MDGx
Windows 98/98 SE
Tricks + Secrets - Part 5

Go to Windows 98 ©Tricks + Secrets Contents
• 12-30-06 Updated Win98 SE Original Registry ©Trick in TIPS98.TXT, part of W95-11D.EXE:

98SE2ME

98SE2ME: KILLER REPLACEMENTS: ME -> 98 SE

 98SE2ME.EXE Updated April 12 2009 


FIRST install the "WINDOWS 98 SECOND EDITION (SE) ESSENTIAL FREE UPGRADES + FIXES" AND the Unofficial Windows 98 SE Service Pack 2 (SP2) (English), and ONLY AFTER that install 98SE2ME [2.8 MB, English] or (if you wish) replace manually Win98 SE system files with the ones from WinME listed below.

    UPDATE:
    I have [finally ;)] created an automated installer to perform all these ME -> 98 SE "transplant" operations completely unattended ["hands-free"]. :)
    Download + install 98SE2ME.EXE [2.8 MB].
    Use this link ONLY IF 98SE2ME.EXE link above does not work.
    •READ• ALL guidelines in READ1ST.TXT •carefully• BEFORE running 98SE2ME.PIF!
    ONLY AFTER that open your Start Menu -> Programs -> 98SE2ME -> (double)-click the "98SE2ME.PIF - MAIN PROGRAM" shortcut.
    98SE2ME Changes + Updates.
    98SE2ME MSFN Forum.
    98SE2ME info, downloads + screen shots.

    WARNING:
    By replacing Microsoft files you may VOID the EULA, warranty and/or support (if any).
    You do all this at your OWN risk!
    ALWAYS BACKUP FIRST!

Are you currently using Windows 98 Second Edition (SE) Full, Upgrade, OEM or Updates (SEU) English edition?
Do you have a Windows Millennium Edition (ME) Full, Upgrade or OEM Setup CD-ROM English edition?
Do you want to improve/speed up/fix your Win98 SE(U) GUI, OLE, DDE, GDI, Dial-Up Networking (DUN), TCP/IP, Winsock, LAN/WAN, Multimedia/Audio/Video, Virtual Cache/Memory, USB/FireWire components [and others I don't even recall off of the top of my head :)], without putting up with the notorious WinME annoyances?
If you answered "Yes" to all these questions, you're in for a •HUGE• treat!
The goal here is building the ultimate Windows 9x OS by "transplanting" ~ 700 newer ME system files onto 98 SE, and YES, you too CAN do this at home, kids... :-)
All you need to do is extract •ALL• files enumerated below from the WinME Setup CD by running the DOS based EXTRACT command, and then move them to your Win98 SE folders listed at the bottom of this article.
See "EXTRACT FROM CAB", also in MYTIPS95.TXT [part of W95-11D.EXE], to learn how to use %windir%\COMMAND\EXTRACT.EXE. For convenience, you can automate this task [because there are hundreds of files you need to extract :)] by using the ECD.BAT DOS style batch file [also part of W95-11D.EXE], which you can further customize for this purpose by editing it with Notepad.
Just make sure to replace all D: instances from ECD.BAT with your actual CD/DVD drive letter if different.
Another alternative is to use %windir%\EXTRAC32.EXE (%windir% is your main Windows folder, usually C:\WINDOWS), as detailed in "RIGHT-CLICK CAB EXTRACT" (also in REGISTRY.TXT) and "CAB EXTRACT" (also in TIPS95.TXT), both part of W95-11D.EXE.
Yet another alternative (built into Win98/ME GUI = %windir%\SYSTEM\SHELLEXT\CABVIEW.DLL) is to simply (double)-click on a particular *.CAB file, select a destination folder and click Extract. Disadvantage: this way you can get only 1 file at a time, because CABVIEW.DLL does NOT allow for batch programming to enable extracting of multiple files. :(

FYI: I've been using these replacements for over 7 years on my home built PC withOUT errors so far [;-)], but NOT ALL these files may work properly on your computer(s), based on particular system settings/updates and/or installed hardware/software, because some may depend on and/or check for ORIGINAL Win98 SE system files!

Prior to replacing ANY system files you MUST delete these 2 Registry keys by creating a new REG file in Notepad with these lines and naming it NOCHKVER.REG (example):

-----Begin cut & paste here-----
REGEDIT4
[-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\control\SessionManager\CheckVerDLLs]
[-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\control\SessionManager\WarnVerDLLs]

------End cut & paste here------

Then run NOCHKVER.REG.

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 Components + Add-ons, MS IE/OE and MS WMP updates, patches + fixes listed at my "FREE Software ESSENTIALS" page.

Files like: HOSTS, NETWORKS, PROTOCOL + SERVICES (residing in %windir%), LMHOSTS, *.BIN, *.CFG, *.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.

Do NOT replace ANY of these original Win98 SE system files with their WinME counterparts because your Windows OS WILL STOP WORKING OR LOCK UP IF YOU DO:

NEW: ADD WINDOWS 2000/XP/2003 + WMP10 FUNCTIONALITY:
For those who wish to benefit from some of Windows 2000 UR1, 2000 SP4, XP SP3, 2003 SP1 + WMP10 newly introduced enhancements + fixes while still running Windows 98 SE, I STRONGLY RECOMMEND to install all these updates:

I am using the fixed Windows ME USER32.DLL + USER.EXE 4.90.3001 [453 KB, more info @ MSKB] to replace the older Win98 SE ones, because these files speed up overall OS performance, add some WinME core enhancements AND fix some Win98 SE core bugs.
How to replace yours step by step:

