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Issue # 23

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Hello everybody,
Since we're here in LA, Ca. looking for a load I've got time
to get caught up on my email. I know quite a few of you
have been waiting to hear my thoughts about Windows 2000.
I've got some basic info for you.

I bought a copy of Windows 2000 Professional on Feb 17 at a
Staples in Mt Vernon, Il. They had it in a locked room and
I had to tell them it was for "business use only". The guy
there was so concerned as to whether or not I met the
minimum system requirements, and he warned me that this was
not for home use and that Microsoft would not give me any
support if I failed to meet the minimum system requirements.
I paid $269.99 for the full release.

Since we've been on the road all this time I've only been
able to play with it on my laptops. I've had to be careful
not to hose it since I wasn't prepared to wipe my main
laptop while on the road. Here are the stats on the two
laptops...

1) The older one is a Compaq Armada 1585 P150 with 80 meg
of ram, 1 meg video cirrus logic, 2 gig HD, a no-name
internal 33.6 modem, and an ESS 1878 sound card.

2) My primary laptop is a Compaq Presario 1270 AMD 350
with 96 megs of ram, 8 meg ATI Rage Pro LT video,4 gig HD, a
Lucent 56K winmodem (yuck), and an ESS Solo-1 sound card.

Since the minimum system requirements is a P133 with 32 meg
of ram I thought I'd try it on the P150 first. I usually
have Linux on this 'puter but was getting ready to upgrade
to the newest distribution of SuSe so I thought I'd wipe and
start from scratch.

After deleting all the partitions I booted the 'puter with
the Win2k CD in the drive. ( I wanted to see if it could
handle a HD with no partitions, it turns out it could have
handled the Linux partitions with no problem.) After
answering about five questions (easy since the manual
actually walks you through all the steps!) it started
installing. BTW, you don't get ANY install choices here, it
installs what it wants to. I left my PCMCIA (Linksys)
network card in and it found it with no problem. At this
point the install is hands free, it does to reboots. At the
end of the second reboot I was up and running. It took 72
minutes from start to finish. Up till this point in time
there was zero "geek" stuff, anyone who is willing to read
about 20 pages of low tech manual can get to here without
any problems.

The first thing I did after Win2k started was to go to
Device Mgr. There was only one problem, there was an
"unknown device"....which was the internal modem. Not bad
considering the age of this laptop (about 3yrs old). It
took me about 3 hours of geek work to convince Win2k that it
really was a modem. FYI...Compaq has provided zero Win2k
support as of this date, had Compaq provided a proper Win2k
driver for the modem this would not have been an issue.

Windows 2000 runs quite well on this older laptop ( a little
slow for my taste though). I think that 64 meg of ram is
the absolute minimum anyone should have though!

Now I decided to grit my teeth and cross my fingers that it
wouldn't kill my Presario will setting up a duel-boot
system. If it did I would be screwed till I got home.

I used Partition Magic by PowerQuest to create a unformatted
logical partition, so now I'd have a "C", "D", and an "E"
drive on the 'puter. The "C" drive was where Win98SE was
installed and the "D" drive has storage and games on it.
The "E" drive is where I planned to install Win2k.

Win2k has a boot manager (pretty basic but works) and the
manual even discusses how to setup a duel boot! So
following the instructions I started the setup from within
Win98. After about 7-9 questions later it went into
unattended mode, did a total of three reboots and was done
about 40 minutes later.

It was a flawless install!!! Device Mgr showed no errors!
I could boot either into Win98SE or Win2k! The only problem
with duel booting I have found to date is that Win98SE
complains that the recycle bin is corrupt on the shared
drives. It can fix it, but after going into Win2k and back
into Win98SE the problem re-appears. I found that by
telling Win2k not to send anything to the recycle bin on the
shared drive the problem was solved ( although I find it
pretty stupid of Microsoft not to fix this issue!).

Here are my thoughts so far...please be aware that I'm not
done testing...I haven't been able to try to "trash" the
install yet. :-)

First, this is not the normal upgrade path for the average
home user. While you went from Win95 to Win98 to Win98SE,
Win2k is actually the natural upgrade for Windows NT. There
is *supposed* to be an upgrade for Win98SE in the works,
code named "Millennium" that *should* release this summer
(ahem) sometime. While Win2k does merge the best of Win98
and WinNT it doesn't provide support for older DOS or most
16 bit programs (Win 3.1). If all of your software is
fairly new this shouldn't pose much of a problem, but be
aware that some programs may not work.

Unlike WinNT it does support games! So far I've been
playing both the Sims and JA2 without any problems....in
fact it *feels* better playing in Win2k...better ALT+TAB
support.....it might be in my mind but it seems a bit faster
than playing under Win98SE. I do know that both the sound
and video drivers are newer and this may be the reason.

