Christopher's 95/98/ME Install & Customization Tips, (last modified on October 25, 2005)

Installation Tips

1. A quick note about card installation and IRQs. Despite Windows Plug and Play, you will cause yourself nightmares if you have add-on cards sharing IRQs. In particular Network and Sound cards absolutely CANNOT share IRQs. ON many motherboards (including Asus), the only slots that won't share IRQs are slots 2 and 3 (not counting the 1st PCI slot next to the AGP which is only for video cards). Put SCSI and any other extra cards in slots 4 and 5 which usually end up sharing IRQs with the IDE controller or USB controller.
2. Make sure your system is well-cooled. Many intermittent failures are due to overheated CPUs. Today's 1GHz CPUs (especially when overclocked and/or left in cramped cases) are cooled poorly. Most good motherboards have a CPU temperature monitor (not the same as a motherboard monitor), and if yours doesnt have one, we recommend getting one. We also recommend getting a premium heatsink with a quieter fan from CoolerGuys. Toss in a good power supply with a quiet fan and bigger heat sinks can allow you to think and enjoy your games without the jet engine noise of the cheap sink/fan most motherboards come with. Run it idle (or use a simple test program) and verify the *CPU* temperature stays under 50-60 degrees Celsius maximum. Motherboard temperature is rarely an issue.
3. I recommend Windows 98 Second Edition or Windows 95 OSR 2.1 for the most stable and fast system. For extra speed and customization, I highly recommend the 98Lite Windows installer. I do not recommend using ME as the install size is nearly DOUBLE that of 98SE, 98Lite doesnt work flawlessly with ME yet, and many of the new WMD drivers are not well-tested under ME yet.
4. Download updated drivers for your BIOS, video, SCSI, sound, network, modem, and scanner cards BEFORE you start the install. This will allow you to install the correct drivers during installation rather than upgrading later. You should probably also grab PowerToys and the latest DirectX from Microsoft. Also any drivers that came with your motherboard (PCI bridge, USB). Extract the files so they are ready to use on your spare partition (E:).
5. Backup and copy over your old system's documents, Source files, and ICQ/AIM/Netscape/FTP/ZOC settings. Also do a full system backup and burn a CD for possible later restoration.
6. I recommend a boot partition for the OS only. This makes backup and restore much easier since you don't have to worry about losing documents, files, saved games, etc... when you restore later. I usually use a 1GB boot partition C:, 2GB documents/applications partition D:, and the rest (generally not backed up stuff) on the E: drive. I use the E: drive for backups, CDROM images, downloads, swap, and other temporary stuff. This way, in an emergency, you can just restore a 300MB image of your C: drive from backup and be back up and running in minutes! Yes, you have to be careful since C: and D: will be out of sync, but the majority of the time, this works very well.
7. Create a FAT32 (Win 98) boot floppy w/DOS CD drivers (and SCSI?) so you can boot clean. If you don't know how, you might want to download The Ultimate Boot disk, or you can go to Another place to get Boot Disks (incl. non MS-DOS).
8. FORMAT C: /S using this floppy for a clean install (or delete your old WINDOWS directory and defragment your drive). Consider paritioning your drive as suggested above.
9. Copy the entire Windows CDROM and all your downloaded drivers into a separate directory on your spare paritition (E:). This will speed up the install and eliminate worrying about CD drivers during the install as Setup sometimes gets stuck midway through install. Plus, if you have the disk space to spare, you wont have to keep inserting the CD.
10. Do a fresh install of Windows 98 from your boot disk using the hard drive copy of the CD. *NEVER* install Win98 over an existing copy of Windows if you want a top-performing, clean setup. If you are going to use 98Lite, which I highly recommend to eliminate the Active Desktop/IE overhead/instability, 98Lite move the files over for you as part of its setup process. I highly recommend the Micro or Sleek option which uses the older/faster/simpler 95 Explorer instead of the 98 Active Desktop Explorer. Get all the updates that come with 98SE but the older and more stabler shell!
11. Make sure all printers, modems, and other devices are powered-on and connected. Let Windows 98 autodetect everything itself. Don't manually add anything until the install process is complete and rebooted cleanly. If possible, select your newly downloaded drivers to save upgrading later.
12. If you have not already formatted your system using FAT32, convert to FAT32 now using Ghost or the Windows tool for ALL partitions.
13. SoundBlaster Live: Search for c:\windows\system\2gmgsmt.sf2 and replace with 8gmgsmt.sf2 for higher quality MIDI playback with all installing LiveWare junk and then run the latest UpdWin98.exe drivers from Creative. If you get a MSGSRV32 error in DEVCON32.DLL, fix this by getting an older 4.06.642 version of DEVCON32.DLL (bug that Creative wont acknowledge).
14. After installation, bring up the Settings->Control Panel->Add/Remove->Windows Setup and remove unneeded stuff like Chat, NetMeeting, Themes, Sounds, disk tools/backup (if using Norton), DirectX (now out of date). Add other things you might want. Unlike 95, 98 actually can handle install/uninstall of components at the same time.
15. Setup network drivers (IPX and Netbeui for local Ethernet card ONLY, and TCP/IP for both card and Dial-up). Share disks and printers if you are on a local LAN. Setup IP properties and mount other LAN drives to test. Unbind Microsoft File Sharing from IP to prevent a security risk if online. Set NetBEUI as your default protocol and use it for file sharing. If you have problems with your system not prompting for login, remove 'AutoLogon' key from registry. Use TweakUI to autologin and still share files properly.
16. If you have a SCSI card install the latest ASPI32.EXE from Adaptec (after driver updated).
17. Setup printer, screen resolution, and switch to large font.
18. For now, I know of no critical patches that MUST be installed on top of Windows 98 Second Edition, but all updates are located at MS Windows 98 Update. If you are installing 95, make sure to install the USBSUPP.EXE to enable USB ports in Windows 95 (included automatically in 98).
19. Put utility subdirectory and Windows, Command, System in PATH in AUTOEXEC.BAT. Also add HOME for Emacs.
20. 'NEW' BACKUP: I highly recommend Ghost (trial version at www.symantec.com), image backup software which allows disk bootable backup/restore. If you are lucky enough to have a CDR or extra disk space, you can easily restore in minutes from a floppy.

