGER.EXE PING.EXE PROGMAN.EXE RG2CATDB.EXE ROUTE.EXE RSRCMTR.EXE RUNDLL.EXE RUNDLL32.EXE SCANDSKW.EXE SMARTDRV.EXE SNDREC32.EXE SNDVOL32.EXE SOL.EXE SYSMON.EXE TASKMAN.EXE TASKMON.EXE TELNET.EXE TRACERT.EXE TUNEUP.EXE TWUNK_16.EXE TWUNK_32.EXE WINFILE.EXE WINHELP.EXE WINHLP32.EXE WINIPCFG.EXE WINMINE.EXE HIMEM.SYS IFSHLP.SYS
- C:\Windows\Command : EDIT.COM CVT.EXE MSCDEX.EXE SCANDISK.EXE EDIT.HLP
- C:\Windows\System : VGAFULL.3GR IMAADP32.ACM LHACM.ACM MSADP32.ACM MSG711.ACM MSGSM32.ACM TSSOFT32.ACM ACELPDEC.AX CLRAMD.AX VOXMSDEC.AX VOXMVDEC.AX VVAUDFLT.AX VVVIDFLT.AX UNICODE.BIN ACCESS.CPL APPWIZ.CPL DESK.CPL MAIN.CPL MODEM.CPL NETCPL.CPL PASSWORD.CPL POWERCFG.CPL SYSDM.CPL TELEPHON.CPL THEMES.CPL TIMEDATE.CPL ADVAPI32.DLL CABINET.DLL CARDS.DLL CCFG95.DLL CDM.DLL CHOOSUSR.DLL CLRVIDDC.DLL CLUSALGO.DLL COMCAT.DLL COMMCTRL.DLL COMMDLG.DLL COMPOBJ.DLL COOL.DLL CRTDLL.DLL DCIMAN.DLL DCIMAN32.DLL DDAO35.DLL DDEML.DLL DECVW_32.DLL DHCPCSVC.DLL DIBENG.DLL DIGSIG.DLL DINDI.DLL DISPDIB.DLL DLCAPI.DLL DLCNDI.DLL DMCOLOR.DLL DOCPROP.DLL DSKAPI16.DLL DSKAPI32.DLL DSKMAINT.DLL FONTEXT.DLL FTSRCH.DLL GDI32.DLL GLU32.DLL HID.DLL HIDCI.DLL ICCVID.DLL ICM32.DLL ICMP.DLL ICMUI.DLL ICMUPG.DLL ICONLIB.DLL IENPSTUB.DLL ILS.DLL IMAGEHLP.DLL IMGCMN.DLL IMGSHL.DLL IMM32.DLL INDICDLL.DLL IPCFGDLL.DLL IPHLPAPI.DLL IPROP.DLL ISDNUI.DLL JPEG1X32.DLL JPEG2X32.DLL LINKINFO.DLL LMRTREND.DLL LZ32.DLL LZEXPAND.DLL MAG_HOOK.DLL MAINCP16.DLL MAPI32.DLL MAPISTUB.DLL MBSLGN32.DLL MCIOLE.DLL MF3216.DLL MFC30.DLL MFC40.DLL MFC42.DLL MFCANS32.DLL MFCD30.DLL MFCN30.DLL MFCO30.DLL MFCUIA32.DLL MFCUIW32.DLL MMCI.DLL MMSYSTEM.DLL MODEMUI.DLL MORICONS.DLL MPRSERV.DLL MSAB32.DLL MSACM.DLL MSACM32.DLL MSAFD.DLL MSASN1.DLL MSCMS.DLL MSIMG32.DLL MSJET35.DLL MSLOCUSR.DLL MSMIXMGR.DLL MSNP32.DLL MSNSSPC.DLL MSREPL35.DLL MSRLE32.DLL MSSHRUI.DLL MSVCIRT.DLL MSVCP50.DLL MSVCRT20.DLL MSVCRT40.DLL MSVFW32.DLL MSVIDC32.DLL MSVIDEO.DLL NETBIOS.DLL OIADM400.DLL OICOM400.DLL OIDIS400.DLL OIFIL400.DLL OIGFS400.DLL OIPRT400.DLL OISLB400.DLL OISSQ400.DLL OITWA400.DLL OIUI400.DLL OLE2.DLL OLE2CONV.DLL OLE2DISP.DLL OLE2NLS.DLL OLE32.DLL OLEACC.DLL OLEACCRC.DLL OLECLI.DLL