  1. Create a new DOS style batch file in Notepad with these lines and save it as U98NEW.BAT (example):

    -----Begin cut & paste here-----
@ECHO OFF
VER | FIND /I "2222">NUL
IF ERRORLEVEL 1 GOTO NO!
MEM /C | FIND /I "vmm32">NUL
IF ERRORLEVEL 1 GOTO NO!
ECHO You MUST be already connected to the internet to download
ECHO ME280800.EXE + EXPLORER.EXE into C:\EXTRACT !
ECHO If you are NOT connected to the internet, please do so FIRST,
ECHO and ONLY AFTER that run U98NEW.BAT again!
ECHO.
CHOICE /C:YN /T:N,99 /N Press Y to PROCEED. Press N to EXIT.
IF ERRORLEVEL 2 GOTO NO!
IF ERRORLEVEL 1 GOTO GO!
:GO!
IF NOT EXIST C:\EXTRACT\NUL MD C:\EXTRACT
START/W REGEDIT /E /S C:\EXTRACT\DL!ORI.REG "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer"
ECHO REGEDIT4>C:\EXTRACT\DL!NEW.REG
ECHO [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer]>>C:\EXTRACT\DL!NEW.REG
ECHO "Download Directory"="C:\\EXTRACT">>C:\EXTRACT\DL!NEW.REG
ECHO [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main]>>C:\EXTRACT\DL!NEW.REG
ECHO "NotifyDownloadComplete"="no">>C:\EXTRACT\DL!NEW.REG
ECHO "Save Directory"="C:\\EXTRACT">>C:\EXTRACT\DL!NEW.REG
START/W REGEDIT /S C:\EXTRACT\DL!NEW.REG
START/W /M IEXPLORE.EXE "http://www.mdgx.com/files/ME280800.EXE"
START/W /M IEXPLORE.EXE "http://www.mdgx.com/files/EXPLORER.EXE"
START/W C:\EXTRACT\ME280800.EXE /C /Q /T:C:\EXTRACT
START/W REGEDIT /S C:\EXTRACT\DL!ORI.REG
ECHO [Rename]>%windir%\WININIT.INI
ECHO %windir%\SYSTEM\USER32.W98=%windir%\SYSTEM\USER32.DLL>>%windir%\WININIT.INI
ECHO %windir%\SYSTEM\USER.W98=%windir%\SYSTEM\USER.EXE>>%windir%\WININIT.INI
ECHO %windir%\SYSTEM\USER32.DLL=C:\EXTRACT\USER32.DLL>>%windir%\WININIT.INI
ECHO %windir%\SYSTEM\USER.EXE=C:\EXTRACT\USER.EXE>>%windir%\WININIT.INI
ECHO %windir%\EXPLORER.W98=%windir%\EXPLORER.EXE>>%windir%\WININIT.INI
ECHO %windir%\EXPLORER.EXE=C:\EXTRACT\EXPLORER.EXE>>%windir%\WININIT.INI
IF EXIST C:\EXTRACT\DL!*.REG DEL C:\EXTRACT\DL!*.REG
IF EXIST C:\EXTRACT\W*.CAT DEL C:\EXTRACT\W*.CAT
IF EXIST C:\EXTRACT\ADVPACK.DLL DEL C:\EXTRACT\ADVPACK.DLL
IF EXIST C:\EXTRACT\W95INF*.DLL DEL C:\EXTRACT\W95INF*.DLL
IF EXIST C:\EXTRACT\ME280800.EXE DEL C:\EXTRACT\ME280800.EXE
IF EXIST C:\EXTRACT\QFE*.* DEL C:\EXTRACT\QFE*.*
IF EXIST C:\EXTRACT\280800*.INF DEL C:\EXTRACT\280800*.INF
RUNDLL32 %windir%\SYSTEM\SHELL32.DLL,SHExitWindowsEx 2
:NO!
CLS
EXIT
------End cut & paste here------

  2. Run [(double)-click on] U98NEW.BAT only from within Windows 98 SE. It will automatically backup your original files: USER32.DLL as USER32.W98 + USER.EXE as USER.W98 [just in case you want to use them again :)] into C:\Windows\System and then reboot your PC upon completion.
  3. Done.

Only if you already added all WinME *.SYS drivers listed further below into C:\Windows\System32\Drivers , you should also install ALL patched WinME drivers listed above, and found here.
Patched WDMAUD.SYS requires WDMAUD.DRV installed into C:\Windows\System .
Just adapt the BATch file above [U98NEW.BAT] to extract and then copy all these files to %windir%\SYSTEM32\DRIVERS . Reboot when done.

BONUS [:)]:
U98NEW.BAT also installs the patched Win98 SE (English) EXPLORER.EXE 4.72.3612.1710 with 256 colors support for all Desktop, Start Menu + Windows Explorer icons and "Windows 98 Second Edition" Start Menu banner.

EXCEPTIONS:
The following files extracted from the WinME Setup CD-ROM have different names than the ones used by both Win98 and ME OSes. :(
COMMDLG.DLL + VER.DLL (all located in C:\Windows\System) are found as COMMDLG.NEW, SHELL.NEW + VER.NEW inside the WinME WIN_19.CAB file.
[Thank you Steve for the VER.NEW/VER.DLL workaround!]
COMMCTRL.DLL (located in C:\Windows\System) is found as KOMMCTRL.DLL inside the WinME PRECOPY1.CAB file.
WORKAROUNDS:

  1. Exit/reboot to native MS-DOS (as detailed further above) and run these commands you can cut & paste into a DOS style BATch file (using Notepad) for faster execution (using C:\EXTRACT as base folder) to extract + move all files above to proper destination directories (assuming D is your CD/DVD drive letter, change if necessary):

    -----Begin cut & paste here-----
    @ECHO OFF
    IF NOT EXIST C:\EXTRACT\NUL MD C:\EXTRACT
    EXTRACT/Y /L D:\WIN9X\PRECOPY1.CAB C:\EXTRACT KOMMCTRL.DLL
    EXTRACT/Y /L D:\WIN9X\WIN_19.CAB C:\EXTRACT COMMDLG.NEW SHELL.NEW VER.NEW
    COPY/Y/Z C:\EXTRACT\COMMDLG.NEW %winbootdir%\SYSTEM\COMMDLG.DLL
    MOVE/Y C:\EXTRACT\COMMDLG.NEW %winbootdir%\SYSBCKUP\COMMDLG.DLL
    COPY/Y/Z C:\EXTRACT\VER.NEW %winbootdir%\SYSTEM\VER.DLL
    MOVE/Y C:\EXTRACT\VER.NEW %winbootdir%\SYSBCKUP\VER.DLL
    COPY/Y/Z C:\EXTRACT\KOMMCTRL.DLL %winbootdir%\SYSTEM\COMMCTRL.DLL
    MOVE/Y C:\EXTRACT\KOMMCTRL.DLL %winbootdir%\SYSBCKUP\COMMCTRL.DLL
    ------End cut & paste here------

    Finally, run WIN.COM or reboot to (re)start Windows GUI. Done.

  2. SMARTDRV.EXE (the native MS-DOS mode fixed/removable disk cache TSR, located in C:\WINDOWS) must be copied manually from your WinME Setup CD \WIN9X folder to %winbootdir% (usually C:\WINDOWS), because it is NOT found inside the CAB files. :(

  3. 98SE2ME also installs as part of options 1 + 2 [examples]:
    • USB/FireWire/Audio/WDM drivers in C:\Windows\System32\Drivers [default] = also as separate option 5.
    • ZIP Folders in C:\Windows\System [default].
    • Bonus Games [see below]:
      • Spider Solitaire in C:\Windows [default].
      • Space Cadet 3D Pinball in C:\Program Files\Pinball [default].
      • 5 Internet Games in C:\Program Files\GameZone [default].

IMPORTANT:
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\*.*

System files attributes already in use by Windows canNOT be modified from WITHIN Windows. :( To do this, exit/reboot Windows to native MS-DOS mode (as detailed further above), and then run ATTRIB (as in this example) for ALL such files BEFORE replacing them.