Configuration Tips

1. Set up virtual memory: At system-properties click on performance / virtual memory and direct the swap-file to your spare partition. Set min- and max-size to the same value (We suggest 2 times your main memory). This process forces the system to use a contiguous swap-file wich is not changed in size and not backed-up.
2. Open My Computer, choose View->Details. Resize, close, and reopen. Select View->Options and show all file types and path in titlebar. Reopen My Computer and setup the file settings the way you like. When complete, Press Shift+Ctrl+Alt and then click the titlebar X icon to close and save this as the default view options.
3. Download and use a MTU patch that is tuned appropriate for your Internet Connection.
4. For most high-end systems, under system-properties, performance, file system, set performance to Network Server. Also verify that video acceleration is set to maximum. Enable 'Disconnect' and 'Sync data transfer' on all SCSI devices (hard drives and CDROMs) via Device Manager. Disable read-ahead and write-behind cache for fastest operation. Use Cacheman to tweak cache values based on this system's role.
5. Install Content, Target, WinTop, DeskMenu, and TweakUI Power/KernelToys by right-clicking on INF files and choosing install. Tweak lots of UI settings (menu speed, disable animations, remove unneeded desktop icons, auto-logon, etc.) using this PowerToy in control panel.
6. Create Download and My Documents folders. Create shortcuts to Download, Documents, Temp, and any other common folders on the desktop.
7. Add items to SendTo Menu (useful: Notepad, Lview, Mplayer, floppy disk, printer, Emacs, download, temp directories).
9. Unless you have a very slow hard drive, save CPU cycles and help CDR and tape drives by adding two entries to the [vcache] section of your SYSTEM.INI: 'minfilecache=512' and 'maxfilecache=4096'. Even better just use the Cacheman tool which will let you tweak these settings in a user-friendly manner. While you are in SYSTEM.INI, if you have 128MB or more, add 'ConservativeSwapfileUsage=1' to your [386Enh] section to tell Windows to chill out on the constant virtual memory swapping.
10. Verify that config.sys, autoexec.bat, win.ini, and system.ini are clean. In Windows 98/ME, use the handy MSCONFIG utility to cleanup these files and also to disable any unnecessary startup programs.
11. Using Regedit, make Windows truncate long filenames without the bloody tildes (~). Under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/ System/ CurrentControlSet/ control/ FileSystem create a binary value named NameNumericTail and set it to 0 (zero).
12. Using Regedit, kill processes faster. Under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/ System/ CurrentControlSet/ control/, create a new String value called WaitToKillServiceTimeout and set it to 5.
13. Install latest version of DirectX AFTER you have upgraded your sound/video drivers.
14. Organize Start Menu with Media, Programming, Games, Comm, Utilities groups.
15. Change your Windows Startup Logo: Create a bitmap of 320 X 400 X 8bit using MS-Paint and rename it to Logo.sys after putting it into the root-dir of the boot-drive. Also logow.sys (wait), logos (turnoff) for shutdown.
16. Install and update WSFTP Pro. Copy over INI settings, update any drive settings, and setup WSFTP extensions.
17. Install, brand, and config ZapOComm. Copy phonebk, setup macros and VT102 emulation.
18. OPTIONAL: Display BMP's as an icon preview! Modify the default value of HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT/ PAINT.PICTURE/ DefaultIcon to "%1" - and get a iconized preview of that Bitmap. Redo later if you install a paint program that overrides this information.
19. OPTIONAL: Add file types you like to the New Menu by creating a new blank document from application and then putting it into C:\WINDOWS\ShellNew. Goto key of that filetype under HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT of the registry and create a subkey named ShellNew with string containing filename.
20. OPTIONAL FOR HEAVY DOS USERS: For more memory in DOS prompts, add the line LocalLoadHigh=1 to the [386Enh] section of your SYSTEM.INI file. If you need the Mousedriver for DOS, dont load it in Autoexec.bat since that wastes memory. Instead create/modify a file named Dosstart.bat located in C:\WINDOWS and start mouse driver and DOSKEY there.
21. OPTIONAL: Add 'View with' entries to right-click menu. Under View->Option->File Types, click on Edit... and then New... You can select another program to load/print/play using parameters and a name.
22. Re-verify that CPU cooling is working. Install Motherboard Monitor to monitor temperature easily.