OLECLI32.DLL OLECNV32.DLL OLEDLG.DLL OLESVR.DLL OLESVR32.DLL OLETHK32.DLL OPENGL32.DLL PANMAP.DLL PPPNDI.DLL QCUT.DLL QOSNAME.DLL RICHED.DLL RICHED20.DLL RICHED32.DLL RNAPH.DLL RNASERV.DLL RNASETUP.DLL RNASMM.DLL RNATHUNK.DLL RNR20.DLL ROUTETAB.DLL RPCLTC3.DLL RPCLTC6.DLL RPCLTS3.DLL RPCLTS6.DLL RSRC16.DLL RSRC32.DLL SHELL.DLL SMMSCRPT.DLL SMMSETUP.DLL SNMPAPI.DLL SPOOLSS.DLL STORAGE.DLL SYSCLASS.DLL SYSDETMG.DLL SYSTHUNK.DLL TAPI.DLL TAPI32.DLL TAPIUI.DLL TOOLHELP.DLL TSD32.DLL TSP3216S.DLL TYPELIB.DLL UMDM16.DLL UMDM32.DLL UMDMXFRM.DLL UNIDRV.DLL USBUI.DLL USER32.DLL VDODEC32.DLL VLB32.DLL VMODCTL.DLL WHLP16T.DLL WHLP32T.DLL WILDLB32.DLL WIN32S16.DLL WIN87EM.DLL WINMM.DLL WINNET16.DLL WL32DLL.DLL XFILEXR.DLL COMM.DRV FRAMEBUF.DRV KEYBOARD.DRV MCIAVI.DRV MCICDA.DRV MCISEQ.DRV MCIWAVE.DRV MIDIMAP.DRV MMSOUND.DRV MOUSE.DRV MSACM.DRV SUPERVGA.DRV SYSTEM.DRV VDOWAVE.DRV VGA.DRV WINSPL16.DRV WINSPOOL.DRV DLLHOST.EXE FIXMAPI.EXE FONTREG.EXE GDI.EXE ICWSCRPT.EXE LMSCRIPT.EXE LOCPROXY.EXE LOCPRXY2.EXE MAGNIFY.EXE MKCOMPAT.EXE MSCONFIG.EXE REDIR32.EXE REGSVR32.EXE RNAAPP.EXE SPOOL32.EXE TAPI16.EXE TAPIINI.EXE TAPISRV.EXE TAPIUPR.EXE TCMSETUP.EXE TLOCMGR.EXE TRCDLC.EXE USER.EXE UNIDRV.HLP REDIRECT.MOD UNICODE.NLS AMOVIE.OCX BR549.OCX EYEDOG.OCX IMGADMIN.OCX IMGEDIT.OCX IMGSCAN.OCX IMGTHUMB.OCX NDISWMI.SYS NETPPTP.SYS STDOLE.TLB STDOLE32.TLB MMTASK.TSK REMOTESP.TSP TSP3216L.TSP UNIMDM.TSP THREED.VBX MVOICED.VWP FIOLOG.VXD LOGGER.VXD MSGAME.VXD MSSP.VXD NDIS.VXD NDISWAN.VXD PPPMAC.VXD SPAP.VXD SPLITTER.VXD UNIMODEM.VXD VGATEWAY.VXD
- C:\Windows\System\Iosubsys : NTMAPHLP.PDR
- C:\Windows\System\Shellext : CABVIEW.DLL INETFIND.DLL
- C:\Windows\Help : AMOVIE.CHM CALC.CHM FREECELL.CHM MPLAYER.CHM MSHEARTS.CHM NOTEPAD.CHM PINBALL.CHM SOL.CHM TELNET.CHM WINFILE.CHM WINMINE.CHM AMOVIE.HLP CALC.HLP FREECELL.HLP IMGHELP.HLP IMGOCXD.HLP MPLAYER.HLP MSHEARTS.HLP NOTEPAD.HLP PINBALL.HLP SOL.HLP TELNET.HLP WINFILE.HLP WINHLP32.HLP
- C:\Windows\Sysbckup : COMMCTRL.DLL COMMDLG.DLL COMPOBJ.DLL DCIMAN.DLL DCIMAN32.DLL DDEML.DLL DISPDIB.DLL LZEXPAND.DLL MCIOLE.DLL MSACM.DLL MSMIXMGR.DLL MSVCRT20.DLL MSVIDEO.DLL OLE2.DLL OLE2CONV.DLL OLE2DISP.DLL OLE2NLS.DLL OLECLI.DLL OLESVR.DLL SHELL.DLL STORAGE.DLL TOOLHELP.DLL TYPELIB.DLL UNIDRV.DLL WIN32S16.DLL MCIAVI.DRV MIDIMAP.DRV MSACM.DRV WINHELP.EXE STDOLE.TLB
