Microsoft Windows 98 Resource Kit [Paperback]

Microsoft Press (Author), Microsoft Corporation (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 1998

The "Microsoft Windows 98 Resource Kit, Beta Release", provides a preview of the information needed to plan for -- and implement -- Windows 98 within your organization. This 1792-page Beta reference -- including the Beta 3 release of Windows 98 as well as beta releases of many of the tools, utilities, and accessory software provided on the book's companion CD -- is the only "first look" source of professional-level information on the Windows 98 beta. And the book invites feedback regarding its contents and presentation, allowing readers to provide valuable input into the final release of the Windows 98 Resource Kit that ships with the final release of Windows 98, due out in the second quarter of 1998. This exclusive Microsoft publication, written with the Windows 98 development team, is the perfect technical companion for network administrators, support professionals, systems integrators, and computer professionals who are evaluating the Windows 98 beta release before it's finalized next year.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

This package is remarkable, not just for being a huge resource kit, but because it includes a full working copy of the Windows 98 Beta 3 operating system (OS). This marks the first time that Microsoft has ever bundled a beta OS with a book. If you're not already part of the Windows 98 beta test, it's probably your only shot at testing Windows 98 and its supporting applications and tools before it is released. The bundle includes a free technical support program that covers the important areas of boot failure, data loss, and critical application failure (this program is available to U.S. and Canadian customers only).

Microsoft is primarily targeting the Microsoft Windows 98 Resource Kit, Beta Release at administrators who want to evaluate Windows 98 in a corporate environment. But the beta has remarkably few rough edges and anyone interested in Windows 98 should be able to install it successfully.

The CD-ROM contains the full beta version of Windows 98 Beta 3, including Internet Explorer 4.0, the Outlook Express mail client, FrontPage Express, the Microsoft Personal Web Server, and a clutch of administration tools. The installation features are complete and all major features of the operating system (including network protocols and device drivers) appear to be in place. More importantly, bugs seem to be at a minimum and the code is clearly in good shape for testing by real end users. The beta can be installed on a newly formatted drive or as an upgrade over an existing Windows 95 installation.

The administration tools include the Windows 98 System Policy Editor, Registry tools, installation scripting, and the Power Toys. For end users, the disk also contains an online User's Guide and three Discover Windows 98 automated tours. The beta will not operate beyond December 31, 1998, at which point Windows 98 will presumably have shipped.

The printed volume is primarily intended to help system administrators support Windows. Almost 1,800 pages in bulk, it covers deployment and installation, system configuration, networking, Internet communications, and the Windows 98 architecture in even more detail than past resource kits.

Product Details

• Paperback: 1576 pages
• Publisher: Microsoft Press (February 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1572318783
• ISBN-13: 978-1572318786
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.7 x 3.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,716,838 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Heavy on networking, March 21, 2000

By 

cjf - See all my reviews

This review is from: Windows 98 Resource Kit (Paperback)

The book is extremely extensive on networking, and would appeal to a systems manager at a company who wanted a "basic-to-medium" level depth in knowledge of just about all of Windows 98. You will not be a computer tech with this book, but you'll sure know a lot of neat things about windows 98. In my opinion, they should have divided the book into one for networking, and one for those who just need it for troubleshooting pc's. And then in each book, provide a "medium and advanced" depth in knowledge on each subject. Here, one who just troubleshoots pc's will pay alot for a little information, some of which may be valuable, but otherwise, it may lack the depth required in some necessary information. Why didn't Uncle Billy do this? Why, to keep his phone techs employed!

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must-Have Spinner for the Windows Professional!, March 6, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Windows 98 Resource Kit (Paperback)

Microsoft Windows 98 Resource Kit has indeed proven its worth:- a much-needed troubleshooting manual with explicit and immaculate examples on how to solve certain so-called 'everyday' problems which you may encounter in your usage of Microsoft's latest OS release, Microsoft Windows 98. Is indeed a 'worth-it' bargain and a 'must-have' for those of you out there who are worked out by banging and cursing your system whenever it crashes!

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Undisputed Champion of Windows 98 Reference Books, August 12, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Windows 98 Resource Kit (Paperback)

The bottom line is that every other book written on Windows 98, including the other Microsoft titles, is merely a footnote to the Windows 98 Resource Kit. It's an automatic read for computer professionals and the one you buy first, whether you are a pro or want to be one. It is a good bet that many of the other Windows 98 books out there were written with the Beta version of this Resource Kit close at hand. It is the primary source of information on Windows 98, direct from Redmond. Where else would you look for the correct information on a Redmond product? Sheesh!