BONUS [:)]:
  1. If you would like to play the Microsoft Spider Solitaire card game installed by MS Plus! 98 Pack and Windows ME, but NOT available with ANY Windows 98 release, and you don't have the MS Plus! 98 Setup CD-ROM, just extract these 3 files from the WinME Setup CD-ROM into an empty (temporary) folder (I suggest C:\EXTRACT used above), by running these commands from any DOS prompt (assuming D is your CD/DVD drive letter, change if necessary):

    IF NOT EXIST C:\EXTRACT\NUL MD C:\EXTRACT
    EXTRACT D:\WIN9X\WIN_9.CAB SPIDER.CHM C:\EXTRACT
    EXTRACT D:\WIN9X\WIN_17.CAB SPIDER.EXE C:\EXTRACT
    EXTRACT D:WIN9X\WIN_18.CAB SPIDER.HLP C:\EXTRACT

    Then move them to proper destination directories by running these commands ONLY from a DOS box inside Windows GUI (NOT from native MS-DOS!):

    MOVE/Y C:\EXTRACT\SPIDER.EXE "%windir%\Start Menu\Programs\Accessories\Games"
    MOVE/Y C:\EXTRACT\SPIDER.CHM %windir%\HELP
    MOVE/Y C:\EXTRACT\SPIDER.HLP %windir%\HELP

    Finally, run SPIDER.EXE from Start -> Programs -> Accessories -> Games to play Spider Solitaire. Enjoy.
    Or download + install MS Spider Solitaire game [552 KB]. More info.

  2. If you would like to play the Microsoft Space Cadet 3D Pinball game installed by MS Plus! 95 Pack, Windows ME, 2000 and XP, but NOT available with ANY Windows 98 release, and you don't have the MS Plus! 95, Windows 2000 or XP Setup CD-ROMs, just follow the steps from "3D PINBALL", also in TIPS98.TXT [part of W95-11D.EXE].

  3. 98SE2ME.EXE installs all 5 Internet Zone Games [a.k.a. MSN Gaming Zone] from WinME Setup CD-ROM into C:\Program Files\GameZone : Backgammon, Checkers, Hearts, Reversi + Spades.
    Windows XP Setup CD-ROM includes newer versions of these Internet Games.

BUG:
No matter which system files I did (or did NOT) replace, I canNOT properly reinstall Win98 SE into the SAME directory IF already installed ANY MS Internet Explorer 5.x or 6.0 release!
FIX:
MUST uninstall MS IE 5.x/6.0 FIRST! ONLY after that reinstall Win98 SE.
More info:

FYI: See also "USE WINME DEFRAG + SCANDSKW WITH WIN95/98", also in TIPS98.TXT [part of W95-11D.EXE].

UPDATES:

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, 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 to match yours):

  • C:\Windows :
INETMIB1.DLL
NDDEAPI.DLL
NDDENB.DLL
TWAIN.DLL
TWAIN_32.DLL
WINSOCK.DLL
ACCSTAT.EXE
ARP.EXE
ASD.EXE
CALC.EXE
CHARMAP.EXE
CLEANMGR.EXE
CLIPBRD.EXE
CONTROL.EXE <= from CNTROLME.EXE
CVTAPLOG.EXE
DEFRAG.EXE
DIALER.EXE
DRWATSON.EXE
EMM386.EXE
FONTVIEW.EXE
FREECELL.EXE
FTP.EXE
HWINFO.EXE
IPCONFIG.EXE
KODAKIMG.EXE
KODAKPRV.EXE
MM2ENT.EXE
MSHEARTS.EXE
NETSTAT.EXE
NOTEPAD.EXE <= from NPUPDWME.EXE
PACKAGER.EXE
PBRUSH.EXE
PING.EXE
PROGMAN.EXE
REGEDIT.EXE <= from REGEDITS.ZIP
RG2CATDB.EXE
ROUTE.EXE
RSRCMTR.EXE
RUNDLL.EXE
RUNDLL32.EXE
SCANDSKW.EXE
SIGVRFME.EXE
SMARTDRV.EXE
SNDREC32.EXE
SNDVOL32.EXE
SOL.EXE
SPIDER.EXE
SYSMON.EXE <= from Unofficial Fix
TASKMAN.EXE
TASKMON.EXE
TRACERT.EXE
TUNEUP.EXE
TWUNK_16.EXE
TWUNK_32.EXE
WINHELP.EXE
WINHLP32.EXE
WINIPCFG.EXE
WINMINE.EXE
WINPOPUP.EXE
WINVER.EXE
WRITE.EXE