- C:\Windows\System32\Drivers : 1394BUS.SYS DBCLASS.SYS DBFILTER.SYS DRMK.SYS HIDCLASS.SYS HIDPARSE.SYS HIDVKD.SYS KMIXER.SYS MSPQM.SYS NTMAP.SYS OHCI1394.SYS OPENHCI.SYS PORTCLS.SYS REDBOOK.SYS RT.SYS SBEMUL.SYS SBP2PORT.SYS SBP2SCAN.SYS SWMIDI.SYS TDI.SYS UHCD.SYS UPDATE.SYS USBAUDIO.SYS USBAUTH.SYS USBCCGP.SYS USBD.SYS USBHUB.SYS WDMFS.SYS WMIDRV.SYS WMILIB.SYS
- C:\Windows\Msapps\Grphflt : MSJPEG32.DLL JPEGIM32.FLT
- C:\Windows\Fonts : 8514FIX.FON 8514OEM.FON 8514SYS.FON COURE.FON COURF.FON DOSAPP.FON MODERN.FON SERIFE.FON SERIFF.FON SMALLE.FON SMALLF.FON SSERIFE.FON SSERIFF.FON SYMBOLE.FON SYMBOLF.FON VGAFIX.FON VGAOEM.FON VGASYS.FON ABALC.TTF ANTQUAB.TTF ANTQUABI.TTF ANTQUAI.TTF ARIAL.TTF ARIALBD.TTF ARIALBI.TTF ARIALI.TTF ARIBLK.TTF BKANT.TTF CALIST.TTF COMIC.TTF COMICBD.TTF COPRGTB.TTF COPRGTL.TTF COUR.TTF COURBD.TTF COURBI.TTF COURI.TTF GOTHIC.TTF GOTHICB.TTF GOTHICBI.TTF GOTHICI.TTF IMPACT.TTF LHANDW.TTF LSANSI.TTF LSANSUNI.TTF LUCON.TTF MARLETT.TTF MATISSE_.TTF NWGTHC.TTF NWGTHCB.TTF NWGTHCI.TTF SYMBOL.TTF TAHOMA.TTF TAHOMABD.TTF TEMPSITC.TTF TIMES.TTF TIMESBD.TTF TIMESBI.TTF TIMESI.TTF TREBUC.TTF TREBUCBD.TTF TREBUCBI.TTF TREBUCIT.TTF VERDANA.TTF VERDANAB.TTF VERDANAI.TTF VERDANAZ.TTF WEBDINGS.TTF WESTM.TTF WINGDING.TTF
- C:\Program Files\Accessories : MSPCX32.DLL WORDPAD.EXE
- C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Grphflt : JPEGIM32.FLT
- C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Msinfo : MSIAV.OCX MSICDROM.OCX MSIOLERG.OCX MSIPRINT.OCX MSISYS.OCX MSUPDATE.OCX TXTVIEW.OCX
- C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Textconv : MSWRD632.WPC MSWRD832.CNV WRITE32.WPC
- C:\Program Files\Common Files\System\Ole Db : MSDATL2.DLL
- C:\Program Files\Plus! : PLUS!.DLL THEMES.EXE
But if you install this Microsoft Windows 95/OSR1/OSR2/NT4/98/98 SP1/98 SE Shell
Unchecked Buffer Arbitrary Code Execution SHELL32.DLL build 4.72.3812.600
Security Vulnerability Fix:
Direct
download [834 KB, English].
