Important Tips - Windows 98

Important Tips

Windows 98 is an operating system that lets you use different types of applications or software. For example, it allows you to use a word processing application to write a letter, and a spreadsheet application to track your financial information.

Windows 98 is a graphical user interface (GUI). It has pictures (graphical) that you use (user) to communicate (interface) with the computer. This type of system is popular because it's logical, fun and easy to use.

This operating system has multitasking capabilities, meaning it can run several applications at the same time. Multitasking allows you to view this module on the Internet at the same time that you practice using other applications with Windows 98.

Introduction

Windows 98 (Codename, Memphis ) is a graphical operating system released on June 25, 1998 by Microsoft and the successor to Windows 95.Windows 98 is an operating system that lets you use different types of applications or software. For example, it allows you to use a word processing application to write a letter, and a spreadsheet application to track your financial information.

Windows 98 is a widely-installed product in Microsoft's evolution of the Windows operating system for personal computers. Windows 98 was code named "Memphis" during development and was, at one point, called "Windows 97" based on an earlier production schedule.

Windows 98 expressed Microsoft's belief that users want and should have a global view of their potential resources and that Web technology should be an important part of the user interface.

Windows 98SE Splash Screen

New features

Windows 98 is one of the most widely used operating system and is one of the Microsoft most successful products.

One of the most exciting features of Windows 98 is its ability to integrate your computer with the Internet. Imagine the possibilities. Not only does this make navigating through your files and folders quicker and easier, but you can search the World Wide Web in the same window where you are browsing your hard drive, have news and other information delivered to you automatically, and view educational programming on your computer screen.

Windows 98 has a lot of exciting features, some of them are listed below:

New Start Menu

You can move program icons and group folders around in your Start Menu. You can also remove them if you do not wish for them to appear on the menu.

All the application icons that appear on your Start Menu are shortcuts. That means that if you delete them from the menu, you are not deleting the original file. So relax and modify your Start Menu with comfort!

Enhanced Browsing support

We can display customizable toolbars at the top of a window to make browsing your computer and the Internet simple. Windows 98 automatically knows which toolbar buttons to display based on the kind of information in the window. The following table explains the available toolbars.

Favorites

A Favorite is Microsoft's term for a bookmark. Favorites are simply shortcuts to Web sites, files, folders, or programs. These are stored in the Favorites folder.

Windows Update

Windows Update allows you to connect to Microsoft's Web site and helps you download updates for your computer.

Quick Launch

Quick Launch is a floating customizable toolbar generally located on the taskbar. You start applications by clicking once on an icon on the Quick Launch toolbar.

Active Desktop

Active Desktop allows you to put "active content" on your desktop from Web pages or channels. For example, you can place a Web page that updates regularly, such as a weather Web page, on your desktop to get the latest information.

New Views

You have a choice of a Classic style view, Web style view or a Custom view based on your preferences.

Classic style view gives you that familiar Windows look and feel. This means that you double-click on folders, files, and programs to open them. When you double-click on folders in My Computer a separate window is opened for each.

Selecting Web style view means that your Desktop is "active," all your folders look like Web pages, and you single-click to open items. This replaces the single window view in My Computer from Windows 95.

Selecting Custom view allows a combination of Web style and Classic style based on setting that you choose.

In Windows 98 there are three ways to view your desktop and browse through files and folders:

• Classic style—much like Windows 95 desktop view. You double-click items to open them and each item appears in a new window.

• Web style—in this view you can browse your desktop and folders like you browse Web pages, by single-clicking items and using back and forward buttons. Items open in the same window rather than in separate windows.

• Custom style—allows you to choose the options which make your computer easiest for you to use.

Installing Window 98

How to Install Windows 98? Step-by-Step

This is a step-by-step on how to perform a Fresh Install of Windows 98.