  • C:\Windows\Command :
EDIT.COM
CVT.EXE
SCANDISK.EXE
START.EXE


  • C:\Windows\System :
VGAFULL.3GR
IMAADP32.ACM
LHACM.ACM
MSADP32.ACM
MSG711.ACM
MSGSM32.ACM
TSSOFT32.ACM
ACELPDEC.AX
CLRAMD.AX
L3CODECX.AX
TM20DEC.AX
VOXMSDEC.AX
VOXMVDEC.AX
VVAUDFLT.AX
VVVIDFLT.AX
UNICODE.BIN
DAJAVA.CAB
ACCESS.CPL
APPWIZ.CPL
MAIN.CPL
MODEM.CPL
NETCPL.CPL
PASSWORD.CPL
SOUNDS.CPL <= WinME MMSYS.CPL renamed to SOUNDS.CPL to keep Win98 SE MMSYS.CPL: from Q307908
SYSDM.CPL <= from Q272620
TELEPHON.CPL
TIMEDATE.CPL
BATMETER.DLL
CARDS.DLL
CCFG95.DLL
CDM.DLL
CFGMGR32.DLL
CFGWIZ.DLL
CHOOSUSR.DLL
CLRVIDDC.DLL
CLUSALGO.DLL
COMCAT.DLL
COMMCTRL.DLL
COMMDLG.DLL
COMPOBJ.DLL
COOL.DLL
CRTDLL.DLL
CTL3D.DLL
CTL3D32.DLL
CTL3DV2.DLL
DATIME.DLL
DCIMAN.DLL
DCIMAN32.DLL
DDAO35.DLL
DDEML.DLL
DECVW_32.DLL
DESKCP16.DLL
DHCPCSVC.DLL
DIBENG.DLL
DIGSIG.DLL
DIMM.DLL
DINDI.DLL
DISPDIB.DLL
DLCAPI.DLL
DLCNDI.DLL
DMCOLOR.DLL
DSKAPI16.DLL
DSKAPI32.DLL
DUNZIP32.DLL
DZIP32.DLL
ENABLE3.DLL
FINSTALL.DLL
FRAMEBUF.DLL
FTSRCH.DLL
GDI32.DLL <= from Unofficial Q912919
GLU32.DLL
HID.DLL
HIDCI.DLL
HWAGENT.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
IOSCLASS.DLL
IPCFGDLL.DLL
ISDNUI.DLL
JPEG1X32.DLL
JPEG2X32.DLL
LINKINFO.DLL
LMRT.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
MFCANS32.DLL
MFCD30.DLL
MFCN30.DLL
MFCO30.DLL
MFCUIA32.DLL
MFCUIW32.DLL
MMCI.DLL
MMSYSTEM.DLL
MODEMUI.DLL
MORICONS.DLL
MPR.DLL
MPRSERV.DLL
MSACM.DLL
MSACM32.DLL
MSAFD.DLL
MSCMS.DLL
MSIMG32.DLL
MSJET35.DLL
MSLOCUSR.DLL
MSMIXMGR.DLL
MSNET32.DLL
MSNP32.DLL
MSPP32.DLL
MSPRINT.DLL
MSPRINT2.DLL
MSPWL32.DLL
MSREPL35.DLL
MSRLE32.DLL
MSSHRUI.DLL
MSTCP.DLL
MSVCP50.DLL
MSVCRT20.DLL
MSVCRT40.DLL
MSVFW32.DLL
MSVIDC32.DLL
MSVIDEO.DLL
MSWSOCK.DLL
MSWSOSP.DLL
NDSWAN16.DLL
NDSWAN32.DLL
NETBIOS.DLL
NTDLL.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
OLECLI.DLL
OLECLI32.DLL
OLECNV32.DLL
OLEDLG.DLL
OLESVR.DLL
OLESVR32.DLL
OLETHK32.DLL
PANMAP.DLL
PKPD.DLL
PKPD32.DLL
POWRPROF.DLL
PPPNDI.DLL
PSMON.DLL
QCUT.DLL
QOSNAME.DLL
RASAPI16.DLL
RASAPI32.DLL
RICHED.DLL
RICHED32.DLL
RNAPH.DLL
RNASERV.DLL
RNASETUP.DLL
RNASMM.DLL
RNATHUNK.DLL
RNAUI.DLL
RNR20.DLL
ROUTETAB.DLL
RPCLTC3.DLL
RPCLTC6.DLL
RPCLTS3.DLL
RPCLTS6.DLL
RSRC16.DLL
RSRC32.DLL
SECUR32.DLL
SERIALUI.DLL
SETUP4.DLL
SETUPAPI.DLL
SMMSCRPT.DLL
SMMSETUP.DLL
SPOOLSS.DLL
STEM0409.DLL
STI.DLL
STI_CI.DLL
STI_CI32.DLL
STORAGE.DLL
SVRAPI.DLL
SYNCENG.DLL
SYNCUI.DLL
SYSCLASS.DLL
SYSDETMG.DLL
SYSTHUNK.DLL
TAPI.DLL
TAPI32.DLL
TAPIUI.DLL
TMAPI.DLL
TOOLHELP.DLL
TSD32.DLL
TSP3216S.DLL
TYPELIB.DLL
UMDM16.DLL
UMDM32.DLL
UMDMXFRM.DLL
UNIDRV.DLL
USBUI.DLL
VDMDBG.DLL
VDODEC32.DLL
VER.DLL
VERSION.DLL
VLB32.DLL
VMODCTL.DLL
WHLP16T.DLL
WHLP32T.DLL
WILDLB32.DLL
WIN32S16.DLL
WIN87EM.DLL
WINALIGN.DLL
WINMM.DLL
WINNET16.DLL
WL32DLL.DLL
WLDAP32.DLL
WOW32.DLL
WS2_32.DLL
WS2HELP.DLL
WS2THK.DLL
WSCTHUNK.DLL
WSOCK32.DLL
XFILEXR.DLL
ZIPFLDR.DLL <= from Q329048
COMM.DRV
FRAMEBUF.DRV
HPDSKJET.DRV
HPDSKJTB.DRV
KEYBOARD.DRV
MCIAVI.DRV
MCICDA.DRV
MCIPIONR.DRV
MCISEQ.DRV
MCIVISCA.DRV
MCIWAVE.DRV
MIDIMAP.DRV
MMSOUND.DRV
MOUSE.DRV
MSACM.DRV
MSH263.DRV
MSNET.DRV
POWER.DRV
PSCRIPT.DRV
SERWVDRV.DRV
SUPERVGA.DRV
SYSTEM.DRV
VDOWAVE.DRV
VGA.DRV
WDMAUD.DRV
WINSPL16.DRV
WINSPOOL.DRV
ACTMOVIE.EXE
CLIPBOOK.EXE
CLIPSRV.EXE
DLLHOST.EXE
FIXMAPI.EXE
FONTREG.EXE
GDI.EXE <= from Unofficial Q912919
ICWSCRPT.EXE
INTERNAT.EXE
LMSCRIPT.EXE
LOCPROXY.EXE
LOCPRXY2.EXE
MAGNIFY.EXE
MKCOMPAT.EXE
MPREXE.EXE
MSCONFIG.EXE <= renamed to MECONFIG.EXE to keep Win98 SE MSCONFIG.EXE: from Q272719
REDIR32.EXE
RNAAPP.EXE
RUNONCE.EXE
SIGVERIF.EXE <= renamed to SIGVRFME.EXE to keep Win98 SE SIGVERIF.EXE
SPOOL32.EXE
SYSAGENT.EXE
TAPI16.EXE
TAPIINI.EXE
TAPISRV.EXE
TAPIUPR.EXE
TCMSETUP.EXE
TLOCMGR.EXE
TRCDLC.EXE
WALIGN.EXE
WSASRV.EXE
UNIDRV.HLP
KBDAL.KBD
KBDBE.KBD
KBDBENE.KBD
KBDBLL.KBD
KBDBLR.KBD
KBDBR.KBD
KBDBUL.KBD
KBDCA.KBD
KBDCAN.KBD
KBDCR.KBD
KBDCZ.KBD
KBDCZ1.KBD
KBDCZ2.KBD
KBDDA.KBD
KBDDV.KBD
KBDDVL.KBD
KBDDVR.KBD
KBDES.KBD
KBDFC.KBD
KBDFI.KBD
KBDFO.KBD
KBDFR.KBD
KBDGK.KBD
KBDGK220.KBD
KBDGK319.KBD
KBDGKL.KBD
KBDGL220.KBD
KBDGL319.KBD
KBDGR.KBD
KBDGR1.KBD
KBDHU.KBD
KBDHU1.KBD
KBDIC.KBD
KBDIR.KBD
KBDIT.KBD
KBDIT1.KBD
KBDLA.KBD
KBDLT.KBD
KBDLT1.KBD
KBDLV.KBD
KBDLV1.KBD
KBDMAC.KBD
KBDNE.KBD
KBDNO.KBD
KBDPL.KBD
KBDPL1.KBD
KBDPO.KBD
KBDRO.KBD
KBDRU.KBD
KBDRU1.KBD
KBDSF.KBD
KBDSG.KBD
KBDSL.KBD
KBDSL1.KBD
KBDSP.KBD
KBDSV.KBD
KBDSW.KBD
KBDTUF.KBD
KBDTUQ.KBD
KBDUK.KBD
KBDUR.KBD
KBDUS.KBD
KBDUSX.KBD
KBDYCC.KBD
KBDYCL.KBD
CONLOCK.MOD
REDIRECT.MOD
UNICODE.NLS
AMOVIE.OCX
BR549.OCX
DAXCTLE.OCX
EYEDOG.OCX
IMGADMIN.OCX
IMGEDIT.OCX
IMGSCAN.OCX
IMGTHUMB.OCX
NDISWMI.SYS
NETPPTP.SYS <= from Q278031
STDOLE.TLB
STDOLE32.TLB
MMTASK.TSK
REMOTESP.TSP
TSP3216L.TSP
UNIMDM.TSP
WAN.TSP
THREED.VBX
MSMS001.VWP
MVOICED.VWP
AFVXD.VXD
LOGGER.VXD
MSGAME.VXD
PPPMAC.VXD <= from ME301453
SAGE.VXD
SPAP.VXD
SPLITTER.VXD
VGATEWAY.VXD
VNETBIOS.VXD <= from Q272991
WSHTCP.VXD
WSOCK.VXD
WSOCK2.VXD


