Most of us are on Windows XP these days but a number of people are still running older versions of Windows. I sometimes get questions from people running these older systems so I though I'd put a section up specifically for these people to help them get along better with their older Windows systems. Let's start with Windows 98 & 98se. I believe registry maintenance is important for Windows 98 just as it is for other Windows operating systems. I have discussed registry utilities elsewhere but Win 98 comes with a good registry tool of its own. The Win 98 registry utility is smart. It makes a backup copy of your registry every time you boot up successfully once a day for each of the last five days you boot up. You can restore your registry and get your PC running again with the Win 98 registry tool. Let's say, you find your self presented with a window saying your system will not boot up because the Registry is corrupt, simply type "scanreg /restore" (no quotes) and press Enter. You will be given a choice of five dates from which to choose to restore your registry. Choose one on which you know your PC was functioning.

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For regular maintenance First, Turn off the computer; or reboot; then immediately press F8, (or, could be F5) located on top of the keyboard. Keep it press down until an options window comes up, then release it. (If F8 or F5 doesn't work, then re-boot, and immediately press down the CTRL key, hold down until it comes up to the options screen). Use the up and down arrow keys on the keyboard to select "Command Prompt Only". Press Enter You will now see C:> Type in SCANREG /FIX (there is a space between the G and the / ). You will now see C:>SCANREG /FIX Press Enter This will take about 5 minutes or so. when finished, press Enter for OK. Manually, turn off the computer, wait a few seconds, the turn it back on. If you don't have the "Command Prompt Only" option, then re-boot the computer normally. Go to Start/ShutDown, then choose "restart in ms-dos mode". It will come up to C:\windows. Type in CD C:\ It will look like C:>windows CD C:\ Press Enter. It will then be at the C:> prompt. Then type in SCANREG /FIX Press Enter When it returns to the C:> prompt, then manually turn off the computer, and turn it back on. Windows 98 comes with a great little maintenance tool called the Maintenance Wizard. The Maintenance Wizard performs three basic functions necessary to keep your PC functioning well, the Disk Defragmenter , Scan Disk and Disk Cleanup. To run the Maintenance Wizard click Start, >> Programs,>> Accessories, >> System Tools, and then click Maintenance Wizard and follow the instructions on the screen. I advise running these maintenance utilities in Safe Mode from time to time because most programs don't run in Safe Mode meaning their files are closed, or not in use. Files that are closed, or not in use are more easily and effectively scanned, repaired, and/or defragged. 1. Scandisk Start in Safe Mode by: Re-boot the computer, and immediately after starting up, Press and hold down, F8, at top of keypad. When the options show on the screen, use the up and down arrow keys on the keyboard to select "Safe Mode". Press Enter After it boots to Safe Mode, go to Start/Programs/Accessories/System Tools, and click on Scandisk. Unless you're having a specific problem select "Standard" which is faster than "Thorough". Select "Thorough" if you are having a problem. Select "Start" and let it run until finished. 2. Defrag When Scandisk is finished, click on "Close". Now, go back to the same place, but this time, click on "Defrag". Click on OK, and wait until it finishes (might take 1 hour if not done within a month). After it finishes, Click on OK or whatever. Then, re-boot. 3. System File Checker Restart the computer in Safe Mode, as above. Go to Start/Run, then type in SFC, and click on OK This opens the System File Checker window. Click on "Start". This will scan for altered or corrupt files. If it finds one, it will stop running and ask you what to do. Put a check mark by "Restore", and click OK. Most of the files will come from C:\Cabs. So, click on the "Browse", and select C:\Cabs. Click on OK. Continue until it finishes. Virtual Memory Settings When windows manages the virtual memory itself, it uses the entire hard drive for a swap file; meaning every time it opens an application, it stores it all along the entire hard drive; making it slower to find all the "parts" needed. By specifying your own virtual memory settings, you are telling windows to only use PART of the hard drive for memory. Then, it has much less space to search for files; making the computer a little faster Please note that you do not need to go into Safe Mode for this maintenance task. Go to Start>> Settings>> Control Panel. Double click on "System". Click on the "Performance" tab. Click on "Virtual Memory" (at the bottom right). Put a check mark by "Let me specify my own virtual memory settings". By "minimum", type in 1/2 of your RAM number. For example, if you have 128 MG RAM, type in 64. By "maximum", type in twice your RAM number, like 256. Then, click OK or Yes. Windows will tell you to NOT do this, but go ahead and do it anyway. Then, reboot your computer. You should also create a startup disk sometimes called a boot disk. If your PC gets hit by a virus or some other problem you will need a boot disk to get your system running again. The startup disk restores minimal system settings which will allow you to get to your Desktop and troubleshoot your PC. The startup disk contains: CD-ROM drivers (software programs that enable a computer to work with a particular device) that allow your CD-ROM drive to function if your computer is having problems communicating with it. Small Computer System Interface (SCSI) drivers, which work with your hard drive and some peripherals. System and diagnostic programs, such as ScanDisk, that check your hard disk for errors and help diagnose problems after you get your computer started. Normally you will have created a startup disk when you installed Windows 98. But if you have lost it or damaged it or it is old you should make a new one. Here's how... Insert the Win98/98SE CD in the CD-ROM drive. Go to Start/Programs/Windows Explorer Double click on D:/ , or whatever your CD-ROM drive letter is. Find and open the folder; Tools/Mtsutil/Fat32ebd (stands for Emergency Boot Disk) Double click on the file Fat32ebd.exe and follow the instructions to create the Boot Disk. Then remove the CD from the CD-ROM. Now, we must test the Boot Disk to see if it works. Shut down the computer; then turn it back on with the Boot Disk still in the computer. When a screen comes up, use the up and down arrows on the keyboard to select "Boot with CD-ROM support". Then press Enter. It will show some things about the computer, and then come up to the A:> prompt. Now, insert a CD (any will do) into the CD-ROM. Wait until it "spins" and the light goes off. Now, at the A:> prompt, type in DIR D: It will now look like A:>DIR D: It should show all the files on the CD. If so, the Boot Disk is good. If NOT, repeat all the above. If it's good, then remove the CD, manually turn off the computer, and remove the Boot Disk. Turn on the computer and it's ready to go. OR You can also create a startup disk using a floppy 1.2 megabyte disk (although you might need a CD). 1. Click Start, point to Settings, click Control Panel, and then click Add/Remove Programs. 2. Click the Startup Disk tab, and then click the Create Disk button. 3. Label a floppy disk "Windows 98 Startup Disk," insert the disk in your floppy disk drive when prompted, and then click OK. Click OK again, and then follow the instructions on your screen. 4. Store the disk in a safe place and write protect it.