What you are going to need for this:

1) Windows 98 CD
2) Windows 98 Product ID/Key
3) About 1-2 Hours(depends on speed of your PC)

Step 01

You need to make sure that you have the BIOS/Startup, so that the CDROM drives boots before the Hard Drive. To do this, you need to enter the BIOS/Startup by pressing: ESC, F1, F2, or DEL. Usually during POST (boot up) there should be something on the bottom stating on how to enter the BIOS/Startup. Press the button that it says to press or try one of the above until you enter BIOS/Startup Menu. Now using the arrow keys, there should be a tab that says, Startup/Boot Order. Under that should be a list with a list of options, make the 1st Boot - Floppy/3.5 Floppy, 2nd Boot - CDROM, 3rd Boot - Hard Drive, 4th Boot - Other. Place the Windows 98 CD in the CDROM Drive, save and exit the BIOS settings.

Step 02

After exiting the BIOS the computer will restart. You will get the above screen after the computer finishes POST. Select Boot from CD.

Step 03

After selecting Boot from CD the above screen will come up. Select Start computer without CD-ROM support.

Step 04

When if finishes loading, you will see the above screen with A:. Type fdisk and then press enter.

This is how the screen should look:

A:fdisk

Step 05

You will come to the screen above. Enter your choice and Press Enter.

After that you will come to this FDISK screen, press 1 then Enter.

You will then come to Create Partition or Logical Drive screen, press 1 then Enter.

Now the program will check the Hard Drive, and then will make the partition. Press Y then Enter to continue.

Remember you can press ESC if want to return to FDISK utility screen .

After that is done you will come to this screen, press ESC. You will then come back to the black screen with A:. Press Ctrl+ Alt + Del. This will restart the computer.

Step 06

You will then come back to the Boot Select Screen. Select Boot from CD-ROM.

Step 07

Select Start computer with CD-ROM support. The computer will now have CDROM support; you will come to the black screen with the A:. Now type D:WIN98format C:

You will be asked if you want to proceed with the format. Press Y, and then Enter. Depending on the size of the Hard Drive, this may take a while. After it is done formatting, press Enter (Do not enter a label).

Step 08

Now it is time to start the install of Windows 98. After pressing Enter, you should be at the A:. Now type D:WIN98setup.

This is how the screen should look:

A:D:WIN98setup

Before the install can start the Windows 98 setup need to check the Hard Drive. Press Enter, this also takes long time depending on the size of the Hard Drive.

Step 09

After scandisk has finish, and the files have been copied, you will come to this screen. Click Continue.

Select C:Windows, and then click Next.

Select the desired Setup Type from options, if you are not sure which type of Windows Installation you want then select Typical and then click Next.

Select Install the most common components, then click Next.

After you have made the changes, click Next.

Select your location, click Next. The default location is United State

Click Next, you can choose to make a Windows 98 Startup Disk, if so then insert a floppy then click OK, if not the click Cancel.

After the Startup Disk is completed, if you choose to make it, click Next to start copying Windows 98 files.

After the files have finished copying, remove the Windows 98 Startup Disk, and click OK to restart the computer.

Step 10

You will come to the Boot Select Screen, select Boot from Hard Drive.

The next screen you will see will be the Windows 98 Splash Screen.

Enter the User Information, and then click Next.

Read and agree to the EULA(End User License Agreement), then click Next.

Enter the Windows 98 Product ID/Key, and then click Next.

Click Finish.

Step 11

The computer will restart, select Boot from Hard Drive. The Windows 98 Splash Screen will come up. Windows is now finishing the last minute settings.

During those last minute settings, you will need to set the clock. Once done, click Apply then OK

The Windows Install is also most complete, and after it finishes the computer will restart.

Step 12

For the last time the Boot Select Menu will come up, select Boot from Hard Drive. The Windows 98 Splash Screen will appear; after it goes away Windows will install any drivers need.

Congratulations, you have installed Windows 98.

Deleting Partitions

Step 13

To delete a partition, when at the A: type fdisk. This is how it should look:

A:fdisk

When in the fdisk program press Enter. Press 3, if there are any Logical they have to be deleted before the Extended. Before the Logical partition can be deleted the Extended partition has to be deleted. When all of the partitions have been deleted then exit the fdisk program and restart the computer by pressing Ctrl+Alt+Del. To finish the install of Windows 98 goto (Step 02), read the last sentence.