  • C:\Windows\System\Iosubsys :
NTMAPHLP.PDR
USBMPHLP.PDR <= from NUSB
CDFS.VXD <= patched from WinME IOSYS98
CDTSD.VXD <= patched from WinME IOSYS98
CDVSD.VXD <= patched from WinME IOSYS98
DISKTSD.VXD <= patched from WinME IOSYS98
DISKVSD.VXD <= patched from WinME IOSYS98
SCSI1HLP.VXD <= patched from WinME IOSYS98
SMARTVSD.VXD <= patched from WinME IOSYS98
VOLTRACK.VXD <= patched from WinME IOSYS98


  • C:\Windows\System\Shellext :
CABVIEW.DLL
INETFIND.DLL


  • C:\Windows\Help :
PINBALL.CNT
AMOVIE.CHM
CALC.CHM
FREECELL.CHM
MPLAYER.CHM
MSHEARTS.CHM
NOTEPAD.CHM
PINBALL.CHM
SHARED.CHM
SOL.CHM
SPIDER.CHM
TELNET.CHM
WINFILE.CHM
WINMINE.CHM
WINPOPUP.CHM
WINPOPUP.CNT
BNTS.DLL
AMOVIE.HLP
CALC.HLP
FREECELL.HLP
IMGHELP.HLP
IMGOCXD.HLP
MPLAYER.HLP
MSHEARTS.HLP
NOTEPAD.HLP
PINBALL.HLP
SIGVERIF.HLP
SOL.HLP
SPIDER.HLP
TELNET.HLP
WINFILE.HLP
WINHLP32.HLP
WINPOPUP.HLP


  • C:\Windows\Inf :
1394.INF
BIOSINFO.INF
CPUID.INF
DBC.INF
ESWIA.INF
HIDDEV.INF
HPSCANMS.INF
ICAM3.INF
ICAM4USB.INF
IMAGE.INF
JOYSTICK.INF
KDK2X0.INF
KEYBOARD.INF
KSPRE.INF
MDM3CUSB.INF
MDMELSA.INF
MDMLASAT.INF
MDMLUC.INF
MDMMETRI.INF
MDMUSRCR.INF
MSMOUSE.INF
MSMWSCAN.INF
MSNETMTG.INF
OEMCPL.INF
PHIL1VID.INF
SERWAVE.INF
STI.INF
STILLCAM.INF
TAISHID.INF
UMAXCAM.INF
UMAXUSD.INF
USB.INF
USB8023.INF
USBCDC.INF
USBNTMAP.INF
USBWAVE.INF
WDMA_USB.INF
WDMAUDIO.INF
WIAFBDRV.INF
WINPOPUP.INF


  • 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
STORAGE.DLL
TOOLHELP.DLL
TYPELIB.DLL
UNIDRV.DLL
VER.DLL
WIN32S16.DLL
MCIAVI.DRV
MIDIMAP.DRV
MSACM.DRV
WINHELP.EXE
STDOLE.TLB


  • C:\Windows\System32\Drivers :
1394BUS.SYS <= from Q252183
DBCLASS.SYS
DBFILTER.SYS
DRMK.SYS
HIDCLASS.SYS
HIDPARSE.SYS
HIDVKD.SYS
KMIXER.SYS <= from Q316638
MSPQM.SYS
NTMAP.SYS
OHCI1394.SYS <= from Q252183
OPENHCI.SYS
PORTCLS.SYS <= from Q316638
REDBOOK.SYS
RT.SYS <= from Q280127
SBEMUL.SYS
SBP2PORT.SYS <= from Q311430
SBP2SCAN.SYS
SWMIDI.SYS
TDI.SYS
UHCD.SYS
UPDATE.SYS <= from Intel CPU Microcode Fix
USBAUDIO.SYS <= from Q280127
USBAUTH.SYS
USBCCGP.SYS
USBD.SYS
USBHUB.SYS <= from Q278289
USB8023.SYS
USBCAMD.SYS
USBCAMD2.SYS
USBINTEL.SYS
USBNTMAP.SYS
USBPRINT.SYS
USBSCAN.SYS
USBSER.SYS
USBSTOR.SYS
WDMAUD.SYS <= from Q316795
WDMFS.SYS
WMIDRV.SYS
WMILIB.SYS


  • C:\Windows\Msapps\Grphflt :
MSJPEG32.DLL


  • 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
VGA850.FON
VGAFIX.FON
VGAOEM.FON
VGASYS.FON
ABALC.TTF
ANTQUAB.TTF
ANTQUABI.TTF
ANTQUAI.TTF
ARIBLK.TTF
BKANT.TTF
CALIST.TTF
COMICBD.TTF
COPRGTB.TTF
COPRGTL.TTF
GOTHIC.TTF
GOTHICB.TTF
GOTHICBI.TTF
GOTHICI.TTF
IMPACT.TTF
LHANDW.TTF
LUCON.TTF
MARLETT.TTF
MATISSE_.TTF
NWGTHC.TTF
NWGTHCB.TTF
NWGTHCI.TTF
SYMBOL.TTF
TEMPSITC.TTF
WEBDINGS.TTF
WESTM.TTF
WINGDING.TTF


  • C:\Windows\Media :
FLOURISH.MID
ONESTOP.MID
TOWN.MID


  • C:\Windows\Web [98SE2ME option 3 only]:
IMGVIEW.HTT <= modded
PRINTERS.HTT <= modded


  • C:\Program Files\Accessories :
MSPCX32.DLL
WORDPAD.EXE


  • 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\Plus! :
PLUS!.DLL


  • C:\Program Files\Pinball :
TABLE.BMP
FONT.DAT
PINBALL.DAT
PINBALL.EXE
WAVEMIX.INF
PINBALL.MID
PINBALL2.MID
SOUND1.WAV
SOUND104.WAV
SOUND105.WAV
SOUND108.WAV
SOUND111.WAV
SOUND112.WAV
SOUND12.WAV
SOUND13.WAV
SOUND131.WAV
SOUND136.WAV
SOUND14.WAV
SOUND16.WAV
SOUND17.WAV
SOUND18.WAV
SOUND181.WAV
SOUND19.WAV
SOUND20.WAV
SOUND21.WAV
SOUND22.WAV
SOUND24.WAV
SOUND240.WAV
SOUND243.WAV
SOUND25.WAV
SOUND26.WAV
SOUND27.WAV
SOUND28.WAV
SOUND29.WAV
SOUND3.WAV
SOUND30.WAV
SOUND34.WAV
SOUND35.WAV
SOUND36.WAV
SOUND38.WAV
SOUND39.WAV
SOUND4.WAV
SOUND42.WAV
SOUND43.WAV
SOUND45.WAV
SOUND49.WAV
SOUND49D.WAV
SOUND5.WAV
SOUND50.WAV
SOUND528.WAV
SOUND53.WAV
SOUND54.WAV
SOUND55.WAV
SOUND560.WAV
SOUND563.WAV
SOUND57.WAV
SOUND58.WAV
SOUND6.WAV
SOUND65.WAV
SOUND68.WAV
SOUND7.WAV
SOUND713.WAV
SOUND735.WAV
SOUND8.WAV
SOUND827.WAV
SOUND9.WAV
SOUND999.WAV