Win2k IS MORE STABLE than Win98SE! When I crash a program
on purpose it doesn't kill the OS or cause me to reboot
before going back into the program that crashed. As of yet,
I haven't had a hard lock or BSOD, or a bad shut down.
Again, the story may change when I get home and really put
Win2k through the ringer. It does take longer to boot (but
if you don't have to reboot 10 times a day, who cares?), and
uses more memory ( I would say you'll need about 32 megs
more to get the same performance).

There is a learning curve here! If you want to be a 'puter
"user" then pass on Win2k. If you're a "power user" of a
"geek wannabe" and are willing to do some reading then by
all means give it a try. The Windows 2000 Resource Kit is
over 1700 pages in size and cost me $69.99. Do you have to
read it? Nope! But then you'll never fully realize the
potential of this new OS.

I'll give more info about the OS as I learn more but it
DOES look promising!

Now on with the good stuff....

FROM Microsoft www.microsoft.com

Windows 98 and Windows 98 Second Edition
----------------------------------------

How to Delete the Recent List of Network Connections
(Q252978)
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q252/9/78.a
sp

Unable to Create a New Web Folder (Q252617)
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q252/6/17.a
sp

Windows Help Does Not Open from the Start Menu (Q252612)
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q252/6/12.a
sp

Fatal Exception Error When Attempting to Connect to the
Internet (Q252523)
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q252/5/23.a
sp

Fatal Exception OE Has Occurred in VXD mrtRate (01) When
Printin (Q252414)
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q252/4/14.a
sp

Run-Time Error Message When You Start WordPad (Q252380)
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q252/3/80.a
sp

Cannot View Files Other Than Bitmaps in Microsoft Paint
(Q251351)
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q251/3/51.a
sp

Cannot Start Phone Dialer from the Outlook Express Address
Book (Q251266)
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q251/2/66.a
sp

Changes Made by Windows 98 Second Edition Shutdown
Supplement (Q251022)
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q251/0/22.a
sp

You Are Unable to Start a Program with a .exe File Extension
(Q250931)
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q250/9/31.a
sp

How to Reinstall Microsoft Windows 98 (Q250928)
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q250/9/28.a
sp

Music Match Jukebox May Not Work When Opening Two .wma Files
(Q250034)
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q250/0/34.a
sp

CAPS LOCK Key on at Startup With Universal Serial Bus
Keyboard (Q247853)
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q247/8/53.a
sp


Internet Explorer on the following platforms: Windows 95,
Windows 98, Windows NT 4.0
------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------

How to Change Your Home Page in Internet Explorer (Q252464)
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q252/4/64.a
sp

HTML File Cannot Post Data to a Non-NTLM Authenticated
Folder (Q251404)
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q251/4/04.a
sp

Err Msg: An ActiveX Control on this Page Is Not Safe
(Q251365)
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q251/3/65.a
sp

Err Msg: This Package Requires Internet Explorer 5.0...
(Q251043)
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q251/0/43.a
sp

GPF Customizing the Start Menu Using Taskbar Properties
(Q249073)
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q249/0/73.a
sp

IEXPLORE Caused an Invalid Page Fault in SHELL32.DLL
(Q249064)
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q249/0/64.a
sp

Multiple Internet Explorer Instances Do Not Redraw Correctly
(Q246113)
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q246/1/13.a
sp

Problems Moving a Personal Cache to a Shared Cache (Q205521)
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q205/5/21.a
sp

Error Message Viewing Help Files When Ratings Are Enabled
(Q203981)
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q203/9/81.a
sp

Windows 95
----------

Err Msg: Fatal Error - Unable to Create an Instance of
The... (Q252535)
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q252/5/35.a
sp

DirectX 7: How to Test Your DirectPlay TCP/IP Connection
(Q252156)
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q252/1/56.a
sp

Renewing IP Lease From DHCP Server Logs Off Novell Server
(Q205994)
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q205/9/94.a
sp

Error Message: Windows Has Encountered a Problem Accessing
Mmsys (Q203661)
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q203/6/61.a
sp

HP DeskJet 500c/550c Non-Printing Area (Margin) (Q107409)
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q107/4/09.a
sp

Windows 98 Second Edition is the best Microsoft operating
system for home use. And Windows(r) 2000 Professional is the
upcoming Microsoft operating system best for business users.
If you're not sure which one best suits your needs, read
more here:
http://www.microsoft.com/insider/mi/pfwinwhich.htm

Check out Windows 2000 system requirements, learn about any
upgrade issues, download the Readiness Analyzer for your PC,
and make sure you can upgrade from your current version at:
http://www.microsoft.com/insider/mi/pfwin2kall.htm

The wait for Windows(r) 2000 is over. As Bill Gates recently
stated in his keynote speech, at the official Windows 2000
launch event in San Francisco:

"Today we unveil the future of computing. Companies of all
sizes are already deploying Windows 2000 for its
scalability, reliability, and performance. Windows 2000
represents a significant industry-wide effort. More than
1,000 partners, over $1 billion in engineering, and more
than 5,000 individuals rallied together to make this product
the platform that companies can bet their businesses on.
Windows 2000 truly begins the next generation of computing."