MANDATORY: Windows
95/OSR1/OSR2/NT4 require MS IE
5.5 SP2 [84.1 MB, English] WITH Active Desktop installed!
More info:
Win98 SE: Pop in your Win98 SE(U) Setup CD-ROM -> open Windows Explorer -> click the WIN98 folder -> (double)-click the WIN98_41.CAB file -> scroll down to SHELL32.DLL -> right-click on it -> browse to an empty folder (i.e. C:\EXTRACT) -> click OK to extract it there.
Win95/OSR1/OSR2/NT4/98/98 SP1: download these files from MS Internet Explorer v5.01 [right-click to save them!]:
Win95/OSR1/OSR2/NT4: download MS Power Toys 95 Set [204 KB, free, unsupported].
Install
CABVIEW.DLL by right-clicking on CABVIEW.INF and selecting
Install to be able to extract files from CAB archives.
Win95/OSR1/OSR2/NT4/98/98 SP1: open Windows Explorer -> highlight the folder containing the downloaded CAB files above -> (double)-click on IE4SHL95.CAB (Win95/OSR1/OSR2/98/98 SP1) or IE4SHLNT.CAB (WinNT4) -> scroll down to SHELL32.DLL -> right-click on it -> browse to an empty folder (i.e. C:\EXTRACT) -> click OK to extract it there.
Win95/OSR1/OSR2/98/98 SP1/98 SE: exit or reboot Windows to native MS-DOS -> hold Shift (or Ctrl) and hit F5 while your PC (re)boots or select the "Command prompt only" option from Windows 95/98 Startup Menu.
WinNT4: see "MS IE 5.5 SP2 + 6.0 FIX" step 6. SOLUTION, also in MYTIPS95.TXT, part of W95-11D.EXE], to learn how to replace Windows NT/2000 system files already in use.
All MS OSes: run these command lines from the C:\> prompt (example using same C:\EXTRACT folder above):
REN %winbootdir%\SYSTEM\SHELL32.DLL
SHELL32.NEW
MOVE C:\EXTRACT\SHELL32.DLL %winbootdir%\SYSTEM
REN %systemroot%\SYSTEM32\SHELL32.DLL
SHELL32.NEW
COPY C:\EXTRACT\SHELL32.DLL %systemroot%\SYSTEM32
DEL
C:\EXTRACT\SHELL32.DLL
All MS OSes: reboot back to Windows GUI [business as usual :)].
Now: remove the Desktop arrows again using TweakUI as detailed above.
DISADVANTAGE: This "rude" fix actually defeats the purpose of installing the patched SHELL32.DLL, by replacing it with an older (buggy) one. :(
BACKUP your REGISTRY files to a safe location FIRST!
All MS OSes: Start button -> Run... box -> type Regedit -> OK
-> Edit -> Find... -> type IsShortcut -> Find Next ->
rename ALL IsShortcut String Values found to read IsNotShortcut
or delete them if you prefer -> close the Registry Editor -> restart
Windows.
See "DITCH THOSE
ARROWS!", also in REGISTRY.TXT [part of W95-11D.EXE], for more
details.
Now: remove the Desktop arrows again using TweakUI as detailed above.
DISADVANTAGE: This "hack" breaks the ability of using Alt + Ctrl + Pick-A-Key "hot combos" (keyboard shortcuts) for running Desktop/Start menu shortcuts. :(
WARNING: By using modified Microsoft copyrighted files you will BREAK the EULA, VOID your software warranty and FORFEIT your right to benefit from tech support!
BACKUP your SHELL32.DLL file to a safe location FIRST!