  • C:\Program Files\GameZone :
BCKG.CHM
CHKR.CHM
HRTZ.CHM
RVSE.CHM
SHVL.CHM
BCKG.DLL
BCKGRES.DLL
CHKR.DLL
CHKRRES.DLL
CMNCLIM.DLL
CMNRESM.DLL
HRTZ.DLL
HRTZRES.DLL
RVSE.DLL
RVSERES.DLL
SHVL.DLL
SHVLRES.DLL
UNIANSI.DLL
ZCOREM.DLL
ZEEVERM.DLL
ZNETM.DLL
ZONECLIM.DLL
ZONELIBM.DLL
BCKGZM.EXE
CHKRZM.EXE
HRTZZM.EXE
RVSEZM.EXE
SHVLZM.EXE
ZCLIENTM.EXE


  • C:\Program Files\MoviMakr [98SE2ME option 3 only]:
MOVIEMK.CHM
FTPINFO.DAT <= modded
WMMFILT.DLL
WMMRES.DLL
WMMUTIL.DLL
MOVIEMK.EXE <= from Q262806
FTPINFO.SHP <= modded


  • C:\Program Files\MoviMakr\Tour :
MMTOUR.CSS
TOUR.HTA
TOUR.ICO


  • C:\Program Files\MoviMakr\Tour\Audio :
AUDIO1.HTM
AUDIO2.HTM
AUDIO3.HTM
AUDIO4.HTM
SILENCE.HTM
AUDIO1.WAV
AUDIO2.WAV
AUDIO3.WAV
AUDIO4.WAV


  • C:\Program Files\MoviMakr\Tour\Ecma :
LOC.JS
SCRIPT.JS


  • C:\Program Files\MoviMakr\Tour\Images :
BLUGRAD.BMP
AUDIO.GIF
BLUGRAD.GIF
CAMCORD.GIF
CLR.GIF
CLRBLK01.GIF
CLRBLK02.GIF
CLRBLK03.GIF
CLRBLK04.GIF
COMPUTER.GIF
EDIT.GIF
FOLDER.GIF
GRYLINE.GIF
LINKS.GIF
MAIL.GIF
MIC.GIF
MMLOGO.GIF
MVCMPTR.GIF
MVFLDR.GIF
MVMAIL.GIF
MVWEB.GIF
NOAUDIO.GIF
PAUSE.GIF
PLAY.GIF
WVFRM.GIF


  • C:\Program Files\MoviMakr\Tour\Showme :
SAMPLE.ASF
EDITSOON.GIF
MMRECORD.GIF
OLD_EDIT.GIF
ORGNZ.GIF
SHARE.GIF
ASF.HTM

BACK 2 CONTENTS
• 5-8-02 Win9x/NT4 Original ©Trick in TIPS98.TXT, part of W95-11D.EXE:


PATCHED SHELL32.DLL BUG + FIX


Normally in Windows 95/98/NT4/2000/ME you can get rid of the pesky arrows that cover the Desktop shortcut icons.
To do this: get MS TweakUI Power Toy for Windows 9x/NT4/2000/ME + MS IE 4/5/6 [110 KB, free, unsupported].
Install TweakUI: run the executable to extract the setup files -> open Windows Explorer -> right-click on TweakUI.inf -> select Install.
Now open Control Panel -> (double)-click the Tweak UI icon -> jump to the Explorer tab -> Shortcut overlay area -> check None or Custom -> if Custom -> click Change button -> browse to the location of TWEAKUI.CPL [%windir%\SYSTEM (Win9x/ME) or %windir%\SYSTEM32 (WinNT4/2000)] -> double-click the invisible (transparent) TweakUI icon (the one at the bottom) -> click Apply/OK -> restart Windows.

    But if you install one of these Windows 95/OSR1/OSR2/NT4/98/98 SP1/98 SE(U) SHELL32.DLL Fixes (English):MANDATORY: Windows 95/OSR1/OSR2/NT4 require MS IE 5.5 SP2 [84.1 MB, English] WITH Active Desktop installed!
    you'll notice those annoying arrow overlays are BACK!
    The TweakUI trick above doesn't help anymore, and no matter what you try, they won't go away. :(

But have no fear... the FIXes are here. :)

  1. The 1st one that comes to mind is to restore the old SHELL32.DLL file.
    To do this:

    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 CABs from MS Internet Explorer 5.01 Setup [right-click to save them!]:SHELL32.DLL 4.72.3612.1700 bundled with MS IE 5.01 is newer than the one from Windows 95/OSR1/OSR2/98/98 SP1/NT4 Setup CD-ROMs.
    More details @ MSKB.

    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):

    • Win95/OSR1/OSR2/98/98 SP1/98 SE:

      REN %winbootdir%\SYSTEM\SHELL32.DLL SHELL32.NEW
      MOVE C:\EXTRACT\SHELL32.DLL %winbootdir%\SYSTEM

    • WinNT4:

      REN %windir%\SYSTEM32\SHELL32.DLL SHELL32.NEW
      COPY C:\EXTRACT\SHELL32.DLL %windir%\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. :(

  2. Let's move on to the 2nd FIX...
    To do this: you need to hack your Registry.

    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. :(

  3. The 3rd FIX was sent courtesy of Hans, who found it at Registry Guide for Windows.

    All MS OSes: run Regedit and go to:

    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{63B51F81-C868-11D0-999C-00C04FD655E1}\InProcServer32

    Export (BACKUP) this Registry key to a REG file FIRST, to be able to restore it (by running the REG file) if necessary. In the left hand pane: highlight the key name above -> click "Registry" from the menu -> select "Export Registry File..." -> type a file name in the "File name" field -> browse to the destination of your choice -> push the Save button.
    Now in the right hand pane: double-click on the "(Default)" String value [which displays "C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\SHELL32.DLL" if your copy of Windows is installed in C:\WINDOWS] -> delete ALL characters -> click OK -> close the Registry Editor -> restart Windows.

    DISADVANTAGE: In case you like to use [but this is a security risk if using a network and/or the internet!]: Control Panel -> Network -> "File and Print Sharing..." -> check the "I want to be able to give others access to my files." box -> click OK or press Enter -> reboot when prompted, and then select 1 or more drives and/or folders to be shared this way: Windows Explorer -> highlight desired drive or folder name -> right-click on it -> select Sharing... -> enable some or all File sharing boxes -> click OK or press Enter, then the open hand icon which should be superimposed on top of the regular drive/folder icon will NOT appear. :(

    ADVANTAGE: This REG "hack" effectively removes all annoying Desktop shortcut arrows AND the same time preserves the ability of using keyboard "combos" for Desktop/Start Menu shortcuts.

