PCs run faster and smoother with New wizards and utilities, like the System File Checker. Windows 98 puts Web resources directly on the desktop thus making computers more entertaining and easier to use. The tight integration of Microsoft's Internet Explorer 4.0 gives a new e-mail client and desktop information manager, Outlook Express. Microsoft NetMeetingTM conferencing software supports Internet conferencing.

New hardware purchasers
Windows 98 supports the cutting-edge hardware -- including the newest media platforms.

"Building-out" the, up to now, taken for granted PC complications is one of the goals of Windows 98 -- to make the computer easy to use -- like everyday "appliances."

With OnNow a new PC starts right up the same as a modern radio or TV.

The next generation of Plug and Play hardware can now arrive since WINDOWS 98 supports the Universal Serial Bus (USB)

Windows 98 makes the PC the ringleader of the home entertainment circus.

The powerful processing and communications capabilities of the PC can now organize and lead previously disparate components, such as television, Digital Video Disc (DVD), and the Internet. This alchemy, combining television and HTML, for example, lets users review and search for their favorite TV programs with the built-in Program Guide. They can then immediately view a show on the computer, or set reminders to watch shows at a later time. Enhanced Television programming leavens traditional television shows with information such as sports statistics or cooking recipes.

Windows 98 as the first major upgrade of Windows 95 makes the operating system a savvy, Internet-smart environment. This blending of the PC and the net brings together the best of the Web with the best of the PC.

Work in a faster and more powerful environment

Enhancing the PC experience in the areas of richness and performance is another focus of Windows 98.

Windows 98 delivers streamlined performance in the areas of application load time and system shutdown. Other productivity advances include:

• more efficient data storage

• maneuver through the computing environment in a more nimble manner

• automate common user interface tasks.

• major advances in computer hardware and software.

The industry now supports innovations like USB, IEEE 1394, and DVD.

With Windows 98 support for the formidable array of hardware and software advancements is built-in, deploying the newest in PC technology.

Managing the work environment TCO (Total Cost of Ownership) -- Reducing the burden of PC cost, while increasing the value of use, is part of the design strategy. To this end, Windows 98 fields utilities to configure systems, troubleshoot problems, and keep machines up-to-date by automating the installation of new drivers, patches, and other software updates.

Updates Are Now Easy And Convenient

The Internet Infrastructure

Dial-Up Networking improvements
Windows 98 Dial-Up Networking includes support for :

• Dial-up scripting
  automates bulletin boards and online service connections

• Multilink Channel Aggregation
  Harnessing a number of dial-up lines (and separate modems) to yield higher data transfer speeds.

Advanced Web-browsing functions
Advanced browsing capabilities:

• AutoComplete

• enhanced Web searching

• improved favorites

• navigation history on the Forward/Back buttons

• improved printing

• supports all major Internet standards (HTML, Java, ActiveX technology, JavaScript, Visual Basic" Scripting)

• major security standards.

• A just-in-time Java compiler, basic code "tuning," and Dynamic HTML delivers pedal-to-the-metal Web feel.

• Automatically scheduled downloads from selected Web sites. New material arrives without visiting the site. Windows 98 gives Off-line viewing, browsing when not connected to the Web.

• Internet communication tool suite

• Outlook Express -- An e-mail and news-reading client.

• NetMeeting -- Internet conferencing with standards-based audio, data, and video-conferencing functionality.

• Personal Web Server (and the Web Publishing Wizard) -- Software for publishing Web pages on intranets or the internet.

• FrontPad -- A WYSIWYG (what-you-see-is-what-you-get) HTML editor similar to the FrontPage 97 editing tools.

• NetShow -- Streaming multimedia over any networks, ranging from low-bandwidth, dial-up Internet connections, all the way up to high-bandwidth, switched local area networks.

• Client support for Point-to-point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP). With PPTP public data networks, such as the Internet, can be used to connect client PCs with servers, creating virtual private networks (VPNs).

Reliability and Manageability -- Onward and upward!

FAT32 file system and conversion
FAT32, is an improved version of the FAT (file allocation table) file system. FAT32 supports disks over two gigabytes. These drives can now be formatted as a single partition. Cluster size is smaller than FAT drives. The result is a more efficient use of space on large disks. Windows 98 provides a graphical FAT32 conversion utility. Converting a hard disk from the original version of FAT to FAT32 is quick and easy. It worked without a hitch when I gave it a try on a test system.

Windows Update and the Windows Update Manager
Windows 98 reaches out to The Windows Update Web site, a new, centralized Web-based resource site. Windows Update continuously provides easy access to the latest drivers and operating system files. This keeps users' systems tuned and up-to-date. Windows Update also gives product assistance with up-to-date information and practical answers to questions. Windows Update and the Windows Update Manager makes computing easier!

System File Checker utility
A new utility that easily detects modified or corrupted Windows 98 System Files. Plus, the utility will restore the changed files to the original versions.

System Configuration utility
This utility automates, for both tech staff and user alike, routine troubleshooting and rebooting steps for diagnosing issues with Windows configuration. Graphical editing of common files such as Autoexec.bat, Config.sys, and ini files is another feature.

Microsoft System Information utility
This centralized system information utility gathers system configuration information for technical support. Support professionals can quickly resolve problems with this tool made up of a collection of ActiveX controls, each responsible for collecting and displaying a certain category of system information.

New Dr. Watson utility
The enhanced version of the Dr. Watson utility, intercepts and indicate what software faulted and why when a software fault occurs, such as a general protection fault or system hang. Also, Dr. Watson keeps detailed log information documenting the system state when a fault occur.

New backup utility
The new backup applet supports SCSI tape devices. Backups are faster and easier.

New Registry Checker Windows 98 does rigorous scans of the Registry ferreting out possible corruption. Needed repairs or restores are done from backups.

Automatic ScanDisk after improper shutdown
ScanDisk automatically runs after the operating system is shut down improperly or if a hard error (a physical error) occurs on a hard drive.

Multiple Display Support
Multiple Display Support puts multiple monitors on a single PC. Having the desktop spread over a number of monitors pushes the envelope in a host of fields -- desktop publishing, Web development, video editing, and gaming, to name just a few.

Support for the Latest Hardware

Power management improvements
Windows 98 uses Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI). ACPI ,an open industry specification proposed by Intel, Microsoft, and Toshiba, provides standard power management functionality in PCs. Windows 98 also supports the Advanced Power Management (APM) 1.2 extensions -- disk spindown, PC Card modem power down, and resume on ring, for example.

Broadcast architecture
Using a TV board, a Windows 98 PC receives and displays television and other data distributed through the broadcast networks (US only). The Windows 98 Program Guide lists television shows -- an online TV guide on steroids, so to speak. Windows 98 receives Enhanced Television programs combining standard television with HTML information.

PCMCIA enhancements
Support for PC Card32 (Cardbus): Cardbus upgrades the small PC Card to 32-bit performance.

Road warriors and other notebook users now have high-bandwidth applications like video capture and 100-Mbps networking in their collection of weapons. Another PCMCIA enhancement is the support for Multifunction PC Cards.

Sad to relate, the upgrade was not without incident. The hard drive did not have enough room, but the wizard tried anyhow. After two days of defective installs that refused to start, I finally broke down and FDISKed and FORMATed the drive.

I then loaded the system from scratch. That went OK, with a single exception. A SCSI card that worked fine under 95 just won't budge under 98.

With the new OS, the system does start and shut down faster than before.

I plugged this 98 system into a Novell LAN. The network interface card install was a breeze. The Novell 95 client also works without hesitation.