daquan's Full Review: Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition Full Version O...
WHY THIS ONE?
First, let me start by saying the following:
In the past, my first Windows operating system was Windows Millenium Edition. That had crapped out after only 18 months of use. I was having so many problems with that, that I was about to throw the computer out the window!
Then a very trusted friend of mine had suggested that I let the guy who built HIS computer work on mine. After talking to the guy, who is a computer genius by the way, he told me that he can make the machine run like new. So after paying him for the necessary hardware & software to make the upgrades, I gave him the computer to work on while I went on vacation. Among those modifications, Windows 98-SE was one of the upgrades that he made.
When done with the work, he returned the computer back to me. He told me what to do. I then set it up again & tried it out.
WHAT THEN?
I was truly amazed that all of the bad stuff was perfectly wiped clean! The only other thing left to do was to wipe out AOL completely. I must also point out that I DID have Verizon DSL, which I eventually got rid of ( see my review on " It's Just One Big Headache After Another!! Not Worth the Money!! " ).
THE PRODUCT?
( Description of Product )
Once I began to experience Windows 98-SE, I was completely in awe as to it's truly amazing performance! It might sound to some like a downgrade of sorts from Windows Millenium, but I surely can do without all of those blasted headaches that are associated with the Mellenium software!
Unlike most Windows operating systems, Windows 98-SE can give you a vast array of features that you can certainly appreciate. You get Internet Explorer 5, Outlook Express 6, the Task Bar, along with the utilities to help you maintain the operating system at peak performance. But since my friend installed Norton System Works, the utility options have been overridden by the Norton software.
Connecting to the Internet is at normal speed, but if you have a high-speed Broadband Internet service such as Comcast, your connecting speed is about 30% faster than dial-up! Microsoft Windows Technical Support is also there to download for technical problems & support.
There is little difference, if any, between Windows 95, 98 and Windows 98-SE, except maybe just a simple sprucing up offering with 98-SE.
There is some firewall protection from spy ware, but in my estimation, you can NEVER have enough protection from viruses & spam e-mails these days.
This software, by the way, comes in a set of TWO disks. One is to install the software, while the other is to initially complete the installation & setup. Also, the system will suggest that you make a back-up copy onto a floppy disk as a last-ditch effort which aids in getting info needed to make some necessary final set-ups. There is a program key number on the back of the CD jewel box that you MUST use when getting set up.
THE TECHNICAL STUFF?
I'm no wiz kid by any stretch of the imagination when it comes to a home computer. But I DO know enough to be able to operate it as carefully & as efficiently as possible. With help from two very good friends of mine, I've mastered the simple basic stuff & art while learning newer things as I go along. But here are some of the BASIC fundamentals of
Windows 98-Second Edition. I'll try to cover as much as I can:
Depending on how much memory you have stored in your computer, and just how much memory that you use, Windows 98-SE can be quite easy to use & maintain even for a 13-year-old! For instance, there is the simple basic stuff to help you get set up such as setting up your e-mail account through Outlook Express for your ISP ( Internet Service Provider ). It will also allow users to set up several e-mail accounts for individual family members in the household. Also, usually, whoever you choose for your e-mail account, you can program that ISP's website as your homepage through the Internet Explorer from Outlook Express Tools.
If your computer is running at about 32MB of RAM and you have at least 128 to 164MB of memory, then you would basically be able to run this operating system with a very minimal amount of problems. There is a Help section which offers help with most problems that you may likely encounter. Support for USB and IEEE 1394 ( Firewall ) has been added.
In my honest opinion, Microsoft had simply taken Windows 98
and added a few simple upgrades to make it slightly better without adding all those extra " bells & whistles " that you'd probably find on Windows XP. Booting up & shutting down seems to have been improved a great deal over some of the earlier Windows operating systems, and even over the later Millenium Edition.
One precaution though. May I strongly recommend that you consider getting a back-up & restore system software such as Drive Image, since Windows 98SE has no provisions for this feature? It can & will help get you out of some of the most difficult jams, especially if it appears that your computer is about to crap out & crash from so many corrupted files ( I'll write a different review on that software if it's on this website )! Also, once you've formatted the hard drive, you will most certainly lose ALL
of the info and files that you've stored on it. So, the much better choice is to just have a back-up / restore software installed to prevent this.
Maintaining your files is a piece of cake. But you MUST finish any hardware installation once you start, or the system will not recognize it when you try to use the hardware.
Memory management MUST be followed because should most of it be used up & you don't try to restore it, your computer will start to run way too slow. This is very essential, especially since you'll be scouring & browsing the Internet as often as I do, which is every day for long periods.
Also, improvements to the memory management means that programs can now be swapped to the hard drives, which would allow you to drastically cut out dirty resource piles that would normally slow down your system's performance ( my hard drive has been partitioned ).
Getting logged on can sometimes be a pain, especially if there's a problem, such as an improper shutdown. Your system
will usually try to resolve the errors by cleaning up the errors on the hard drive or go into the Safe Mode until the problem is found and resolved.
Also, at times, when you go to your Internet Service Provider's homepage, Microsoft will automatically download it's Windows Upgrade page just in case you think that you might need an upgrade to improve the performance of Windows 98-SE.
MY EXPERIENCE WITH WINDOWS 98-SE?
It's been absolutely a total experience using this operating system! I seem to have much more luck with it then any of the other operating systems.
It doesn't have all of those " extras " which can often become quite confusing. It's a simple basic system that can be easy to use & enjoy!
INTERNET CONNECTIONS?
Connecting to the Internet is very easy once you're set up with Outlook Express. But you MUST follow the instructions very carefully, or else you will run into problems with your connections to the World Wide Web. Your Internet Service Provider can help you get set up, if needed.
There are provisions for wiping out your History files, Internet cookies & cleaning up the Temporary Internet files. Keeping these files updated will help you to eliminate problems later.
OVERALL?
Overall, I'd say that Windows 98-SE is basically a very sound operating system that you & your whole family can enjoy, given the fact that you MUST do some babysitting. By that, I mean that you must perform regular maintenance & system checks to keep you computer(s) in top-notch functioning efficiency.
ARE THERE ANY SHORTCOMINGS AT ALL?
Usually, and as expected, with most Windows operating systems, there will be times when a few setbacks might occur. I've had mine. For instance, at times, you might experience some corrupted files which can throw the system into turmoil.
The Defragmenter feature for your hard drive can, at often times, be way too slow to clean your hard drive, taking as much as an hour or two! The best time to run this feature is before you go out, or to bed at night. It should be done some time in the morning before you wake up.
And if you have Norton System Works installed ( I do ), and the Anti-Virus e-mail protection is activated, this can sometimes cause a conflict with Outlook Express & your ISP by messing up your e-mails & Internet connections.
But if those problems can be resolved, and they usually can, you should basically be alright with Windows 98-SE.
FINAL THOUGHTS?
Yes! I recommend that if you want pure basic simplicity without all of the hassles associated with the other Windows operating systems, you should consider getting Windows 98-SE. So far, it's the only one that I trust right now. Minimal problems with great results. That's what I like with this system!!
The Microsoft Windows 98 operating system is the upgrade to Windows that makes your computer work better and play better. It works better by making it...More at eBay
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