Getting Started

The Desktop

Windows is very user friendly, you'll always feel comfortable with your computer, no more typing strange commands on your black Screen. The computer is now colorful, very friendly and accessible to everyone.

The opening screen of Windows 98 is called the desktop. This workspace on your computer screen contains:

• Icon or graphical pictures (These represent applications, files and other parts of your computer system.)
• Start button
• Taskbar

The Start button,

in the lower-left corner of your desktop, is one of the most important tools you will use while working with Windows 98. The Start button allows you to open menus and start applications.

Before going through details, here's a short description of each item

Desktop Icons

The small pictures on the desktop are called icons. One type of icon is an object icon. Examples of object icons are My Computer, Recycle Bin, and Internet Explorer. These icons allow you to open applications and documents on your computer.

A shortcut icon has a small jump arrow in the left corner. You can use a shortcut icon to open an application quickly. The icon below is a shortcut icon for the Microsoft Word application found on the Start menu. You don't have to use the Start menu to access the application if you have a shortcut for it on your desktop.

My Computer:

This is where your Hard Drive(s) lies, 3.5 Floppy (a:) the CD-Rom (the item with a CD icon) Printers (where you have the Printer icon inside in case you installed a Printer) Control Panel (Computer controls, it's like your Computer operation room, this is where you can change colors, configure devices, install software.... Dial-up Networking for Internet Connection, Scheduled Tasks (give your computer jobs to perform when you're out)

My Computer is the portal to everything in your Computer

My Documents

This is where you store all your personal stuff e.g files anything you create with your computer. Don't worry you can put your things somewhere else. Think of My Documents as your Desktop drawer where you can put your papers

Recycle Bin

Microsoft worries about the environment so it recycles everything ! The Recycle Bin is the Trash basket, when you wanna get rid of a paper/file you can throw it there, you can easily restore anything you trash.

Internet Explorer

Perhaps you will be reading this tutorial using Internet Explorer, it's a piece of software called a browser that comes with Windows for FREE, let you explore the Internet.

This icon will not appear unless the software is installed.
You might have another icon like "Connection Wizard" that will help you
configure your computer to access the Internet.

Network Neighborhood

When you connect two or more computers together you obtain a Network, with Network Neighborhood you can share what's on every computer, you can go into the second computer just by clicking on its name.

Online Services

If someone is not already connected to the Internet, he can subscribe to companies like CompuServe, AOL, Prodigy, MSN to get online

The Start Menu

When you click the Start button, a pop-up menu (the Start menu) appears. The Start menu shows all the applications that are on your computer. It also lists several options, including Shutdown, Help, Find and Programs.

If you select Programs, a pop-up menu appears. Pop-up menus like this are called cascading menus. If a cascading menu is available, a small black triangle appears next to the name of the application or function.

Taskbar

When you turn on the computer, the taskbar appears as an empty gray area at the bottom of the screen. When a window or application is open on the desktop, you can see a rectangular button on the taskbar that shows the name of the application.

Parts of the Window

Windows 98 Bars and Buttons

Windows 98 offers several tools to make using the operating system easy.

The title bar is the horizontal bar at the top of a window. It's usually displayed as white text on blue background.

The menu bar is below the title bar. It contains several menus which let you see a list of commands.

Some Windows 98 programs have toolbars across the top of the window. The toolbar buttons allow you to print, cut, paste or do other tasks. The options vary depending on the program.

The numerous bars and buttons of Windows 98 help you access applications and control the way your computer works.

The taskbar is a gray horizontal bar at the bottom of the screen. It shows the names of the open programs and folders.

The Quick Launch toolbar on the taskbar allows you to quickly access some features you may use often such as Outlook Express, Internet Explorer and the desktop.

The Control Menu button is the icon (picture) at the far left end of the title bar. The Control Menu button opens a menu you can use to control the window.

The Close button is at the far right end of the title bar. It looks like a box with an [X] in it. You can click the Close button to close a window or to exit an application.