  4. Now let's see the 4th (and last) FIX, my favorite. :)
    To do this: you need to "mod" the patched SHELL32.DLL using a hex editor.
    Get the newest version of the excellent Resource Hacker tool [freeware].

    WARNING:
    By replacing Microsoft files you may VOID the EULA, warranty and/or support (if any).
    You do all this at your OWN risk.
    ALWAYS BACKUP FIRST    !

    All MS OSes:     copy your patched SHELL32.DLL file from %windir%\SYSTEM (Win95/98) or %windir%\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... -> 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 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):

    • Win95/OSR1/OSR2/98/98 SP1/98 SE:

      REN %winbootdir%\SYSTEM\SHELL32.DLL SHELL32.NEW
      MOVE C:\EXTRACT\SHELL32.DLL %winbootdir%\SYSTEM

    • WinNT4:

      REN %windir%\SYSTEM32\SHELL32.DLL SHELL32.NEW
      COPY C:\EXTRACT\SHELL32.DLL %windir%\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 you'd like to install a newer SHELL32.DLL patch, you'll have to hex edit it all over again [:(], but now you know how. :)

BACK 2 CONTENTS
• 10-11-01 Win98/98 SE ©Trick in TIPS98.TXT, part of W95-11D.EXE:


PC RESTORE


Courtesy of Wayne.

"I discovered you can restore your Windows 98/98 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. ;)"

More info.

BACK 2 CONTENTS
• 10-11-01 Win98/98 SE/ME ©Trick in TIPS98.TXT, part of W95-11D.EXE:


FAX 95 TOOLS


Windows 98, 98 SE + ME do NOT include NOR install the good ol' Windows Messaging + Fax tools known to Windows 95/OSR1/OSR2 users. :(
But you can get them back by installing them manually from the original Windows 98 or 98 SE Setup CD-ROM. :)
Run Windows Explorer or File Manager (FM = C:\WINDOWS\WINFILE.EXE) and go to the \TOOLS\OLDWIN95\MESSAGE\US (US English) or \TOOLS\OLDWIN95\MESSAGE\INTL (other languages) subfolder located on your Setup CD. (Double)-click on WMS-FAX.TXT FIRST to read it in Notepad, and then install [(double)-click on] the 2 Win95 tools in this EXACT order: (1) WMS.EXE (Windows Messaging Server + Microsoft Mail Workgroup Postoffice) FIRST, and only after that (2) AWFAX.EXE (At Work Fax).
WMS is needed ONLY IF using a MAPI (Messaging Application Programming Interface) client used by these Microsoft programs: Exchange, Exchange Server (Client), Outlook (Express), Windows Messaging.

NOTE: Do NOT install these tools IF using MS Office 2000 or newer!

MSKB: How to Install and Use Microsoft Fax.

FYI: If you don't have the Win98/98 SE Setup CD, get MS Fax [2.76 MB, unsupported, right-click to save!], and then run WMS.EXE + AWFAX.EXE (in this EXACT order!) to install both tools.

BACK 2 CONTENTS
• 3-28-01 Win98/2000/ME Registry ©Trick in TIPS98.TXT, part of W95-11D.EXE:


REMOVE FIND ITEMS


These Registry hacks work with ALL Windows 98, ME and 2000 releases. [Thank you Dave!]

  1. Courtesy of Skyler:

    "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...")."

  2. Courtesy of Pete:

    "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."

BACK 2 CONTENTS
• 10-18-00 Win98 SE Original Registry ©Trick in TIPS98.TXT, part of W95-11D.EXE:


FIX WIN98 SE USB + SHUTDOWN ERRORS


Are you using any USB (Universal Serial Bus) hardware devices/peripherals, e.g. a mouse/trackball, joystick/game controller, keyboard, drive, modem, scanner, printer, network card etc with your Windows 98 SE(U) machine?
If you are, you may have noticed error messages that pop up at random times, sudden (unexpected!) reboots, "frozen" shutdowns, keyboard and/or mouse lockups etc.

  1. The first step is to install these free unofficial Windows 98 SE(U) updates:Reboot when prompted.
    Then use the free USBREADY.EXE + USBVIEW.EXE test tools to check if all your USB devices are properly installed.

  2. The second step is to disable the USB error detection function: start Control Panel -> System -> Device Manager -> Universal Serial Bus controllers -> "[Intel 82371AB/EB] PCI to USB Universal Host Controller" (using an Intel 440BX Pentium II/III/Celeron motherboard chipset in this example) -> Advanced tab -> check the "Disable USB error detection" box -> click OK twice.
    This can be also achieved by creating this REG file (in Notepad):

    -----Begin cut & paste here-----
    REGEDIT4

    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Usb]
    "ErrorCheckingEnabled"=dword:00000000

    ------End cut & paste here------

    and then merging it into the Registry, by (double)-clicking on it in Windows Explorer or File Manager (FM = %windir%\WINFILE.EXE).

  3. The third step consists in opening: Control Panel -> System -> Device Manager -> System devices -> PCI bus -> IRQ Steering tab -> check the "Use IRQ Steering" box -> OK -> OK -> reboot.
    This can be also achieved by creating this REG file (in Notepad):

    -----Begin cut & paste here-----
    REGEDIT4

    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\VxD\PCI]
    "Options"=hex:02,08,00,00

    ------End cut & paste here------

    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.

  4. The fourth step is to check if these settings are activated in your computer's BIOS (these examples apply to most Abit motherboards, but yours might be slightly different, depending on your mainboard/BIOS/chipset type/manufacturer): reboot -> press the BIOS/CMOS Setup access key (most likely Del on motherboards powered by AWARD BIOSes or F2 on Phoenix BIOSes):

    • USB keyboard users ONLY: Open the "Integrated Peripherals" menu -> make sure the "USB Keyboard Support" option is Enabled.

    • ALL USB users: Open the "PnP/PCI Configurations" menu -> make sure the "Assign IRQ for USB" option is Enabled.
      ASUS (and other brands) motherboard owners: open the "Chipset Settings" menu -> make sure the "OnChip USB" option is Enabled.

    • ALL Windows 32-bit OS users: Open the "PnP/PCI Configurations" menu -> turn OFF the "PNP OS Installed" setting. This might save you some trouble, because it will allow the OS to select the "best fit" [hopefully conflict free :)] device settings, and "shuffle" them around every time upon bootup, according with the built-in "Microsoft Specification Table" for hardware resources: Memory ranges, I/O (Input/Output) address ranges, DMA (Direct Memory Access) channels, and most importantly... IRQs (Interrupt ReQuest lines).
      Hit F10 and type Y (for "Yes") to save the new BIOS settings, which will automatically "cold reboot" your PC.