All MS OSes: copy your patched SHELL32.DLL file from %windir%\SYSTEM (Win95/98) or %systemroot%\SYSTEM32 (WinNT4) to an empty folder (i.e. C:\EXTRACT) -> run Resource Hacker -> click File -> Open -> browse to the location of SHELL32.DLL -> (double)-click on it -> click Icon Group -> scroll down to 30 -> double-click on it -> highlight 1033 -> click Action -> Replace Icon Group... -> click Replace file with new icon... -> browse to the location of the invisible (transparent) EMPTY.ICO [766 Bytes, right-click to save it!] -> double-click on it -> click Replace -> repeat these same steps for Icon Group 31 -> click File -> Save As -> double-click original SHELL32.DLL -> OK to replace -> close Resource Hacker.
Win95/OSR1/OSR2/98/98 SP1/98 SE: exit or reboot Windows to native MS-DOS -> hold Shift (or Ctrl) and hit F5 while your PC (re)boots or select the "Command prompt only" option from Windows 95/98 Startup Menu.
WinNT4: see "MS IE 5.5 SP2 + 6.0 FIX" step 6. SOLUTION, also in MYTIPS95.TXT [part of W95-11D.EXE], to learn how to replace Windows NT/2000 system files already in use.
All MS OSes: run these command lines from the C:\> prompt (example using same C:\EXTRACT folder above):
REN %winbootdir%\SYSTEM\SHELL32.DLL
SHELL32.NEW
MOVE C:\EXTRACT\SHELL32.DLL %winbootdir%\SYSTEM
REN %systemroot%\SYSTEM32\SHELL32.DLL
SHELL32.NEW
COPY C:\EXTRACT\SHELL32.DLL %systemroot%\SYSTEM32
DEL
C:\EXTRACT\SHELL32.DLL
All MS OSes: reboot back to Windows GUI [business as usual :)].
Now: there is no need to remove the Desktop arrows with TweakUI anymore,
because you already did by replacing the SHELL32.DLL icons 30 and 31.
:)
This is exactly what TweakUI does when you check Custom -> Change
(under Explorer tab). It replaces the Registry entry for default arrow overlay
icon built into SHELL32.DLL with its own invisible (transparent) icon built
into TWEAKUI.CPL.
DISADVANTAGE: None that I'm aware of. ;) You actually get to remove
all those annoying Desktop shortcut arrows for good, while keeping the updated
SHELL32.DLL, and at the same time being able to enjoy using keyboard "combos"
for starting any of your Desktop/Start menu shortcuts.
The only catch is if
in the future Microsoft decides to issue another "buggy" SHELL32.DLL patch,
you'll have to hex edit it all over again [:(], but at least now you know how.
:)
FYI: How To Hide Shortcut Arrows After Applying Critical Update Q313829.
"I have discovered that you can restore your Win98/98 SE OS by using the
PCRESTOR.BAT file found in the \Tools\Sysrec subfolder on the
Windows 98/98 SE Setup CD-ROM.
To use it: open Windows Explorer or File
Manager (FM = C:\Windows\Winfile.exe) and (double)-click on Pcrestor.bat.
This will copy Msbatch.inf to the newly created C:\Restore folder, and
then it will run Setup.exe unattended, which will reinstall the OS over
your existing copy, thus repairing a possibly damaged system.
This little
puppy works a treat when you're getting corrupted/missing *.VXD errors,
especially if overclocking your PC."
NOTE: Do NOT install these tools if using MS Office 2000 or newer!
FYI: If you don't have the Win98/98 SE Setup CD, get
MS Fax [2.76
MB], and then run WMS.EXE + AWFAX.EXE (in this EXACT order!) to install
both tools.
More info.
"To remove the "Find: On the Internet..." and/or "Find: People..." items from the Start menu, run Regedit and go to:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\explorer\FindExtensions\Static
Once there, delete the following subkeys: "InetFind" (removes "Find: On the Internet...") and/or "WabFind" (removes "Find: People...")."
"To remove these Start menu Find items: "On the Internet..." and/or "In Corel Media Folder..." [only if you installed Corel Media!], open Regedit and go to:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\explorer\FindExtensions\Static
Once there, delete the following subkeys: "MediaFolderFind" (for "In
Corel Media Folder...") and/or "WebSearch" (for "On the Internet...").
If you don't want any of them, delete the "Static" key
altogether.
FIRST: Backup (export) the entire
"FindExtensions" key to a REG file from the Regedit menu, to be able to
restore it in the future by double-clicking on (merging) the REG file back
into the Registry."