Moving, Sizing, and Organizing Windows

Once you are familiar with the parts of a window, it is easy to use several windows at once so that you can accomplish more than one thing at a time. You can search the Internet and import text or pictures into a Word document; or, you can figure grades with an Excel spreadsheet, and write memos in Word Pad all while you are reading your e-mail.
Windows allows you to easily enlarge, hide or shrink a window using the minimize, maximize and restore buttons.

The Minimize button is among the three buttons at the right end of the title bar. It's the box that has a small dash (or minus sign). The Minimize button lets you remove a window from the desktop while leaving the application running.

The button in the middle is the Maximize button. It's a box with a picture of a window inside it. Use the maximize button to enlarge a window.

After a window is maximized, the button changes to the Restore button. It looks like a box with a picture of two windows. If you click on the Restore button, the maximized window shrinks to its previous size (the size it was before you maximized it).

To maximize a window:

• Click Start.
• Choose Programs--> Accessories Notepad.
• Click the Maximize button.

• Click the Control Menu button on the left end of the title bar.
• Choose Maximize.

Double-click on the title bar

Maximizing not allowed

Some windows cannot be maximized. They always appear as a small window. If a window cannot be maximized, the maximize button appears light gray or dim in color.

To see a window that cannot be maximized:

• Click Start.
• Choose Programs

Accessories

Calculator.

• Notice that the Calculator window cannot be maximized.

Scrolling

The scroll bar appears at the right side or the bottom of a window when all the information in that window can't be seen at the same time. You can use the scroll bar to see the hidden information.

The scroll bar of a window allows you to move easily through a document. It comes in handy, especially if you're viewing a long document.

Using the scroll bar to move through a window is called scrolling.

Moving a Window

Sometimes a window may be in front of an item you want to click on or view on your desktop.

Use the Title Bar to move a window around on the desktop. Click on the title bar, and while holding down the mouse button, drag the window to a new location on the desktop. This is helpful when you are using more than one program at a time and need to see them both simultaneously, such as when you are editing a picture in Paint and then want to import the picture into a Word document.

To move a window:

• Point the mouse pointer over the title bar at the top of the window and hold down the mouse left button. (Remember, you cannot move a window that is maximized.)

• Drag the window to the place where you want it and release the mouse button.

Tiling and Cascading Windows

When you right-click on the taskbar, a menu appears. This handy menu contains commands for cascading and tiling windows, and for minimizing all open windows. To try out these features, open a few accessory programs such as Word Pad, the calculator, and Paint, and then right-click an open space on the taskbar and choose Cascade Windows or Tile Windows Horizontally.

Cascading windows are layered on top of each other. Tiled windows are next to each other. Windows can be tiled horizontally or vertically. If windows are tiled horizontally, they appear one above another. If windows are tiled vertically, they appear side by side.

Below is an example of vertically tiled windows:

Switching Between Windows

As you know, Windows 98 allows you to have more than one application open at the same time. It also allows you to easily move between open applications. The application that you select becomes the active window. When a window is active on the desktop, its title bar is blue. When a window is inactive the title bar is gray.

To switch between applications:

• Click Start.
• Choose Programs

Accessories.
• Open Notepad.
• Open Calculator.
• Open MS Paint.

• Click on any part of the Notepad window on the desktop.
• Click on any part of the Calculator window on the desktop.
• Click on any part of the Paint window on the desktop.

In the example below, the Calculator window is active.

Switching Using the Keyboard Method

When you have more than one application open, you can also switch between them using the keyboard.

To switch between applications using the keyboard method:

• Open the applications. In this case, open Calculator and Notepad.
• Press and hold down the Alt key and press the Tab key.
• Icons and the file or application names appear on the screen.

Tab to the application you want. Once it is outlined with a box, release both keys.

Dialog Box Controls

Dialog boxes pop up on your screen when Windows or a Windows based program needs information, requires you to confirm an action (such as deleting), or has an alert or other information. Dialog boxes look a bit like windows, but don’t have all the features of windows. For example, they have title bars, but not toolbars. You can move them but not resize them. You can close them but not minimize them. Most dialog boxes are intuitive, usually asking for a simple Yes, No, or OK. Some are more complicated, especially those used for changing settings.