Application Installation

1. Verify clean/stable boot before proceeding.
2. 'CLN' BACKUP: Backup your system! You spend all this time getting it right, so save yourself the hassle the next time your system needs an 'enema'!
3. Install and setup Internet dialer and Netscape. Copy over bookmarks, cookies.txt, and database files.
4. Add Netscape and WinZip to SendTo menus.
5. Install EZ-SCSI and run EZ-SCSI updater to download the latest SCSI update.
6. CDR Mastering: Install Easy CD + patch and then CDRWin + key. Combine with SCSI Start group.
7. Install Rescue Wizard from dqsoft.com/rescue.html and make a FAT32 boot disk and backup your registry. Make sure it has drivers for your CDROM drive (and SCSI card, if necessary). Be sure to update this whenever you add new hardware or software.
8. Copy and create shortcuts for WinGames, Spades source, and My Documents.
9. Copy and brand 4DOS, WinZip, WinZip Self Extractor, WinZip command-line, Acrobat, ICQ, PADGen, WinAmp.
10. Add all applications from Windows directory and Utl directory, including WinImage, SpaceMonger, ACDSee, Ghost Server & Explorer, LView.
11. Import address books and setup ICQ and AIM chat clients.
12. Copy over from AppDisk or old D: drive: Its Legal, Visio, Illustrator 7.0, Emacs, Linkbot, Thumbnailer, Schedule, InstallShield
13. Setup Notify CD and set HKEY_CLASSES\AudioCD\shell\play to startup Notify instead on CD insert. WinAmp now sets up itself to do this when installed.
14. Setup Schedule with /U "Name" to startup and create Schedule+ HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Schedule+\Application\LocalPrintFileDir string key to prevent .FMT file error when printing.
15. Copy over standard set of extra fonts into WINDOWS\FONTS directory. Put _emacs on C:.
16. Copy and setup Slideshow and install collections/screensaver for wallpaper.
17. 'NU' BACKUP: Backup system before big Norton install and update just to be safe. Throw away after Norton installs ok.
18. Install Norton Utilities and Antivirus. Run LiveUpdate and download the latest updates for everything.
19. Setup Norton System Doctor to remove Rescue and CPU monitors and startup Image (no backup) on boot and start minimized. Setup AntiVirus to scan downloads but not in background on bootup.
20. Run Norton Win Doctor, Optimizer and SpeedStart, empty trash, and optimize disks.
21. 'BAS' BACKUP: Backup system again with base set of apps installed. You can now install games and other 'odd' applications knowing you can quickly restore to a solid, usable system.
22. AppDisk: Install Office 97 and add-on service pack. Install WebPosition (not in Comm), brand, and upgrade.
23. AppDisk: Install Visual Basic 5 and SP3, and ActivePerl.
24. AppDisk: Install Photoshop and then SmartSaver and FXRazor plug-ins.
25. AppDisk: Install Publisher 98 and Quicken 2000.
26. AppDisk: Install Pilot Desktop, IntelliSync, and setup HotSync options.
27. AppDisk: Install Rational Rose 98 and Stamps.com.
28. Set Office prefs and use personal custom.dic in My Documents. Make normal.dot read-only to help prevent viruses.
29. Setup VB options and color preferences. Copy over any OCX license files that are neccessary.
30. Cleanup Start Menu with Main, Startup, Programming, Games, Comm, Utilities groups.
31. Use MSCONFIG to disable any unnecessary startup junk other apps installed.
32. Run virus checker (mcafee.com), Norton Win Doctor, Optimizer and SpeedStart, empty trash, and optimize disks.
33. Use your major applications to set them up properly, reboot a few times and verify everything is working properly and the system seems stable.
34. 'FUL' BACKUP: Install with full setup but no games or other 'odd' applications.
35. Update Rescue Wizard diskette information and write disks.