-----Begin cut
& paste here----- [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Usb] ------End cut & paste here------
REGEDIT4
"ErrorCheckingEnabled"=dword:00000000
and then merging it into the Registry, by (double)-clicking on it in Explorer or File Manager.
-----Begin cut
& paste here----- [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\VxD\PCI] ------End cut & paste here------
REGEDIT4
"Options"=hex:02,08,00,00
and then merging it into the Registry, by (double)-clicking on it in
Windows Explorer or File Manager.
Changing this setting requires restarting
Windows to take effect.
REQUIRED READING:
In case you don't have Windows ME, you can grab them here:
In case you haven't installed WinME yet, but you already have the WinME Setup CD-ROM handy, just pop in the CD, open a DOS box, and run these commands:
EXTRACT D:\WIN9X\WIN_16.CAB DEFRAG.EXE %winbootdir%
and:
EXTRACT D:\WIN9X\WIN_17.CAB SCANDSKW.EXE %winbootdir%
This presumes your CD/DVD drive letter is D. Change it if necessary.
Type
EXIT and hit Enter to close the DOS session.
Done.
ADVANTAGE: The WinME disk tools are a lot faster!
FYI: My final conclusion is that Windows 98 SE is
more stable [almost error-free! :)] and FASTER than Windows ME on my PC, AFTER
applying ALL MS system
patches/fixes/updates, using ALL current
video/audio/communications drivers, and ONLY AFTER replacing system
files listed in "KILLER REPLACEMENTS: ME
-> 98 SE", also in TIPS98.TXT [part of W95-11D.EXE].
These are my home assembled PC hardware
specs.
"This tweak works ONLY with Windows 98, ME and 2000. [Thank you Chris
(clord@Dtcc.com)!]
I've noticed that a lot of Win98 users (including myself)
are angry about the missing "Attributes" column in Details mode, Windows
Explorer.
Here's how to fix it:
Fire up your text editor (i.e. Notepad)
and cut & paste the following text into a new file (call it ATTRIB.REG):
-----Begin cut
& paste here----- [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced] ------End cut & paste here------
REGEDIT4
"ShowAttribCol"=dword:00000001
Save your file, exit your text editor, (double)-click on ATTRIB.REG, answer Yes/OK to all prompts, and then close + restart Windows Explorer."
NOTE: See also the "ShowAttr" topic @ PC Forrest's Registry Hacks.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\VxD\MSTCP\Parameters
In the right hand pane look for the "GlobalMaxTCPWindoSize" DWORD
Value, and rename it to "GlobalMaxTCPWindoSize" if it reads
"GlobalMaxTCPWindowSize" (note the extra "w" in "Window",
which would be the correct spelling, but the OS does NOT recognize it as such,
so you need to "misspell" it to make it work as intended). Create it if not
present: right-click in the right hand pane -> select New -> DWORD ->
name it "GlobalMaxTCPWindoSize" -> click OK -> double-click on it
-> check the Decimal box -> type in 2144 [4x the MSS value = MTU
(in this case 576) - 40 = 536] -> click OK -> restart Windows for the
change to take effect.
You can also try the 6x MSS value for your global RWIN
[with a MTU of 576, in which case MSS (MTU - 40) is 536], calculated with this
formula:
RWIN = (MTU - 40) x n
where n can be 2, 4, 6, 8 or 16 (8 is the Win9x default, and in most
cases is too large for dial-up connections).
In this case (typical analog
modem over the Internet):
RWIN = (576 - 40) x 6 = 3216
which might allow faster TCP/IP performance in certain cases.
FYI: MTU = Maximum Transmission Unit, and MSS = Maximum Segment Size.
You can also determine your optimal MTU by running the PING tool (from a DOS box) included with Win9x, depending on the ISP/Online Service used, phone line conditions, Internet traffic etc (example):
PING -f -l 548 www.your_isp_name.com
See "FASTEST INTERNET 98 - Part 2" for more details on how to properly use the PING command line switches to determine your actual MTU.
UPDATE [courtesy of DM]: Microsoft has fixed the global RWIN key spelling in Windows ME (Millennium Edition).