Several Windows 98 dialog boxes you use to change system settings are subdivided into tabbed categories, like a "real" file folder or card file. This allows you to make multiple changes from a centralized location on your computer. Each tab has a heading which categorizes the information on that tab. Click on the tab to change from one to another.

The following illustration shows the Display Properties dialog box:

Windows 98 Display Properties Dialog box

Dialog boxes feature button, boxes, tabs and sliders to help you control how your computer looks and works. You need to become familiar with the various dialog box controls.

Command button

Tells the computer to carry out an action. Click on this button to execute a command.

Option button

Appears when you have a list of choices. This button looks like a circle. Click inside the circle to select only one option.

Check boxes

Appear when a list of options is available. Click inside the boxes to select one or more options.

Text box

Provides space for you to type information. For example, when you name a file, you type in a text box.

Spin box

Sets a value, such as the number of copies to print. A spin box is a text box next to an up arrow and a down arrow. The text box contains a number. Click the up arrow or the down arrow to increase or decrease the number.

List box

A white space that contains a list of options. Click on an option to select it.

Drop-down list box

Shows only one option at a time (the option that is selected), and there is an arrow at the end of the box. Click the arrow to see the whole list of options.

Tabs

Resemble file folder tabs. When you click on a tab, a page of information appears.

Slider

Looks like a sliding volume control on a radio. It lets you set a value within a range of values, such as from slow to fast. To move a slider, place the mouse pointer on the slider, hold down the left mouse button and drag it.

Identifying File Box Features

Another typical dialog box is the file box. This box opens when you choose the Open or Save As command on the File menu of most Windows programs.

Given below is a typical File box on Windows 98 :

Pointing and Clicking

In Windows 98, the mouse is the tool you will most often use to navigate through the operating system and perform tasks. There are five basic actions you perform with the mouse: point, click, double-click, right-click, and drag.

To point the mouse, simply position the on-screen mouse pointer over an object. Sometimes when you point to an object and “hover” over it, a small box called a tool tip will appear that contains a description of the object. When you point to some objects, the mouse pointer changes shape, alerting you to the fact that you can perform some kind of command. For example, when the pointer turns into a hand with a pointing finger, you are pointing to a clickable item such as a hyperlink. A hyperlink is text or a picture that you can click to jump to another location. A two-headed arrow allows you to resize an object.

Click means to press the left (primary) mouse button. When you click an object you make it active. Double-click means to press the left mouse button twice quickly. Right-click means to press the right (secondary) mouse button. To drag an object with the mouse pointer, point to the object and press and hold down the left mouse button. When you have moved the object to where you want it, release the mouse button to “drop” the object.

To make the mouse comfortable for you and your students to use, you can adjust the speed of the mouse pointer, adjust the mouse for left-handed users, and make the pointers larger or smaller. You can also show the trail of the pointer, which is helpful if you are using the computer with a projection device. For those who cannot use a mouse, keyboard alternatives are available through the Accessibility Wizard.

Working with menus

Menus provide a way for you to send commands to the computer (tell the computer what you want the computer to do). When you open a window, menu options are listed from left to right just below the title bar on the menu bar. When you Click a menu item, a drop-down menu appears. Select the command you want to execute from the drop-down menu. An ellipse after a drop-down menu item signifies that there are additional options; if you select that option, a dialog box will appear. A menu is a list of commands or instructions that tell your computer to perform an action (such as opening a program or saving a document). The main menu associated with Windows 98 is the Start menu.

Most software programs will have their own menus that you will become familiar with as you use the program. You will usually find these menus at the top of the program window in an area called the menu bar. In Windows 98 you will use menus, cascading menus, submenus, and shortcut menus. The following illustrations show some of the kinds of menus and their parts.

The following are descriptions of the commands on the default Start menu:

• Run

opens the Run dialog box. You can type in the name of a program, folder, document, or Internet resource and Windows 98 will open it for you. There is also a Browse button to help you find what you want to open.

• Settings

opens a cascading menu with commands to open the Control Panel folder, Printers folder, Taskbar Properties dialog box, Folder Options dialog box, and Active Desktop commands.