  5. The fifth step is to make sure your system is free of hardware resource conflicts: open Control Panel -> System -> Device Manager -> double-click on Computer -> View Resources tab -> check each of the 4 available boxes: Interrupt Request (IRQ), Direct Memory Access (DMA), Input/output (I/O) and Memory, and scroll down the list to see if there are ANY yellow question/exclamation and/or red X marks. If you find any, you may need to (re)start the Windows Add New Hardware Wizard (from Control Panel) to redetect ALL your hardware devices/peripherals, and hope that this time Windows will do it right. :)
    Check your hardware resources again for conflicts after the redetection has successfully completed. [Good luck! :)]
    Be sure to BACKUP YOUR SYSTEM BEFOREHAND, and have your installation CDs/floppies containing vendor specific (3rd party) drivers for ALL your installed devices ready, to pop them in when prompted.
    Restart Windows when done.

  6. The sixth [and last :)] step is to make sure you install the current/updated Windows 98 SE(U) drivers for your particular motherboard chipset (Intel, FIC VIA, AMD, SiS, ALi etc) and for your USB hardware device(s), usually found at the developer/manufacturer/OEM/vendor web/ftp sites.
    Finally reboot your PC one last time.

REQUIRED READING:

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• 10-18-00 Win9x ©Trick in TIPS98.TXT, part of W95-11D.EXE:


USE WINME DEFRAG + SCANDSKW WITH WIN95/98


This applies to ALL Windows 95/95a OSR1/95B OSR 2.0-2.1/95C OSR 2.5/98/98 SP1/98 SE(U) users.
I STRONGLY RECOMMEND to use the Windows Millennium Edition (ME) versions [4.90.3000, newest releases] of Defrag.exe (Hard Disk Defragmenter) and Scandskw.exe (Disk Scanner) tools.
If you already have installed WinME OS and still kept an older Win95/98 release, just copy these 2 files from your main WinME folder to your main Win9x folder, overwriting the older ones (no backup necessary).

If you do not have WinME, you can grab them both here [1 MB].
More info.

CAUTION:
This NEWer DEFRAG.EXE does NOT recognize/defragment DrvSpace/DblSpace compressed/doubled drives/partitions!
More info.

If you haven't installed WinME, but you do have the WinME Setup CD-ROM, just pop in the CD, open a DOS box, and run these commands:

EXTRACT D:\WIN9X\WIN_16.CAB DEFRAG.EXE %winbootdir%
EXTRACT D:\WIN9X\WIN_17.CAB SCANDSKW.EXE %winbootdir%

This presumes your CD/DVD drive letter is D. Change if necessary.
Type EXIT and hit Enter to close the DOS session.
Done.
Backups are NOT necessary.

ADVANTAGE: WinME disk tools are 100% compatible and a lot faster!

DISADVANTAGE: None. :)

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• 6-8-00 Win9x/NT4/2000/ME/XP/2003 Registry ©Trick in TIPS98.TXT, part of W95-11D.EXE:


BRING BACK ATTRIBUTES COLUMN


  1. Courtesy of Chris:

    "This works ONLY with Windows 95, NT4 [ONLY IF already installed MS IE 4/5/6 with Active Desktop (Web View) enabled], 98, 98 SP1 and 98 SE.
    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-----
    REGEDIT4

    [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced]
    "ShowAttribCol"=dword:1

    ------End cut & paste here------

    Save your file, exit your text editor, (double)-click on ATTRIB.REG, answer Yes/OK to all prompts, and then close + restart Windows Explorer."

  2. Courtesy of ERPMan:

    "This works ONLY with Windows ME, 2000, XP and 2003.
    To display the missing "Attributes" column in Windows Explorer: select "Choose Columns" or "Choose Details" from the View menu -> check the Attributes box -> click OK.
    To make the Attributes column appear in EVERY folder in Windows Explorer, click on Folder Options from the Tools menu and on the View tab click on "Like Current Folder" (Win9x/NT4/2000/ME) or "Apply to All Folders" (WinXP/2003) and finally click OK."

  3. Courtesy of Peter:

    "This works with Windows 98, 98 SP1 + 98 SE.
    The Attributes column in the Details view in Windows Explorer was absent from Windows 98 SE, but was present in the First Edition (FE) of Windows 98 as an option in the View tab under Folder Options.
    To restore it into Win98 SE exactly as it appeared in Win98 FE, you need to add these entries to the Registry (copied from a fresh install of 98 FE).
    Create a REG file in Notepad (save it as ATTRCLMN.REG for example), with these lines:

    -----Begin cut & paste here-----
    REGEDIT4

    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\explorer\Advanced\Folder\ShowAttribCol]
    "Type"="checkbox"
    "Text"="Show file attributes in Detail View"
    "HKeyRoot"=dword:80000001
    "RegPath"="Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Explorer\\Advanced"
    "ValueName"="ShowAttribCol"
    "CheckedValue"=dword:1
    "UncheckedValue"=dword:0
    "DefaultValue"=dword:0
    "HelpID"="UPDATE.HLP#51071"

    [HKEY_USERS\.Default\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced]
    "ShowAttribCol"=dword:1

    ------End cut & paste here------

    Then run ATTRCLMN.REG from Windows Explorer or File Manager (FM = C:\WINDOWS\WINFILE.EXE) to merge (import) this info into your Registry.
    Then close + restart Windows Explorer."

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• 6-1-00 Win98/98 SE Registry ©Trick in TIPS98.TXT, part of W95-11D.EXE:


WIN98 GLOBAL RWIN TCP/IP BUG


Do you remember the Windows 95/OSR2 TCP/IP "DefaultRcvWindow" (also called "RWIN" = Receive WINdow) Registry setting, widely used by most Internet surfers, necessary to decrease the Windows 9x machine network fill buffer to 4x or 6x the MTU (minus 40) Registry value [called "MaxMTU" for Win95/OSR2 and "IPMTU" for Win98/98 SE]?
If you don't, please see "HOW FAST CAN YOU GO? - Parts 1" and "HOW FAST CAN YOU GO? - Part 2", both also in REGISTRY.TXT, and also "FASTEST INTERNET 98 - Part 1" and "FASTEST INTERNET 98 - Part 2", both also in TIPS98.TXT [all part of W95-11D.EXE], for complete details on all useful TCP/IP (Internet) Registry tweaks.
All these settings apply ONLY to dial-up (phone line) 28 up to 56 kbps analog modem users. If you have a Cable or xDSL modem, see this page for details.
Well, guess what, Win98/98 SE added its own "custom" setting to the list, or is just Microsoft trying to make our computing lives "easier"?! :-(
It is the so-called "GlobalMaxTCPWindowSize" Registry setting, oops... I meant "GlobalMaxTCPWindoSize", as it is admittedly misspelled by Microsoft according to this MSKB article. This sets the global RWIN (Receive WINdow) network fill buffer size (in Bytes) for TCP/IP based (Internet) connections.
To make sure yours is also "properly misspelled" in the Registry [per Microsoft guidelines! ;-)], fire up Regedit and go to:

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. 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 fixed "GlobalMaxTCPWindowSize" spelling in Windows Millennium Edition (ME).

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©1996-2009 AXCEL216 / MDGx: Everything here is FREEware. I have created [August 1996], maintain and update these web pages entirely by hand using Programmer's File Editor [replaced Notepad]. I do not promote, speak in the behalf of, advertise or work for any computing, news or internet profit business. All ®registered ©copyrights and ™trademarks referred herein retain the property of their respective owners.

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