You can view Bill Gates' keynote address online:
http://www.microsoft.com/insider/mi/pfkeynote.htm

SO...IS WINDOWS 2000 RIGHT FOR YOU?

Before you buy Windows 2000, remember: Windows 98 Second
Edition is the best Microsoft operating system for home use.
And Windows 2000 Professional is the Microsoft operating
system best suited for business users. If you're still not
sure which one best suits your needs, read more here:
http://www.microsoft.com/insider/mi/pfwinwhich.htm

Windows 98 and Windows 98 Second Edition
------------------------------------------------------------
----------
Explanation of User Interface (UI) Skins (Q253739)
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q253/7/39.a
sp

How to Change the Default Folder Icons in Windows Explorer
(Q253689)
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q253/6/89.a
sp

How to Choose Your Own Extension Saving a WordPad Document
(Q253688)
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q253/6/88.a
sp

Definition and Description of a Pixel (Q253680)
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q253/6/80.a
sp

How to Move the Taskbar from Its Default Position (Q253679)
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q253/6/79.a
sp

Description and Explanation of a Cabinet File (Q253676)
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q253/6/76.a
sp

Description of Device Drivers (Q253671)
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q253/6/71.a
sp

No Network Adapter Listed When Using Internet Connection
Sharing (Q253373)
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q253/3/73.a
sp

Err Msg: Cannot Find the File 'Dcomcnfg' (Q253311)
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q253/3/11.a
sp

How to Prevent "Shortcut to" Prefix from Being Added
(Q253212)
http://support

Windows May Not Shut Down or Restart When Msdos98.exe Is
Running (Q253098)
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q253/0/98.a
sp

Error Message: Fatal Error Problem Using UI Skins (Q252900)
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q252/9/00.a
sp

Fatal Exception in Openhci.sys When Devices Connected to USB
(Q250523)
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q250/5/23.a
sp

Network Provider Prompts for Logon Credentials Unexpectedly
(Q247805)
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q247/8/05.a
sp

Hibernate Mode Causes Problems in Windows 98 Second Edition
(Q245180)
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q245/1/80.a
sp

PS/2 Port Appears to Be Disabled on ThinkPad Computer
(Q209097)
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q209/0/97.a
sp

Problems Using Banyan Vines 32-Bit Client with VPN (Q204642)
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q204/6/42.a
sp

Computer Stops Responding When You Play Very Large .wav
Files (Q203795)
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q203/7/95.a
sp
------------------------------------------------------------
----------
Internet Explorer on the following platforms: Windows 95,
Windows 98 and Windows NT(r) 4.0
------------------------------------------------------------
----------
Cannot Select FrontPage as Default HTML Editor (Q253123)
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q253/1/23.a
sp

Error When Getting Messages from Hotmail Using Outlook
Express (Q252520)
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q252/5/20.a
sp

IEAK Restrictions Are Not Applied Correctly in Windows NT
(Q251338)
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q251/3/38.a
sp

Local Files May Be Accessed Using JavaScript Linked to Image
Tag (Q251109)
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q251/1/09.a
sp

Money 99 Personal & Business Contact Manager Shows No
Contacts (Q230284)
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q230/2/84.a
sp

"Generic: Trust Failure File: Xmldso.cab" When Installing
Intern (Q207244)
http:/

Communicator Personal Toolbar Not Imported During Upgrade
(Q204570)
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q204/5/70.a
sp
------------------------------------------------------------
----------
Windows 95
------------------------------------------------------------
----------
Serial Mouse Does Not Respond After ACPI Standby Mode
(Q252822)
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q252/8/22.a
sp

IGMP Incorrectly Sends Membership Packets to Several Groups
(Q249647)
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q249/6/47.a
sp

OpenGL Program May Cause Invalid Page Fault if Window Is
Moved (Q240896)
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q240/8/96.a
sp

Quarterdeck Cleansweep Registry Wizard Stops Working
(Q203733)
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q203/7/33.a
sp
------------------------------------------------------------
----------

Well, we found a load so it's time to go...We should be home
for a few days next week, check the PeterCam to see when....

**********
Peter Crockett - webmaster
>From somewhere on the road...
website: www.putergeek.com
mailto: webmaster@putergeek.com
**********

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Last Revised: 10/23/2000

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Thanks for the help Thomas!