• Document

quick access to the last 15 files that you have opened, as well as a shortcut to the My Documents folder.

• Favorites

opens a cascading menu, which helps you quickly access your Web page subscriptions, Active Channel subscriptions, and My Documents folder.

• Programs

opens the Programs menu which contains shortcuts to the software programs on your computer or that are available on your computer network including Windows Explorer and the Windows 98 Accessories.

There are some other symbols, called indicators, that you will sometimes find on menus. The following is an illustration of the View menu in Microsoft Word 97 showing the kinds of indicators you will find on program menus.

In Windows 98 and software programs that run on the Windows operating system, there are also shortcut menus which you open by right-clicking an object or area on the desktop or in a program window. The commands available on a shortcut menu depend on the location of the pointer when it is clicked. For example, the Windows 98 desktop shortcut menu allows you to create shortcuts and arrange shortcut icons as well as customize your Active Desktop.

Using Find

If you need a file or program located on your computer or network, but you cannot remember its name or location, use the Find File command. Click the Start button, point to Find, and then click Files or Folders. When you choose this command from the Start menu, the Find dialog box opens.

From this dialog box, you can find the file or program based on several types of search criteria, such as the file format (type), a partial file name, or words in a file. The more specific you can make the search, the faster the search results are displayed. For example, if you know the document you are looking for is a Microsoft Word document, it contains the word "vitae," and it is on your computer, you could choose "*.doc" from the dropdown list for the Named field, type "vitae" in the Containing text field, and select your hard drive in the Look in field before pressing Find Now to start the search. When the search is completed, a list of files and folders matching your criteria appears in the field at the bottom of the Find dialog box:

Open the files or folders in this field by clicking on the file or folder (double-click if you are using Classic style). You can also right-click the file or folder for more options, such as printing it (for files), moving or copying it, or deleting it.

The following options are also available from the Find command on the Start menu:

• Computer

search for another computer on the network by name.

• On the Internet

launches the Web browser so that you can search the Internet. For more information about finding information on the Internet, see the section “Getting Connected.”

• Using Microsoft Outlook™

opens the advanced Find dialog box for the Microsoft Outlook messaging and collaboration client. If you use Microsoft Outlook to schedule tasks, meetings, appointments, and other items, you can search for an Outlook item from this box.

• People

opens your personal address book if available.

Getting Help

When you have questions about Windows 98, you can quickly and easily find the answers in the Windows 98 online help file on the Start menu. Once you have chosen the Help command, the Help dialog box opens:

In the Help dialog box, you can search for information using one of three tabs:

• The Contents tab

Use this tab to find information as you would in a book's table of contents. This tab displays Help information that is organized to look like chapters in a book. Each "chapter" appears with a book icon next to it. If you click the book icon, the pane displays the subheadings in that chapter.

• The Index tab

Use this tab to find information as you would in a book index. As you type a keyword or part of a keyword, the one in the list that is closest to what you are typing is highlighted. You can continue typing more of the keyword to define it more specifically, click the selected keyword in the list to display it, or click one of the keyword subentries (if they exist) in the list to display it. If you click a keyword and more than one topic uses it, a list of the topics appears. When you choose one, its contents are displayed in the right pane.

• The Search tab

Use this tab to search for information on a broad topic.

The Help window also contains a toolbar with the following buttons:

• Show/Hide

shows or hides the left pane of the Help window.

• Back and Forward

like the back and forward buttons on the Web style standard toolbar and the Internet Explorer Web browser, moves back or forward through topics you have recently visited.

• Options

a menu of commands including Refresh, and Print.

• Web Help

opens a topic from which you can link to Microsoft's Online Technical Support Web site.

Another great feature of the Windows 98 Online Help system is the troubleshooting wizard. Troubleshooting wizards walk you through a problem you might be having one step at a time by asking you questions and offering information and possible solutions. You will find the Troubleshooting Wizards on the Contents tab. Click on Troubleshooting and then click Windows 98 Troubleshooters and select from the list of available wizards. The following illustration shows the first screen of the print troubleshooting wizard.

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